Taisekiji is a name deeply revered by Nichiren Shoshu believers the world over. This is the center of Nichiren Daishonin's Buddhism of the Three Great Secret Laws. The imperatives to establish the True Object of Worship, maintain a high sanctuary for it and ceaselessly chant the True invocation to it are magnificently achieved and exist in perfect unity at Taisekiji.

Millions of believers come yearly to express their appreciation to the Dai-Gohonzon. Their pilgrimages are a living testimony to the universal appeal of Nichiren Shoshu Buddhism. Within the temple grounds, old historic buildings stand side by side with ultra-modern structures. Together, they form a fitting monument to a living worldwide faith.

Taisekiji was founded in 1290 after Nichiren Daishonin's passing, when the second high priest, Nikko Shonin, moved to the broad plain at the foot of Mt. Fuji. From that spot he further perpetuated and propogated the teachings he had directly received from the True Buddha. Since that time, Taisekiji has remained the spiritual center from which the orthodox teachings of Nichiren Daishonin have been handed down for over 700 years. The efforts and strong faith of many dedicated priests and lay believers under the stewardship of successive high priests have disseminated, yet preserved, the purity of the teachings over the centuries.

In the United States, the priesthood is organized as Nichiren Shoshu Temple, or NST. The function of NST is to protect the orthodoxy of the teachings and disseminate them throughout America. This is done through sermons, lectures and formal religious ceremonies to encourage correct practice and growth in faith.

Gojukai follows an application period of a couple of months in which the applicant practices with the local Hokkeko chapter. A couple of months following Gojukai, the applicant may be allowed to receive his or her personal Gohonzon and begin to manifest to the fullest the noble and innate qualities of Buddhahood, a state of life inaccessible through any other teaching.

The origin of Hokkeko goes back to Nichiren Daishonin's lifetime 700 years ago. Nichiren Daishonin called the believers of that era the people of the Hokkeko. Famous desciples such as Shijo Kingo and Nanjo Tokimitsu belonged to it. The Dai-Gohonzon bears an inscription which states that it was bestowed to the Hokkeko. It is organized into chapters which center on their local temple. Its purpose is to protect NST and help spread the teachings and provide encouragement to its members to grow in faith and understanding. High Priest Nikken Shonin states that "Hokkeko is the true and superior practice. It is the practice of `attaining enlightenment in one's present form." (sokushin-jobutsu)

In addition, each chapter has general rules and detailed rules. General rules (Article VII clause 2) states, "The officers shall be elected from among and by the members of the Chapter, which must receive the approval of the Supervising Priest, and be certified by the High Priest of Nichiren Shoshu."

From the above mentioned, you can logically understand with consistant faith that: 1) The Hokkeko Headquarters is based at the Head Temple; 2) The Hokkeko Chapter is based at the local temple; and 3) The activity of the Hokkeko Chapter is always in unity with the local Temple.

Introduced by our sponsor, we start the practice and after a while are able to receive the Gojukai ceremony at the local temple, and joyfully become a member of the local chapter of Hokkeko. Within this chapter, we take our first step in faith and practice under the correct guidance of the Chief Priest.

The liturgy is recited five times during the morning service and three times in the evening. Since Gongyo activates one's Buddha nature and becomes the source of vital energy, wisdon and good fortune, all new believers learn to form the habit of properly observing this practice. Thus one begins one's journey of faith. To achieve a truly happy state of life, believers take encouragement from words written by Nichiren Daishonin to a believer nearly 700 years ago:

"Be diligent in developing your faith until the last moment of your life. Otherwise you will have regrets. For example, the journey from Kamakura to Kyoto takes twelve days. If you travel for eleven but stop on the twelfth, how can you admire the moon over the capital? No matter what, be close to the priest who knows the heart of the Lotus Sutra, keep learning from him the truth of Buddhism and continue your journey of faith.