in establishing a building based on correct orthodox faith in Nichiren Shoshu. Soka Gakkai vehemently rejects these charges, claiming that it is Abe who has deviated from the doctrines of Nichiren Shoshu. It further alleges that Abe himself was personally corrupt and that his motive for excommunicating Soka Gakkai was to bolster his personal power over believers. The Soka Gakkai leadership has been consistently scathing in its criticism of Abe in particular and the priesthood in general, claiming accusations of simony, sexual hedonism, monopolizing the Dai-Gohonzon, and claims based on the extant notes of a senior priest, Jitoku Kawabe (1929—2002), alleging that Abe was aware that the Dai-Gohonzon was not authentic. Later years Abe was one of the few high priest in Nichiren Shoshu's history, after Nikko shonin (1246-1333), to reach 80 years of age while actively serving in the position. By the time he retired about midway through his 27th year, he had reconfigured Head Temple Taiseki-ji in a manner more congruent with tradition and restored a number of ceremonies to their traditional times and formats. In the view of Hokkeko believers, Nikken Abe ensured that Nichiren Shoshu doctrine would be communicated to believers without reinterpretations of convenience. He also survived attempts against efforts from three breakaway groups, beginning with Kenshokai in 1974, followed by Shoshinkai in 1980, and ultimately by Soka Gakkai, which was expelled in 1991. In later years Abe continued to participate in the Gokaihi ceremonies (direct audiences with the Dai-Gohonzon) in both November and April, the most important months in the Nichiren Shoshu calendar. He died in his private residence in Nakamachi district of Setagaya ward in Tokyo on 20 September 2019, aged 96. His body was briefly exhibited in the Kyakuden for international believers and thereafter his cremated remains are interred in the Buddhist stupa no. 67 at the burial cemetery grounds of Taisekiji. References Sources Japanese Wikipedia article on Shōshinkai Shoshū Hashaku Guide (Jp: 諸宗破折ガイド: Guide to refuting [erroneous teachings of] other schools). Taiseki-ji, 2003 (no ISBN) Nichiren Shoshu Fuji Nempyō (Jp: 日蓮正宗 富士年表: Chronology of the history of the Fuji Schools). Fuji Gakurin, 1990. (No ISBN) External links Official Nichiren Shoshu Temple site (USA) Nichiren Shoshu English website Official Soka Gakkai / Soka Gakkai International (SGI) sites SGI's take on the Nichiren Shoshu–Soka Gakkai split (contents page) 1922 births 2019 deaths Critics of Sōka Gakkai Japanese religious leaders Japanese Buddhist clergy Nichiren