February 24, 2008
What is Gongyo?
Gongyo on Line: Practical methods and resources to learn and enhance the dynamic Buddhist practice of Mandala Visualization, Sutra Recitation, & Mantra Chanting. What is Gongyo?
Gon or 勤 means diligent; gyo or 行 is a translation of of the Indic caritra; meaning conduct, practice, or action. Gongyo [勤行] is an East Asian Buddhist term for a kind of religious service involving sutra recitation and/or mantra chanting. This often includes the use of a mandala or other religious icon, which serves as an object of devotion, imagery for meditative visualization, a focus for contemplation, all of the above, and more. The icon is often enshrined as part of a family altar and might be housed in a cabinet called a butsudan. Generally, during Gongyo, Buddhists sit in any of several traditional postures, with the hands in the prayer gesture.
The term Gongyo has been popularized in the West by the Soka Gakkai {Value Creating Society}; which is a Nichiren Buddhist Lay Organization, and one of Japan's "New Religions" that emerged during the 20th Century. For this reason, the term is associated with the services taught by Soka Gakkai and their former parent sect, Nichiren Shoshu. Ironically, from what I can gather, the founder of the Nichiren School, Nichiren Shonin, never used the term Gongyo.
According to wiki, other East Asian terms for the same sort of services include otsutome [お勤め] and shojin [精進]. Tsutome is an alternate reading of gon [勤]. I do not know if the mainstream Nichiren School, or Nichiren Shu, uses any of these terms or not. It might vary according to the Lineage, or even Temple. Some western members of Nichiren Shu have used the term "Sacred Services."
At this point, I think western Nichiren Buddhist should just go with the term Gongyo. We should realize, however, that this a generic term. It does not necessarily mean reciting portions of the Lotus Sutra and reading silent prayers, followed by chanting the Mantra; Namu Myoho Renge Kyo, anymore than the term Gohonzon refers exclusively to the Lotus Sutra inspired Mandala designed by Nichiren Shonin. For those who dislike Asian Buddhist jargon, "Sacred Services" might work.
Posted by rbeck at February 24, 2008 03:00 PMHi Cathleen,
Thank you for the kind comments. First, I practice Nichiren Buddhism independent of any school, although I am still nominally SGI. On the issue of a Daigohonzon and other matters, I try to take a purely academic approach. In other words, I try to set aside any feelings of attachment or aversion, such as affection or envy. This was not easy, as I was heavily invested in the teachings of Nichiren Shoshu
My views at present, which are only my informed opinions, are probably closer to Nichiren Shu. I agree with Kenpon Hokke on the literal, plain meaning of the Goshu. However, I intepret the symbolism more in light of traditional Buddhism.
Again, my views are only opinions. To remain objective, I work hard at not being attached to my opinions. As the available evidence and my understanding of that evidence change, my opinions change.
On the Heart Sutra, it is very popular in East Asia, particularly in Zen. I think it is also popular in Tibetan Buddhism, but I have not looked at any Tibetan sources on the Heart Sutra. I have looked at Korean and Japanese Zen sources on the Heart Sutra.
A bit on the 5 components:
Kaya = physical body
Vedana = sensation, or concete sensory perceptions; such as sights, sounds, aromas, flavors, textures, & phenomena.
Samnja = Conceptual cognition; experience of abstract noumana.
Samskaras = will or volition, habits, motives, non-volitional conditioned responses and impulses.
Vijnana = 9 Consciousnesses: 1 - 6 are concrete input from the 5 senses and brain recognition. The 7th is ego formation and cognition. The 8th is conditioned citta-mind and residual karma. The 9th is unconditioned, karma-free, pure, or luminous citta-mind.
That is my take right now.
Posted by: robin at March 16, 2008 08:27 AMI think your writing is very interesting. I practice Nichiren Shoshu as well, at Honseiji Temple and have practiced from 1982 staying with the Temple. I did have the chance to visit Taisekiji four times and it was a great experience. I did feel a little put off by the minimizing of your description of the Daigohonzon. I sometimes feel that we people in Mappo feel jealous of the fact that the Daishonin was the first and only person to inscribe the Heart of the Lotus Sutra. Being Number One is simply not a "sharable" position. After there's number one, there's number two, then number three and so forth. My feeling about chanting to the Daigohonzon is completely different than when I chant at my own home Gohonson, and also different from when I chant at the Temple, and also too, it depends on how many people I am chanting with. But one thing I do remember and that is while chanting to the DaiGohonzon, I didn't have any praryer whatsoever in my mind. It was just purely chanting, without having any of my own ideas put into it. But, back at home... it's quite a different story. Anyway, I liked your descriptions lately about the practice and I see you have studied the Heart Sutra, I am wondering if it may be a sutra that is used by the Tibetian Monks? Also do you still practice Nichiren Shoshu. I googled the Five Aggregates and that's how I found your site. In short, the five aggregates can be summed up to: Shikishin Funi- the combination of mind and all it encompases and then the body - Ke and Ku.
Keep up the writing and I'll bookmark you!