How to conduct Gongyo

How to Conduct Daily Gongyo

Gongyo consists of reciting portions of the Hoben and Juryo Chapters of the Lotus Sutra and offering prayers of gratitude. For the sake of clear instructions, the Hoben Chapter is called Part A, and the Juryo Chapter is split into two sections; called Part B and Part C. The Silent Prayers are Part D.

  • A – Excerpt from the Hoben chapter, p. 1-4.
  • B – Chogyo or prose section of the Juryo chapter, p. 5-22.
  • C – Jigage or verse section of the Juryo chapter, p. 22-31.
  • D – Silent Prayers, p. 32-37.

During Morning Gongyo the Sutra is recited five times for the offering of all five Silent Prayers. During Evening Gongyo the Sutra is recited three times for the offering of three Silent Prayers; the second, the third and the fifth prayers. Part B is only recited in its entirety during the second prayer for the Dai-Gohonzon, otherwise all other prayers consist of Part A and C. After each recitation through the Sutra book, the accompanying silent prayer can be read in the back of the Sutra Book. If conducting Gongyo with more than one person, only the person leading will recite the Hoben and Juryo Chapter titles in bold, the first “Namu”of the Hiki Daimoku portion, and the offering of Daimoku before and after each Silent Prayer.

First Prayer: Offering to Shoten Zenjin (A,C)
*The bell is not rung during the first prayer

  • Face the Gohonzon: Offer Daimoku Sansho (chanting Nam-Myoho-Renge­ Kyo three times) and bow with respect to the Gohonzon
  • Face east: Offer Daimoku Sansho (chanting Nam-Myoho-Renge­ Kyo three times) and bow with respect to the Shoten Zenjin
  • Recite the Hoben Chapter title (in bold on page 1), recite Part A, and bow
  • Recite the Juryo Chapter title (in bold on page 5), recite Part C, and bow
  • Chant three Hiki-Daimoku (Prolonged Daimoku which is pronounced Namu-Myoho-Renge-Kyo) and bow
  • Chant Nam-Myoho-Renge-­Kyo three times and bow while offering the first Silent Prayer
  • Face the Gohonzon again
Second Prayer: Offering to the Dai-Gohonzon (A,B,C)
*From this point forward Gongyo is conducted facing the Gohonzon

  • Sound bell seven times, recite the Hoben Chapter title, recite Part A, and bow
  • Sound bell three times, recite the Juryo Chapter title, recite Parts B and C, and bow
  • Chant three Hiki Daimoku and bow
  • Sound bell five times, chant Nam-Myoho-Renge-­Kyo three times, and bow while offering the second Silent Prayer
Third Prayer: Offering to Nichiren Daishonin and the Successive High Priests (A,C)

  • Sound bell seven times, recite the Hoben Chapter title, recite Part A, and bow
  • Sound bell three times, recite the Juryo Chapter title, recite Part C, and bow
  • Chant three Hiki-Daimoku and bow
  • Sound bell five times, chant Nam-Myoho-Renge-­Kyo three times, and bow while offering the Third Silent Prayer
Fourth Prayer: Prayer for Worldwide Kosen-rufu (A,C)

  • Sound bell seven times, recite the Hoben Chapter title, recite Part A, and bow
  • Sound bell three times, recite the Juryo Chapter title, recite Part C, and bow
  • Chant three Hiki-Daimoku and bow
  • Sound bell five times, chant Nam-Myoho-Renge-­Kyo three times, and bow while offering the Fourth Silent Prayer

Fifth Prayer: Memorial Prayers for the Deceased (A,C)
*At the end of the fifth prayer chanting begins instead of Hiki Daimoku

  • Sound bell seven times, recite the Hoben Chapter title, recite Part A, and bow
  • Sound bell three times, recite the Juryo Chapter title, recite Part C, and bow
  • Sound bell seven times, while beginning the chanting of Daimoku (Nam-Myoho-Renge-Kyo) and chant for 5 minutes or longer
  • To end the chanting of Daimoku, sound bell with each syllable of the last Myoho-Renge-Kyo and bow
  • Chant Nam-Myoho-Renge-­Kyo three more times and bow while offering the fifth Silent Prayer
  • Sound bell three times and conclude Gongyo by offering Daimoku Sansho (chanting Nam-Myoho-Renge­ Kyo three times) and bowing