[A Guide to HBS -part2-]
The Teachings and Practices of HBS
Rev. Nisso Fukuoka
We, HBS members recite the Kanjo Mon (Invocation of the Buddha and Saints) in front of the Gohonzon before the chanting Odaimoku at an Oko meeting.
However, most members of HBS seem to recite it without any understanding. So, I will explain the meaning of Kanjo Mon in words that everyone can understand.
Kanjo Mon is the verse we recite just before chanting the Odaimoku to pray (call upon) to Buddha, bodhisattvas and saints in the Gohonzon for protection while visualizing these figures.
Therefore when we recite it, we should reflect on its meaning.
The substance of The Kanjo Mon
Buddhism was born in India about 2600 years ago with the appearance of Shakamuni Buddha, who preached his teachings in general terms for approximately 50 years. Among the various teachings of Shakamuni Buddha, the primordial eight chapters of the Lotus Sutras contained a special meaning. He revealed that "I did not attain enlightenment as am an ordinary human being, but my true original form is the Fundamental Eternal Buddha that attained enlightenment in the remotest past and had continued to preach the Dharma, transcending time and space".
The Eternal Buddha's existence is the Dharma body, the universe itself and has no figure like us, human beings. Therefore it is impossible to show it as a statue or picture. Accordingly, Nichiren Shonin expressed NamuMyohoRengeKyo as the soul of the Buddha, as the enlightenment of the Buddha itself that is the treasure of the Buddha for the Mappo Period.
The Gohonzon is presented as follows
NamuMyohoRengeKyo is situated in the center, Shakamuni Buddha as Reward—body and Taho Buddha as a Dharma—body are seated on both sides of the NamuMyohoRengeKyo, the main attendants great Bodhisattva Jyogyo of the Shakamuni Buddha are the next line and other bodhisattvas and the gods are seated aside them.
Those sacred figures gather around the Odaimoku to worship it as the Fine Dharma, joining their hands in prayer.
This is the true form of the Gohonzon and true object of worship for everybody.
Such a sublime Sacred Object had never been revealed by other sutras except the Lotus Sutra. Even in the Lotus Sutra, it is only in the primordial eight chapters of the Sutra, it was revealed.
How fortunate we are, upholding this great Gohonzon
We would like to repay and express thanks to Shakamuni Buddha who taught the Lotus Sutra and Great master Nichiren who brought the sacred practice, chanting NamuMyohRengekyo to us in the Mappo Period the degenerate age as the immediate disciple of the Buddha.
NamuMyohoRengeKyo
12. Kanjo Mon
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- The substance of The Kanjo Mon
- The Gohonzon is presented as follows...
- How fortunate we are, upholding this great Gohonzon
