What is the Gohonzon? Why do we need it?

What is the Gohonzon? Why do we need it?

The Gohonzon is the object of devotion, in the form of a scroll, that practitioners of Nichiren Buddhism enshrine in their homes and is the focal point of their daily practice of morning and evening sutra recitation and chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo. (Go means "honorable" and honzon means "object of devotion.")

"This Gohonzon is the essence of the Lotus Sutra and the eye of all the scriptures," Nichiren Daishonin states. "It is like the sun and the moon in the heavens, a great ruler on earth, the heart in a human being, the wish-granting jewel among treasures, and the pillar of a house" ("On Upholding Faith in the Gohonzon," The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, vol. 1, p. 624).

In the center column of the Gohonzon are the characters "Nam-myoho-renge-kyo" and under that, "Nichiren," surrounded by various other Chinese and Sanskrit characters that depict historical and mythological Buddhist figures. Together they represent profound philosophical principles and conditions of life.

Like a musical piece or a painting that reflects the life-state of the person who created it, the Gohonzon reflects Nichiren's life-state: Buddhahood. It is not merely a symbol, or something to focus on while chanting. Since it embodies the state of enlightenment, Nichiren's life, it is the actual reality of the Buddha's life. It is the link between the Buddha state within ourselves and in the environment. It is an instrument to see our true potential and use it. Therefore, by chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo to the Gohonzon, we call forth our own Buddhahood, tapping our inherent wisdom, compassion and life force. Gradually, day after day, our own life-state is influenced and strengthened through our daily practice to the Gohonzon.

SGI President Ikeda states, "Just as a mirror is indispensable for putting your face and hair in order, you need a mirror that reveals the depths of your life if your are to lead a happier and more beautiful existence" (My Dear Friends in America, p. 94).

Nichiren cautions:"Never seek this Gohonzon outside yourself. The Gohonzon exists only within the mortal flesh of us ordinary people who embrace the Lotus Sutra and chant Nam-myoho-renge-kyo" ("The Real Aspect of the Gohonzon," WND-1, 832). In other words, our faith and practice make the Gohonzon an external stimulus to awaken our internal life of Buddhahood.

Reference

Living Buddhism "Without Practice and Study, There Can Be No Buddhism". May-Jun 2007 Special Reprint.

What do SGI members study?

What do SGI members study?

As study is an integral part of the complete practice of Nichiren Buddhism, the SGI offers many resources for study. In addition to the many books, periodicals and on-line study material, Buddhist learning is also a regular part of our discussion meetings each month. Interacting with other SGI members and asking questions when doubts or curiosity arise can also help us deepen our understanding of Nichiren Buddhism and of how we can empower ourselves.

Nichiren Daishonin wrote letters of encouragement to his followers in 13th-century Japan and his disciples preserved many of those letters. We study those letters in the first and second volumes of The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin. Though written centuries ago, the principles and teachings in those letters are applicable to our daily lives today.

In addidion to studying Nichiren's letters, we also pay close attention to the addresses and writings of Daisaku Ikeda, president of the Soka Gakkai International who provides modern interpretations and practical applications of Nichiren Buddhism in daily life. Under President Ikeda's leadership, from the time he was elected third president of the Soka Gakkai in 1960, the worldwide movement for peace through individual happiness - kosen-rufu - expanded beyond Japan to where there are now more than 12 million practitioners in some 190 countries and territories. Since he first encountered Nichiren Buddhism when he attended a Soka Gakkai discussion meeting in Tokyo at age 19, Daisaku Ikeda has spent the majority of his life deepening his understanding of Nichiren's intent for the happiness of all people, and his works put Nichiren's teachings into a modern context of practical, engaged Buddhism. President Ikeda's addresses and essays appear in our monthly Buddhist learning magazine indigo.

The indigo, as our organ periodicals, also carry important study information for discussion meetings, great experiences and messages. Every member can deepen their understanding of Nichiren Buddhism through reading these publications, and they can also be used to help us explain Buddhism to others.

All SGI study materials are provided for the purpose of helping practitioners develop the most fulfilled practices and lives. More information for these materials can be found on-line at http://www.sginl.org/

Reference

Living Buddhism "Without Practice and Study, There Can Be No Buddhism". May-Jun 2007 Special Reprint. (Some details have been changed to suit the SGI in the Netherlands, SGI-NL)

How can I know I am a Buddha?

How can I know I am a Buddha?

Buddha, as defined in The Soka Gakkai Dictionary of Buddhism, is "one enlightened to the eternal and ultimate truth that is the reality of all things, and who leads others to attain the same enlightenment" (p. 57). It is important to know that the whole idea of the term Buddha is to define the state of life that every person can experience.

In the Lotus Sutra, Shakyamuni's highest teaching, the true message of Buddhism becomes clear: Every person can live this great life of a Buddha. Shakyamuni Buddha, then, represents each of us.

The second Soka Gakkai president, Josei Toda, once said that in the sutras of the future, the Soka Gakkai's name would be recorded as Soka Gakkai Buddha. This is because the Soka Gakkai is a gathering of ordinary people who, through fulfilling the true intent of Buddhism, will reveal themselves to be Buddhas.

So is it appropriate that we call ourselves Buddhas? Through Buddhahood is inherent in our lives, identifying ourselves as Buddhas only truly befits us when we act as Buddhas, when we live as Buddhas.

Nichiren Daishonin declares, "If Nichiren's compassion is truly great and encompassing, Nam-myoho-renge-kyo will spread for ten thousand years and more, for all eternity" ("On Repaying Debts of Gratitude," WND-1, vol. 1, p. 736). He is speaking to each of us when he says this, calling us to join him in widely sharing Nam-myoho-renge-kyo, which has the power to save all people. This is what qualifies us as Buddhas.

Reference

Living Buddhism "Without Practice and Study, There Can Be No Buddhism". May-Jun 2007 Special Reprint.

What is enlightenment?

What is enlightenment?

The word enlightenment calls to mind those who practice austerities and therby gain extraordinary powers beyond the reach of common mortals. Nichiren Daishonin, however, taught that enlightenment, or Buddhahood, is a condition of life accessible to everyone, under any circumstances, by chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo.

It is only our inability to believe this - what we call our fundamental darkness or delusion - that prevents us from calling forth our Buddhahood.

Nichiren explains: "When deluded, one is called an ordinary being, but when enlightened, one is called a Buddha. This is similar to a tarnished mirror that will shine like a jewel when polished. A mind now clouded by the illusion of the innate darkness of life is like a tarnished mirror, but when polished, it is sure to become like a clear mirror, reflecting the essential nature of phenomena and the true aspect of reality. Arouse deep faith, and diligently polish your mirror day and night. How should you polish it? Only by chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo" ("On Attaining Buddhahood in This Lifetime," The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, vol. 1, p. 4).

We "arouse deep faith" by chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo to the Gohonzon with the firm conviction that we already possess Buddhahood. This conviction overrides our habits and preconceived attitudes, enabling us to call forth the Buddha's courage, compassion and wisdom, which we can apply to any circumstance. Even the daily challenges we face head-on become the means by which we can live fulfilled, happy lives.

Using the analogy of a lion, Nichiren describes how this powerful animal unleashes the same force "whether he traps a tiny ant or attacks a fierce animal" ("Reply to Kyo'o," WND-1, 412). Our inherent Buddhahood is the source of limitless power and wisdom that enables us to tackle any situation, however big or small, and guides us towards the best course of action.

Enlightenment is not a fixed state we someday achive. Rather, it is a lifelong process of challenge and renewal - a vigilant championing of the inherent dignity of life through thought, word and deed.

Reference

Living Buddhism "Without Practice and Study, There Can Be No Buddhism". May-Jun 2007 Special Reprint.

What should I do to develop my faith?

What should I do to develop my faith?

Nichiren Buddhism emphasizes three fundamentals of Buddhist practice - faith, practice and study. The practice of Nichiren Buddhism is viewed as a lifetime pursuit of development in these three arenas, a continual challenge for practitioners new and longtime. All three are intrinsically related.

Faith means believing in one's own Buddha nature, which is revealed and strengthened by chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo to the Gohonzon. Practice means chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo to the Gohonzon with continually deepening conviction and sharing the philosophy of Nichiren Buddhism with others.

The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin are the core of our study, which is why the SGI's Buddhist learning program has the overall theme "Live the Writings of Nichiren Daishonin!" We also study the guidance and commentaries of SGI President Ikeda, which are based on Nichiren's writings and puts them in a modern context.

Among these three fundamentals, faith is considered most important. But it can never be separated from practice and study. Our faith, or growing confidence, naturally leads us to practice and study more. Practice and study, through which we accumulate experiences and wisdom, lead to stronger faith.

This is why Nichiren encourages us to "exert yourself in the two ways of practice and study. Without practice and study, there can be no Buddhism" ("The True Aspect of All Phenomena," The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, vol.1, p.386). These two sentences sum up exactly what we need to do in order to develop our faith.

Reference

Living Buddhism "Without Practice and Study, There Can Be No Buddhism". May-Jun 2007 Special Reprint.

Is it OK to try the practice even if I am not sure I believe in it?

Is it OK to try the practice even if I am not sure I believe in it?

Many people are wary of how some religions tend to emphasize belief without any evidence of how they work. They basically ask for your blind faith. Nichiren Buddhism is different. It is a philosophy and practice of actual proof - belief, or faith, arises from the positive impact the parctice has on people's lives, from how it leads to happiness here and now.

Of course, if you are very new to chanting Nam-myho-renge-kyo, you might not have experienced any conspicuous actual proof yet. But at SGI activities, you have no doubt heard members' experiences of having received benefit as well as explanations of how the practice works. This can be your starting point - instead of blind faith, you can begin with an expectation that the practice works and therefore be willing to try it.

Nichiren Daishonin establised the criteria of "theee proofs" that prople should apply to determine the validity of a religious practice: documentary proof, theoretical proof and actual proof. 

Documentary proof means that the teaching should accord with the Buddhist sutras, considered the collective and comprehensive body of wisdom at the time. Nichiren explains in his writings how chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo and sharing it with others actualizes the Lotus Sutra, the highest teaching of Shakyamuni Buddha.

Theoretical proof means that the teaching must accord with reason and logic. Nichiren Buddhism is profoundly based on the principle of cause and effect, of which all phenomena in the universe are an expression. We are not expected to believe in anything that cannot ultimately be explained in the light of this principle.

Acutal proof means that the teaching actually changes people's lives for the better, that there is undeniable improvement that anyone can see. Nichiren argued that actual proof is the most important of the three: "In judging the relative merit of Buddhist doctrines, I, Nichiren, believe that the best standards are those of reason and documentary proof. And even more valuable than reason and documentary proof is the proof of actual fact" ("Three Tripitaka Masters Pray for Rain," The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, vol.1, p.599).

As Nichiren Buddhists, we develop ever-deepening faith through our own experience rather than simply accepting out beliefs from others. Ours is a philosophy of proof, and new members can expect to see actual proof from their practice soon after starting.

Reference

Living Buddhism "Without Practice and Study, There Can Be No Buddhism". May-Jun 2007 Special Reprint.

Terms that we always encounter. Here we define them.

Terms that we always encounter. Here we define them.

Buddha

"Awakened One." One who perceives the true nature of all life and leads others to attain this same enlightenment. This Buddha nature exists in all beings and is characterized by the qualities of wisdom, courage, compassion and life force.

Gohonzon

The object of devotion in Nichiren Buddhism. It is the embodiment of the Law of Nam-myoho-renge-kyo, expressing the life-state of Buddhahood, which all people inherently possess. Go means "worthy of honor" and honzon means "object of fundamental respect."

Karma

Sanskrit word meaning "action." The life tendency each individual creates through thoughts, words and deeds that exert an often unseen influence over one's life and environment.

Kosen-rufu

Literally, it means "to widely declare and spread [the Lotus Sutra]"; to secure lasting peace and happiness for all humankind through the propagation of Nichiren Buddhism. More broadly, kosen-rufu refers to the process of establishing the humanistic ideals of Nichiren Buddhism in society.

Lotus Sutra

The scripture of Mahayana Buddhism, it teaches that all people can reveal their innate Buddhahood and that this supreme potential is eternal. The sutra also encourages its practitioners to spread the teaching of universal Buddhahood and help all people awaken to this truth. Reciting portions of the Lotus Sutra is part of SGI members' daily Buddhist practice.

Nam-myoho-renge-kyo

The fundamental Law of the universe expounded in Nichiren Buddhism, it expresses the true aspect of life. Chanting it allows people to directly tap their enlightened nature and is the primary practice of SGI members. Although the deepest meaning of Nam-myoho-renge-kyo is revealed only through its practice, the literal meaning is: Nam (devotion), the action of practicing Buddhism; myoho (Mystic Law), the essential Law of the universe and its phenomenal manifestations; renge (lotus), the simultaneity of cause and effect; kyo (Buddha's teaching), all phenomena.

Nichiren Daishonin 

The founder of the Buddhism upon which the SGI bases its activities. Based on his enlightenment, he inscribed the true object of devotion, the Gohonzon, for observing one's mind and established the invocation of Nam-myoho-renge-kyo as the universal practice for attaining enlightenment. The name Nichiren means "sun lotus," and Daishonin is an honorific title that means "great sage."

Reference

Living Buddhism "Without Practice and Study, There Can Be No Buddhism". May-Jun 2007 Special Reprint.