Nichiren’s Sangha Series: Daikoku Ajari Nichirō

Although Nichirō himself was mainly active in the Musashi and Kamakura area, he was part of a larger family sangha, that included his relative Ben Ajari Nisshō, the Ikegami brothers, Nakatsukasa Yoritomo Shijō Kingō and most important his two disciples Higo Ajari Nichizō and Maka’ichi Ajari Nichi’in who created the Shijō and Rokujō offshoot lineages respectively. This essay explores Nichirō’s family ties and his role as Nichiren’s representative in Kamakura along with his uncle Nisshō as well as his network of relationships.