Glossary of Buddhist words/Glossary of devotional words

Manbogusoku means all kinds of energies and works of the buddhas, bodhisattvas and great heavenly kings (Shotenzenjin) are wrapped in the Fine Dharma (Myoho). In HBS, we uphold the Gohonzon and the Odaimoku as Manbogusoku.

The Sanskrit word mandala was phonetically translated into Chinese characters which read ‘mandala’ to mean the completeness of the state of enlightenment. In HBS, we use the word ‘mandala’ for the Gohonzon. Nichiren Shonin stated in his writing, ‘Letter to Moyshin Ni’ ‘As far as we uphold the Mandala, the Fine Dharma as well as the Buddha, the bodhisattvas and other holy gods are all sure to protect us day and night just like soldiers guard their king, parents love their children, fish depend on water, plants and trees hope for rain and birds are totally dependent on trees. Believe it with all your heart and strength.’

A Mokkin is a wooden xylophone used for Buddhist services in HBS. It is beaten with a wooden bell hammer by a conductor (leading priest of a chanting session) for the purpose of maintaining rhythm in chanting the Odaimoku. A pair of parallel rectangular pieces of wood is put on a tray placed on a table in front of the altar which are beaten like beating Hyoshigi.