Myohoji Temple

Gojukai is the ceremony during which a person officially joins Nichiren Shoshu and

becomes a believer. The word Gojukai literally means, “The Acceptance of the Precept.”

In earlier forms of Buddhism, practitioners followed various rules of discipline

and behavior called “precepts.” In some forms of Hinayana Buddhism

there were 250 precepts for monks and 500 precepts for nuns. In Mahayana

Buddhism, some schools followed the ten major and forty-eight minor

precepts taught in the Brahma Net Sutra. The ten major precepts included

prohibitions against stealing, lying, disparaging others, and belittling the

three treasures. The forty-eight minor The five characters of

Myoho-Renge-Kyo, the heart of the essential teaching of the Lotus

Sutra, contain all the benefits amassed by the beneficial practices

and meritorious deeds of all the Buddhas throughout the past,

present and future. Then, how can this phrase not include the benefits

obtained by observing all the Buddha’s precepts? Once the practitioner

embraces this perfectly endowed mystic precept, he cannot

break it, even if he should try. It is therefore called the precept of

the diamond chalice.

(Gosho; p. 1109; MW-4; p. 129)

The Great Teacher Dengyo compared the principle of the true entity of all

phenomena expounded in the Lotus Sutra to a diamond chalice, which

is impossible to break. By observing the single precept of embracing the

Gohonzon, we receive the benefit of embracing all other good precepts.

Gojukai is the Ceremony where the new believer accepts this “precept

of the diamond chalice” and vows to practice throughout his or her life.

The spirit of upholding this precept of Nichiren Shoshu is expressed through

the “Oath of Acceptance” taken by the new practitioner during Gojukai.

The “Oath of Acceptance” is the vow that is made to the three treasures of

true Buddhism. The priest asks three questions, and all participants make

their vow by answering “I do” to each question. This constitutes their entry

onto the pure path of faith:

The Oath of Acceptance

1. “Do you faithfully swear to practice the true teachings of Nichiren

Daishonin throughout your life?”

This vow means that we promise to renounce all other religious laws,

masters, and doctrines. We swear that, from this day forward, we will practice

only the pure teachings of Nichiren Shoshu.

2. “Do you faithfully swear to protect the Gohonzon of the Three Great

Secret Laws throughout your life?”

This vow means that we promise to discard all other religious objects

of worship and to uphold the Dai- Gohonzon of the High Sanctuary of

the Essential Teaching as the one and only True Object of Worship. We swear

to protect the Gohonzon with our life, and to revere it as the enlightened life

of the True Buddha.

3. “Do you faithfully swear to keep the precept of Nichiren Shoshu throughout

your life?”

This vow means that we promise to continue our practice to the Gohonzon

for the remainder of our lives. It includes the promise to do our best

to practice for ourselves (jigyo), and to practice for the sake of others (keta).

We are therefore making the determination to never miss Gongyo and to do

shakubuku. This precept also contains the principle of practicing honestly and

living our daily life honestly. By answering “I do” the new believer

accepts the precept and makes a determination to uphold the teachings of

true Buddhism. At the same time, all other members present also answer “I

do.” This renews their commitment to practice together with the new members

in itai doshin, and to strive for the advancement of kosen-rufu.