Cause and Effect - The Power of the Gohonzon.

Cause and Effect

I have heard some buddhists talking about the physical (the ink and paper we see before us) Gohonzon as it if has some kind of magical power.  Just an observation.

I wanted to offer my perspective; In my mind the Gohonzon represents an idea, a very powerful idea of what we can become as human beings. Our ultimate potential.

Ideas are contagious and they can transform a world, a life and a destiny of an entire civilisation.

The moment we begin to externalise that power, or worship the object then we are missing the whole point of our practice.

The Gohonzon isn't a magic lantern. Its a physical representation of that magic lantern within us,  its inside of us, it is our life.

When we chant with the Gohonzon we activate that life state, and in turn bring in to the manifest, the power of the law of cause and effect.

The paper holds potential. The ink and paper are just ink and paper. The scroll transmits an idea. The idea is latent. When we read it. It becomes manifest. Like reading a book or a poem. Which all invoke feeling and emotion within us.

The Gohonzon without you, is just a piece of paper with ink on it. It has no innate power. Anyone who tells you otherwise is incorrect.

The scroll acts as a reminder of your potential.

In the simplest form it says go out there, live your life and be the best human being you can be.

No Deity.
No Devil to blame.
Just you.
Your life.
Your responsibility.

Cause and Effect. Thats it. Nothing more.