Gongyo Translation "Hoben-Pon. Dai ni.
TRuby2b
Words and Phrases of Gongyo Hoben-pon. Dai ni.
“As I said before, though no chapter of the Lotus Sutra is negligible,
among the entire twenty-eight chapters, the Hoben chapter and the Juryo
chapter are particularly outstanding. The remaining chapters are all in a
sense the branches and leaves of these two chapters. Therefore, for your
regular recitation, I recommend that you practice reading the prose
sections of the Hoben and Juryo chapters.” -- Nichiren Daishonin in the
“Recitation of the Hoben and Juryo Chapters” Gosho in Volume Six of the
Major Writings.
The Ho (of Hoben-pon Dai ni) in its most ancient form resembles a
swastika. It is four boats tied together. It divides the earth’s surface
into four regions. The same four regions are represented by the Four
Heavenly Kings in the corners of the Gohonzon. This ancient image was: a
place, a region, a square. It also meant regular, apt, easy, a rule, a
prescription, a means, and/or a comparison.
The modern character Ho is a contracted composite of two characters, the
primitive for leader (one who stands up) and the primitive for open space.
In the phrase Hoben-pon, it is one who leads (the Buddha) to open space
(freedom). Because this image represents the Buddha leading the four
regions of the earth to freedom and is not freedom itself, the Ho of the
Hoben-pon is translated as a “means” or “prescription.”
Ben is composed of the primitive image of one who stands up (on the right)
and a contracted composite of a fire rising above the roof of a house and
underneath an armed (and therefore capable) hand. The burning house is
suffering or difficulties. The whole character means a person stands up
and removes those from a burning house (suffering). Because the house is
ablaze, the armed (capable) person uses the quickest means possible, this
character is commonly translated as “expedient”.
Pon is three squares stacked in a triangle. This is a multitude. It
means decree or a profound, important, universal teaching.
Dai is not the same “dai” that means great (as in Dai Gohonzon). This dai
is the ancient symbol for spindle with the radical for bamboo above. In
this context it means section or chapter. The bamboo denotes sections (as
in bamboo sections). Bamboo also represents Buddhism, because the first
Chinese Buddhist teachings were written on slats of bamboo, held together
by thread. The combination of spindle and bamboo means section, or
chapters (usually of Buddhist or other important teachings).
Ni is two horizontal lines. It is the number two. The number two, in
Chinese thinking, is the principle of Yin and Yang and the number of the
earth. In Confucian thought, the number two refers to the second virtue,
which is to love each other.
Putting it all together: Hoben-pon = Means (Ho), expedient (ben)
pronouncement (pon). Dai ni = Section (Dai) two (ni).
Burton Watson translates Hoben-pon as “Expedient means”.
H. Kern (from the Sanskrit) as “Skillful means”.
The Three Fold Lotus Sutra as “Tactfulness”.
Reciting “Hoben-Pon. Dai ni.” reminds us to emerge from our selfish
desires and use the Buddha’s teaching to free ourselves and others from
suffering. This is the method of the Boddhisattvas of the Earth.
Terry