The mandala in Nichiren Buddhism, Part Two: Mandalas of the Kōan period

"The mandala in Nichiren Buddhism" is the first comprehensive analysis of Nichichiren's mandalic corpus in English. As the total number of pages in a single volume would reach over 700, the book has been divided into three parts. This second volume covers the analysis of Nichiren’s moji-mandala in the Kōan years from 1278 to 1282, the period of his full maturity. The Kōan era represents the peak of Nichiren’s works, both from the viewpoint of his philosophy and aesthetics, such as calligraphy, composition style as well as the level of organization of Nichiren’s sangha. The early Hokke confraternity centered on Nichiren, was a highly organized and functional group, with a systemized logistics and communication network, covering several provinces around the Japanese archipelago even during Nichiren’s exile on Sado Island. Once he transferred to Minobu, his group grew larger and became exceptionally efficient and dynamic.