The object of worship of Nichiren Shoshu is the enlightened life of the founder, Nichiren Daishonin. While he was alive, his disciples and believers were able to directly receive the beneficial influence of the mystic power and wisdom of the True Buddha. In order to save his disciples and believers who would take faith after his passing, the Daishonin infused his enlightened life into the object of worship known as the Dai-Gohonzon, thereby establishing the cause for the universal propagation of True Buddhism and the securing of peace throughout the world. All Gohonzons enshrined in temples and homes of believers are transcriptions of the Dai-Gohonzon and derive their power from it.
The physical form of the Gohonzon consists of planks of wood or sheets of paper onto which are inscribed Chinese and Sanskrit characters infused with the life of the True Buddha. Down the centre of the Gohonzon, “Nam-Myoho-Renge-Kyo Nichiren” is inscribed manifesting the entity of the oneness of the Person, (the True Buddha) and the Law, (Nam-Myoho-Renge-Kyo). Arrayed around this central inscription of the Mystic Law are characters expressing the Ten Worlds of the Original Buddha’s life. Therefore, when we are seated before the Gohonzon we should realise that we are in the presence of the True Buddha and observing the true entity of all phenomena.
Our devotion to the Buddha expressed through our sincere chanting of Nam-Myoho-Renge-Kyo is the means by which we can fuse our lives with the life of the Buddha. While in this state of fusion, the powers of the Buddha and the Law permeate our existence, purifying our minds, extinguishing our evil karma and planting seeds of wisdom, compassion and virtue in our lives.
Having established the correct object of worship and the correct way of faith and practice to manifest the Gohonzon’s beneficial power within the lives of believers, the Daishonin transferred the living entity of his inner enlightenment to his sole successor, the second high priest, Nikko Shonin. This specific transmission to one and only one person is the basis upon which each successive high priest transcribes the Gohonzons which are bestowed upon disciples and believers of succeeding generations. This unbroken flow of the Buddha’s life between master and disciple is the means by which the Daishonin’s enlightenment will remain in the world to save all mankind throughout eternity.
*Inset above is the building called ‘Hoan-Do’ where the Dai-Gohonzon is placed