Oko Ceremony
Date: 10 May 2024 (Fri)
Time: 7 pm
Date: 11 May 2024 (Sat)
Time: 5 pm
Date: 12 May 2024（Sun）
Time: 10 am
Significance of the Oko Ceremony
“Ko” of Oko means to recite the sutra in reverence for the Gohonzon and our founder, Nichiren Daishonin and furthermore, to give a lecture on the doctrines and the sutras to repay the debts of gratitude. In Nichiren Shoshu, the priest conducts kenzen ceremony, recites the sutra and chants Daimoku to the Gohonzon enshrined in the main hall of the local temple. He then reads the Daishonin’s Gosho and gives a lecture on how one should practise his/her faith.
It is stated in “Letter to Niike” (Niike gosho):
“No matter what, be close to the priest who knows the heart of the Lotus Sutra, keep learning from him the truth of Buddhism and continue your journey of faith.”
(Gosho, p. 1457 MW-1, p.255)
As this passage teaches, it is important for one to visit the priest who knows the Nam-Myoho-Renge-Kyo of the Three Great Secret Laws, the basis of the Life Span chapter of the Lotus Sutra. In other words, one should visit his/her chief priest at the local temple and learn about the profundity of Buddhism and deepen his/her faith.
Furthermore, based on such faith, devoting oneself to the propagation of the True Law is itself repaying the debts of gratitude to the Daishonin. This will lead to one’s faith to an attitude of appreciation of the Gohonzon on a daily basis.
Extracted from “The Benefits of the Gohonzon and the Faith of Repaying Debts of Gratitude”, 2008 Summer Study Tozan, Kaimyo Magazine Issue 38
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