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Sandaihiho-sho. An Essay on the Three Great Mysteries

1971; Sophia University; Volume: 26; Issue: 1/2 Linguagem: Inglês

10.2307/2383617

1880-1390

Nichiren, Pier P. Del Campana,

Japanese History and Culture

T . nHE SandaihihJ-shl and the time when this doctrine must be preached: the Age of the Latter Law. The doctrinal exposition concerns the Three Great Mysteries. The conclusion affirms the importance of this doctrine and its unique role in the saving of men; it must be preached, but with prudence and discrimination. The Three Great Mysteries which are the subjects ofthis work are the so-called 'honzon', 'daimoku', and 'kaidan'. The honzon is the Original (True) Object of Worship, i.e. the object of religious faith and veneration. Nichiren discovers it in the Buddha of the Lotus Sutra; it is the Eternal Buddha manifested historically in Sakyamuni, and in whom the eternal and historical aspects of reality are united. This union of time and eternity can be termed the central point in Nichiren's doctrine, the point which provides the key to explaining his religious system.