The Real Aspect of the Gohonzon

Background and Summary(Short Story)

In this letter, Nichiren Daishonin expresses gratitude to Nichinyo for her offerings to the Gohonzon. He explains the significance of the Gohonzon as the embodiment of all phenomena and the three thousand realms in a single moment of life. Daishonin emphasizes that the Gohonzon is rare and should be sought within oneself through faith. He shares examples to highlight the importance of faith in manifesting the Gohonzon in one’s life and concludes by stressing the importance of chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo with faith as the most complete Buddhist practice.

Main Text

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-myoho-renge-kyo. The body is the palace of the ninth consciousness, the unchanging reality that reigns over all of life’s functions.

What is most important is that, by chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo alone, you can attain Buddhahood. It will no doubt depend on the strength of your faith. To have faith is the basis of Buddhism.

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