The Gohonzon – A Practitioner’s Guide

About the Book

In this book, readers can find answers to their priceless possession—their own Gohonzon. If we undertake the task of kosen-rufu (spreading this Buddhism far and wide) in order to achieve world peace, then an understanding of our Gohonzon tends to firm up our faith and stand us in good stead. This book aims to illustrate comprehensively what exactly is written on our Gohonzon and what they mean. It is divided in chapters with special critical consideration boxes put in places to elicit discussions and/or reflections at various opportune points. It is a text book of the utmost interactive style. It covers the following: —All inscriptions by the high priest Nichikan —All the personages inscribed on it representing the ten worlds —All statements inscribed on the Gohonzon —Practical notes on the care and maintenance of the Gohonzon —Some crucially relevant Buddhist principles and tenets —In-depth exposition about the object of worship for observing the mind aided by citation of various goshos —Spiritual independence (a fetterless way to practice Buddhism in real life) —Some variant forms of Gohonzon for the curious ones It is an informative and useful resource for those beginning their SGI form of Nichiren Buddhist practice. It is also an important aid and memoir for more experienced practitioners.

About the Author

The author - Angela R Chip (a pseudonym) is a practising Nichiren Buddhist within the organisation of SGI (UK). She has had a wide and varied life experience. She had been a salesperson, a bank clerk, a nurse and a university lecturer. Angela met Nichiren Buddhism through meeting her partner in 1980. She had always been very supportive of the practice but had not taken up the same faith…. due to one reason or another, until 2010. Since then she had been an avid practitioner and a keen student of Buddhism. Although since 2010 she had submitted a few short articles for publication in a Buddhist magazine, this book is a first serious effort on her part to promote study within and without the organisation. Sharing her knowledge about the subject matter: (The Gohonzon) with people who wishes to know more about it is the author’s only wish. It’s always on her mind that If this book stimulates and propels its readers to search for more answers – that would be a big bonus indeed.