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  • The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin I/II
    • Volume I
    • Volume II
  • The Lotus Sutra and Its Opening and Closing Sutras
  • The Record of the Orally Transmitted Teachings
  • The Soka Gakkai Dictionary of Buddhism

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Ceremony in the Air | Dictionary of Buddhism | Nichiren Buddhism Library
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  • calamity of invasion from foreign lands

    [他国侵逼難] ( takoku-shimpitsu-nan)

  • calamity of revolt within one’s own domain

    [自界叛逆難] ( jikai-hongyaku-nan)

  • Calm and Bright

    [安明] ( Ammyō)

  • casting off the transient and revealing the true

    [発迹顕本] ( hosshaku-kempon)

  • Catalog of Buddhist Scriptures, The

    [内典録] ( Naiten-roku)

  • Causality of Past and Present Sutra

    [過去現在因果経] (Chin Kuo-ch’ü-hsien-tsai-yin-kuo-ching;  Kako-genzai-inga-kyō)

  • cause and effect

    [因果] ( inga)

  • cause-awakened one

    [縁覚] ( pratyekabuddha;  engaku)

  • Cave of the Seven Leaves

    [七葉窟] ( Saptaparna-guhā;  Shichiyō-kutsu)

  • Cave of the Thousand Buddhas

    [千仏洞] ( Sembutsu-dō)

  • Ceremony in the Air

    [虚空会] ( kokū-e)

  • ceremony of anointment

    [灌頂] ( abhisheka;  kanjō)

  • ceremony of reciting the Buddhas’ names

    [仏名会] ( butsumyō-e)

  • chakra

    [輪宝・輪] (;  rimbō or rin)

  • Chakravāda

    [鉄囲山・鉄輪囲山] (;  Tetchi-sen or Tetsurin’i-sen)

  • Chakravāda-parvata

    [鉄囲山・鉄輪囲山] (;  Tetchi-sen or Tetsurin’i-sen)

  • chakravartin

    [転輪聖王] (;  tenrin-jō’ō)

  • Champā

    [瞻波] (, Pali;  Sempa)

  • champaka tree

    [瞻蔔樹] (, Pali;  sempuku-ju)

  • Chandaka

    [車匿] (; Pali Channa;  Shanoku)

  • chandāla

    [旃陀羅] (, Pali;  sendara)

  • Chandrakīrti

    () (1) [月称] (c. 600–650) ( Gesshō); (2) [月称大臣] ( Gasshō-daijin)

  • Chandraprabha

    () (1) [月光大臣] ( Gakkō-daijin); (2) [月光菩薩] ( Gakkō-bosatsu)

  • Chandrayashas

    [月称大臣] (;  Gasshō-daijin)

  • Chang-an

    [章安] (561–632) (PY Zhang’an;  Shōan)

  • changing poison into medicine

    [変毒為薬] ( hendoku-iyaku)

  • Chan-jan

    [湛然] (PY Zhanran;  Tannen)

  • Ch’an school

    [禅宗] (PY Chanzong;  Zen-shū)

  • Ch’en Chen

    [陳鍼] (n.d.) (PY Chen Zhen;  Chinshin)

  • Ch’eng-kuan

    [澄観] (738–839) (PY Chengguan;  Chōkan)

  • Ch’eng-shih school

    [成実宗] (PY Chengshizong;  Jōjitsu-shū)

  • Chen-yüan Era Catalog of the Buddhist Canon, The

    [貞元釈教録・貞元入蔵録] (Chin Chen-yüan-shih-chiao-lu or Chen-yüan-ju-tsang-lu;  Jōgen-shakkyō-roku or Jōgen-nyūzō-roku)

  • Chia-hsiang

    [嘉祥] (PY Jiaxiang;  Kajō)

  • Chief Wise

    [賢首菩薩] ( Genju-bosatsu)

  • Chien-chen

    [鑑真] (PY Jianzhen;  Ganjin)

  • Chih-che

    [智者] (PY Zhizhe;  Chisha)

  • Chih-ch’ien

    [支謙] (n.d.) (PY Zhiqian;  Shiken)

  • Chih-chou

    [智周] (678–733) (PY Zhizhou;  Chishū)

  • Chih-i

    [智顗] (PY Zhiyi;  Chigi)

  • Chih-li

    [知礼] (960–1028) (PY Zhili;  Chirei)

  • Chihō

    [智鳳] (n.d.) (; Kor Chipong)

  • Chih-tsang

    [智蔵] (458–522) (PY Zhizang;  Chizō)

  • Chih-tu

    [智度] (n.d.) (PY Zhidu;  Chido)

  • Chih-wei

    [智威] (d. 680) (PY Zhiwei;  Chii)

  • Chih-yen

    (1) [智厳] (n.d.) (PY Zhiyan;  Chigon); (2) [智儼] (602–668) (PY Zhiyan;  Chigon)

  • Chih-yüan

    [志遠] (768–844) (PY Zhiyuan;  Shi’on)

  • children of the Buddha

    [仏子] ( busshi)

  • Chinchā

    [旃遮・旃遮女] (, Pali;  Sensha or Sensha-nyo)

  • Chinchāmānavikā

    [旃遮・旃遮女] (, Pali;  Sensha or Sensha-nyo)

  • Ching-hsi

    [荊渓] (PY Jingxi;  Keikei)

  • Ch’ing-liang

    [清涼国師] (PY Qingliang;  Shōryō-kokushi)

  • Ch’ing-liang, Mount

    [清涼山] (PY Qingliang-shan;  Shōryō-zan)

  • Ch’ing-lung-ssu

    [青竜寺] (PY Qinglongsi;  Seiryū-ji)

  • Ching-te Era Record of the Transmission of the Lamp, The

    [景徳伝燈録] ( Keitoku-dentō-roku)

  • Chin-kang-chih

    [金剛智] (671–741) (PY Jingangzhi;  Vajrabodhi;  Kongōchi)

  • Chishō

    [智証] (814–891)

  • Chitatsu

    [智達] (n.d.)

  • Chi-tsang

    [吉蔵] (549–623) (PY Jizang;  Kichizō)

  • Chitsū

    [智通] (n.d.)

  • Chizō

    [智蔵] (n.d.) (; Chin Chih-tsang)

  • Chōgen

    [重源] (1121–1206)

  • Chōnen

    [奝然] (d. 1016)

  • Chōsai

    [長西] (1184–1266)

  • Chūdapanthaka

    [周利槃特] (; Pali Chūlapanthaka;  Shurihandoku)

  • Chu Fa-lan

    [竺法蘭] (n.d.) (PY Zhu Falan;  Jiku-hōran)

  • Chu Fo-nien

    [竺仏念] (n.d.) (PY Zhu Fonian;  Jiku-butsunen)

  • Chūlapanthaka

    [周利槃特] (Pali;  Chūdapanthaka;  Shurihandoku)

  • Chunda

    [純陀] (, Pali;  Junda)

  • Chü-she school

    [倶舎宗] (PY Jushezong;  Kusha-shū)

  • Chu Tao-sheng

    [竺道生] (PY Zhu Daosheng;  Jiku-dōshō)

  • Chūzan

    [仲算] (n.d.)

  • City of Fragrances

    [衆香城・香城] ( Gandhavatī;  Shukō-jō or Kō-jō)

  • Clarification of Doctrine, A

    [顕宗論] (Chin Hsien-tsung-lun;  Kenshū-ron)

  • Clarification of the Precepts, A

    [顕戒論] ( Kenkai-ron)

  • Clarification of the Schools Based on T’ien-t’ai’s Doctrine, A

    [依憑天台集] ( Ehyō-tendai-shū or Ebyō-tendai-shū)

  • Clear and Cool, Mount

    [清涼山] (Chin Ch’ing-liang;  Shōryō-zan)

  • clear cool pond

    [清涼池] ( shōryō-chi)

  • clothes of patched rags

    [糞掃衣・納衣] ( pāmsu-kūla;  funzōe or nōe)

  • Cloud Thunder Sound Constellation King Flower Wisdom

    [雲雷音宿王華智仏] ( Jaladhara-garjita-ghosha-susvara-nakshatra-rāja-samkusumitābhijnā;  Unraion-shukuōkechi-butsu)

  • Cloud Thunder Sound King

    [雲雷音王仏] ( Megha-dundubhi-svara-rāja;  Unraionnō-butsu)

  • cold-suffering bird

    [寒苦鳥] ( kanku-chō)

  • Collected Essays on the World of Peace and Delight, The

    [安楽集] (Chin An-lo-chi;  Anraku-shū)

  • Collection of Orally Transmitted Teachings, A

    [授決集] ( Juketsu-shū)

  • Collection of Records concerning the Tripitaka, A

    [出三蔵記集] (Chin Ch’u-san-tsang-chi-chi;  Shutsu-sanzō-kishū)

  • combining, excluding, corresponding, and including

    [兼但対帯] ( ken-tan-tai-tai)

  • Commentary on the Mahayana Treatise, The

    [釈摩訶衍論] (Chin Shih-mo-ho-yen-lun;  Shaku-makaen-ron)

  • Commentary on the Meaning of the Mahāvairochana Sutra, The

    [大日経義釈] (Chin Ta-jih-ching-i-shih;  Dainichikyō-gishaku)

  • Commentary on the Meditation on the Buddha Infinite Life Sutra, The

    [観無量寿経疏] (Chin Kuan-wu-liang-shou-ching-shu;  Kammuryōju-kyō-sho)

  • Commentary on the Ten Stages Sutra, The

    [十住毘婆沙論] (Chin Shih-chu-p’i-p’o-sha-lun;  Jūjū-bibasha-ron)

  • Commentary on “The Treatise on Rebirth in the Pure Land,” The

    [往生論註] ( Ōjōron-chū)

  • Commentary on “The Treatise on the Pure Land,” The

    [浄土論註] (Chin Ching-t’u-lun-chu;  Jōdoron-chū)

  • comparative classification

    [教判・教相判釈] ( kyōhan or kyōsō-hanjaku)

  • comparative myō

    [相待妙] ( sōdai-myō)

  • Comparison of Exoteric and Esoteric Buddhism, A

    [弁顕密二教論・二教論] ( Ben-kemmitsu-nikyō-ron or Nikyō-ron)

  • compassion

    [悲・慈悲] (, Pali karunā;  hi or jihi)

  • Compassionate Honored One

    [慈尊] ( Jison)

  • Compassionate One

    [慈氏] ( Jishi)

  • Compassionate White Lotus Flower Sutra

    [悲華経] ( Karunā-pundarīka-sūtra; Chin Pei-hua-ching;  Hike-kyō)

  • complete precepts

    [具足戒] ( gusoku-kai)

  • Complete Works of the Fuji School, The

    [富士宗学全集] ( Fuji-shūgaku-zenshū)

  • comprehensive precepts

    [具足戒] ( gusoku-kai)

  • concentration and insight

    [止観] ( shikan)

  • concise replacement of the three vehicles with the one vehicle

    [略開三顕一] ( ryakkaisan-ken’ichi)

  • connecting teaching

    [通教] ( tsū-gyō)

  • Conqueror of the Threefold World

    [降三世明王] ( Trailokyavijaya;  Gōsanze-myō’ō)

  • Consciousness-Only school

    [唯識派] ( Vijnānavāda;  Yui-shiki-ha)

  • conspicuous benefit

    [顕益] ( ken’yaku)

  • Constellation Kalpa

    [星宿劫] ( Shōshuku-kō)

  • Constellation King Flower

    [宿王華] ( Nakshatra-rāja-samkusumitābhijna;  Shukuōke)

  • Contemplation on the Mind-Ground Sutra

    [心地観経] (Chin Hsin-ti-kuan-ching;  Shinjikan-gyō)

  • contentment while desiring little

    [少欲知足] ( shōyoku-chisoku)

  • continual propagation to the fiftieth person

    [五十展転] ( gojū-tenden)

  • Continued Biographies of Eminent Priests, The

    [続高僧伝] (Chin Hsü-kao-seng-chuan;  Zoku-kōsō-den)

  • Correct and Equal period

    [方等時] ( Hōdō-ji)

  • correct and equal sutras

    [方等経] ( hōdō-kyō)

  • Correct and Equal sutras

    [方等経] ( Hōdō-kyō)

  • Correct Law, age of the

    [正法] ( shōbō)

  • Correct Views

    [善見城] ( Sudarshana;  Zenken-jō)

  • Counterfeit Law, age of the

    [像法] ( zōbō)

  • countless kalpas of practice

    [歴劫修行] ( ryakkō-shugyō)

  • Craving-Filled

    [愛染明王] ( Rāgarāja;  Aizen-myō’ō)

Ceremony in the Air [虚空会] ( kokū-e): The second of the three assemblies described in the Lotus Sutra, in which the entire gathering is suspended in space above the ground. The two other assemblies take place on Eagle Peak. The Ceremony in the Air is depicted from the latter half of the “Treasure Tower” (eleventh) chapter through the “Entrustment” (twenty-second) chapter of the sutra. In the “Treasure Tower” chapter, the treasure tower of the Buddha Many Treasures emerges from beneath the earth and is suspended in midair. Shakyamuni, after summoning the Buddhas who are his emanations from the ten directions, stations himself in midair, opens the treasure tower, and enters it, taking a seat beside the Buddha Many Treasures. Then, using his transcendental powers, he lifts the entire assembly into space so that they are at the same level. This begins the Ceremony in the Air. The “Treasure Tower” chapter ends with Shakyamuni urging the audience to propagate the sutra in the evil age after his death. In the “Encouraging Devotion” (thirteenth) chapter, the innumerable bodhisattvas attending vow to fulfill the Buddha’s will even if they must endure persecution by the so-called three powerful enemies.
  In the “Emerging from the Earth” (fifteenth) chapter, the bodhisattvas of the other worlds make the same vow, but the Buddha refuses to entrust the mission to them. At that moment the Bodhisattvas of the Earth make their appearance; this marks the beginning of the essential teaching of the sutra. In the “Life Span” (sixteenth) chapter, Shakyamuni reveals his original enlightenment—the enlightenment that he attained numberless major world system dust particle kalpas in the past. In the “Supernatural Powers” (twenty-first) chapter, Shakyamuni transfers the essence of the sutra specifically to the Bodhisattvas of the Earth led by Bodhisattva Superior Practices, entrusting them with its propagation in the Latter Day of the Law. In the “Entrustment” chapter, he transfers the sutra to all the bodhisattvas present. Then Shakyamuni’s emanations return to their lands, the treasure tower reverts to its former position, and the Ceremony in the Air comes to an end. The heart of this ceremony consists of the revelation of Shakyamuni Buddha’s original enlightenment and the transfer of the essence of the sutra to the Bodhisattvas of the Earth.
  Nichiren (1222–1282) states that the object of devotion he revealed as the Gohonzon is the perfect embodiment of the Law, which is the essence of the Lotus Sutra, and that it is also a representation of the Ceremony in the Air. The Real Aspect of the Gohonzon reads, “This Gohonzon was revealed . . . in eight chapters [of the Lotus Sutra], from the ‘Emerging from the Earth’ chapter through the ‘Entrustment’ chapter” (831). It also reads, “Without exception, all these Buddhas, bodhisattvas, great sages [attending the Ceremony in the Air] . . . dwell in this Gohonzon” (832). The fact that the ceremony takes place in the air signifies that it transcends the framework of time and space.


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