Object of Worship of the Essential Teaching

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_johnarundel_
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Object of Worship of the Essential Teaching

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The fundamental essence of the Three Great Secret Laws -- the essence of Nichiren Daishonin's Buddhism -- is the object of worship of the essential teaching (honmon no honzon 本門の本尊). Thus, Nichiren Daishonin, the Lord Teacher of the True Cause (honinmyo no kyoshu 本因妙の教主), inscribed the Dai-Gohonzon of the High Sanctuary of the Essential Teaching on the twelfth day of the tenth month of the second year of Ko'an (1279). The inscription of the Dai-Gohonzon was the completion of Nichiren Daishonin's advent into this world (shusse no honkai 出世の本懐). Regarding this, Nichiren Daishonin stated in the Gosho, "On Persecutions Befalling the Buddha" ("Shonin gonan-ji"):
Now in the second year of Koan (1279), it is twenty seven years since I first proclaimed the true teaching....The Buddha fulfilled the purpose of his advent in a little over forty years; T'ien-t'ai took about thirty years, and Dengyo, some twenty years. I have repeatedly spoken of the indescribable persecutions they suffered during those years. For me it took twenty-seven years.

(Gosho, p. 1397)
The Gohonzon is the very entity of the enlightened life of the Original True Buddha (honbutsu 本仏). The Original Buddha attained instant enlightenment in the beginningless past of kuon-ganjo through the fusion of reality and wisdom (kyochi myogo 境智冥合), as a common mortal. This Buddha itself embodies the ultimate truth of Myoho-Renge-Kyo, and appeared in Mappo as Nichiren Daishonin. Nichiren Daishonin inscribed his inner realization (naisho) into the Gohonzon of the High Sanctuary for the sake of the enlightenment of all beings in this Jambudvipa world.

Nichiren Daishonin indeed states in "Reply to Kyo'o" ("Kyo'o dono-gohenji"),
I, Nichiren, have inscribed my life in sumi, so believe in the Gohonzon with your whole heart. The Buddha's will is the Lotus Sutra, but the soul of Nichiren is nothing other than Nam-myoho-renge-kyo....Muster your faith and pray to this Gohonzon. Then what is there that cannot be achieved?

(Gosho, p. 685)
If you chant Nam-Myoho-Renge-Kyo with absolute, unwavering faith in the Gohonzon, and practice in accordance with the Lifeblood Heritage of the Law entrusted to a single person (yuiju ichinin kechimyaku sojo), you can transform your countless delusions into enlightenment and your sufferings into happiness.

Image
"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
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Re: Object of Worship of the Essential Teaching

Post by Shotenzenjin »

Great post John. Thank you for posting it
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
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narhwal90
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Re: Object of Worship of the Essential Teaching

Post by narhwal90 »

And a gorgeous altar :twothumbsup:
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_johnarundel_
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Re: Object of Worship of the Essential Teaching

Post by _johnarundel_ »

narhwal90 wrote: Fri Sep 24, 2021 5:31 pm And a gorgeous altar :twothumbsup:
Thank you! This is Myosetsuji Temple in New York.

https://nstny.org/nam-myoho-renge-kyo
"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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