According to Buddhism, each time we die imprinted on our lives are the causes and effects of each finished or unfinished deed. Upon the occasion of our birth and throughout our lifetime they manifest as determining factors. This is the principle of karma which states that everything we experience now is the result of our previous causes. Further, the causes we make now shape our future and affect everything around us as well. It is the failure to understand the true nature of our lives and our ignorance of the law of cause and effect that are the source of human suffering.
Shakyamuni taught that people could achieve happiness by becoming
enlightened to the true nature of life, but that it could only be done with
great difficulty and after many lifetimes of austerities. What Shakyamuni
revealed about the universal nature of life was important, but did not leave
behind a universal practice to achieve human happiness.
He foretold of a time, however, when the practice of the Lotus teaching
would bring benefit to all mankind. This practice was established 750
years ago with the advent of
Nichiren Daishonin. He was enlightened to the true nature of all
phenomena and to the essential nature or human life.
Moreover, he
established a practice, universal in nature, that people could utilize to
break the inexorable chains of karma so that absolute happiness in this
lifetime could become a reality.
Nichiren Daishonin was born in Japan in 1222. He entered the priesthood at
the age of 12. After some twenty years' intense study of the entirety of
Buddhism, he reached the conclusion that the Lotus Sutra was supreme among
all of Shakyamuni's teachings. The Lotus Sutra revealed that all phenomena
manifest the true entity of life and equally, life pervades all phenomena.
Human beings have the potential to awaken to the true entity of their own
lives.
The implication of this teaching is that all people have the
potential for enlightenment, and that the "life" or condition of Buddahood
is eternally present in the lives of all common mortals.
Of paramount importance, is the prophecy contained in the Lotus Sutra
concerning the appearance of the True Buddha, who would come some 2,000
years after Shakyamuni's death. The True Buddha is the one who, by virtue
of his spontaneous, or unconditioned enlightenment, reveals the True Law
directly to the people, thereby enabling them to understand the eternal
nature of their lives, dispel their delusions and manifest enlightenment.
Thus, a pathway to human happiness and peaceful coexistence opens.
Specifically, the True Buddha is Nichiren Daishonin. The Daishonin revealed that the essence of all phenomena and the true entity of life in the universe is Myoho-Renge-Kyo, the essential teaching hidden in the depths of the Lotus Sutra. He established the invocation of Nam-Myoho-Renge-Kyo, which when chanted to the Gohonzon, brings about the fusion of subjective perception and objective reality so that human beings could begin to call forth the enlightened state that has always existed in the depths of their lives.
Nichiren Daishonin inscribed the sacred object known as Gohonzon which at once embodies the true entity of all phenomena and the life of Nichiren Daishonin. Down the center of the Gohonzon is the inscription, Nam-Myoho-Renge-Kyo-Nichiren, signifying the oneness of the life of the Buddha and the law to which he is enlightened. We common mortals begin to manifest our innate Buddhahood when we fuse the core of our lives with the eternal and immutable entity of the Buddha's life. In truth, these two are one, but as human beings this reality is deeply obscured by problems and desires. By chanting daily to the Gohonzon, our lives are refreshed and we are awakened to our true nature.
It should be noted here that the practice of Nichiren Daishonin's Buddhism
differs substantially from the meditation taught by some other Buddhist
sects, which offer their practitioners only temporary spiritual peace.
It also differs from those teachings which allow human beings to ignore their
own inner weaknesses and the true nature of life in the pursuit of some
other-worldly paradise. Nichiren Daishonin's Buddhism teaches us to honestly
confront the reality of our lives based upon cause and effect. It enables
individuals to reveal their full inherent potential, establish an absolute
state of happiness independent of transient phenomena, and develop the
great spirit of universal compassion which is the heart of enlightenment.
Daily practice consists of the recitation of two passages from the Lotus Sutra known as `Gongyo' every morning and evening along with the recitation of "Nam Myoho Renge Kyo" called the `Daimoku.' The collected writings of Nichiren Daishonin are studied to increase understanding and faith and as a guide to correct practice.
As happiness, fortune and wisdom increases in one's life, the desire to propagate these Buddhist teachings arises naturally. It was the great desire of the True Buddha that his teachings compassionately spread to all mankind, thus allowing everyone to reach their true potential.
Nichiren Shoshu Buddhists attend ceremonies at their local temple where they benefit from guidance in faith from the priest. In addition, the lay members association, the Hokkeko, also sponsors many faith centered activities.
The invocation taught by Nichiren Daishonin to be recited as the correct form of Buddhist practice to realize one's enlightenment in the Latter Day of the Law. The Daishonin first established the invocation of "Nam-Myoho-Renge-Kyo" on April 28, 1253.
"Nam" derives from the Sanskrit
word for dedication or devotion and
"Myoho-Renge-Kyo" is the ultimate law or essence of all phenomena;
the true entity of all life and its environment.
By chanting this invocation to the Gohonzon one is able to fuse one's life with eternal, unchanging truth. Since "Myo" of Myoho-Renge-Kyo was originally translated as "perfectly endowed", the Daishonin teaches that this Mystic Law encompasses all other practices, teachings and truths within itself.
Therefore, the benefits of chanting Nam-Myoho-Renge-Kyo surpass all other kinds of virtuous or religious practices.
After a person has decided to take faith in Nichiren Shoshu Buddhism and relinquish other faiths, he/she participates in an acceptance ceremony called `Gojukai.' In this ceremony the individual pledges to embrace the practice throughout his life and steadfastly carry out the basics of faith, practice and study. The applicant may then apply to the Chief Priest of his local temple requesting that a Gohonzon be enshrined in the home.