The Self-Awakening of the Teacher:

Nichiren’s Instructions for Memorial Services

Abstract

In order to clarify the significance of the main object of devotion (honzon 本尊) for Nichiren 日蓮, this paper focuses on the instructions Nichiren gave for memorial services during the time he lived on Minobusan 身延山, considering the problem of the teacher’s self-awakening. This examination was able to discover two different meanings for honzon within these instructions on memorial services―both the conventional interpretation of honzon as an object of worship as well as the honzon as something to embody. In addition, this examination was able to clarify the state of Nichiren’s enlightenment and teachings integrated with the Lotus Sutra and the world of the Lotus Sutra.