Daily Gosho - Reply to Kyo'o

We recently studied this Gosho in our Mother & Baby meetings (study notes at Reply to Kyo'o). Wonderful Gosho, filled with compassion and conviction from Nichiren Daishonin. So for this blog post, let's look at the Gohonzon - the sumi ink representation of Nichiren Daishonin's lifestate.

Maybe it's just me, but sometimes it's very easy for me to think - "right, let's start gongyo", in a practical way - what I am really striving to do more of, is "Right, I'm starting gongyo - I am connecting with the lifestate of Nichiren Daishonin, I AM a Buddha, and with Nam Myoho Renge Kyo at the centre of my life - what is there that cannot be achieved..."

I think the old-style gongyo allowed me that time to get into the zone, as it were, whereas now I need a certain amount of daimoku before I'm really focused. Would love to hear how other members feel when they start gongyo and daimoku...thank you.

"I, Nichiren, have inscribed my life in sumi ink, so believe in the Gohonzon with your whole heart. The Buddha's will is the Lotus Sutra, but the soul of Nichiren is nothing other than Nam-myoho-renge-kyo."

(Reply to Kyo'o - http://www.sgilibrary.org/view.php?page=412 The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, Vol.1, page 412) Selection source: "Kyo no Hosshin", Seikyo Shimbun, October 24th, 2012


Background
This brief letter was written in the eighth month of the tenth year of Bun’ei (1273) and was addressed to Kyo’o, Shijo Kingo’s infant daughter. Since Kyo’o was then only one year old, however, it may be assumed that the letter was meant for Shijo Kingo and his wife, Nichigen-nyo. They had two children, Kyo’o (Sutra King) and another daughter, Tsukimaro (Full Moon), who was a year older. Both were apparently named by Nichiren Daishonin.
This letter was written in response to news that Kyo’o had become seriously ill. At this time the Daishonin was living in exile on Sado Island.
The Daishonin explains the significance of the Gohonzon, the object of devotion. At the Tatsunokuchi Persecution in 1271, the Daishonin revealed his identity as the Buddha of the Latter Day of the Law. Only after this did he begin to inscribe the Gohonzon and bestow it on his followers, particularly those who had staunch faith in his teachings.
In this letter, the Daishonin says that the boundless benefits of the Gohonzon will surely cure Kyo’o’s sickness and urges Kingo and his wife to believe firmly in the Gohonzon.