The Great Mandala: In Depth Study of the Gohonzon

Gosho Quotes on the Gohonzon: 

“Dwelling in the Gohonzon are all the Buddhas, bodhisattvas and great saints, as well as the eight groups of sentient beings of the two realms who appear in the first chapter of the Lotus Sutra. Illuminated by the five characters of the Mystic Law, they display the enlightened nature they inherently possess. This is the true object of worship.” — From the “Real Aspect of the Gohonzon” 

“This Gohonzon is the supreme mandala never before known” [Ibid.] 

“Like a lantern in the dark, like a strong supporting arm on a treacherous path, the Gohonzon will protect you, Lady Nichinyo, wherever you go.” [Ibid.] 

“Never seek this Gohonzon outside yourself. The Gohonzon exists only within the mortal flesh of us ordinary people who embrace the Lotus Sutra and chant Nam Myoho-renge-kyo.” [Ibid.] 

“The Gohonzon is found in faith alone.” [Ibid.] 

“Nichiren was the first to inscribe this great mandala as the banner of propagation of the Lotus Sutra.” [Ibid.] 

“Shakyamuni, Taho, and all the other Buddhas in the ten directions represent the world of Buddhahood within ourselves. By searching them out within us, we can receive the benefits of Shakyamuni, Taho, and all the other Buddhas.” — From “The True Object of Worship” 

Nichikan Shonin wrote: 
“This is the origin of all Buddhas and sutras and the place to which they return. The blessings of the myriads of Buddhas and sutras throughout space and time, without a single exception, all return to this Gohonzon which is the Buddhism of the seed. It is just like the tree's hundreds and thousands of branches and leaves which can all be traced to the same root. This Gohonzon therefore provides vast and boundless benefits. Its mystic functions are vast and profound. So if you take faith in this Gohonzon and chant Nam Myoho-renge-kyo at all, no prayer will go unanswered, no sin will remain unforgiven, all good fortune will be bestowed, and all righteousness proven.” (From Selected Lectures on the Gosho, Vol. 1) 

Suggested websites: 

SGI-USA website — www.sgi-usa.org, especially the Library at http://www.sgi-usa.org/buddhism/library/.
The Imagery of Nichiren’s Lotus Sutra –– www.gakkaionline.net/imagery.
Faith Practice and Study: Nichiren Daishonin’s Buddhism –– www.gosho.net.
The Great Mandala –– http://www.gakkaionline.net/mandala/.
The Diagram of the Nichikan-Transcribed Gohonzon


These correspond to the numbers on the Gohonzon diagram:

  1. Nam Myoho-renge-kyo 
  2. Nichiren 
  3. Zai gohan — This is Nichiren Daishonin's personal seal. 
  4. Dai Bishamon-tenno — Great Heavenly King Vaishravana (Skt.), also called Tamon-ten (Hearer of Many Teachings). 
  5. U kuyo sha fuku ka jugo — Those who make offerings will gain good fortune surpassing the ten honorable titles [of the Buddha]. Note: In Buddhism, making offerings has a broad meaning; here it means to respect and praise. 
  6. Namu Anryugyo Bosatsu-Bodhisattva — Firmly Established Practices (Skt. Supratishthita-charitra). Note: The word namu is added to some names in the Gohonzon as a sign of great respect. 
  7. Namu Jyogyo Bosatsu — Bodhisattva Pure Practices (Skt. Vishuddhacharitra). 
  8. Namu Shakamuni-butsu — Shakyamuni Buddha. 
  9. Namu Taho Nyorai — Many Treasures Thus Come One (Skt. Prabhutaratna Tathagata). 
  10. Namu Jogyo Bosatsu — Bodhisattva Superior Practices (Skt. Vishishtacharitra). 
  11. Namu Muhengyo Bosatsu — Bodhisattva Boundless Practices (Skt. Anantacharitra). 
  12. Nyaku noran sha zu ha shichibun — Those who vex and trouble [the practitioners of the Law] will have their heads split into seven pieces. 
  13. Dai Jikoku-tenno — Great Heavenly King Upholder of the Nation (Skt. Dhritarashtra). 
  14. Aizen-myo'o — Wisdom King Craving-Filled (Skt. Ragaraja). Note: The name is written in Siddham, a medieval Sanskrit orthography. 
  15. Dai Myojo-tenno — Great Heavenly King Stars, or the god of the stars. 
  16. Dai Gattenno — Great Heavenly King Moon, or the god of the moon. 
  17. Taishaku-tenno — Heavenly King Shakra (also known as Heavenly King Indra). 
  18. Dai Bontenno — Great Heavenly King Brahma. 
  19. Dai Rokuten no Mao — Devil King of the Sixth Heaven. 
  20. Dai Nittenno — Great Heavenly King Sun, or the god of the sun. 
  21. Fudo-myo'o — Wisdom King Immovable (Skt. Achala). Note: The name is written in Siddham, a medieval Sanskrit orthography. 
  22. Hachi Dairyuo — Eight Great Dragon Kings. 
  23. Dengyo Daishi — Great Teacher Dengyo. 
  24. Jurasetsunyo — Ten Demon Daughters (Skt. Rakshasi). 
  25. Kishimojin — Mother of Demon Children (Skt. Hariti). 
  26. Tendai Daishi — Great Teacher T'ien-t'ai. 
  27. Dai Zojo-tenno — Great Heavenly King Increase and Growth (Skt. Virudhaka). 
  28. Hachiman Dai Bosatsu — Great Bodhisattva Hachiman. 
  29. Kore o shosha shi tatematsuru — I respectfully transcribed this. 
  30. Nichikan, personal seal — Signature of the high priest who transcribed this Gohonzon, in this case, Nichikan, consisting of his name and personal seal. 
  31. Tensho-daijin — Sun Goddess. 
  32. Butsumetsugo ni-sen ni-hyaku san-ju yo nen no aida ichienbudai no uchi mizou no daimandara nari — Never in 2,230-some years since the passing of the Buddha has this great mandala appeared in the world. 
  33. Dai Komoku-tenno — Great Heavenly King Wide-Eyed (Skt. Virupaksha). 
  34. Kyoho go-nen roku-gatsu jusan-nichi — The 13th day of the sixth month in the fifth year of Kyoho [1720], cyclical sign kanoe-ne.