In Nichiren Daishonin's Gosho, words such as Shutara or Sotaran, are used many times. These are transliterations of the Sanskrit word, Sutra, which translated into Japanese is "Kyo." The original meaning of Kyo is "the Buddha's word." It generally means the literature in which the Buddha's teachings were gathered. The word Kyo also means "by way of." Translating the word Sutra as Kyo signifies that the teaching of the Sage will reach the people through his mouth and mind. Since the sutra's content is consistent, the word Kyo also signifies "never changing."
After Shakyamuni entered Nirvana, his teachings were collected in four periods. They were then divided into what is called the "Three Divisions of the Buddhist Canon."
1. The Sutras (Jp. Kyozo, literally "Sutra repository")
2. The Vinaya (Jp. Ritsuzo)-the rules of monastic discipline.
3. The Abhidharma (Jp.Ronzo)- the commentaries on the Sutras and Vinaya.
Kyozo (sutra repository) signifies the Buddha's teachings that were taught
for the sake of common mortals, such as the truth of life and the universe,
morals, the Buddha's enlightenment, and the law of cause and effect.
In Buddhism, Kyo has a very significant meaning. With profound compassion,
the Buddha put the contents if his enlightened wisdom into words and letters
in order to save the suffering, ordinary people and lead them to Buddhahood.
It is said that Shakyamuni expounded 5,000 to 7,000 sutras.
Each one of them reveals a portion of the truth.
However, the correct teaching must have roots in the true substance, and
manifest the absolute truth. The meaning of Kyo as "the Buddha's word" which
leads common mortals to enlightenment, is the Kyo of "Nam-Myoho-Renge-Kyo"
in which the absolute truth is revealed.
The 5,OOO to 7,OOO sutras that Shakyamuni taught revealed the true meaning
of Kyo only through their relationship with the Lotus Sutra. Standing on
their own, these sutras are not universal truths by themselves, and just
like choosing the wrong fork in the road, placing our faith in them will
lead us to the wrong destination.
For common mortals to be saved, the sutra, as the Buddha's wisdom becomes
the object of study through the six senses of seeing, hearing, smelling,
tasting, touching, and mind. If they study the sutra, they are able to
practice the same way as Shakyamuni's disciples who heard the teaching
directly from him. This, in general, is the meaning of Kyo in Buddhism.
The True BuddhaJ Nichiren Daishonin revealed Myoho-Renge-Kyo to the common
mortals of the Latter Day of the Law as the ultimate teaching which contains
the meaning of the Buddhism of Sowing.
In the "Entity of the Mystic Law," Nichiren Daishonin says: ...The supreme
principle (that is the Mystic Law) was originally without a name.
When the
sage was observing the principle and assigning names to all things, he
perceived that there is this wonderful single law "Myoho" which
simultaneously possesses both cause and effect "Renge", and he named it
Myoho-Renge.
This single law Myoho-Renge encompasses within it all the phenomena
comprising the Ten Worlds and three thousand realms, and is lacking in none
of them. (Shinpen-gosho, p. 695; Ref.: M. W, Vol. 7, pgs. 65-66)
The fundamental point of Nichiren Daishonin's Buddhism lies in the time of the True Buddha's "Instant Realizatian" in Kuon-ganjo (the infinite past). The fundamental Law that the True Buddha perceived is "the Mystic Law-the only Law simultaneously passessing both cause and effect." He named it Myoho Renge. When the Buddha, from the position of a common mortal, expresses the Law, it is called Myoho-Renge-Kyo. In order to. Save the comman mortals who cannot fathom the Law, the Buddha manifests the Law as Myoho-Renge. This is the significance of Kyo.
Furthermore, the Daishonin, who appeared as the True Buddha in the Latter day of the Law, actualized Myoho Renge Kyo in the concrete form of the Mandala of the Mystic Law, revealing it as "Nam-Myoho-Renge-Kyo." This is the Object of Worship of True Buddhism (Honmon no Honzon). Demonstrating the practice through this True Object of Worship the Invocation of True Buddhism (Honman no Daimoku). Through practice, the benefit of attaining enlightenment in one's present form (sokushin jobutsu) is fulfilled and revealed. This is the High Sanctuary of True Buddhism (Honmon no Kaidan). Therefore, "Nam-MyohoRenge-Kyo" is ultimately revealed in form of the Three Great Secret Laws.
In the "Daimoku of the Lotus Sutra," the Daishonin teaches:
.. All the sutras expounded by the seven Buddhas of the past, the thousand
Buddhas, or the Buddhas af countless aeons ago, as well as those expounded
by the Buddhas presently living in the ten directions, are all followers of
the single character Kyo of the Lotus Sutra ...Within this single character,
Kyo are contained all the sutras in the entire universe. =0D
It is like the wish-granting jewel that contains within it all manner of
treasures, or the vastness of space that encompasses all phenomena.
(Shinpen-gosho, p. 335; Ref.: M.W., Vol. 3, p.12)
He explained that the one word Kyo of Nam-Myoho-Renge-Kyo, contains not only all the teachings of Shakyamuni's lifetime. It also contains the significance of all the teachings of the Buddhas of the Ten Directions spanning the past, present and future. This is the meaning of the principle called Zettai-myo.
In the "Reply to Kyo-o,"the Daishonin states, "..the soul of Nichiren is nothing other than Nam-Myoho-Renge-Kyo." (Shinpen-gosho, p. 685; Ref.: M.W., Vol. 1, p. 119)
The above quote demonstrates that each of the seven characters of "Nam-Myoho-Renge-Kyo" possesses the Buddha's Law, the Buddha's compassion and the benefit of teaching this Law for the sake of others.
"Nam" is a direct transliteration of the Sanskrit word. It is the most appropriate word to express its fundamental significance. By chanting Nam-Myoho-Renge-Kyo and practicing correctly in accordance with the Daishonin's teachings to the best of our ability, we are able to receive the benefit of the fusion of reality and wisdom and the attainment of Buddhahood in our present form.
As we propagate Nam-Myoho-Renge-Kyo throughout the world, we should never change the characters or the pronunciation. Furthermore, we should never translate it. Here are the reasons why:
1. Nam-Myoho-Renge-Kyo, itself, is the entity of the Law of the origin of
Buddhism.
2. It is the entity of the life of the True Buddha.
3. It is the fundamental invocation. It is easy for anyone to remember
and to chant.
4. It contains the deep functions and meanings of all the truths in the
universe.
If we separate Nam-Myoho-Renge-Kyo into individual words in order to translate them into different languages, it is no longer Nichiren Daishonin's life or the entity of the Law. It loses the significance of attaining Buddhahood in one's present form.
Our practice is not merely a mental exercise. We must correctly follow the three paths of faith, practice, and study of Nichiren Daishonin's Buddhism. Conducting Gongyo and chanting Daimoku with proper posture and correct pronunciation are an important part of our practice. In other so-called "Nichiren" sects, the Daimoku is pronounced "Namu Myoho Renge Kyo". This is proof that they do not possess any transmission from Nichiren Daishonin. This type of Daimoku does not contain any benefit.
Let us achieve great merit from our faith and practice with correct and careful pronunciation, keeping the solemn significance of Nam-Myoho-Renge-kyo in mind.