THE
OBSERVANCE OF SHODAIGYO
01.
Raihai (Prostrations)
02.
Dojo Kan (Meditation on the
place of Enlightenment)
03.
Honmon Sanki (Refuge in the Three Treasures)
04.
Jushingyo (Meditation on a receiving a pure heart: calm
e profound vision)
05.
Shodaigyo (Recitation of Odaimoku)
06.
Jinshingyo (Meditation on profound faith)
07.
Kigan Eko (Prayers)
08.
Shigu Seigan (The Four Vows of the Bodhisattva)
09.
Juji (Vow to embrace and maintain faith)
10.
Raihai (Prostrations)
1.
Raihai (Prostration)
A complete prostration performed in front of
the Gohonzon-Mandala: It is begun with hands in Gassho form, one
then bows deeply until his or her forewhead touches the ground
and the palms of the hands are raised slowly upwards to above
the ears.
2. Dojo-Kan = Perceiving the Dojo
(Meditation on the place of enlightenment)
(Guide):
This is something indeed which we should all be fully aware
of,
(All)
:
This place in which we find ourselves now, is a dojo, a place
of Buddhist training.
All Buddhas come to this place, and attain perfect enlightenment;
All Buddhas come to this place, and turn the wheel of the dharma;
All Buddhas come to this place, and enter into nirvana.
3.
Honmon Sanki (Taking Refuge in the
Three Treasures)
Devotion
to our Eternal Master of the Dharma, Shakamuni Buddha. (Fukuhai prostration)
Devotion
to the Great Wisdom of the Buddha, the Eternal Dharma that equally
benefits all, the One Vehicle of Myo-ho- Renge- Kyo (Fukuhai prostration)
Devotion
to Our Founder, Jogyou, the Great Bodhisattva Nichiren--- (Fukuhai prostration
4.
Jushingyo (Meditation on Receiving
a Pure Heart)
Hands are in meditation mudra, sit comfortable (either Japaense
style, lotus position, crossed legged, or even in a chair) but
erect, eyes are half closed and half opened, and take slow but
very deep breaths. Breathe from the diaphram and exhale completely.
5.
Shodaigyo
Gassho
Namu
Myoho Renge Kyo, Namu Myoho Renge Kyo, Namu Myoho Renge Kyo.......
(chant the Odaimoku very very slowly, clearly enunciating
each single syllable, gradually speed up, then later gradually
slow down again.)
6.
Jinshingyo (Meditation on Profound
Faith)
Hands
are in the same position and breathing occurs as during Jushingyo.
7.
Kigan Eko (Prayers)
Gassho
With
reverence, we offer the merits we have accumulated through chanting
the Sutra and the Odaimoku, so that all people throughout the
four corners of the enitre world may return their lives to the
Wonderful Dharma of Myoho Renge Kyo and so that everywhere under
the heavens may equally become a tranquil land and that all the
people be freed from the endless cycle of suffering and enjoy
peaceful and happy lives.
We
also pray that all households be safe from harm, and that everyone
within each family increase their faith, that they enjoy good
health and long life, and that all sins be erased and their lives
purified.
We further pray that the spirits of our ancestors, the people
who have formed a relationship with the Buddha and those who have
not, all follow the benevolent life of the Tathagata, sit upon
a lotus blossom and obtain the true wisdom of the Buddha.
We
pray that these merits be passed on to all beings, so that all
other beings and myself may together attain the perfect enlightenment
of the Buddha. Namu Myoho Renge Kyo
8.
Shigu Seigan ( The Four Vows of
the Bodhisattva)
Gassho
(Guide):
We
vow to save all beings,
(All):
however
countless they may be;
We
vow to eliminate all desires, however numerous they may be;
We
vow to master all the Buddha's doctrines, however limitless they
may be;
We
vow to enter into the Way of the Buddha and attain supreme enlightenment.
