The observance of Shodaigyo

1. Raihai (Prostrations)

2. Dojo Kan (Meditation on the place of Enlightenment)

3. Honmon Sanki (Refuge in the Three Treasures)

4. Jushingyo (Meditation on a receiving a pure heart: calm e profound vision)

5. Shodaigyo (Recitation of Odaimoku)

6. Jinshingyo (Meditation on profound faith)

7. Kigan Eko (Prayers)

8. Shigu Seigan (The Four Vows of the Bodhisattva)

9. 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.

 

 

9. Juji (Vow to Embrace and Maintain the Faith)

 

(Guide):

With this body,

 

(All):

Until I attain Buddhahood, I will

maintain my faith in the Lotus Sutra.

Namu Myoho Renge Kyo, Namu Myoho

Renge Kyo, Namu Myoho Renge Kyo.

 

 

10. Raihai (Prostrations)

 

As during the first prostration

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