Higan-e

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_johnarundel_
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Joined: Wed May 27, 2020 8:00 pm

Higan-e

Post by _johnarundel_ »

Higan-e Ceremony (彼岸)



The Higan-e Ceremony is usually conducted on March 21 and September 22, the spring and autumn equinoxes. During Higan-e, we pray for the enlightenment of our deceased relatives with whom we have a karmic relationship. This tradition has been practiced all over Japan since the time of Prince Shotoku.

The word Higan (彼岸) derives from the Sanskrit word, paramita. In Japanese, this means “to cross to the other shore.” The goal of Buddhist practice is the attainment of enlightenment. Thus, we must embark on the great boat of the Buddha’s teachings to cross the vast ocean of earthly desires, karma, and suffering. By practicing the mystic Law, we can arrive on the other shore, the Buddha Land.

From the standpoint of Nichiren Daishonin’s Buddhism, the Buddha land or the pure land does not exist apart from this Saha world. The Saha world is the true land of the Eternal Buddha, and it is here where we can attain Buddhahood, without discarding our present form as a common mortal (sokushin jobutsu). Nichiren Daishonin states in the Gosho, “On the Meaning of the True Entity of Myoho-Renge-Kyo” (“Totaigi-sho”),
Those who honestly discard the expedient teachings put faith only in the Lotus Sutra, and chant Nam-Myoho- Renge-Kyo, will transform the three paths of earthly desires, karma, and suffering into the three virtues of the property of the Law, wisdom, and emancipation. The threefold contemplation and the three truths immediately will manifest in their minds, and where they dwell will become the land of eternally tranquil light.

(Gosho, p. 694)

The “great ship” that allows us the cross the sea of suffering is chanting Nam-Myoho-Renge-Kyo to the Gohonzon of the Three Great Secret Laws, which allows us to reach the “other shore” of enlightenment. However, we should not simply pray for our own enlightenment. We owe a huge debt of gratitude to our parents and our ancestors. Nichiren Daishonin teaches in “Letter to Ueno” (“Ueno Dono Goshosoku”),

One's debt to one's father is so great as to make Mount Sumeru appear small. One's debt to one's mother is so profound as to make even the ocean seem shallow. You should set your mind on repaying your debt of gratitude to your father and mother.

(Gosho, p. 923)


During the fifth silent prayer of gongyo, we offer memorial prayers for our deceased relatives and friends. In the Urabon Sutra, Shakyamuni Buddha taught Maugdalayana that the Law will benefit one’s preceding seven generations as well as the seven generations that follow. During Higan-e, it is important that we repay our debts of gratitude to our deceased relatives, and to pray for their future enlightenment in their present form.


Image

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Prince Shotoku (574-622) was a Japanese Prince Regent. He wrote the Sangyo Gisho, a commentary on three sutras including the Lotus Sutra.
It is said that Higan-e originated under him.
"The five characters of Myoho-Renge-Kyo are the core of the Lotus Sutra and the origin of all Buddhas throughout the entire world. Upon seeing the signs that these five characters now must be propagated, I, Nichiren, have set the precedent, today, at the beginning of the Latter Day of the Law."

- Nichiren Daishonin, “Shuju onfurumai-gosho” 種種御振舞御書


https://www.nichirenshoshu.or.jp/eng/daishonin.html
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Shotenzenjin
Posts: 614
Joined: Tue Jun 16, 2020 11:23 pm

Re: Higan-e

Post by Shotenzenjin »

_johnarundel_ wrote: Tue Sep 22, 2020 5:51 pm Higan-e Ceremony (彼岸)



The Higan-e Ceremony is usually conducted on March 21 and September 22, the spring and autumn equinoxes. During Higan-e, we pray for the enlightenment of our deceased relatives with whom we have a karmic relationship. This tradition has been practiced all over Japan since the time of Prince Shotoku.

The word Higan (彼岸) derives from the Sanskrit word, paramita. In Japanese, this means “to cross to the other shore.” The goal of Buddhist practice is the attainment of enlightenment. Thus, we must embark on the great boat of the Buddha’s teachings to cross the vast ocean of earthly desires, karma, and suffering. By practicing the mystic Law, we can arrive on the other shore, the Buddha Land.

From the standpoint of Nichiren Daishonin’s Buddhism, the Buddha land or the pure land does not exist apart from this Saha world. The Saha world is the true land of the Eternal Buddha, and it is here where we can attain Buddhahood, without discarding our present form as a common mortal (sokushin jobutsu). Nichiren Daishonin states in the Gosho, “On the Meaning of the True Entity of Myoho-Renge-Kyo” (“Totaigi-sho”),
Those who honestly discard the expedient teachings put faith only in the Lotus Sutra, and chant Nam-Myoho- Renge-Kyo, will transform the three paths of earthly desires, karma, and suffering into the three virtues of the property of the Law, wisdom, and emancipation. The threefold contemplation and the three truths immediately will manifest in their minds, and where they dwell will become the land of eternally tranquil light.

(Gosho, p. 694)

The “great ship” that allows us the cross the sea of suffering is chanting Nam-Myoho-Renge-Kyo to the Gohonzon of the Three Great Secret Laws, which allows us to reach the “other shore” of enlightenment. However, we should not simply pray for our own enlightenment. We owe a huge debt of gratitude to our parents and our ancestors. Nichiren Daishonin teaches in “Letter to Ueno” (“Ueno Dono Goshosoku”),

One's debt to one's father is so great as to make Mount Sumeru appear small. One's debt to one's mother is so profound as to make even the ocean seem shallow. You should set your mind on repaying your debt of gratitude to your father and mother.

(Gosho, p. 923)


During the fifth silent prayer of gongyo, we offer memorial prayers for our deceased relatives and friends. In the Urabon Sutra, Shakyamuni Buddha taught Maugdalayana that the Law will benefit one’s preceding seven generations as well as the seven generations that follow. During Higan-e, it is important that we repay our debts of gratitude to our deceased relatives, and to pray for their future enlightenment in their present form.


Image

Image
Prince Shotoku (574-622) was a Japanese Prince Regent. He wrote the Sangyo Gisho, a commentary on three sutras including the Lotus Sutra.
It is said that Higan-e originated under him.
Thank you for posting this John
Generation's shall pass, our determination shall grow, at the foot of Mount Fuji
Like smoke that reaches far beyond the clouds.--nichimoku shonin. Third high priest of Nichiren Shoshu

Hokekko of true Buddhism https://nstny.org

Introduction to Nichiren Shoshu Buddhism
https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source= ... VKyEQ_cxK9
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