February 16, 2008
Comments
It is kind of redundant, but it is not a problem. It is sort of like Honzon or Gohonzon; Odaimoku or Daimoku; Jukai or Gojukai.
The kanji for Nichiren Shonin is 日蓮聖人. The Shonin there is a translation of Muni, meaning a Sage / Saint -- a great person. 日蓮大聖人 would be Nichiren Daishonin.
We can also call him Nichiren Daibosatsu 日蓮大菩薩 or Rissho Daishi 立正大師 which are his official posthumous honorific designations
For Nikko Shonin it is 日興上人. The Shonin there is a translation of Bhikkhu, meaning a legally ordained Minister
Posted by: robin at February 16, 2008 04:06 PMHappy birthday Nichiren! BTW, why is a problem to add the prefix of "Dai" to "Shonin?" After all, he was great. I don't get that.
Charles
Posted by: Charles at February 16, 2008 11:38 AM