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Enshrining the Gohonzon

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Enshrining the Gohonzon the four Heavenly Kings are inscribed, as • Is there a ceremony to receive the well as the names of ocher Buddhas, Great Mandala? Bodhisaccvas, and protective deities who listen to the Buddha's preaching. A When one receives the Great Mandala, one becomes a member of Nichiren Shu The Great Mandala also represents the ten and participates in the initiation cere- realms of uddhas, Bodhisatcvas, pracyeka- mony, indicating a willingness to serve buddhas, Sravakas, heavenly beings, human the Three Treasures of Buddha, Dharma beings, anger, animals, hungcy spirit, and (the Lotus Surra) and Sangha (commu- hell, and it shows that every being of the nity). A minister will perform an eye- ten realms attains enlightenment. opening ceremony for the Great Mandala to consecrate it. For more e When I enter a Nichiren Shii temple, information, please contact a minister of I see the Gohonzon enshrined with a Nichiren Buddhist Temple, Church or statues. Why is that? Sangha near you. A Nichiren Shu temples enshrine statues of Buddhas, Bodhisaccvas, and protec- tive deities at the altar in order to pro- vide a more visual representation of the Great Mandala. le is simply a different way of representing the Great Mandala. Wherever che Gohonzon is enshrined, it Enshrining is a place of the Eternal Buddha's Pure World and a place to practice. the Gohonzon e Who can receive the Great Mandala (Gohonzon)? A The Great Mandala is very important for Nichiren Buddhists who are able to make a direct connection with the Original The Nichiren Buddhist Buddha. So receiving the Great Mandala International Center should be approched with reverence. Nichiren Sh6nin did not present it to 29490 Mission Blvd. chose who were confused in their beliefs or Hayward, CA 94544 did not have faith in the Lotus Sutra, even Telephone: (51 0) 690-1222 Fax: (51 0) 690-1221 if t hey had been his supporters or follow- ers. If one wishes to receive the Great Web site: www.nichiren-shu.org Mandala, there is a specific time period E-mail: [email protected] and a process which must be completed The Nichiren Buddhist prior to bestowal of the Great Mandala. 010 International Center • Nichiren Shu members have the How does Nichiren Shonin Island. le was .c/'f e chat the Gohonzon enshrined in their represent Gohonzon? Great Mandala was revealed in the homes. What exactly is the Latter age of Degeneration after thou- Gohonzon? As thought of in Nichiren Shu, che sands two hundred and twenty some Gohonzon represents or is a manifestation years after the passing of the historical The Gohonzon represents the most vener- of the Eternal Sakyamuni Buddha. Sakyamuni Buddha. Nichiren Sh6nin able one in whom we Nichiren Shu Nichiren Sh6nin inscribed the Eternal presented the Great Mandala to his dis- Buddhists place faith and show devotion. Buddha's Pure World on a piece of paper ciples and followers as "a symbol of The Gohonzon represents the Original for the first time as the Great Mandala. He spreading che Lows Surra." ("Reply to and Eternal Buddha who attained enlight- seated, "I inscribed my life in sumi (black Nun Nichinyo") enment in the remotest past. He is the carbon ink)." (Reply to Lord Kyo-oh) original Buddha. All ,other Buddhas in the What is inscribed on the Great past, present, and future are his manifesta- Mandala? tions. The historical Sakyamuni Buddha, born in lncLa 2,500 years ago, is also a The Great Mandala depicts the world of manifestation ofthe Original Buddha. We the Buddha's enlightenment. le is the form use the term Original Sakyamuni Buddha of the Eternal Buddha who has been to refer to the eternal Buddha, because the preaching the Lotus Surra tirelessly from enlightenment of the Original Sakyamuni the remote past to the present rime, and Buddha extends from the remotest past to also into the future. le also shows the Pure the cLstant future without limitation. He Land which is described in the Locus Surra has been our great benefactor and teacher where we receive the merits of the Eternal leading us to Buddhahood since the Buddha Sakyamuni which is che Locus remotest past. Surra. "Namu Myoho Renge Kyo" is inscribed down the center of the Great What does the word "Go-honzon'' Mandala in che calligraphic style. of mean? Nichiren Sh6nin. On the left as one is fac- ing the Great Mandala, is "Sakyamuni Go is an honorific prefix. The two charac- Butsu (Buddha Sakyamw1i)," and on the ters which make up the term of Honzon right is "Tal16 Nyorai (Buddha Many (* ) come from several concepts: Treasures)". On the right ofTah6 Nyorai, (1) The Most Venerable One whom we are ·the names of "J6gy6 (Bodhisattva respect and rely on as the basis of our Superior-Practice)" and "Muhengy6 practice (ffi* * -Konpon Sons[,); 1. (Bodhisattva Limitless-Practice). On the (2). the Most Venerable One being left of Sakyamuni Bucsu, the names of respected since che remotest past "J6gy6 (Bodhisattva Pure-Practice)" and (** .m -Honrai Sonch6); When did Nichiren Shonin inscribe "Anryugy6 (Bodhisattva Steadily- (3) Honorable and eternal aspect of the the Great Mandala? Established-Praccice)" are inscribed. Mose Venerable One (;;fs:*1 % -Hon'nu These are the Four great Bodhisattvas who Songy6). Taken together then, Honzon Nichiren Sh6nin inscribed the Great arose from w1der the earth and are cl1e (:,js: ) means or refers to the Mose Mandala on July 8, 1271 (8th year of leaders ofall bodhisatrvas. On the four cor- Venerable One. Bun'nei) during his exile on Sado ners of cl1e Great Mandala, The names of.
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