Supplementary Resources for Leaders Sharing the Discussion Meeting Gosho
[Slide 1]
The Real Aspect of the Gohonzon
[Slide 2]
[Slide 3]
(A) Background
This letter was
- written on August 23, 1277
- when Nichiren Daishonin was 56
- at Mount Minobu and
- addressed to Nichinyo, a female disciple.
Little is known about Nichinyo, but it would appear that she was a woman of deep faith and learning.
At the time when this letter was written, the Japanese society was in turmoil after experiencing the first Mongol invasion and the people were feeling extremely anxious with the threat of an impending second invasion.
Amidst such turbulent times, Nichinyo maintained pure and steadfast faith.
Deeply grateful for having been bestowed the Gohonzon, the object of devotion, from the Daishonin, she sent various sincere offerings to him in expression of her sincere appreciation.
The Daishonin wrote this letter in response to these sincere offerings.
The Daishonin begins this letter by explaining that the object of devotion, or the Gohonzon, can be found in the eight chapters of the Lotus Sutra, expounded by Shakyamuni Buddha, from the "Emerging from the Earth" (15th) chapter through the "Entrustment" (22nd) chapter. (cf WND-1, p. 831) The Daishonin further states that after the Buddha's passing, this Gohonzon was not revealed in the two thousand years of the Former and Middle Days of the Law.
Even Buddhist teachers such as Nagarjuna and Vasubandhu who lived in the Former Day of the Law, and T'ien-t'ai and Miaolo who lived in the Middle Day were that now, some two centuries after the beginning of the Latter Day of the Law, he is the very first to reveal the object of devotion, the Gohonzon, as "the banner of propagation of the Lotus Sutra". (WND-1, p. 831)
The Daishonin then explains in detail the layout of the Gohonzon that he inscribed using the Ceremony in the Air depicted in the Lotus Sutra as his basis.
He reveals that the Gohonzon enables all the beings of the Ten Worlds, illuminated by the light of the five characters of the Mystic Law, display the dignified attributes that they inherently possess, in other words, It Is an object of devotion for the enlightenment of all humanity. And that the Gohonzon is "the great mandala never before known" (WND-1, p. 832) that can enable all people to attain Buddhahood.
The Daishonin then goes on to encourage Nichinyo that those who ma'ke offerings to this Gohonzon will surely enjoy happiness in this life and protection in the next.
He also urges her that in order to savour such great benefit, it is essential to waird off slanderers of the Law and "evil friends" who undermine and destroy people's faith, "and associate with good compa,nions". (WND-1, p. 832) The Daishonin then points out that the Gohonzon does not exist outside our lives. Instead, the Gohonzon exists only within the mortal flesh of us ordinary people who embrace the Lotus Sutra and chant Nam-myohorenge-kyo.
[Slide 4]
And the Daishonin states, "This Gohonzon also is found only 'in the two characters for faith." (WND-1, p. 832) Lastly, by citing the commentaries of T'ien-t'al and Miao-lo, the Daishonin teaches that the basis of Buddhism and the essence of Buddhist practice is none other than upholding "faith".
[Slide 5]
(B) Key Points for Sharing
Key Learning Points of the Gosho Passage:
-
The Gohonzon Is a Mirror that Reflects the World of Buddhahood
-
The Power of Faith Gives Rise to Courage and Life Force
-
Tapping the Buddha Wisdom through Faith
[Slide 6]
1. The Gohonzon Is A Mirror that Reflects the World of Buddhahood
[Slide 7]
In this Gosho, Nichiren Daishonin teaches that for his disciples, the key essence of the practice of faith is not to seek anything else other than embracing the Gohonzon and chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo.
The quintessence of faith for Soka Gakkai members is to embrace the Gohonzon established by the Daishonin. The term honzon, or object of devotion, means "that which is respected or revered as fundamental".
[Slide 8]
The Gohonzon is an expression of the world of Buddhahood in Nichiren Daishonin's life — the fundamental Law of Nam-myoho-renge-kyo that he was enlightened to, revealed, and embodied. This is why the Daishonin states, "I, Nichiren, have inscribed my life in sumi ink...." (WND, 412)
In addition, by establishing the Gohonzon, the Daishonin open the way for all people to reveal their Buddha nature that they inherently possess by revering the Gohonzon. The Gohonzon, in this sense, can be viewed as a clear mirror that reflects the world of Buddhahood within ordinary people and allows them to manifest it.
In this way, "attaining Buddhahood" is not becoming some transcendent, superhuman being. It means to open forth and manifest from within, a life state of unsurpassed humanity known as Buddhahood just as we are, in our present form as an ordinary being. And the fundamental way of achieving this is to exert ourselves in the practice of chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo for oneself and others based on strong faith in the Gohonzon.
For this reason, the Daishonin states at the outset of this passage,
[Slide 9]
"What is most important is that, by chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo alone, you can attain Buddhahood."
[Slide 10]
2. The Power of Faith Gives Rise to Courage and Life Force
Next, the Daishonin states in this passage,
[Slide 11]
"It will no doubt depend on the strength of your faith."
Just as the Daishonin teaches here, whether we can reveal our Buddhahood and enjoy the beneficial power of the Gohonzon or not is determined by the strength of our faith. That is to say, it depends on whether one's faith is "strong" or "weak".
[Slide 12]
"Faith" here, means to wholeheartedly believe in and accept the Buddha's teachings. If we offer powerful prayers based on wholeheartedly belief that "the only way to overcome my problem is through faith in the Gohonzon!", we will be able to draw forth immense courage and life force from the depths of our lives that help us remain undefeated by any hardships.
(Elaborate with mundane examples... at job... at home... at school )
It is certainly not easy to continue believing that "I am an entity of the Mystic Law", "I am Nam-myoho-renge-kyo", amidst the harsh reality filled with unending difficulties. However, this is precisely the reason why having "wholehearted belief or faith" is so important. It all boils down to one's power of belief or faith. It is important for us to chant daimoku based on wholehearted belief in the Gohonzon. It is also important to believe in our mentor and exert ourselves in our practice of faith. It is through accumulating such efforts and deepening our faith that our conviction is strengthened.
As long as we are determined to open the way forward by chanting daimoku based on strong and deep faith and take courageous action for kosen-rufu, the immeasurable beneficial power of the Gohonzon will certainly be manifested.
For this reason, Ikeda Sensei explains why the Daishonin emphasizes in this Gosho that "to have faith is the basis of Buddhism" in his guidance:
[Slide 13]
Faith is the source of victory for everything. It is the foundation of our Buddhistpractice for the happiness of ourselves and others. It is the key to carrying out our human revolution and transforming our karma. It is the sharp sword for cutting through obstacles and negativity.
[Slide 14]
It is the driving force for kosen-rufu, and for realising lasting peace and prosperity based on the humanistic principles of Nichiren Daishonin's Buddhism. This will never change in any age — indeed, we must ensure that it never does. It is the fundamental spirit of the SGI, which we must never lose.
(From President Ikeda's study lecture series, "Learning from The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin: The Teachings for Victory")
[Slide 15]
3. Tapping the Buddha Wisdom through Faith
In the preceding paragraph of the Gosho passage we are studying, the Daishonin writes,
[Slide 16]
"This Gohonzon also is found only in the two characters for faith. This is what the sutra means when it states that one can 'gain entrance through faith alone.'" (WND, p 832)
The term "gain entrance through faith alone" is expounded in the "Simile and Parable" Chapter (3rd) of the Lotus Sutra.
The term is used to emphasize the importance of faith, pointing out that even Shāriputra, known as foremost in wisdom, could only enter the vast and expansive realm of Buddha wisdom through faith alone and not through his own wisdom or understanding.
When we embrace the Gohonzon and take action for the realization of kosen-rufu based on faith, we can call forth the Gohonzon (the Buddhahood) within us. In this way, we can manifest the same life state of Buddhahood that also exists within the Daishonin's life just as we are as ordinary people.
Ikeda Sensei says in his guidance:
[Slide 17]
By establishing solid faith in the Gohonzon, we connect ourselves to the reality and wisdom of Buddhahood that is enlightened to the essence of the life of the universe. Through faith, we can enter the vast and expansive realm of Buddha wisdom.... Advancing with faith, all of us can attain Buddhahood, and support, assist, and guide others through our conduct and actions as Buddhas. The Gohonzon enables us to complete the Buddha way and attain Buddhahood.
(From President Ikeda's study lecture series, "Learning from The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin: The Teachings for Victory")
It is an incontrovertible fact that we of the Soka Gakkai are practicing faith based on the Gohonzon. Such faith and practice have become firmly established around the world today in the SGI. We of the SGI alone are practicing faith based on the Gohonzon in accord with the Daishonin's teachings, which is why we have been able to spread the movement for kosen-rufu across the globe.
Before we conclude, let's revise the 3 key learning points of the Gosho Passage:
[Slide 18]
The Gohonzon Is a Mirror that Reflects the World of Buddhahood
The Power of Faith Gives Rise to Courage and Life Force
Tapping the Buddha Wisdom through Faith
Let us continue to advance forever with "faith based on the Gohonzon," striving to carry on the Daishonin's spirit, based on the Gosho and on chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo.
[Slide 19]
Thank you for your patience and kind attention.
< end of supplementary resources >
Prepared by SGS Study Department
