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 fundamental object.
respect. "Go" is a honorific prefix.
In the center of the Gohonzon is inscribed in
highlighted the characters of 'Nam-'
myoho-renge-kyo – Nichiren
The Gohonzon symbolizes perfect fusion
of the Law Nam-myoho-renge-kyo (truth
the 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 ...
Gohonzon to protect it. As you progress
that we progressed in practice, we
the feeling naturally arises of
to dignify the place where we locate it.
GREEN LEAVES
Green leaves are a traditional offering.
flowers, although colorful and beautiful for a while,
they wilt very easily. Due to their
transitory nature, they are not considered a
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, represent the:
Ability to form a relationship with the environment
an environment that allows us to manifest Buddhahood.
CANDLES
The light of the candles 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 Great 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 utmost
sincerity during the Gongyo of the
morning and night.
WATER
Generally, a small cup is placed.
fresh water on the altar in front of the
Gohonzon every morning before gongyo
in the morning and is removed 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 spoil
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 bell tolls during the
Gongyo is used to offer a
pleasurable 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 tells us that by reciting the 2nd
cap. Hoben and the 16th cap. Juryo, we cover
the essence of the totality of the 28 chapters
from the Lotus Sutra and we embrace the 80,000
teachings of Buddhism. Gongyo means
constant practice and refers to the reading of
the two chapters Hoben and Juryo both in the
tomorrow like in the afternoon. Daimoku is the
repetition of Nam-myoho-renge-kyo. Recite
both constitute Buddhist practice
daily.
Juzu
In Japanese it means 'number of'
accounts. Also called 'nenju'
(meditate). When we are in front of the
Gohonzon, the juzu helps us to
keep in mind the Three Treasures (the
Buddha, the Law, and the Priest). It
comprises 108 accounts, which
they represent worldly desires
the sufferings that we must
transform into lighting through
from our practice. It is used
crossed between the two hands, that
represents the vital force of the
universe.
STUDY MATERIAL
There are three fundamental pillars in the
Buddhism, what are 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. The Faith
stimulates practice and study, and
these in turn deepen the Faith.
Since the Gohonzon is the central point of Buddhist practice
of Nichiren Daishonin, the way it is treated is very important, so
such is the gratitude shown towards him. Everything that is
hace para dignificar al Gohonzon, tal como limpiar el altar, ofrecer
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 places
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.