Yesterday at Myosenji Temple, several people made the decision to receive Gojukai* and became Nichiren Shoshu Buddhists. It is a ceremony you can only receive once in a lifetime.
“Gojukai” literally means the ceremony “to receive the precept.” Generally, it is the ceremony for conversion to Buddhism. In Nichiren Shoshu, those determined to start their faith and practice of true Buddhism receive this ceremony from a Nichiren Shoshu priest.
Let’s take a look at the reason this ceremony is called “receiving the precept.” There are said to be 80,000 volumes of teachings in Buddhism, but they are all condensed into the following three categories: kai (precepts), jo (meditation), and e (wisdom). “Kai” means to stem injustice and to stop evil, and has a more immediate application in daily life. “Jo” means to concentrate one’s mind to master the profound truth inherent in all life and the universe. “E” indicates the wisdom to discriminate between right and wrong, good and evil.
The attainment of Buddhahood or enlightenment begins with one’s daily behavior. By enhancing one’s life-condition, one can accumulate good fortune and benefit. Therefore “kai,” or precepts, are an important element for pursuing the correct path of Buddhahood along with “jo” and “e.”
Visit Myosenji Temple
If you’d like to learn about Buddhism and how to become a Buddhist, visit Myosenji Temple for our Introduction series. Here is our schedule for June, 2015:
Sunday, June 14th at 2:00 p.m.
Topic: What is Buddhism? Who is Buddha? A Brief History
Sunday, June 21st at 2:00 p.m.
Topic: Buddhist Concept of the Ten Worlds
Sunday, June 28th at 2:00 p.m.
Topic: What is Karma?
* Excerpted from Nichiren Shoshu Ceremonies book, p. 62
