Editing Nichiren (section)

== Nichiren and his followers ==
[[File:JIGAGE_E_SHŌ_ZOKUHEN_1818_Nichiren_and_his_disciples.jpg|thumb|Nichiren in his later years and his disciples. From the book JIGAGE E SHŌ ZOKUHEN (1818, Kyoto)]]
Nichiren was a charismatic leader who attracted many followers during both his missionary trips and his exiles. They included [[samurai]], feudal lords, commoners and merchants, men and women. He taught his followers that women were equally able to attain enlightenment. He wrote to them often, sharing his rationale and strategies with them, openly urging them to share his conviction and struggles.<ref>Anesaki, p.50-51,64,68</ref><ref name=Rodd1995 />{{rp|328–329}}

Nichiren's many extant letters demonstrate the scope and breadth of his relationship with them and his expectations for them. They recognized and trusted his charismatic leadership and his understanding of Buddhism. Many sought his guidance to overcome personal problems. Many were actively involved with supporting him financially and protecting his community of followers. Several of disciples were praised by him for sharing in his privations and a few lost their lives in these situations. The relationship between Nichiren and his disciples has been called ''shitei funi'', the oneness of mentor and disciple.  Although the functions of the mentor and disciple may vary, they share the same goals and the same responsibility. Nichiren claimed the precedent for ''shitei funi'' is a core theme of the ''Lotus Sutra'', especially in chapters 21 and 22 where the Buddha entrusts the future propagation of the sutra to the gathered bodhisattvas.<ref>{{Cite book |last1=Fowler |first1=Jeaneane D. |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=sXwV-pGobWcC&q=nichiren+mentor+disciple&pg=RA1-PA66 |title=Chanting in the Hillsides: The Buddhism of Nichiren Daishonin in Wales and the Borders |last2=Fowler |first2=Merv |date=2009 |publisher=Apollo Books |isbn=978-1-84519-258-7 |page=66 |access-date=3 October 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220601212047/https://books.google.com/books?id=sXwV-pGobWcC&q=nichiren+mentor+disciple&pg=RA1-PA66 |archive-date=1 June 2022 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |last1=Tanabe |first1=George Joji |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=O03rvTi0vwAC&q=lotus+sutra+entrustment&pg=PA45 |title=The Lotus Sutra in Japanese Culture |last2=Tanabe |first2=Willa Jane |date=1989 |publisher=University of Hawaii Press |isbn=978-0-8248-1198-3 |page=45 |access-date=3 October 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220601220316/https://books.google.com/books?id=O03rvTi0vwAC&q=lotus+sutra+entrustment&pg=PA45 |archive-date=1 June 2022 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |last=Tamura |first=Yoshiro |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=QV4ZAwAAQBAJ&q=nichiren+entrustment&pg=PT123 |title=Introduction to the Lotus Sutra |date=15 July 2014 |publisher=Simon and Schuster |isbn=978-1-61429-099-5 |pages=124–125 |access-date=3 October 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220601090722/https://books.google.com/books?id=QV4ZAwAAQBAJ&q=nichiren+entrustment&pg=PT123 |archive-date=1 June 2022 |url-status=live}}</ref>