Local Nichiren Shōshū communities hinge on a clear, time-tested hierarchy that keeps daily Lotus Sutra chanting front and center. At the pinnacle sits Taiseki-ji on Mount Fuji—the head temple, or honbu—serving as both spiritual home base and administrative hub. From there, a handful of major branch temples spread out across Japan and beyond, each led by resident priests appointed directly by the priesthood at Taiseki-ji.

Under those branch temples, regional districts take shape. A district chief (guntōkan) oversees a network of local temples and meetings halls, making sure doctrine and ceremonial procedures remain uniform. These district chiefs coordinate with district instructors (gunchō), who visit neighborhood chapter meetings—known as dōko or ko—to offer guidance on chanting practice, explain passages of the Lotus Sutra and organize entry into larger events.

At the grassroots level, small groups of lay believers gather weekly in private homes or temple annexes. Those gatherings are held under the watchful eye of a chapter leader (kocho), often an experienced practitioner chosen for both devotion and organizational skill. This person keeps everyone “on the same page,” handling everything from room setup for gongyō (chanting service) to distributing the latest guidance from headquarters.

Since the pandemic, many chapters have folded in online chanting sessions, blending time-honored rituals with Zoom and livestream setups. That digital pivot has become a real game-changer—long-distance members can now join morning gongyō in Tokyo even from as far away as Brazil or California, creating a global neighborhood feel.

Every year, district gatherings crescendo in large-scale Oeshiki and Higan services. All roads lead back to Taiseki-ji for Daishō-e, where priests and lay leaders convene, ironing out doctrinal clarifications and planning outreach. This blend of local intimacy and centralized authority makes the Nichiren Shōshū structure run like a well-oiled machine, ensuring the Lotus Sutra’s teachings resonate from cozy living rooms to the majestic halls of Mount Fuji.