The Staff of Namu Myoho Renge Kyo according to Baqiao and a Dragon Girl

Hi everyone,

Among Nichiren Buddhists there is the idea that one is not really practicing correctly or fully until one has a calligraphic mandala called the Gohonzon. This is actually a huge misunderstanding that I, as a Nichiren Shu minister, would like to correct. All one needs to do to practice Nichiren Buddhism is to (1) have a sincere trust and conviction in the teaching of the Lotus Sutra that not only are all beings capable of buddhahood but that buddhahood is right here and now, (2) express that conviction through practicing for oneself and others by chanting the title (Daimoku) of the Lotus Sutra which is both a form of meditation and a way of sharing the Dharma with others, (3) deepen one's understanding of the Wonderful Dharma which is your life's true nature through studying the teachings but even more importantly through studying your own life. Whether or not you have a nifty calligraphic scroll to hang on your wall is, if not totally beside the point, at least not as crucial as people mistakenly believe.

To clarify, the word "gohonzon" is a generic word used by all Japanese Buddhists (not just Nichiren Buddhists) to indicate both the ultimate reality and also whatever a particular school or temple uses to portray or depict or indicate that reality. So the gohonzon of Pure Land Buddhism is Amitabha Buddha. In the Zen temple down the street from me the gohonzon enshrined there is a statue of the historical Shakyamuni Buddha.

In Nichiren Buddhism the Gohonzon is one of the Three Great Hidden Dharmas that Nichiren taught are the basis or standard of practice in Nichiren Buddhism as the direct way of practicing the essential teaching of the Lotus Sutra. They are the Gohonzon (Focus of Devotion), the Odaimoku (Great Title), and the Kaidan (Precept Platform). Nichiren Shu understands the Gohonzon to mean the Eternal Shakyamuni Buddha revealed in chapter 16 of the Lotus Sutra who exemplifies the Oneness of the Person and the Dharma; the Odaimoku is the Wonderful Dharma Lotus Flower Sutra (which is Myoho Renge Kyo in Sino-Japanese); and the Kaidan is understood to be wherever we uphold the Wonderful Dharma of the Lotus Sutra. Actually, all three of these are the One Great Hidden Dharma which is Namu Myoho Renge Kyo (Devotion to the Wonderful Dharma Lotus Flower Sutra). Namu Myoho Renge Kyo is the true nature of the Gohonzon, it is the Dharma that we chant, and it is by upholding it that we become part of the Sangha of the Bodhisattvas of the Earth and their followers. Namu Myoho Renge Kyo for Nichiren Buddhism is the all in all of practice, realization, and actualization when we chant it, awaken to its meaning, and embody its spirit. This means that the Gohonzon is not other than Namu Myoho Renge Kyo itself. And in fact, in Nichiren Shu, a simple inscription of the Odaimoku can be used to depict the Gohonzon, it does not have to be the calligraphic Omandala though that is often enshrined in homes. Even more importantly, the Gohonzon is present whenever the spirit of Namu Myoho Renge Kyo is upheld, whether or not there is a concrete depiction.

Now here are some things Nichiren wrote in a letter that is now called "The Swords of Good and Evil":

"The Lotus Sutra is the staff that helps all the Buddhas of the three existences as they set their minds on enlightenment."

"When one uses a staff, one will not fall on treacherous mountain paths or rough roads, and when led by the hand, one will never stumble. Namu Myoho Renge Kyo will be your staff to take you safely over the mountains of death."

This put me in mind of something a Zen Master named Baqiao once said: "If you have a staff, I will give you one; if you don't have a staff I will take one away. "

Odaimoku, the essence of the Lotus Sutra which in Nichiren Buddhism represents the essence of Buddha Dharma, is the authentic staff of Nichiren Buddhism. Not Odaimoku as a concept, or a paper scroll, or a verbal rabbit's foot, or an object of superstitious clinging, or a method of positive thinking, or a magickal tool for getting something else. Namu Myoho Renge Kyo as an expression of living Dharma is to be our staff. So do you have this staff in hand? Or do you have something else? Is your wealth real wealth? Is your poverty real poverty? What do you really have or not have when you talk about Odaimoku or the Gohonzon?

What is this staff? Who is giving or taking it? What is this giving and taking? Who is gaining or losing? What is having or not having?

Here's a conceptual dead-end sidetrack: This also has to do with the three truths of provisional realities, emptiness of self-nature, and the Middle Way. These three different truths are all different ways of pointing to how things are, including ourselves, others, and our environment. These three truths are also exemplified by the staff of Odaimoku. Is it a provisional reality to take up or put down? Is it empty of giving and taking? Is it just the Middle Way that avoids all extreme views? Yes!

Last night, wondering what my nine year old daughter would make of this I caught her attention, leaned across the table and said, "Julie! If you have a staff I will give you one; if you don't have a staff, I will take it away." Then I leaned back to see what she would say or do.

Julie, went, "Hmmm...well..." Then she looked me right in the eye and said, "If you have a staff, I will give you another one." Then she held up both her hands as though holding two staffs. "If you don't have one, I will go to your house to find out where you left it. Then I will take it and bring it to you."

I don't know what a Zen Master would make of that, but I especially like the second part. It would be a case of not having a staff and still having it taken, of having a staff and still being given it.

But Julie did not stop there. She immediately said, "No wait. If you have a stick I will hit you in the face with it! If you don't have a stick I will kick you in the ass!"

Well she had me there. I laughed out loud in approval. I don't know what a Zen Master would make of that, but she certainly seems like a Dragon Girl to me.

Namu Myoho Renge Kyo,
Ryuei