Kishimojin 
Ichinen Sanzen 
Go kan nen mon 
  (silent prayers) 
Itai Doshin 
Gongyo 
Jogyo 
Shakubuku 
Buddha (Butsu) 
Tamashii 
Kosen Rufu 
Rissho Ankoku Ron 

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The Imagery of nichiren's Lotus Sutra: Other Chinese Characters of Interest to Buddhists 
Shoten Zenjin in Chinese 
 
 
Sho
Sho (zh? in Chinese) is composed of two characters. On the left are sounds coming from a mouth. On the right is the trunk and branches of a tree. Together it means all, every, each thing, etc.
 
Ten
Ten (tián in Chinese) is a person with a line above his head. The line indicates heaven — that which is above humans.
 
Zen
Zen (shàn in Chinese) is composed of a goat (on top) and a mouth (on the bottom). (Words that are gentle — like sheep.) It means beneficial, friendly or good.
 
Jin
Jin (shén in Chinese) is composed of two characters. On the left is the sun, moon, and stars shedding their light on the world, by itself it means heavenly teaching (illumination from heaven). On the right are hands holding a rope — it means to extend (a rope extensions the reach of the hands). The whole character means “heaven extending itself to all living beings.”

All things (Sho) are divine (Ten) bringing benefit. The beneficial (Zen) light from heaven (wisdom) extends (Jin) itself to humans. Anything and anyone can be a shoten zenjin. As we continue to practice we see the potential beneficial nature of things. 
 
 

Updated 6/7/06 
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