“The Raijitsu-giki states, ‘According to the Makashikan (C. Mohe-zhiguan) the 25 skillful [preparations for meditation] facilitate the realization of the true principle through concrete phenomena.”

Shutei Hoyo Shiki, page 204

Here we focus on actual activities or actions taken in preparation for and during our worship of the Lotus Sutra. Just as singers warm up before a performance or athletes stretch before a race, we too are advised to do certain things to prepare for our Dharma practice. …

Of the seven skillful means taught in Nichiren Shu, five are derived from the Raijitsu-giki.

From the Raijitsu-giki:

1. Displaying the object of worship or Honzon: Nichiren Shu authorizes five ways of representing the Honzon. …

2. Purifying the place of practice: The example for us is found in the Lotus Sutra when the Buddha purifies the land in preparation for the return of his emanations. Numerous times he purifies the land, joins more lands and purifies them and continues to do so until the space is large enough to accommodate the emanations and their retinues.

3. Ritual accoutrements: This would be your prayer beads (juzu) and your prayer book (kyobon). …

4. Cleanliness and vestments: For lay practitioners this would mean properly and neatly dressed. I realize that current fashion has ripped jeans as acceptable for many semi-formal public occasions. I would question the wearing of ripped jeans for service, but fundamentally it is your choice. The operating principle should be to dress as if you had an invitation to see the Buddha. …

5. Offering incense and flowers: These are self-explanatory, but there is something I would like to say. Living in modern cities may make flower offerings challenging. We offer flowers in the same way the gods and heavenly deities rain flowers on the Buddha and those who are attaining enlightenment. They beautify and create a pleasing place for us to attain our enlightenment. It isn’t always possible to have fresh flowers. While cut flowers are ideal, the overarching factor is your heart, your spirit. If you don’t have flowers, then you can’t offer them. On occasions when you desire to have flowers but have no money or access, consider handmaking a paper flower for the service and then cremating it afterward. Do not reuse. …

From Nichiren Shu:

6. Bells and percussion instruments: Lay practitioners may or may not have some of these items. They are not required, although it would be nice if you have a bell. The size of the bell is unimportant. … At home you may or may not have a mokusho or mokugyo. The mokusho is a round flat wooden drum that produces a loud, high-pitch sound, depending upon size. The pitch and loudness allow the sound to be heard above the taiko drums used in temples. …

7. Service Manner: There are many instructions given to priests that dictate virtually every movement, placement of hands and feet, walking, sitting, and rising. Nothing a priest does during a ceremony is without some instruction. … For the lay practitioner, having in your mind the solemn yet joyful activity of honoring the Buddha and his teachings will help you. Always try to sit as erect as possible, whether in a chair, on a cushion or mat, or on the floor. … Having the necessary items arranged in front of you before the service will help you maintain your focus during the service and will allow you to flow smoothly from one part of the ceremony to another. …

In closing this section, please keep in mind these are skillful means. They are not the object. The tools, guidelines, and procedures have been created to help you prepare your body, mind, spirit, and environment so that you may fully and deeply enter the great teaching of the True Dharma of the Lotus Sutra. Nothing bad happens if you get it wrong or if you are unable to do some of these things. The hope is that doing what you can, which may change over time through the causes you make with what you have, will bring you delight and joy.