shakubuku

Buddhism

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July 13, 2026

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The term "shakubuku" refers to a method of evangelism within the Sōka Gakkai movement of Nichiren Buddhism. It translates to "break and subdue" and involves forcefully arguing to overcome an individual's resistance to the teachings of the Lotus Sutra. This practice was a key technique for the rapid growth of Sōka Gakkai, particularly after World War II.1

Buddhism itself is a religion and philosophy that originated in India and spread throughout Asia. Mahayana Buddhism, a major branch, emphasizes the ideal of the bodhisattva, who delays their own enlightenment to help others. Within Mahayana, the Nichiren school, founded by Nichiren in Japan, centers on the Lotus Sutra as the ultimate teaching for salvation.1

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Buddhism
Nichiren
…a technique of evangelism called shakubuku (Japanese: “break and subdue”), in which the resistance of the other person is destroyed by forceful argument. Although its practice of shakubuku was curtailed by Ikeda Daisaku, the society’s third president, Sōka-gakkai continued to grow throughout the second half of the 20th century and…
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…a technique of evangelism called shakubuku (Japanese: “break and subdue”), in which the resistance of the other person is destroyed by forceful argument. Although its practice of shakubuku was curtailed by Ikeda Daisaku, the society’s third president, Sōka-gakkai continued to grow throughout the second half of the 20th century and…
Read More