Understanding the Buddhist Altar
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ScribdTranslationsUnderstanding the Buddhist Altar
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ScribdTranslationsBUDDHIST ALTAR
GOHONZON
In Japanese, the object of devotion is called
Honzon means object of fundamental importance
Respect. "Go" is an honorific prefix.
In the center of the Gohonzon is inscribed in
highlight the characters of "Nam-
Myohou Renge Kyo - Nichiren
The Gohonzon symbolizes the perfect fusion.
of the Law Nam-myoho-renge-kyo (truth
last of life and the universe) and of the
person, Nichiren Daishonin (original Buddha
illuminated by that truth).
Buddhist altar
In Japanese, it means 'house of the Buddha'.
It is the place where the ___ is enthroned.
Gohonzon to protect it. As it progresses
that we advanced in practice, we
the feeling naturally arises of
to dignify the place where we locate it.
GREEN LEAVES
The green leaves are a traditional offering.
flowers, although colorful and pretty for a time,
they wither very easily. Due to their
transitory nature, they are not considered one
appropriate offering for the Buddha, which has the
purpose of bringing eternal happiness to all
humanity.
According to the Three Inherent Potentials of the
nature of the Buddha, they represent the:
Ability to form a relationship with the environment
an environment that allows us to manifest Buddhamind.
CANDLES
The candlelight is an offering that
it symbolizes the wisdom of Buddha.
Candles also represent wisdom
enlightened of the Buddha, that is to say, the characteristic
spiritual of the Buddha and the potential to give us
account of our own innate nature of
Buda.
INCENSE
The fragrance of incense is a
offering that represents the truth of
Middle Way of Buddhism.
The Grand Master Tien T'ai wrote: 'Everything
what has color or fragrance represents
the Middle Way.
Thus, by burning the incense, we extend its
fragrance in all directions of the
room, this means that the fragrance
of the Law extends into the universe.
For this reason, the fragrance of
incense to the Gohonzon with maximum
sincerity during the Gongyo of the
morning and night.
WATER
A small cup is generally placed.
of fresh water on the altar in front of the
Gohonzon every morning before the gongyo
in the morning and is withdrawn before the gongyo
in the afternoon.
Water has the property of purifying.
Purity is one of the four virtues that
they describe the true nature of life
from the Buddha.
FOOD
It is also traditional to offer to the
Gohonzon fruits or food.
As long as there is sincerity, any
food considered good can be
offered; however, based on the
common sense, we should not offer
those foods that go bad
easily attract insects.
When food is offered to the Gohonzon,
one can ring the bell three times
and chant Daimoku three times,
expressing in this way our
deep gratitude to the Gohonzon.
The fruit must be removed from the altar and
consumed while it is fresh.
BELL
The bells during the
Gongyo is used to offer a
pleasant sound to the Gohonzon and to
life. Symbol of vibrations
sonorous as a universal expression
of all beings.
LITURGY
The liturgy consists of the reading of two
chapters of the Lotus Sutra. Nichiren
Daishonin points out to us that by reciting the 2nd
cap. Hoben and the 16th cap. Juryo, we cover
the essence of the entirety of the 28 chapters
from the Lotus Sutra and embrace the 80,000
teachings of Buddhism. Gongyo means
frequent practice and refers to the reading of
the two chapters Hoben and Juryo both in the
Tomorrow as in the afternoon. Daimoku is the
repetition of Nam-myoho-renge-kyo. Recite
both constitute the Buddhist practice
diary.
Juzu
In Japanese it means 'number of'
"accounts". Also called "nenju"
(meditate). When we are confronted with the
Gohonzon, the juzu helps us to
keep in mind the Three Treasures (the
Buddha, the Law and the Priest).
comprises 108 accounts, which
they represent worldly desires
the sufferings that we must
transform into lighting through
of our practice. It is used
crossed between the two hands, that
represents the vital force of
universe.
STUDY MATERIAL
There are three fundamental pillars in the
Buddhism, which is Faith, Practice and
Study.
Faith is believing in the Gohonzon of the
Three Great Secret Laws.
Practice is to invoke Nam-myoho-
renge-kyo and transmit it to others.
Study is to learn and understand the
Buddhist teachings.
But Faith is the most important of the
three to attain Buddhahood. Faith
encourages practice and study, and
these, in turn, deepen the Faith.
Since the Gohonzon is the central point of the practice of Buddhism
From Nichiren Daishonin, the way it is treated is very important, so
such as the gratitude shown towards him. Everything that is
to dignify the Gohonzon, such as cleaning the altar, offering
water, green leaves, burning incense or lighting candles, expresses the
sincerity of the believer's heart. The offering of these things to
The Gohonzon not only indicates reverence for the life of the Buddha and the
Treasures of the Buddha, the Law, and the Priest, but it also means to do
good reasons to develop our innate Buddhahood. What it puts
the benefit is the sincere spirit behind these
offerings. In his Gosho "On the Attainment of Buddhahood", Nichiren
Daishonin writes that we must carry out our practice with the
conviction that such acts will produce benefits and good fortune
in our lives.