In Japan, there is a festival that parents celebrate and wish for their children’s growth called Shichi-Go-San (七五三). Children dress up in kimonos and visit a Shinto shrine or Buddhist temple. Children also look forward to Chitose-ame (Thousand-year Candy). It … Read More
At the head temple Yuseiji in Kyoto, Joya Hoyo is held from 11 pm on New Year’s Eve just before Gantan-e starts from 12:00 am on New Year’s Day. The night of New Year’s Eve is called Joya. In general, … Read More
In Honmon Butsuryū Shū (HBS), we chant the Odaimoku, Namu Myōhō Renge Kyō, repeatedly as our main practice. This practice is called Kushō-gyō (chanting practice). Kushō means “chanting the Odaimoku loudly and clearly,” and Gyō means “practice.” When chanting the … Read More
Since ancient times, the Lotus Sutra has been called “the king of sutras,” “the finest sutra,” or “the true teachings of Buddha.” It is the most popular Buddhist sutra and it is revered and worshiped widely around the world. Shakyamuni … Read More
When Shakyamuni Buddha preached the Honmon 本門 (teachings from chapter 15 through 22 of the Lotus Sutra), in chapter 16 The Life Span of Buddha 如来寿量品第十六, he said for the first time: “I can imagine people must believe that I … Read More
Honmon Happon is the eight chapters from chapter 15 Emerging from the Earth 従地涌出品第十五 through chapter 22 Entrustment 嘱累品第二十二, of the Lotus Sutra. HBS regards Honmon Happon as the most important teaching out of the Lotus Sutra. The reason is … Read More
In the chapter 16 of the Lotus Sutra The Life Span of Buddha 如来寿量品第十六, Shakyamuni Buddha revealed that his and all other Buddhas’ true form is Primordial Buddha who had already attained enlightenment in the distant past. In this exalted … Read More
Once you chant Odaimoku, Namu Myōhō Renge Kyō, the seed of Buddhahood is sown in your mind (soul). This is called Honnin-Geshu 本因下種. In the chapter 16 The Life-span of Buddha 如来寿量品第十六, Primordial Buddha revealed that he had already attained … Read More
When we chant Honmon Happon shoken 本門八品所顕, Jōgyō shoden 上行所伝, Honnin-geshu no Namu Myōhō Renge Kyō 本因下種之南無妙法蓮華経, we can accumulate Kudoku 功徳—the merits of enlightenment of Primordial Buddha. Kudoku has two main functions: expiating your Zaishō 罪障 and bringing forth … Read More
Buddhist priests of Honmon Butsuryū Shū 本門佛立宗 are called Kyōmu 教務. Kyō 教 in Kyōmu literally means “teaching” and Mu 務 means “attending to one’s work faithfully.” So, Kyōmu are priests who devote themselves to teaching people about the faith … Read More