Nichiren Shoshu Myohoj Temple Los Angeles Bulletin
Rev. Taishin Takano,
Chief Priest
Myohoji Temple
1401 North Crescent Heights Blvd.
West Hollywood, CA 90046-3812
Tel: (323) 656-2888 Fax: (323) 654-2691
 Nichiren Shoshu Buddhism-
Orthodox Teaching of
Nichiren Daishonin

Monthly Bulletin for Nichiren Shoshu Buddhism
in Los Angeles, Riverside, Orange, San Diego, Ventura Counties

For further information on Myohoji Temple, please feel free to e-mail: webmaster
Updated:6/3/09 Go to the US Nichiren Shoshu site
[Announcements] [Meetings] [Ceremonies]

Click here to download a printable version of the latest Myohoji Bulletin
Click here to download the "Passage From Nichiren Daishonin's Writings"-June 2009

April 2009
 May 2009
 June 2009
April 5 (Sunday)
10:00 AM: Kosen-rufu Gongyo
Young Adult Meeting
Teen Group Meeting
April 12 (Sunday)
10:00 AM: Oko Ceremony
Children’s Oko in Kyakuden
April 15 (Wednesday)
6:30 PM: Evening Gongyo
7:00 PM: Introductory Meeting
April 19 (Sunday)
10:00 AM: Shodaikai
Japanese Lecture
April 26 (Sunday)
10:00 AM: Risshu-e
Monthly Memorial
Chinese Lecture
Korean Lecture

 May 3 (Sunday)
10:00 AM: Kosen-rufu Gongyo
Tozan Orientation Meeting
May 10 (Sunday)
10:00 AM: Oko Ceremony
Children’s Oko in Kyakuden
May 17 (Sunday)
10:00 AM: Shodaikai
Japanese Lecture
May 20 (Wednesday)
6:30 PM: Evening Gongyo
7:00 PM: Introductory Meeting
May 24 (Sunday)
10:00 AM: Gongyo
Clean up
May 31 (Sunday)
10:00 AM: Monthly Memorial
Chinese Lecture
Korean Lecture
June 7 (Sunday)
10:00 AM: Kosen-rufu Gongyo
Young Adult Meeting
Teen Group Meeting
June 14 (Sunday)
10:00 AM: Oko Ceremony
Children’s Oko in Kyakuden
June 17 (Wednesday)
6:30 PM: Evening Gongyo
7:00 PM: Introductory Meeting
June 21 (Sunday)
10:00 AM: Shodaikai
Japanese Lecture
June 28 (Sunday)
10:00 AM: Monthly Memorial
Chinese Lecture
Korean Lecture

Temple Hours:

Open:
Mon—Sat: 6:15 AM
Sun: 8:30 AM		 Closed:
Mon—Fri: 7:15 PM
Sat & Sun: 5:15 PM		 Morning Gongyo:
Mon—Fri: 6:30 AM
Sat: 6:30 AM
Sun: 10:00 AM		 Evening Gongyo:
Mon—Fri: 6:30 PM
Sat & Sun: 4:00 PM
When entering and leaving the temple, please be quiet so as not to disturb our neighboring residents.
Thank you.

Message from
Rev. Taishin Takano

The Commemorative General Tozan Celebrating the 750th Anniversary of the Rissho ankoku-ron will be held at the Head Temple throughout this year. I am certain that those who will make this pilgrimage to the Head Temple are looking forward to seeing and praying to the Dai-Gohonzon.

During the lifetime of the Daishonin, tozan was the pilgrimage to visit the Daishonin, the True Buddha. Its original significance was to directly serve the Daishonin and receive his instructions. This was because at that time, Nichiren Daishonin’s appearance itself was the center of worship based upon faith, and the Daishonin was the true master who would lead all living beings to enlightenment. The pilgrimage to the Head Temple, the dwelling place for both the Dai-Gohonzon of the High Sanctuary and the High Priest, has exactly the same significance as making a tozan pilgrimage during the Daishonin’s time.

On October 12, 1279, the Daishonin inscribed the Dai-Gohonzon of the High Sanctuary as his own living form. It is the object of worship of faith for all living beings in the Latter Day of the Law. The Dai-Gohonzon has been solemnly protected in seclusion at the Head Temple for more than 700 years, continuing until this day.

The Daishonin transferred the entire entity of his own enlightenment as the True Buddha to Nikko Shonin alone, instructing that he be the successor after his passing. In this succession, Nichimoku Shonin followed Nikko Shonin, Nichido Shonin followed Nichimoku Shonin, and so on, in the order of the Heritage of the true Law up to the present Sixty-eighth High Priest Nichinyo Shonin, who possesses the Daishonin’s enlightenment as the True Buddha.

If we think of the Dai-Gohonzon as the fundamental root, all other Gohonzons are as branches and leaves. In other words, the Gohonzon enshrined in each temple or the Gohonzon that we have received, are all inscribed by each successive High Priest. These are all transcriptions of the Dai-Gohonzon of the High Sanctuary, and the great power of benefits arising from them is the benefit coming entirely from the Dai-Gohonzon. Truly, the Dai-Gohonzon of the High Sanctuary is the principle and source of all Gohonzons. Nichiren Daishonin stated:

Should this mountain, where the most august Votary of the Lotus Sutra resides, be regarded any less highly than the pure land of Eagle Peak? Because the Law is ineffably supreme, the person is venerable and because the person is venerable, the place is sacred. The Wondrous Powers (Jinriki; twenty-first) chapter states, “…in a forest, under a tree, in a priest’s quarters…the Buddhas enter parinirvana.” Those who travel to this place to pay their respects will instantly eradicate the negative karma they have accumulated since the remote past and transform their sins of the three categories of action into the three virtues.
(Gosho, p. 1569; GND-1, p. 83)

How fortunate we are! Let us remember to chant to repay our debts of gratitude to the True Buddha, Nichiren Daishonin, when we have an audience with the Dai-Gohonzon.
Rev. Taishin Takano, Chief Priest of Myohoji Temple

Announcements

Annual Toba Applications

By doing an annual toba application for the deceased, tobas will be inscribed for each Monthly Memorial, the Higan-e Ceremonies and the Urabon Ceremony. Beginning November 9, believers may complete annual toba applications for the year 2009. By doing an annual toba application for the deceased, tobas will be inscribed for each Monthly Memorial, the Higan-e Ceremonies and the Urabon Ceremony. Please contact Rev. Takagi.

Shakubuku Activities at Myohoji

Each month, on the third Wednesday evening, an introductory meeting is held in the Kyakuden at 7:00 PM. Gongyo precedes in the Hondo at 6:30 PM. Everyone is encouraged to bring guests to these highly attended and successful meetings.
On the first and third Sundays of each month at the regular ceremonies, there will be an explanation of Nichiren Shoshu Buddhism and an experience by a believer.

Shodai on Saturday

Before evening Gongyo, Myohoji temple is doing Shodai starting at 3PM on the 2nd and 4th Saturday of the month. Come out and chant with your friends!

Shodai on Thursdays

Every Thursday evening is a special Shodai night. We have had a big attendance every week for this!

Daily One Hour Extra Shodai in February

In support of our propagation efforts for 2009, evening Gongyo at Myohoji will begin at 6:30 PM weekdays followed by one hour of Shodai (Daimoku). Saturday and Sunday evening Gongyo will begin at 4:00 PM followed by one hour of Shodai. All believers who are unable to attend Shodai at the temple are encouraged to participate in their homes.
From April 1st, continuing 100 days until July 9th, Rev. Takano is encouraging us to chant Daimoku two hours a day. One hour in the morning and one hour in the evening followed by Gongyo.
We are chanting more Daimoku for the success of this year's special tozan event in July (The Great Assembly of 75,000 believers in Celebration of the 750th Anniversary of Revealing the Truth and Upholding Justice through the Submission of the Rissho ankoku-ron).
He encourages us to continue to follow our High Priest's guidance.

Joyfully introduce this practice to others

Each month, on the third Wednesday evening, an introductory meeting is held in the Kyakuden at 7:00 PM. On the first Sunday of each month at the regular ceremony, there is an explanation of Nichiren Shoshu Buddhism, an address by the chief priest and an experience by a believer.

Nichiren Shoshu Websites

Nichiren Shoshu Taisekiji Website
http://www.nichirenshoshu.or.jp

Nichiren Shoshu Monthly Subscribe to the Nichiren Shoshu Monthly
Do you like to study? Are you interested in what the members are doing in temples all across the US and around the world? Then the Nichiren Shoshu Monthly is just for you. Don’t miss out on a thing. To learn more about our dynamic practice, we encourage that you subscribe to the Nichiren Shoshu Monthly, published 12 times a year. Since the purpose of the Monthly is specifically for study, each edition is packed with in-depth material dealing with some of the more complex issues of Buddhism, as well as the more basic Buddhist concepts.
Do you like to save money?
Prepaid US subscriptions are only $36 for a whole year. That’s a savings of $24 over the single copy price you’ll pay when buy each month’s issue at the temple. Subscribe today and save!
Books Available
The Gosho of Nichiren Daishonin Gosho
The Overseas Bureau has just published fifteen Goshos in English and Japanese and Volume One is available! The donation is $10.00.
Introduction to True Buddhism Introduction to True Buddhism
This booklet with a a great general overview of our religion is now available at our counter. It's designed for those new to the practice or those looking into Nichiren Shoshu.

Download this as a PDF: pdf (580k)

Nichiren Shoshu Basics of Practice

 Nichiren Shoshu Basics of Practice
This 140 page handbook is designed to be a more complete outline of our religion and is now available at our counter. New and older believers will find this book invaluable to understanding our Nichiren Shoshu practice with far greater depth.

Download: pdf (1.5mb)
The Doctrines and Practice of Nichiren Shoshu The Doctrines and Practice of Nichiren Shoshu
The Doctrines and Practice of Nichiren Shoshu" covers major events in the Daishonin’s life, basic doctrine, and principles of faith and practice. Also covered are the lives of the Second, Third, Ninth, and Twenty-sixth High Priests, and a section including distinguished believers. Suggested donation price is $15.00.
The Collected Sermons of High Priest Nikken Shonin from 1992-2002 The Collected Sermons of High Priest Nikken Shonin from 1992-2002
The Collected Sermons of High Priest Nikken Shonin from 1992-2002 features the High Priest’s sermons. Compiled by the Overseas Bureau, there is a forward from Rev. Obayashi who writes, “This book will ignite in the hearts of all believers the ever increasing aspiration to achieve worldwide Kosen-rufu.” Suggested donation price is $12.00.
750th Anniversary of the Establishment of True Buddhism Commemoration Book
 750th Anniversary of the Establishment of True Buddhism Commemoration Book
This beautiful 11 1/2 by 8-inch, 144 page picture book documents and displays all of the 2002’s ceremonies held at the Head Temple during the 750th anniversary’s grand celebrations. It is surely a collector’s item. Just some of the events pictured are 300,000 tozan pictures; the Grand Opening Ceremony of the Hoando, the Third Overseas General Tozans, and pictures of the exposition of the history of Nichiren Shoshu held in the Daikoto. All subtitles are in Japanese. Special donation price of $15.00; plus $3.85 postage charge to ship to any location within the U.S.
Introductory Materials
On the tables in the temple lobby, publications are available for both the encouragement and study of believers and to assist in our shakubuku activities. Introductory materials include pamphlets, booklets and books all designed for guests and new believers. Also, the "Did You Know" series of fifteen articles includes such topics as "Setting Up a Nichiren Shoshu Altar," "The Gojukai Ceremony," and "Enshrining the Gohonzon," among others. These are all helpful in getting the new believer correctly started in the practice of faith.
100 Questions and Answers
An examination of the fundamental differences between Nichiren Shoshu and SGI.

Download this as a PDF: pdf (200k)

Meetings

Local Meetings

Please call the temple for further information on local area meetings that you can attend.

Young Adult Group

The Hokkeko Young Adult Group for believers in the 18-38 age range meets in the Kyakuden following ceremonies on the first and second Sundays of each month. This activity under the direction Rev. Satoh is designed particularly for the fostering and encouragement of young adults and is a way Myohoji is carrying out this year's objectives, cultivate young successors and individuals of great talent. Meetings include a presentation on doctrines of our faith and questions answered by our priests. Attendance has recently been growing. Check it out.

Introductory Meetings

Introductory meetings are scheduled at Myohoji on the third Wednesday of each month. These meetings are a wonderful way to get guests to the temple and for them to learn about our religion, Nichiren Shoshu. On the third Wednesday, Gongyo will be held at 6:00 PM in the Main Hall, and at 7:30 PM members and guests will move to the Reception Hall for the meeting. Members are encouraged to attend. Anyone wishing to assist with these meetings, please contact the Koto, Don Mentzer at 323-732-1005 or at dondonn@ca.rr.com.

Let's Do Shakubuku!

Nichiren Daishonin teaches that we can obtain the benefit of attaining Buddhahood by conducting the practice of shakubuku. He states:
“Because people accumulated much evil karma in the past, they must expect to suffer heavy retribution for everything they have done for numerous lifetimes. However, it is due to the blessings obtained by protecting the True Law that they can diminish in this lifetime their suffering and retribution, and eradicate their evil karma.” (Gosho, p. 582 [Summary])
This means that if we do shakubuku, we can, without fail, eradicate our own evil karma through the principle of lessening karmic retribution. The benefits obtained by protecting the True Law and doing shakubuku will have an effect not only in the present lifetime, but also in the next life. The “Medicinal Herbs” (Yakusoyu-5th) Chapter of the Lotus Sutra teaches that one can obtain peace in this lifetime and good circumstances in the next. We can lead a truly happy life and also be reborn in good circumstances in the next life.


Ceremonies

Morning Gongyo Schedule:

Morning Gongyo held at Myohoji Temple begins at 6:30 AM and opens at 6:15 AM each morning with the exception of Sunday. When you plan to join us, please use the north temple entrance, and park as close to the north side of the building as possible. Please remember not to disturb our neighbors by any unnecessary noise. Thank you.

Gojukai Ceremony Held Sunday Mornings

The Gojukai Ceremony, reaffirmation (Kankaishiki), and Gohonzon conferral will be held each Sunday at the temple after Morning Gongyo. Please insure that those participating arrive at the temple by 9:30 AM so that the necessary paperwork can be completed before the beginning of Gongyo (10:00 AM).There will be no further Gojukai Ceremonies on the third Thursday of each month.


Attend Oko and other Ceremonies

The second Sunday of each month, the Oko Ceremony is performed to express deepest gratitude to the Daishonin, the True Buddha, followed by a lecture in English by our chief priest. Attending these ceremonies is most important.

Higan-e Memorial— March 15

Memorial service performed twice a year on or around the equinox. More information will be mailed at a later date.


The Risshu-e Ceremony: Celebrating the Declaration of True Buddhism—April 26

In the early morning of April 28, 1253, Nichiren Daishonin, age 32, stood alone in Kasagamori forest at the top of Seicho-zan Mountain waiting for dawn. As the sun rose above the Pacific Ocean, Nichiren Daishonin joined his hands in prayer and began to chant the Daimoku: “Nam-Myoho-Renge-Kyo, Nam-Myoho-Renge-Kyo...”The significance of the annual Risshu-e Ceremony is to express our gratitude to Nichiren Daishonin. Through his profound mercy, he overcame tremendous obstacles to establish True Buddhism for all eternity. So we commemorate this day by making the determination to follow the Daishonin’s example of teaching everyone about Nam-Myoho-Renge-Kyo.