ABOUT THE DAI-GOHONZON By Ted Morino
[Excerpted from the 9/10/99 World Tribune]
[Excerpted from the 9/10/99 World Tribune]
SGI President Ikeda stated: "Nothing has changed in the way we view the
Dai-Gohonzon: It was inscribed by Nichiren Daishonin for the happiness of all
humanity and is the basis of our faith." The SGI has always upheld the validity
of the Dai-Gohonzon, even during these years when we have not been able to see
it."
Dai-Gohonzon: It was inscribed by Nichiren Daishonin for the happiness of all
humanity and is the basis of our faith." The SGI has always upheld the validity
of the Dai-Gohonzon, even during these years when we have not been able to see
it."
We should clarify what is the correct attitude toward the Dai-Gohonzon. First,
the power of any Gohonzon, including the Dai-Gohonzon, can be tapped only
through the power of faith. It is wrong to think that the Dai-Gohonzon alone has
some kind of unique mystic power that no other Gohonzon possesses. The
Dai-Gohonzon and our own Gohonzon are equal.
the power of any Gohonzon, including the Dai-Gohonzon, can be tapped only
through the power of faith. It is wrong to think that the Dai-Gohonzon alone has
some kind of unique mystic power that no other Gohonzon possesses. The
Dai-Gohonzon and our own Gohonzon are equal.
What is most important is the power of our faith and practice, which enables us
to tap the power of the Buddha and the Law in the Dai-Gohonzon and in all other
Gohonzon, and within ourselves. In this respect, the Daishonin states: "The
Gohonzon is found in faith alone. As the sutra states, 'Only with faith can one
enter Buddhahood'" (The Major Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, vol. 1, p. 213).
to tap the power of the Buddha and the Law in the Dai-Gohonzon and in all other
Gohonzon, and within ourselves. In this respect, the Daishonin states: "The
Gohonzon is found in faith alone. As the sutra states, 'Only with faith can one
enter Buddhahood'" (The Major Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, vol. 1, p. 213).
It is wrong to think that, whether we have faith in the Dai-Gohonzon or not, the
Dai-Gohonzon is absolute. Faith is what matters. In this respect, President
Ikeda states: "The Gohonzon enshrined at our home carries the same significance
as the Dai-Gohonzon. They are as beneficial as the Dai-Gohonzon, in accord with
the Buddhist principle of "dispersing the body of the original in different
forms" (Jpn funjin santai).
Dai-Gohonzon is absolute. Faith is what matters. In this respect, President
Ikeda states: "The Gohonzon enshrined at our home carries the same significance
as the Dai-Gohonzon. They are as beneficial as the Dai-Gohonzon, in accord with
the Buddhist principle of "dispersing the body of the original in different
forms" (Jpn funjin santai).
Since the Dai-Gohonzon is made of wood, its physical longevity is naturally
limited. But the essence of the Dai-Gohonzon, the Law, will never perish because
it inherently exists in the universe and within each of us. President Toda used
to use the expression "the Dai-Gohonzon in my home," meaning that the Gohonzon
we worship at home is essentially the Dai-Gohonzon itself.
limited. But the essence of the Dai-Gohonzon, the Law, will never perish because
it inherently exists in the universe and within each of us. President Toda used
to use the expression "the Dai-Gohonzon in my home," meaning that the Gohonzon
we worship at home is essentially the Dai-Gohonzon itself.
The millions of SGI members who have achieved victories in their lives have done
so through their practice to their own Gohonzon. This is because we have been
practicing the Daishonin's Buddha's correctly in accord with the compassionate
spirit behind the Daishonin's inscription of the Dai-Gohonzon.
so through their practice to their own Gohonzon. This is because we have been
practicing the Daishonin's Buddha's correctly in accord with the compassionate
spirit behind the Daishonin's inscription of the Dai-Gohonzon.
This awareness is more important than ever today. "
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