Dojoge is a phrase referencing “this place is the place of enlightenment” from Chapter 21 of the Lotus Sutra. This reference is the following: “Know this: This place, where the Stupa is erected, is the place of enlightenment. Here the Buddhas attained Anuttara-Samyak-Sambodhi. Here the Buddhas turned the wheel of the Dharma. Here the Buddhas entered into Parinirvana.” Anuttara-Samyaku-Sambodhi, however, is lengthy and difficult to pronounce, hence, it is reduced to “Sambodhi”. Its meaning still remains the same even after the reduction.

Please be fully cognizant of these words:

“Know this: This place, where the Stupa is erected, is the place of enlightenment.” When we sit down, in the Dojo where we are allowed to practice, it is a noble place where we study the Buddha’s teachings and practice the means for an ordinary person to become a Buddha.

“Here the (various) Buddhas (Shobutsu) attained Sambodhi.” This means that the place where we are practicing is the same honorable place where the Buddha is spiritually awakened. “Sambodhi” means correct enlightenment and is a Sanskrit transliteration of “Sad” (sahd) “Bodhi” (bo-dee). In interpreting “(various) Buddhas”, we should regard this to mean specifically “The Eternal Buddha Sakyamuni.”

“Here the Buddhas turned the wheel of the Dharma.” This means that to “Turn the Wheel” is for the Buddha to preach. Thus, in this place, the Buddha is preaching to us, sentient beings, just as we are.

“Here the Buddhas entered into Parinirvana” means a sacred place where the Buddha entered into Nirvana. What this means is that the place where we sit reciting Dojoge and practicing Shodaigyo is not the same kind of place as a regular Buddhist temple hall (Hondo) or family Buddhist alter room (Butsuma) in a house. It is a noble, sacred place; it is the location where the Buddha was enlightened, preached and entered into nirvana. Thus, our recitations become conditional to these truths.