December 28, 2007
Mandala # 031
This original Nichiren Mandala Gohonzon is housed at 本興寺 Honkoji of 尼崎 Amagasaki in 兵庫県 Hyogo Prefecture.
Conferral [授] is to 釈 日与 I am not sure how to read that, or who that is. Is 与{yo/yu} is part of the name? Shakya Nichiyo?
The date is February of 1276.
This is a typical example of earlier Nichiren's Great Mandalas.
The top row has 4 Buddhas and the 4 attendant Bodhisattvas flanking the Daimoku. The extra Buddhas are Jippo Bunshin on the right of Shakyamuni, and Zentoku Nyorai to the left of Taho Nyorai. They represent the Buddhas of the Ten Directions as well as all Emanation Buddhas.
In the 法華三昧懺法 [Hokke Sanmai Zenpo], the Great Teacher T'ien T'ai decribes a mediation on the Bodhi Mandala. This includes invocations such as:
"Namu Shakamuni Butsu"
"Namu Kako Taho Seson"
"Namu Shakamuni Jippo Funjin Sho Butsu"
"Nam' Myoho Renge Kyo Chu Issai Sho Butsu"
"Namu Jippo Issai Joju Butsu"
and so on
Also:
With all one’s heart, one reverently worships the Original Teacher, the Buddha Sakyamuni.
With all one’s heart, one reverently worships the Buddha of the Past, Abundant Treasures.
With all one’s heart, one reverently worships the Emanations of the Buddhas in the Ten Directions:
Posted by rbeck at December 28, 2007 07:17 PM