The Gohonzon

 

 The Object of worship for observing the Mind

 The Gateway to infinity

 The Power of the Buddha and the Law

 

The real aspect of the Gohonzon 1277

 

Never seek this Gohonzon outside yourself. The Gohonzon exists only within the mortal flesh of us ordinary people who embrace the lotus sutra and chant Nam NyohoRnge Kyo. The body is the palace of the ninth consciousness, the unchanging reality which reigns over all life's functions.

 

The Fugen sutra says " this Mahayana sutra is the treasure , the eye and the seed of life for all Buddhas in the Universe throughout the past, present and future."

 

The Gohonzon

Now, over two hundred years have passed since the beginning of the Latter Day of the Law. How awesome that Nichiren was the first to inscribe this great mandala as the banner of propagation of the Lotus Sutra, when even such great masters as Nagarjuna, Vasubandhu, T'ien-t'ai and Miao-lo were unable to do so! -The Real Aspect of the Gohonzon

 

On the Treasure Tower or Gohonzon

It follows, therefore, that those who chant Nam-myoho-renge-kyo, irrespective of social status, are themselves the Treasure Tower and likewise they themselves are Taho Buddha. There is no Treasure Tower other than Myoho-renge-kyo. The daimoku of the Lotus Sutra is the Treasure Tower, that is to say, the Treasure Tower is Nam-myoho-renge-kyo.--On the Treasure Tower

This mandala is in no way Nichiren's invention. It is the object of worship which perfectly depicts ord Shakyamuni in the Treasure Tower and all the other Buddhas who were present, as accurately as the print matches the woodblock. The five characters of the Lotus Sutra's title are inscribed in the center of the Treasure Tower, while the Four Heavenly Kings are seated at the four corners. Shakyamuni and Taho Buddhas, as well as the four leaders of the Bodhisattvas of the Earth, are lined across the top.--The Real Aspect of the Gohonzon

 

True Entity of Life- Shoho Jisso Sho

 

In this letter, I have written my most important teachings. Grasp their meaning and make them part of your life. Believe in the Gohonzon, the supreme object of worship in the world. Forge strong faith and receive the protection of Shakyamuni, Taho and all the other Buddhas. Exert yourself in the two ways of practice and study. Without practice and study, there can be no Buddhism. You must not only persevere yourself; you must also teach others. Both practice and study arise from faith. Teach others to the best of your ability, even if only a single sentence or phrase. Nam-myoho-renge-kyo, Nam-myoho-renge-kyo.

With my deep respect,

Nichiren