Morning Gongyo begins at a small table. The Gohonzon sits on it, and beside it lies a book, open to the Hoben chapter.

That book is Gongyo: The Eternal Law. It holds the two chapters Nichiren Daishonin's daily practice rests on, Hoben and Juryo, with Kanji, Romaji, and English side by side. The silent prayers are inside it. A pronunciation audio companion comes with it, so you hear each syllable before you say it aloud. The first morning you recite is the most awkward one, and the audio takes that awkwardness away.

The order of practice fits on one page. Chant Namu Myoho Renge Kyo three times, recite Hoben, recite Juryo, chant daimoku for as long as you wish, and close with three more. Page six of the book says it this way: "This practice draws no distinction of rank, robe, or position. It belongs to the person who chants."

Tomorrow morning you can sit down already knowing where you are in the recitation.

On Sunday, the Discovery Short What Is a Gongyo Book shows what the pages look like. The book is available now on the store.

Get Gongyo: The Eternal Law → https://nmrkob.com/products/gongyo-the-eternal-law-nichiren-daishonins-daily-practice-book

朝の声
Namu Myoho Renge Kyo