Nichiren Buddhist Church

Doug M. _{on Yelp}

Apr 27th, 2019

I enjoy services here. Sermons are in English and Japanese. Parking on Weller is sometimes scarce.

Norma M. _{on Yelp}

Sep 24th, 2015

Chow Mein sale is this Sunday, 9/27/15, from 11am - 3 pm.  Pick up some to go for your SeaHawks party or tailgating!  Also serving teriyaki chicken, hot dogs, imogashi and baked goods.

Connie S. _{on Yelp}

Oct 10th, 2010

Nichiren Church Serves the best home-made Chow Mein every year for their fundraiser at the end of September.  I've been going to this church since I was a kid and was married here Japanese style with three tiers of sake.  My parents were married here too.  Recently, the reverend resigned in July.  So the members are waiting for another new reverend to start.  There's Sunday service in half in English and half Japanese sutras at 10:30am, unless there's a special service like Buddha's Birthday or St. Nichiren's Memorial Service called Oeshiki.  I visited the head temple in Ikegami Honmonji Temple in Tokyo, during Oeshiki. It's when a million pilgrims show up and parade up to the temple chanting and beating their hand-held drums. They also carry these large Cherry Blossom lanterns. When St. Nichiren died in Oct. cherry blossoms began to bloom again. He lived in the 13th Century and was a radical in his time and paid the price since the Japanese government tried to execute him. But a storm brewed and legend said, lightning struck the samurai who was to behead him. So they stuck him on a rock in the middle of the sea. He survived another attempt on his life.  He also prayed to help defend against the Mongols who wanted to invade Japan.  The Mongols ran into stormy seas and wasn't able to take over the country.  Later, they exiled him to Sado Island and he was able to teach his disciplines.   During services, it's exciting to hear the drums compared to the quiet Zen sect where you will have to medidate for hours.   For Nichiren the meditations are for only a few minutes so it's not painful.  Every Wednesday, there's a Shodo (calligraphy) Club that meets and the church ladies help out to cook the Beef Bowl for the Seattle Cherry Blossom Festival at Seattle Center. They are the best cooks and members are treated to the best Japanese Bento Box during New Years! But you will need to be a member to get this bento box.