Since 1556

Nichiren(1222-1282)is one of the representative Buddhist scholars in the Kamakura period. He studied Tendai Buddhism with earnest faith in the Lotus Sutra and founded his own school which has been continued by his successors in Nichiren Buddhism. He stayed at Minobu his last nine years. Therefore Minobusan became a holy place of Nichiren Buddhism and Kuonji, the main temple of Nichiren Buddhism, was built of Minobusan.

Nicchō, the 11th patriarch, is one of the most eminent scholars in Nichiren Buddhism and wrote many works. He moved the temple from the west valley to the present place and also made an effort to educate his disciples in order to spread the teaching of Nichiren. Nichikyō, the 14th patriarch, aimed to make an educational center of Nichiren Buddhism and established“ Zengakuin” in the west valley (Nishidani) of Minobusan in 1554. This was the beginning of Nishidani Danrin, which became the center of study of Nichiren Buddhism.

With changes in modern educational systems the name of Nishidani Danrin has been changed several times. In 1995 it newly started as Minobusan University as its successor and its educational ideal comes from that of Nishidani Danrin