| THE MYSTIC LAW By Reverend Raido Hirota |
| Translated and edited by Udumbara Foundation volunteers |
Traditionally, we've been told that we should focus on the character of myo when
chanting to Gohonzon. I would have to say, the central focus of the entire Law should
be on myo. Myo means mystic or mysterious. This is not to be confused with magic; it
has nothing to do with magic. Myo suggests something difficult to understand. We call
this Law mystic or mysterious because, although we possess the Law, we hardly
understand it. What is mystic or mysterious about the Law is that all human beings
possess not one world, but the Ten Worlds. Each one of the Ten Worlds also possesses
Ten Worlds. The mutual possession of the Ten Worlds means that Buddha exists in all
the worlds.
In the Lotus Sutra Shakyamuni says, this Law is "difficult to believe and difficult to
understand." Most people think this phrase means the teaching is theoretically so
profound that it cannot be understood. But from Nichiren Daishonin's point of view,
"difficult to believe and difficult to understand" means, the mutual possession of the
Ten Worlds is difficult to comprehend. Gohonzon represents the mutual possession of
the Ten Worlds. On Gohonzon Daishonin wrote that this mandala is the rarest of all
objects of worship, "for what has been inscribed here has never been realized before."
Ho means Law. The Chinese character for Ho has two components. The component on
the left has three dots, signifying water. The right component means moving away.
Together these two components indicate water moving away. So even if human beings
try to change the Law, they can't touch it or get a hold of it. Hence they can't modify it.
That is what the character Ho -- the Law -- implies. It is absolute and unchanging.
chanting to Gohonzon. I would have to say, the central focus of the entire Law should
be on myo. Myo means mystic or mysterious. This is not to be confused with magic; it
has nothing to do with magic. Myo suggests something difficult to understand. We call
this Law mystic or mysterious because, although we possess the Law, we hardly
understand it. What is mystic or mysterious about the Law is that all human beings
possess not one world, but the Ten Worlds. Each one of the Ten Worlds also possesses
Ten Worlds. The mutual possession of the Ten Worlds means that Buddha exists in all
the worlds.
In the Lotus Sutra Shakyamuni says, this Law is "difficult to believe and difficult to
understand." Most people think this phrase means the teaching is theoretically so
profound that it cannot be understood. But from Nichiren Daishonin's point of view,
"difficult to believe and difficult to understand" means, the mutual possession of the
Ten Worlds is difficult to comprehend. Gohonzon represents the mutual possession of
the Ten Worlds. On Gohonzon Daishonin wrote that this mandala is the rarest of all
objects of worship, "for what has been inscribed here has never been realized before."
Ho means Law. The Chinese character for Ho has two components. The component on
the left has three dots, signifying water. The right component means moving away.
Together these two components indicate water moving away. So even if human beings
try to change the Law, they can't touch it or get a hold of it. Hence they can't modify it.
That is what the character Ho -- the Law -- implies. It is absolute and unchanging.
| Myo |
| Ho |
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