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| A Glossary
of SGI Buddhist Terms
Buddha:
One who perceives the true nature of all life and leads others
to attain the same enlightenment. The Buddha nature is inherent
in all beings and is characterized by the qualities of wisdom,
courage, compassion, spiritual strength, hope, and unshakeable
happiness.
Daimoku:
Literally, ''title.'' Refers to the invocation, or chanting,
of Nam-myoho-renge-kyo.
Gohonzon:
The embodiment of the law of Nam-myoho-renge-kyo and the life
of Nichiren Daishonin in the form of a mandala. Honzon means
''object of fundamental respect''; go means ''worthy of honor.''
The Gohonzon takes the form of a paper scroll inscribed with
Chinese and two Sanscrit characters. Together, these characters
represent life in its highest condition: Buddhahood. ''Nam-myoho-renge-kyo,
Nichiren'' is written down the center of the Gohonzon.
Gongyo:
Literally, ''assiduous practice.'' In Nichiren Daishonin's Buddhism,
gongyo means to recite the ''Expedient Means'' (2nd) chapter
and the ''Life Span of the Tathagata'' (16th) chapter of the
Lotus Sutra and chant Nam-myoho-renge-kyo in front of the Gohonzon.
Gosho:
Literally, ''writting worthy of great respect'': the writtings
of Nichiren Daishonin.
Ichinen:
Literally, ''one mind.'' The life-moment, or ultimate reality,
that is manifested at each moment in common mortals.
Karma:
Sanskrit word meaning ''action.'' The life tendency or destiny
that each individual creates through thoughts, words, and deeds.
One's actions in the past have shaped one's reality at present,
and actions in the present determine in turn one's future. This
is the law of cause and effect at work.
Kosen-rufu:
Literally, to ''widely declare and spread (Buddhism).'' To secure
lasting peace and happiness for all humankind through the propagation
of Nichiren Daishonin's Buddhism.
Latter Day of the Law:
The period begining 2,000 years after Shakyamuni's death, when
his teachings lose their power and the essence of the Lotus
Sutra will be propagated.
Nam-Myoho-Renge-Kyo:
The fundamental component of Buddhist practice, which expresses
the ultimate truth of life and allows each individual to tap
his or her innate enlightened nature directly. Although the
deepest meaning of Nam-myoho-renge-kyo is revealed only through
the practice of chanting it, there is a literal definition for
each of the component words: nam (devotion) means to fuse one's
life with the universal law; myoho (Mystic Law) is the fundamental
principle of the universe and its phenomenal manifestations;
renge (lotus flower) refers to the lotus, which blooms and seeds
at the same time, symbolizing the simultaneity of cause and
effect; and kyo (sutra, or teaching of a Buddha) broadly indicates
all phenomena or the activities of all living beings.
Nichiren Daishonin (1222-82):
The Buddha of the Latter Day of the Law. Daishonin literally
means ''great sage'' and is used as an honorific title for Nichiren.
He inscribed the Gohonzon and established the invocation of
Nam-myoho-renge-kyo as the universal practice to attain Buddhahood.
Shakyamuni:
Also known as Siddhartha Gautama. The first historically recorded
Buddha, he is the founder of Buddhism.
Soka Gakkai:
Literally, ''Society for the Creation of Value.'' The name of
the lay organization of Nichiren Daishonin's Buddhism.
Soka Gakkai International (SGI):
The umbrella organization led by President Daisaku Ikeda, which
includes organizations in 128 nations. It was established in
1975.
Ten Worlds:
Potential conditions of life inherent in each individual. They
are: Hell, Hunger, Animality, Anger, Humanity, Rapture, Learning,
Realization, Bodhisattva, and Buddhahood. |
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