As a Nichiren novice I have not been given my Gohonzon, but I have a few questions about it.
I know the history of it, how Nichiren inscribed the characters to encapsulate the Lotus Sutra and the other elements of fundamental respect, starting in his exile in Sado in 1271 and finishing the Di-Gohonzon on 12th October 1279.
For practicing Nichiren Buddhists, it their focus, they sit facing the Gohonzon during Gongyo.
I have no such focus, so I sit facing a blank wall, or behind the steering wheel of my car if I’m chanting on my way to or from work, but is that wrong, I don’t feel it is.
So my questions are:
Is it possible to practice correctly without a Gohonzon. I don’t feel I am wasting my energies, but others may tell me differently and …
Can it be right, that there are Gohonzons for sale on eBay? Why would anyone sell their Gohonzon once it has been presented?
You can of course buy crosses and other religious symbols on eBay, so I guess the answer is yes.
The Search For Enlightenment 
Nov 15, 2010 @ 09:40:58
“Is it possible to practice correctly without a Gohonzon.” Yes, it is! Because the Gohonzon is inside yourself! Nichiren said “Never seek this Gohonzon outside yourself. The Gohonzon exists only within the mortal flesh of us ordinary people who embrace the Lotus Sutra and chant Nam-myoho-renge-kyo. ” So it doesn’t really matter, if you’re practicing with or without the enroled Gohonzon. And, by the way, when our first two presidents, Makiguchi and Toda were in jail the also didn’t had a Gohonzon, but nevertheless they kept practicing and Toda awoke to the truth, that life itself is the Buddha.
By the way, actually it’s not good to take a photo of the Gohonzon, and of course also not to sell it, as the Gohonzon is your life, so you should treat it accordingly to this 😉
Nov 15, 2010 @ 11:15:16
Dear Ursula,
Thank you so much for taking the time to reply to my plea.
The photograph was ‘lifted’ from a Gohonzon offered for sale on eBay, so I hope I’ve not amassed negative karma for that. In fact, I have bought the Gohonzon myself, so it will be used in practice in a proper manner and not hung on someone’s wall as decoration.
Many thanks again.
Nam Myoho Renge Kyo,
Richard
Nov 16, 2010 @ 09:51:39
Dear Richard,
it’s my pleasure. It’s quite interesting to read your experiences and thoughts. And to ask questions is always very important, so never hesitate to ask whatever you want to know about this Buddhism ! (and the wonderful thing is, there’s always an answer 🙂 )
Oh really, you’ve bought your Gohonzon? May I ask, where you live? Cause actually, in every country I know (Japan, Italy, UK and Germany), you receive the Gohonzon “for free”, I mean, you don’t have to pay for it.
But, anyway, now you have one, and that’s the point!
Again, the pleasure is mine!
Nam Myoho Renge Kyo!!
Nov 16, 2010 @ 12:10:35
Dear Ursula,
I’ve never been too shy to ask questions, my problem seems to be that I’m rather distanced from other SGI members down here in Dorset UK.
I am pleased I bought the Gohonzon, not just for myself, but I feel I have in some way ‘rescued’ it from falling into the hands of someone less ‘interested’ in it’s true values.
NMRK,
Richard