March 12, 2025
The Significance and Importance of Sutra Copying in Nichiren Buddhism (1) Understanding through the Five Practices of Bodhisattvas
Table of Contents
Table of Contents
- Introduction
- What are the Five Practices of Bodhisattvas?
- Why is Sutra Copying Special in Nichiren Buddhism?
- Four Values Brought by the Practice of Sutra Copying
- The Significance of Sutra Copying in Modern Society
- Conclusion
1.Introduction
When you come across the word “Shakyo” (Sutra Copying), many people might imagine it is an activity in which buddhist monks quietly copy sutras in a temple. To some individuals, it is also considered as a modern meditative practice pursued for peace of mind or an act of interest. However, within the teachings of Nichiren Buddhism, sutra copying transcends mere repetition of transcribing or an act of interest – it is considered as a practice with profound religious significance.
Sutra copying has been valued since ancient times as a part of Japanese Buddhist culture. Nevertheless it holds a significant and unique meaning in Nichiren Buddhism. This is because Nichiren Shonin revered the Lotus Sutra as the very soul of Shakyamuni Buddha and considered any form of engagement with this scripture at the center of religious practice.
Sutra copying involves holding a brush and carefully transcribing the sutras character by character. Throughout this process, we were exposed to the opportunity to be in a direct dialogue with the Buddha’s teachings spoken over 2,500 years ago and engage his wisdom. The sensation of the brush transmitted through your fingertips, the scent of ink spreading across paper, and the time spent facing your own breath in silence – all of these actions become a gateway leading us into the world of Buddha, while being away from the noise of daily life.
So how exactly is sutra copying positioned within Nichiren Buddhist teachings, and why is it considered so important? To understand the answer, we need to look at the concept of the “Five Practices of Bodhisattvas” (Goshu Hosshi). This represents five fundamental practices in Nichiren Buddhism, and sutra copying plays a crucial role within this framework.
In modern society, we are constantly surrounded by information, spending increasing amounts of time facing smartphone and computer screens, while opportunities to reflect are diminishing. Hence it is no surprise that the traditional practice of sutra copying is receiving renewed attention. The experience of connecting with Buddha’s teachings through one’s body through traditional means rather than digital methods resonates deeply with the hearts of contemporary people.
2. What are the Five Practices of Bodhisattvas?
The Fundamentals of Nichiren Buddhist Practice
At the core of Nichiren Buddhist practice are the Five Practices of Bodhisattvas described in “The Merits of the Teacher of the Dharma” of the Lotus Sutra. These consist of the following five practices:
1. Receiving and Upholding (Juji): Practicing the Faith through the Lotus Sutra
2. Reading (Doku): Reading the sutras aloud
3. Reciting (Ju): Memorizing and reciting the sutras
4. Explaining (Gesetsu): Explaining the meaning of the sutras
5. Copying (Shosha): Transcribing the sutras
What’s noteworthy here is that sutra copying is not merely a hobby or cultural pursuit, but is positioned as a formal practice as one of the Five Practices of Bodhisattvas: “copying.”
3.Why is Sutra Copying Special in Nichiren Buddhism?
There are several reasons why sutra copying, especially copying the Lotus Sutra, is emphasized in Nichiren Buddhism:
- The Sutra Itself as the Object of Worship: Nichiren Shonin regarded the Lotus Sutra as the soul of Shakyamuni Buddha and revered it.
- The Concept of “One Character, One Buddha”: There is a belief that each written character in the sutra resembles Buddha himself.
- Practice of Both Action and Study: It allows practitioners to cultivate the Buddhist path through both practice and learning.
- A Means of Accumulating Merit: It is said that immeasurable merit can be accumulated through sutra copying.
4.Four Values Brought by the Practice of Sutra Copying
As the followers of Nichiren Buddhism, sutra copying cultivates the following Buddhist values:
1. Deepening of Faith:
By meticulously copying each character from the Sutra, one directly connects with Buddha’s wisdom, deepening one’s faith.
2. Accurate Transmission of Teachings:
Accurately copying and passing down the sutras plays an important role in preserving Buddha’s teachings and imparting them to the future generations.
3. Catalyst for Self-Transformation:
Time spent concentrating on sutra copying becomes an opportunity for self-reflection and purifies one’s mind.
4. Embodiment of Namu-myoho-renge-kyo:
Sutra copying is one form of expressing the Daimoku “Namu-myoho-renge-kyo” through action.
5.The Significance of Sutra Copying in Modern Society
In our hectic modern society, the value of sutra copying has not diminished. Instead, it is still being practiced by many believers as:
– A moment of liberation from daily stress
– Precious time away from digital devices, working on a task using hands and heart
– A practice that cultivates concentration and patience
– A means to deepen faith
6.Conclusion
Sutra copying is not merely copying characters; it is an important practice of facing the core of Nichiren Buddhist faith, the Lotus Sutra. By practicing sutra copying through the Five Practices of Bodhisattvas, it becomes a path to embody Buddha’s teachings through the body, speech, and mind.
Especially in our modern times when we are caught up in the routine of daily life, the value of taking time to calm the mind and face Buddha’s teachings through sutra copying is immeasurable. Let us build a richer religious life through the practice of sutra copying based on the tradition of the Five Practices of Bodhisattvas.
We have learnt the theoretical meaning of Sutra Copying until here as above, in other words, a warm-up exercise before the practice. As already explained, it is a “practice” carried out through your own body. Let’s move to the next article to learn how to actually do it.
