Nichiren

In downtown L.A., the historic Nichiren Buddhist temple on East First Street, near the Los Angeles River, at first served as a warehouse for its parishioners’ property, but in June 1943, police and government officials showed up at the place and found … a mess, and nothing.

The group practices Nichiren Buddhism, a tradition that emphasises individual empowerment and inner transformation.

Along with his two predecessors, Ikeda is credited with reviving Nichiren Buddhism in the modern age, making it more accessible for present-day practitioners by emphasizing a philosophy of goodness, respect for others and being happy and at peace.

The Grammy-winning singer, who grew up Baptist, eventually transitioned from reciting “The Lord’s Prayer” to chanting the basic prayer within Nichiren Buddhism, “nam-myoho-renge-kyo,” which translates to devotion to the mystic law of cause and effect.

The woman, Valerie Bishop, was a member of the Soka Gakkai community, a form of Nichiren Buddhism, which is active throughout West Los Angeles, near where the Turners lived and recorded music.