Goho'on Oko Ceremony Sermon - March 14th, 2004
by Reverend Shogu Kimura
Thank you very much for attending this month’s Goho'on Oko Ceremony. I believe Nichiren Daishonin is very pleased.
I, Shogu Kimura, came to Myoshinji on the 1st of this month as a chief priest under the compassionate direction of High Priest Nikken Shonin. I ask each of you to understand that I will work hard in order to fulfill the High Priest's will of having Itai-doshin with all of you and chant Daimoku together with you from today forward.
When we look at the circumstances of the society we live in, we see that waves of depression still surge all over the world. Furthermore, immediately following the end of the mysterious SARS epidemic, now influenza from poultry distresses the people. Moreover, as you well understand, numerous societies are in ruins as a result of tragedies such as the War in Iraq, the North Korea crisis, earthquakes, and so on.
The characteristics of today’s world is precisely depicted in the quote from "Rissho Ankoku Ron" which states:
When we examine this wide variety of sutras, we find that they all stress how grave a matter it is to slander the Law.
In modern society, there are people who take wrong actions when encountering desires face to face. There are also some people who believe in wrong religions and do not see their slander as slander, leading to a break down of the heart. People's minds become unclear, and anxious emotions are led by disorderly ideas and philosophies.
In situations like these, we are shocked, amused, and saddened when examining various forms of information such as those provided by the News. Even so, our daily lives are generally not affected, and we go about living our normal lives every day.
However, as long as we are born and raised in this world, there is no guarantee that nothing will happen to us. In other words, it is no mystery that something like the aforementioned situations occur.
What we must think about are the reasons why we are happy and fulfilled in life. Is happiness just being rich or living luxuriously or eating delicious foods as much as one desires? These things may seem like real happiness and everyone may want to live like this at a glance, but is this true happiness?
I believe that true happiness is the richness of the heart. By keeping our hearts rich, we are fulfilled and able to obtain the realm of the true happiness.
Nichiren Daishonin states in "Three Kinds of Treasure":
More valuable than treasures in a storehouse are the treasures of the body, and the treasures of the heart are the most valuable of all.
The "treasures in a storehouse" here means material possessions and money, and "treasures of the body" signifies health. It means here that to be healthy is more important than having material possessions and money. However, Nichiren Daishonin further indicates that the treasures of the heart are the most valuable of all. The treasures of the heart are invisible, but when we can see it, the heart of repaying debts of gratitude breeds and multiplies. We can say that a heart like this is a rich heart.
Although we may practice, however, there might be some people that can not feel joy from faith. Buddhism teaches cause and effect. The cause and effect is "Jinjin Muryo (profound significance)" and is immeasurable for common mortals. Nichiren Daishonin states in "The Opening of the Eyes Part II", by quoting the Shinji Kangyo Sutra:
If you want to understand the causes that existed in the past, look at the results as they are manifested in the present. And if you want to understand what results will be manifested in the future, look at the causes that exist in the present.
If you are suffering for some reason, you should explore the problem. In order to keep your body and heart pure, you should remove the illness that stems from earthly desire and bring forth the purified heart. Problems can vary, and if they can be fixed from within you, you can remove them. However, your ability has limits. You can overcome these limits by worshipping the Dai-Gohonzon of the High Sanctuary of the Honmon Teaching and by praying for the eradication of the karma from your past lives. And it is important to uphold Myoho-Renge-Kyo where the benefits are eminent. It is a tremendous offering to Myoho (Mystic Law) when our practice functions for both ourselves and others. When we do this, it purifies us both physically and mentally.
It seems difficult, but is simple to keep a heart pure. It is important to understand Buddhism, but what is more important is to chant the Daimoku of Myoho-Renge-Kyo by following the teachings of Nichiren Shoshu. High Priest Nippu Shonin stated,
This Gohonzon may be seen as just golden characters to common mortals, but for those who ripen the Buddhist Seed, they worship the Gohonzon as Nichiren Daishonin.
We common mortals and new Nichiren Shoshu members may see the Gohonzon only as golden characters, but by devoting ourselves to morning and evening Gongyo, Shakubuku and chanting Daimoku, we begin to see the Gohonzon not only as golden characters, but are able to see the Gohonzon naturally as Nichiren Daishonin without realizing it. In other words, the Gohonzon contains the five and seven characters of the Daimoku, but its entity is Nichiren Daishonin. The sanctuary is worshiped because the Gohonzon is enshrined there.
Furthermore, chanting is not just a movement of the mouth. It is a Daimoku of faith where we chant through Three Categories of action--mental, verbal, and physical. It is most important to face the Gohonzon, following without doubt the teachings of Nichiren Daishonin who is the True Buddha of the Latter Day of the Law, uphold Nam-Myoho-Renge-Kyo fervently, and turn our confusion and karma from the past into goodness by chanting Daimoku and opening the realm of attaining Buddhahood in one's present form.
For the priesthood and laity of Nichiren Shoshu who are the true disciples of Nichiren Daishonin, it is most essential to always have the treasure of the heart as prime importance, and chant serious Daimoku from the heart, be healthy both physically and mentally, and devote ourselves to a practice based on ourselves and others with rich hearts.
I would like to ask you to dedicate yourselves to do Shakubuku with Itai-doshin, and value your treasures of the heart as disciples of Nichiren Daishonin and Myoshinji members.
I would like to conclude my sermon by sincerely praying for your determined effort and success. Thank you very much for attending today’s ceremony.
