Fundamentals
of Nichiren Shoshu Buddhism (cont.)
“The
Daimoku of Honmon” is Nam-Myoho-Renge-Kyo that we recite to the Gohonzon
of Honmon. This is also the
name of the Buddha’s life and enlightenment.
About Daimoku, Nichiren Daishonin states:
Myoho-Renge-Kyo
is the Buddha nature of all living beings.
America
includes its history, the land, its politics, etc. of the entire country.
In the same way, Nam-Myoho-Renge-Kyo includes the entire substance of
the Buddha’s enlightenment.
As
implied above, the center of the Three Great Secret Laws is the Gohonzon of
Honmon. This Gohonzon of Honmon
is called the “One Great Secret Law.”
Nichiren Daishonin states:
I
received the Secret Law of One Great Matter from Venerable Shakyamuni, the
Lord of Buddhism, at Eagle Peak, and I, Nichiren, secretly embrace it within
my bosom.
The
Gohonzon of Honmon is the fundamental essence of the faith and practice of
Nichiren Shoshu. Above all, the
Dai-Gohonzon that is humbly protected at the head temple, Taisekiji,
is the ultimate Gohonzon.
2.
How We Practice
There
are two parts to the practice called “Jigyo-Keta,” which means the
practice for oneself and the practice to teach others.
In the practice to the Gohonzon of the Three Great Secret Laws, to
practice for oneself is the practice for one’s attainment of Buddhahood.
There are two aspects to practice for oneself, primary practice and
supporting practice. Primary
practice is to recite Nam-Myoho-Renge-Kyo, the Daimoku of Honmon, to the
Gohonzon of Honmon. Supporting
practice is to recite the two essential chapters of the Lotus Sutra, the
Hoben (Expedient Means) Chapter, and the Juryo (Lifespan of the
Thus-Come-One) Chapter to Gohonzon of Honmon.
We practice the primary and supporting practices together, everyday,
every morning and evening. This
combined practice is called Gongyo. Moreover,
when we additionally conduct the primary practice, it is called Shodai or
Shodai-gyo.
Nichiren
Daishonin teaches:
Therefore,
for your daily practice you should learn and recite the prose section of the
Hoben (Expedient Means) and Juryo (Lifespan of the Thus-Come-One) chapters.
The most important thing is to recite only Nam-Myoho-Renge-Kyo to become a
Buddha. It depends on the strength or weakness of your faith
Copyright c
2008 NST Myosenji All Rights Reserved