Shakyamuni’s practices (1) and the virtues (2) he consequently attained are all contained within the five characters of the Myoho-renge-kyo. If we believe in these five characters, we will naturally be granted the same benefits he was.
(Passage from “The Object of Devotion for Observing the Mind”, The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, p354-382)
Background
Nichiren Daishonin completed this work on the 25th day in the fourth month of 1273 during his exile at Ichinosawa on the island of Sado. It was addressed specifically to Toki Jonin, a leading disciple who lived in Shimosa Province.
The full title of this work is “The Object of Devotion for Observing the Mind Established in the Fifth Five-Hundred-Year Period after the Thus Come One’s Passing”.
The Daishonin had been living in exile for more than one-and-a-half year when this Gosho was written. By this time, the authorities had shifted the Daishonin’s lodging from the Tsukahara hut to Ichinosawa. The living conditions had slightly improved but the Daishonin continued to be placed under strict surveillance and there was still a severe shortage of food. The Nembutsu believers continued to eye threateningly on the Daishonin’s life, waiting for the opportunity to take his life.
In this work that was written amidst such adverse conditions, the Daishonin explained the object of devotion in terms of the Law. He declared that the Gohonzon that embodies the Law of Nam-myoho-renge-kyo is the object of devotion in the Latter Day of the Law. Together with another of his major works, The Opening of the Eyes, written on Sado island a year earlier in which the Daishonin explained the object of devotion in terms of the Person, “The Object of Devotion for Observing the Mind” is regarded as one of Daishonin’s most important writings.
Explanation
This passage teaches that when we embrace the Gohonzon and strives to practice both for ourselves and others; we are engaged in true Buddhist practice towards enlightenment. In other words, it elucidates the principle of “embracing the Gohonzon is in itself enlightenment”.
As Nichiren Daishonin stated, “Shakyamuni’s practices and the virtues he consequently attained are all contained within the five characters of the Myoho-renge-kyo.” This means that all the practices which Shakyamuni was engaged in over countless aeons to attain Buddhahood, as well as the effects of the enlightenment he achieved, are all contained in the characters, Nam-myoho-renge-kyo.
The Mystic Law of Nam-myoho-renge-kyo is the seed for all Buddhas, the source from which all Buddhas attain their enlightenment. The Daishonin explained that this Law contains al practices and resulting virtues of attaining enlightenment and that those who embrace the Mystic Law can receive these benefits directly. This is what is meant by “if we believe in these five characters, we will naturally be granted the same benefits he was”.
“These five characters” refer to the Gohonzon, with Nam-myoho-renge-kyo inscribed down the centre, and “believe in” means to have faith in the Gohonzon and chant Nam-myoho-renge-kyo. It is important to note that chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo is not only a practice for oneself, but also for others. As practitioners of Nichiren Daishonin’s Buddhism, we should continually strive to share our faith with others.
No matter obstacles we may be facing, when we take faith in the Gohonzon and earnestly strive in our practice of chanting for ourselves and others, the great powers of the Buddha and the Law represented on the Gohonzon will be manifested in our lives. In this way, we will be able to establish the life-state of the Buddhahood as the solid foundation of our lives.
For the sake of all people of the Latter Day of the Law, the Daishonin revealed this fundamental Law of life with his inscription of the Gohonzon and thereby opened the path for everyone to attain Buddhahood, the state of absolute happiness.
As this passage clarifies, the Gohonzon contains all the virtues and benefits’ resulting from the Buddha’s innumerable past practices to attain enlightenment. This is why when we embrace the Gohonzon and strive to practice both for ourselves and others, no prayer will go unanswered.
It is the SGI members who have continuously established faith in the Gohonzon as our foundation. Because we have advanced with the Gohonzon as our basis and always strive to directly connect with the Daishonin’s spirit, we have been able to experience clear proof of the validity of Nichiren Daishonin’s Buddhism.
Engraving the immense joy of having encountered the Daishonin’s Buddhism, let us strive even harder to spread the teachings of Buddhism to the people around us.
Footnotes:
1. Practices – Buddhist practice to create causes to attain Buddhahood. In other words, it refers to Bodhisattva practices.
2. Virtues – Virtues attained as a result of Bodhisattva practices. In other words, it refers to the virtues of the Buddha.
(Passage from “The Object of Devotion for Observing the Mind”, The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, p354-382)
Background
Nichiren Daishonin completed this work on the 25th day in the fourth month of 1273 during his exile at Ichinosawa on the island of Sado. It was addressed specifically to Toki Jonin, a leading disciple who lived in Shimosa Province.
The full title of this work is “The Object of Devotion for Observing the Mind Established in the Fifth Five-Hundred-Year Period after the Thus Come One’s Passing”.
The Daishonin had been living in exile for more than one-and-a-half year when this Gosho was written. By this time, the authorities had shifted the Daishonin’s lodging from the Tsukahara hut to Ichinosawa. The living conditions had slightly improved but the Daishonin continued to be placed under strict surveillance and there was still a severe shortage of food. The Nembutsu believers continued to eye threateningly on the Daishonin’s life, waiting for the opportunity to take his life.
In this work that was written amidst such adverse conditions, the Daishonin explained the object of devotion in terms of the Law. He declared that the Gohonzon that embodies the Law of Nam-myoho-renge-kyo is the object of devotion in the Latter Day of the Law. Together with another of his major works, The Opening of the Eyes, written on Sado island a year earlier in which the Daishonin explained the object of devotion in terms of the Person, “The Object of Devotion for Observing the Mind” is regarded as one of Daishonin’s most important writings.
Explanation
This passage teaches that when we embrace the Gohonzon and strives to practice both for ourselves and others; we are engaged in true Buddhist practice towards enlightenment. In other words, it elucidates the principle of “embracing the Gohonzon is in itself enlightenment”.
As Nichiren Daishonin stated, “Shakyamuni’s practices and the virtues he consequently attained are all contained within the five characters of the Myoho-renge-kyo.” This means that all the practices which Shakyamuni was engaged in over countless aeons to attain Buddhahood, as well as the effects of the enlightenment he achieved, are all contained in the characters, Nam-myoho-renge-kyo.
The Mystic Law of Nam-myoho-renge-kyo is the seed for all Buddhas, the source from which all Buddhas attain their enlightenment. The Daishonin explained that this Law contains al practices and resulting virtues of attaining enlightenment and that those who embrace the Mystic Law can receive these benefits directly. This is what is meant by “if we believe in these five characters, we will naturally be granted the same benefits he was”.
“These five characters” refer to the Gohonzon, with Nam-myoho-renge-kyo inscribed down the centre, and “believe in” means to have faith in the Gohonzon and chant Nam-myoho-renge-kyo. It is important to note that chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo is not only a practice for oneself, but also for others. As practitioners of Nichiren Daishonin’s Buddhism, we should continually strive to share our faith with others.
No matter obstacles we may be facing, when we take faith in the Gohonzon and earnestly strive in our practice of chanting for ourselves and others, the great powers of the Buddha and the Law represented on the Gohonzon will be manifested in our lives. In this way, we will be able to establish the life-state of the Buddhahood as the solid foundation of our lives.
For the sake of all people of the Latter Day of the Law, the Daishonin revealed this fundamental Law of life with his inscription of the Gohonzon and thereby opened the path for everyone to attain Buddhahood, the state of absolute happiness.
As this passage clarifies, the Gohonzon contains all the virtues and benefits’ resulting from the Buddha’s innumerable past practices to attain enlightenment. This is why when we embrace the Gohonzon and strive to practice both for ourselves and others, no prayer will go unanswered.
It is the SGI members who have continuously established faith in the Gohonzon as our foundation. Because we have advanced with the Gohonzon as our basis and always strive to directly connect with the Daishonin’s spirit, we have been able to experience clear proof of the validity of Nichiren Daishonin’s Buddhism.
Engraving the immense joy of having encountered the Daishonin’s Buddhism, let us strive even harder to spread the teachings of Buddhism to the people around us.
Footnotes:
1. Practices – Buddhist practice to create causes to attain Buddhahood. In other words, it refers to Bodhisattva practices.
2. Virtues – Virtues attained as a result of Bodhisattva practices. In other words, it refers to the virtues of the Buddha.
