Buddhist liturgy is a formalized service of veneration and worship performed within a

Buddhist Buddhism ( , ), also known as Buddha Dharma and Dharmavinaya (), is an Indian religion or philosophical tradition based on teachings attributed to the Buddha. It originated in northern India as a -movement in the 5th century BCE, and ...

Sangha Sangha is a Sanskrit word used in many Indian languages, including Pali meaning "association", "assembly", "company" or "community"; Sangha is often used as a surname across these languages. It was historically used in a political context t ...

community in nearly every traditional denomination and sect in the Buddhist world. It is often done one or more times a day and can vary amongst the

Theravada ''Theravāda'' () ( si, ථේරවාදය, my, ထေရဝါဒ, th, เถรวาท, km, ថេរវាទ, lo, ເຖຣະວາດ, pi, , ) is the most commonly accepted name of Buddhism's oldest existing school. The school ...

Mahayana ''Mahāyāna'' (; "Great Vehicle") is a term for a broad group of Buddhist traditions, texts, philosophies, and practices. Mahāyāna Buddhism developed in India (c. 1st century BCE onwards) and is considered one of the three main existing br ...

, and

Vajrayana Vajrayāna ( sa, वज्रयान, "thunderbolt vehicle", "diamond vehicle", or "indestructible vehicle"), along with Mantrayāna, Guhyamantrayāna, Tantrayāna, Secret Mantra, Tantric Buddhism, and Esoteric Buddhism, are names referring t ...

sects. The liturgy mainly consists of

chanting A chant (from French ', from Latin ', "to sing") is the iterative speaking or singing of words or sounds, often primarily on one or two main pitches called reciting tones. Chants may range from a simple melody involving a limited set of n ...

or reciting a

sutra ''Sutra'' ( sa, सूत्र, translit=sūtra, translit-std=IAST, translation=string, thread)Monier Williams, ''Sanskrit English Dictionary'', Oxford University Press, Entry fo''sutra'' page 1241 in Indian literary traditions refers to an ap ...

or passages from a sutra, a

mantra A mantra ( Pali: ''manta'') or mantram (मन्त्रम्) is a sacred utterance, a numinous sound, a syllable, word or phonemes, or group of words in Sanskrit, Pali and other languages believed by practitioners to have religious, ...

(especially in Vajrayana), and several

gatha ''Gāthā'' is a Sanskrit term for 'song' or 'verse', especially referring to any poetic metre which is used in legends, and is not part of the Vedas but peculiar to either Epic Sanskrit or to Prakrit. The word is originally derived from the S ...

s. Depending on what practice the practitioner wishes to undertake, it can be done at a temple or at home. The liturgy is almost always performed in front of an object or objects of veneration and accompanied by offerings of light, incense, water and/or food.

Chinese Buddhist liturgy

The traditional Chinese Buddhist liturgy for morning chanting (), evening chanting (), and regularly scheduled Dharma services () in the

Chan Chan may refer to: Places *Chan (commune), Cambodia * Chan Lake, by Chan Lake Territorial Park in Northwest Territories, Canada People *Chan (surname), romanization of various Chinese surnames (including 陳, 曾, 詹, 戰, and 田) *Chan Caldw ...

and

Pure Land A pure land is the celestial realm of a buddha or bodhisattva in Mahayana Buddhism. The term "pure land" is particular to East Asian Buddhism () and related traditions; in Sanskrit the equivalent concept is called a buddha-field (Sanskrit ). The ...

schools combine mantras, recitation of the Buddha's name and physical and spiritual practices, such as bowing and walking meditation and vow making. Sitting meditation often occurs before or after the liturgy. A typical order for chanting at these services is: # Refuge in the Buddha (three times) # Incense offering praise (on certain occasions) # Sutra Opening Verse # Sutra Reading # Dharani recitation # Food offering to

hungry ghosts Hungry ghost is a concept in Buddhism, and Chinese traditional religion, representing beings who are driven by intense emotional needs in an animalistic way. The terms ' literally "hungry ghost", are the Chinese translation of the term ''pret ...

(evening only) #

Nianfo Nianfo (, Japanese: , , vi, niệm Phật) is a term commonly seen in Pure Land Buddhism. In the context of Pure Land practice, it generally refers to the repetition of the name of Amitābha. It is a translation of Sanskrit '' '' (or, "recoll ...

# Refuge in the

Triple Gem In Buddhism, refuge or taking refuge refers to a religious practice, which often includes a prayer or recitation performed at the beginning of the day or of a practice session. Since the period of Early Buddhism until present time, all Theravad ...

# Offering to Weituo (morning) or Qielan (evening) # Transfer of Merits # Meal offering dharani (morning and before noon only) () # Verses for concluding the meal () # Bowing in homage to ancestral patriarchs (on certain occasions)

Japanese Buddhist liturgy (gongyō)

In Japan, gongyo is also sometimes called ''o-tsutome'' (お勤め) or ''shōjin'' (精進). All three terms are common Japanese words and none is specific to any particular sect or school.

Origin of the word "gongyo"

The word ''gongyo'' originated in ancient China; although nowadays it is more often used in Buddhism, it first appeared in the

Taoism Taoism (, ) or Daoism () refers to either a school of philosophical thought (道家; ''daojia'') or to a religion (道教; ''daojiao''), both of which share ideas and concepts of Chinese origin and emphasize living in harmony with the '' Ta ...

classic '' Zhuang Zi''. Its original meaning is "assiduous or hard and frequent walking/practice". Chinese philosopher

Zhuangzi Zhuangzi may refer to: * ''Zhuangzi'' (book) (莊子), an ancient Chinese collection of anecdotes and fables, one of the foundational texts of Daoism **Zhuang Zhou Zhuang Zhou (), commonly known as Zhuangzi (; ; literally "Master Zhuang"; als ...

abstracted and modified this word from an earlier classic of Taoism - Laozi's ''

Tao Te Ching The ''Tao Te Ching'' (, ; ) is a Chinese classic text written around 400 BC and traditionally credited to the sage Laozi, though the text's authorship, date of composition and date of compilation are debated. The oldest excavated portion ...

'', in which it states:“上士闻道，勤而行之”, which means taking effort and practicing. During the Sui and

Tang Tang or TANG most often refers to: * Tang dynasty * Tang (drink mix) Tang or TANG may also refer to: Chinese states and dynasties * Jin (Chinese state) (11th century – 376 BC), a state during the Spring and Autumn period, called Tang (唐) ...

dynasties, the buddhist philosophy developed dramatically in central China, and was influenced by Taoism. Chinese Buddhist philosophers borrowed this word from Taoism classics, and it spread to Korea, Japan, Vietnam with Buddhism.

Pure Land Buddhism

The concept of ''gongyō'' is also common in Japanese Pure Land Buddhist schools such as Jodo Shu and Jodo Shinshu. The central practice of these schools is the recitation of the name of Amida, also called the

nembutsu Nianfo (, Japanese: , , vi, niệm Phật) is a term commonly seen in Pure Land Buddhism. In the context of Pure Land practice, it generally refers to the repetition of the name of Amitābha. It is a translation of Sanskrit '' '' (or, "recoll ...

, but in daily practice a Pure Land practitioner will also chant excerpts of the Larger Sutra of Immeasurable Life, particular the sections titled the ''Sanbutsuge'' or the ''Juseige'', and in some temples chanting the entire Smaller Sutra of Immeasurable Life may occur once daily or alternatively only on more formal occasions. In larger Pure Land temples, the daily service is performed by priests or ministers, and lay people can optionally attend and recite along if they wish. The times for these services will vary depending on the individual branch, and individual temple. In traditional Jodo Shinshu Buddhism, lay practitioners may also chant a hymn written by

Shinran ''Popular Buddhism in Japan: Shin Buddhist Religion & Culture'' by Esben Andreasen, pp. 13, 14, 15, 17. University of Hawaii Press 1998, was a Japanese Buddhist monk, who was born in Hino (now a part of Fushimi, Kyoto) at the turbulent close o ...

called the

Shoshinge The or ''The Hymn of True Faith'' was written by the founder of Jōdo Shinshū Buddhism, Shinran. It consists of an outline of the Pure Land teaching according to Shinran's personal interpretation. The structure is as follows: * Homage to Amida * ...

, which is not a sutra ''per se'', but expounds the lineage with which Jodo Shinshu owes its beliefs. A shorter hymn called the ''Junirai'', the Twelve Praises of Amida, can be used as well. In Jodo Shu, the

(Namu Amida Butsu) is often recited is specific format: * ''Junen'': The nembutsu is recited 8 times in one breath, without the final 'tsu' sound, then recited fully in one breath, and recited a final time without the 'tsu' sound again. This is 10 recitations total * ''Nembutsu Ichie'': The nembutsu is repeated as many times as the practitioners choose to. * ''Sanshorai'': The nembutsu is recited 3 times in a long, drawn-out fashion, after which the practitioner bows. This process is repeated twice more for a total of 9 recitations.

Shingon Buddhism

The gongyo of Shingon Buddhism differs amongst various sub-sects, but all of them mainly recite the Hannya Shingyo, the mantras of the

Thirteen Buddhas The is a Japanese grouping of Buddhist deities, particularly in the Shingon sect of Buddhism. The deities are, in fact, not only Buddhas, but include bodhisattvas and Wisdom Kings. In Shingon services, lay followers recite a devotional mantra ...

and other mantras, the Light Mantra, and the ''gohogo''; the saintly name of Kukai. In addition, recitation of other texts such as the Prajanaparamita-naya Sutra (Rishukyo), the Samantamukha chapter of the

Lotus Sutra The ''Lotus Sūtra'' ( zh, 妙法蓮華經; sa, सद्धर्मपुण्डरीकसूत्रम्, translit=Saddharma Puṇḍarīka Sūtram, lit=Sūtra on the White Lotus of the True Dharma, italic=) is one of the most influ ...

, longer mantras, and praises in mantra form are common in temples where priests reside. Gongyo is important for lay Shingon Buddhists to follow since the practice emphasizes meditation of the body, speech and mind of a buddha.

Nichiren Buddhism

Nichiren Buddhists Nichiren (16 February 1222 – 13 October 1282) was a Japanese Buddhist priest and philosopher of the Kamakura period. Nichiren declared that the Lotus Sutra alone contains the highest truth of Buddhist teachings suited for the Third Age of B ...

perform a form of gongyo that consists of reciting certain passages of the

and chanting '' daimoku''. The format of gongyo varies by denomination and

sect A sect is a subgroup of a religious, political, or philosophical belief system, usually an offshoot of a larger group. Although the term was originally a classification for religious separated groups, it can now refer to any organization that ...

. Some, like

Nichiren Shoshu Nichiren (16 February 1222 – 13 October 1282) was a Japanese Buddhist priest and philosopher of the Kamakura period. Nichiren declared that the Lotus Sutra alone contains the highest truth of Buddhist teachings suited for the Third Age o ...

and Nichiren Shu, have a prescribed formula which is longheld in their practice, while others such as the

Soka Gakkai International Soka Gakkai International (SGI) is an international Nichiren Buddhist organisation founded in 1975 by Daisaku Ikeda, as an umbrella organization of Soka Gakkai, which declares approximately 12 million adherents in 192 countries and territorie ...

variedly change their gongyo formats depending on modernity, the most recent being the 2015 edition of their liturgy format.

Soka Gakkai International

In the

(SGI), gongyo is performed to "return to the very foundation of our lives" and "draw wisdom" from inherent Buddha nature, and achieves "the fusion or reality and wisdom" Nichiren established no formal procedure for gongyo other than the recitation of the 2nd and 16th chapters of the Lotus Sutra, and at times even just the verse section of the 16th chapter. Hence the format had changed from time to time through the centuries. At the time the Soka Gakkai came into being, Nichiren Buddhist laity were not expected to do gongyo themselves; priests did it on their behalf. The first two presidents of the Soka Gakkai, Tsunesaburo Makiguchi and Josei Toda, taught members "not to hire priests to chant, as had long been customary, but to chant for themselves, a change they found both disarming and empowering" The current format has evolved over the years. Originally, it followed the format of Nichiren Shoshu. In the 1970s, silent prayers were added for the success of the Soka Gakkai itself, and in memory of its first two deceased presidents, in addition to prayers for Nichiren and his disciple Nikko. Currently, after the recitation of the 2nd chapter and the verse section of the 16th chapter, daimoku is chanted for as long as desired, after which all the silent prayers are recited to conclude gongyo. The SGI's version of sutra recitation takes approximately 5 minutes, leaving more time for the primary practice of chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo. As of 2015, the silent prayers currently are: gratitude to the Gohonzon, to Nichiren, and to his immediate successor Nikko; appreciation for the three founding presidents of the organization; a prayer for the fulfillment of the great vow for worldwide

kosen-rufu Kōsen-rufu (広宣流布), a phrase found in the Japanese translation of the Buddhist scripture Lotus Sutra, is informally defined to as "world peace through individual happiness." It refers to the future widespread dissemination of the Lotus ...

, for the human revolution and attainment of goals of the practitioner, and for the deceased; and finally for the happiness of all living beings. It is emphasized by the Soka Gakkai, however, that more important than the wording of the prayers is the practitioner's heartfelt intent in doing gongyo and expressing his or her appreciation and desires.

Nichiren Shu

Nichiren Shu has many types of gongyo a person can perform. One example of family service procedure is as follows: #Invocation (Invitation to the Buddha, Dharma and Samgha to be present at this service) #Kaikyo-ge (Opening Canon) #Lotus Sutra Ch. 2 Hoben-pon #Lotus Sutra Ch. 16 Juryo-hon (Jiga-ge) #Chanting Odaimoku Namu Myoho Renge Kyo #Lotus Sutra last part of Ch. 11 Hoto-ge (The difficulty in keeping this Sutra) #Prayer #Four Great Vows: ::''Sentient beings are innumerable; I vow to save them all.'' ::''Our evil desires are inexhaustible; I vow to quench them all.'' ::''The Buddha's teachings are immeasurable; I vow to study them all.'' ::''The way of the Buddha is unexcelled; I vow to attain the path sublime.'' *Chapter 2 (Hoben-pon) and Chapter 16 (Juryo-hon) are recited the most frequently; *Chapter 12 Daibadatta-hon, *Chapter 16 in its entirety *Chapter 21 Jinriki-hon (whole or from "Shobukkusesha") or *Chapter 25 Kannon-gyo. Recitation of the Lotus Sutra can be performed in Shindoku or one's own preferred language. There is additional form of gongyo performed by Nichiren Shu practitioners at homes and in temples in which the entire Lotus Sutra is recited over the course of 32 days.

Nichiren Shoshu

The Buddhist service of “Gon-Gyo” (勤行 , Persevering Action) is the basic supplemental service of Hokkeko believers. In the Head Temple of the sect, it is conducted first as the

Ushitora Gongyo is a Buddhist liturgy service conducted in Nichiren Shoshu Buddhism. The service is traditionally held at 2:30 AM at the Kyakuden building of Taisekiji Head Temple, located within the lower slopes of Mount Fuji, Japan. It is the morning prayer ...

at the Dai Kyakuden (Grand Reception Hall), among other places throughout the Head Temple. In the past centuries, the service was performed in five different locations: * Facing the

Sunrise Sunrise (or sunup) is the moment when the upper rim of the Sun appears on the horizon in the morning. The term can also refer to the entire process of the solar disk crossing the horizon and its accompanying atmospheric effects. Terminology A ...

direction * Facing the Mieido * Facing the Gohozo * Facing the Kyakuden * Facing the Mutsubo The sect, along with the other Fuji sects in the area followed the custom of reciting the Sutra chapters according to what Nichiren himself once did: * Junyoze — Reciting the prose (散文, “Sanbun”) of Chapter 2 * Seoge — Reciting the verse (自我偈, “Jigage”) of Chapter 2 * Chogyo — Reciting the prose (“Sanbun”) of Chapter 16 * Nyorai Juryo — Reciting the verse (“Jigage”) of Chapter 16 During the 1930s, the Gongyo service was shortened to a single format, initiated by religious convert Tsunesaburo Makiguchi and was approved by 57th High Priest Nissho Shonin. Today, some Nichiren Sects in the Mount Fuji area recite the full four versions of the 2nd and 16th Chapter of the Lotus Sutra.

Current practice

At present, Gongyo is performed twice daily, upon rising and before retiring ("Often translated as morning and evening gongyo").Nichiren Shoshu Temple West Hollywood, California (2003)
Nichiren Shoshu Basics of Practice
/ref> Its recitations of the Lotus Sutra are composed of the following: * The prose section of the second chapter * The prose and verse section of the 16th chapter (2nd recitation only) * The verse section of the 16th chapter. * Prolonged Hiki-Daimoku with five or three silent prayers. In total, the following format is observed: * Five sutra recitations are made each morning (silent prayers 1-5). * Three sutra recitations are made each evening (silent prayers 2,3,5). These five morning and three “silent prayers” style (五座三座, Goza-Sanza) for the purpose of the following: # Protection from the Buddhist gods (Shoten Zenjin) # Prayer to the Dai Gohonzon # Prayer for lineage or the priesthood # Conversion of the

Emperor of Japan The Emperor of Japan is the monarch and the head of the Imperial Family of Japan. Under the Constitution of Japan, he is defined as the symbol of the Japanese state and the unity of the Japanese people, and his position is derived from "the ...

and widespread propagation. # Prayers for the dead ancestors. Members of the sect may only use Juzu prayer beads with pure white cords and white Pom-Pom ornaments, having been consecrated by a Nichiren Shoshu priest at a local temple, while Nichiren Shoshu priests use an additional set of Juzu prayer beads with white string tassels. The brief rubbing of Juzu prayer beads is permitted in the beginning of ceremonies, but the habit of constant rubbing throughout ceremonies is deemed immodest and is prohibited during both Gongyo and ''Shodai'' (prolonged chanting).

References

External links

*
Gongyo Workout
{{DEFAULTSORT:Buddhist Liturgy Buddhist rituals Buddhist devotion