The Gohonzon is a central concept in Nichiren Buddhism, representing the life of Nichiren Daishonin and embodying the Mystic Law, or Nam-myoho-renge-kyo. It is an object of devotion, or honzon, and is considered a graphic expression of the ultimate law of the universe. The Gohonzon is not a deity to be worshipped but a mirror reflecting the innate enlightened nature of all people, serving as a reminder to have faith in the Mystic Law within oneself. Chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo while focusing on the Gohonzon is believed to activate the power of the Mystic Law, enabling individuals to attain enlightenment and genuine happiness.
Characteristics | Values |
---|---|
Object of devotion | Nam-myoho-renge-kyo |
Object of respect | The Gohonzon |
Object of worship | The Gohonzon |
Purpose of Buddhism | To enable all people to become happy |
Power of the Gohonzon | Absolute |
The Gohonzon is | The graphic expression of Nam-myoho-renge-kyo |
The Gohonzon is | The object of devotion for actualizing Shakyamuni's vow |
The Gohonzon is | The basis of the philosophy, faith and practice for achieving Shakyamuni's vow |
The Gohonzon is | A mirror to reflect our innate enlightened nature |
The Gohonzon is | A means of perceiving the true aspect of our life |
The Gohonzon is | A physical expression of Nichiren's winning state of life |
The Gohonzon is | A "banner of propagation" of the Buddhist teaching |
The Gohonzon is | A "great mandala" |
The Gohonzon is | A "clear mirror" that reflects the world of Buddhahood within ordinary people |
What You'll Learn
- The Gohonzon is a graphic expression of the ultimate law of the universe, Nam-myoho-renge-kyo
- Chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo before the Gohonzon activates the power of the Law within us
- The Gohonzon is a mirror that reflects our innate enlightened nature
- The Gohonzon is a physical expression of Nichiren's winning state of life
- The Gohonzon is a means of observing one's own mind
The Gohonzon is a graphic expression of the ultimate law of the universe, Nam-myoho-renge-kyo
The Gohonzon is a central concept in Nichiren Buddhism, which is based on the teachings of the 13th-century Buddhist monk, Nichiren. The Gohonzon is a Japanese term that translates to "object of respect" or "object of fundamental respect and devotion". The prefix "go" means "worthy of honour".
The Gohonzon is a graphic representation of the ultimate law of the universe, Nam-myoho-renge-kyo. Nam-myoho-renge-kyo is a law or principle that Nichiren named and awakened to, which translates to "devote oneself to the wonderful law of the lotus sutra". Through the Buddhist practice he developed, Nichiren provided a way for all people to activate the law within their lives and experience the joy of liberating oneself from suffering.
The Gohonzon is a visual representation of Nichiren's life and how he embodies the Mystic Law, Nam-myoho-renge-kyo, at its centre. The Mystic Law, or Nam-myoho-renge-kyo, is written down the centre of the Gohonzon, with the internal life conditions that people live every day depicted on either side. This is to show that when the Mystic Law is at the centre, all of these internal life conditions come into balance and order.
The Gohonzon is not just a depiction of Nichiren's life, but also a mirror of our own lives, as we all have the same relationship to the Mystic Law. Nichiren taught that people who view the Buddha or the Law as separate from themselves cannot realise their full potential. Thus, the Gohonzon serves as a mirror to reflect our innate enlightened nature and cause it to permeate every aspect of our lives.
Through the daily practice of reciting the sutra and chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo, one can join the eternal Ceremony in the Air described in the Lotus Sutra. This is described as a vast assembly of Buddhas, bodhisattvas, and beings of all kinds, gathering from all corners of the cosmos. By chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo and focusing on the Gohonzon, one can activate the power of the Law within themselves.
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Chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo before the Gohonzon activates the power of the Law within us
Chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo before the Gohonzon is a powerful act that activates the fundamental law of the universe within us. This law, known as the Mystic Law, is the essence of Buddhism and represents our inherent capacity to overcome any challenge and transform suffering into joy.
The Gohonzon, or "object of respect", is a visual representation of Nichiren Daishonin's life and his embodiment of the Mystic Law. By chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo before the Gohonzon, we align ourselves with this law, tapping into our innate Buddha nature and unlocking our limitless life force. This practice is not about seeking help from an external force but about recognising the power within ourselves to create positive change.
The act of chanting is an expression of determination and devotion to our Buddha nature. "Nam" signifies dedication, while "myoho-renge-kyo" refers to the Lotus Sutra, symbolising the mystic and wonderful law that transforms suffering into supreme happiness. Through regular and sincere chanting, we can bring about victories in our lives, just as Sonal Sharma did by helping her sisters find happiness in marriage and career.
Chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo before the Gohonzon is a conversation, an open and honest dialogue where we confide our innermost thoughts and desires. The Gohonzon, embodying the infinite compassion of the Buddha, listens to our sufferings, problems, and aspirations. We can approach it with the same trust and vulnerability as a child running into their mother's arms. Through this practice, even the most hellish sufferings can be transformed, and we can find the strength to overcome any obstacle.
By chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo, we activate the power of the Law within us, bringing forth our inherent wisdom, vitality, and happiness. It is a reminder that we possess the ability to create a life of joy and freedom, where we are never deadlocked by our challenges.
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The Gohonzon is a mirror that reflects our innate enlightened nature
The Gohonzon is an object of devotion in Nichiren Buddhism. It is a scroll inscribed with Chinese and Sanskrit characters by Nichiren Daishonin, the founder of the sect, and represents his life and his embodiment of the Mystic Law, or Nam-myoho-renge-kyo, at the centre of his life.
The Gohonzon is a graphic expression of the ultimate law of the universe, Nam-myoho-renge-kyo, and is worthy of honour. Chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo while focusing on the Gohonzon activates the power of this law within us. Chanting to the Gohonzon is a way to tap into our truest selves and bring forth our immense power from within, while putting our lives in sync with the rhythm of the universe.
The Gohonzon is described as a mirror that reflects our innate enlightened nature. Just as a regular mirror reflects our physical appearance, the Gohonzon reflects our internal life condition. It is a mirror that reflects the intangible aspects of our lives, revealing the ultimate truth that the virtues of compassion, wisdom and courage exist within us.
Nichiren writes: “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.” Chanting to the Gohonzon is a way to tap into our enlightened wisdom and vow to put it to use for the good of ourselves and others.
The Gohonzon is a tool to help us propagate the Lotus Sutra's teachings and demonstrate our limitless potential to create happy, fulfilling lives. Chanting to the Gohonzon is a process of overcoming negativity and bringing forth positive determination to break through any deadlock.
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The Gohonzon is a physical expression of Nichiren's winning state of life
The Gohonzon is a mandala, a physical object of devotion, that represents Nichiren Daishonin's life and embodies the Mystic Law, Nam-myoho-renge-kyo. It is a graphic expression of the ultimate law of the universe, which all people can attain Buddhahood through.
Nichiren Daishonin was the first person to reveal the Gohonzon, or object of devotion, and he did so to fulfil his vow to rid the world of misery and lead people to lasting happiness. As a child, Nichiren made a powerful determination to achieve this, and he studied the sutras to identify the best method. He found that chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo was the practice that embodied the essence of Shakyamuni's teachings.
Nichiren faced harsh persecutions and attempts on his life as he propagated this practice. However, he emerged victorious, and after the failed attempt to execute him at Tatsunokuchi in 1271, he began to inscribe and bestow the Gohonzon upon his believers. He wanted to leave a physical expression of his winning state of life so that all future disciples could bring forth that same life condition.
Nichiren taught that people who view the Buddha or the Law as separate from themselves cannot realise their full potential. He said, "If you think the Law is outside yourself, you are embracing not the Mystic Law but an inferior teaching". The Gohonzon is a mirror that reflects our innate enlightened nature and causes it to permeate every aspect of our lives. It is not something outside of ourselves that we pray to, but a reminder to have faith in the Mystic Law, which lies within us.
The Gohonzon is a depiction of the Ceremony in the Air described in the Lotus Sutra. Nam-myoho-renge-kyo, representing the treasure tower, is inscribed down the centre of the Gohonzon. This is because Nichiren wanted to communicate the state of oneness with the Mystic Law that he realised in his own life. Through our daily practice of reciting the sutra and chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo, we can join the eternal Ceremony in the Air and cause the treasure tower to shine within us and our daily lives.
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The Gohonzon is a means of observing one's own mind
The Gohonzon is a central concept in Nichiren Buddhism, a practice based on the teachings of the 13th-century Japanese monk Nichiren Daishonin. The Gohonzon is an object of devotion, or worship, which is revered by followers of the Soka Gakkai school of Buddhism.
The Gohonzon is a mandala, or a graphic expression of the ultimate law of the universe, Nam-myoho-renge-kyo. This mandala is not a painted or sculpted image, but rather a written inscription of the treasure tower ceremony described in the Lotus Sutra, a central text in Buddhism. The Gohonzon is meant to be chanted to, and through this chanting, followers can activate the power of the Mystic Law within themselves.
Nichiren Daishonin taught that people who view the Buddha or the Law as separate from themselves cannot realize their full potential. He emphasized that the Gohonzon exists only within the mortal flesh of ordinary people who embrace the Lotus Sutra and chant Nam-myoho-renge-kyo. Through faith in the Gohonzon, practitioners can attain Buddhahood and establish a state of absolute happiness that is unaffected by changes in their circumstances or surroundings.
The Gohonzon is a powerful tool for self-reflection and self-improvement, as it allows practitioners to observe their own minds and bring forth their innate wisdom and compassion. It is a means of connecting with the Mystic Law and tapping into the power of the universe to transform one's life and achieve genuine happiness.
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Frequently asked questions
The Gohonzon is an object of devotion or worship, revered in the faith of Soka Gakkai members. It is a graphic expression of the ultimate law of the universe, Nam-myoho-renge-kyo, which is the Law that enables all people to attain Buddhahood.
The Gohonzon represents Nichiren Daishonin's life and shows how he embodies the Mystic Law at the centre of his life. It also represents a mirror of our lives, as we all have the same relationship to the Mystic Law.
The Gohonzon is significant as it is a means for all people to attain Buddhahood and achieve happiness. It is a concrete expression of the principle of three thousand realms in a single moment of life, which means that all people innately possess the essential cause for attaining enlightenment.
Having faith in the Gohonzon is important because it reminds us to have faith in the Mystic Law, which lies at the core of our lives. Through our faith in the Gohonzon, we can tap into the power of our own enlightened wisdom and use it for the betterment of ourselves and others.