1996 May Okyobi
The Daishonin teaches that, since the Daimoku is the true nature of the Buddha, when we chant the Daimoku, the seed for Buddhahood inherent in all living beings begins to take root in ourselves and we can attain enlightenment. Thus we have learned that chanting the Daimoku is the foundation of faith, and that since it is so essential, all aspects of our practice are affected by the Daimoku we chant. So much so that chanting Daimoku is the source of all practices in our faith, including shakubuku and study. But useless for deriving benefit is the Daimoku canted by those who have given themselves to hohboh -- that which is slanderous or heretical -- and who defy Nichiren Daishonin and Nikko Shonin. Because their Daimoku is heretical or changed with the intent of cursing others, they will gain no benefit, but instead accumulate evil karma that will drag them into the depths of the Hell of Incessant Sufferings. As Nichiren Daishonin teaches in the Ongi Kuden, it is crucial to not deviate form the Daishonin's intent:
Now Nichiren and his followers who chant Nam-Myoho-Renge-Kyo should teach and expound without deviation from Nichiren's teaching. (Shinpen, p.1757)
If one deviates from Nichiren Daishonin's intentions, no matter how many Diamoku he may chant, his Daimoku are no longer the Daimoku of Nichiren Daishonin's True Teaching (Honmon); since that person is merely using the Daishonin to his own ends, his Daimoku are those of one who fails to recognize his debt of gratitude, and he will be sowing the seeds for his own failure:
One may adopt my words, but if in doing so, one misuses them, then the country will perish.("On the Buddha's Behavior," Shinpen, p. 1066; M.W., Vol 1, p. 173)
So the question arises: How do we go about chanting Daimoku that is consistent with the Daishonin's intentions?
The answer is quite simple: we make the Dai-Gohonzon of the True Sanctuary and the guidance of the High Priest, the successor to the lifeblood of the Law (kechimyaku), the cornerstones of our faith. Daimoku chanted without deviation from these two points is genuine Daimoku of the True Teaching (Honmon), and Daimoku that is congruent with the Daishonin's intent. It is genuine Daimoku because it is chanted with faith in the Gohonzon of the True Sanctuary, which makes it the Daimoku that is embodied in the Dai-Gohonzon. This is also why Daimoku chanted with faith in counterfeit Gohonzons or other sects' objects of worship which are not connected to the Lifeblood of the Law, and Daimoku chanted by people who are contemptuous of the venerable successor to the law, are devoid of all benefit. It is therefore crucial to chant Daimoku to a Gohonzon that is connected to the Lifeblood, no matter what the circumstances.
Myosenji Temple
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