I'm so confused when it comes to explaining the gohonzon it seems that SGI worships the gohonzon I'm so distraught when it comes to my faith plus I'm trying to understand the relevance of this particular Buddhist practice and how it helps today. I'm a black woman in North Carolina and there are few people I can ask questions.

In her email to us Joy Writes

Also in your letter, you say that three times each day you bow in reverence to the seven characters of the daimoku , and that each day you repeat the words Namu-ichija-myaten ten thousand times. At times of menstruation, however, you refrain from reading the sutra. You ask if it is unseemly to bow in reverence to the seven characters or to recite Namu-ichija-myaten without facing [the Gohonzon ], or if you should refrain from doing even that during your menstrual period. You also ask how many days following the end of your period you should wait before resuming recitation of the sutra.

This is a matter that concerns all women and about which they always inquire. In past times, too, we find many persons addressing themselves to this question concerning women. But because the sacred teachings put forward by the Buddha in the course of his lifetime do not touch upon this point, no one has been able to offer any clear scriptural proof upon which to base an answer. In my own study of the sacred teachings, though I find clear prohibitions on certain days of the month against the impurity of things like meat or wine, the five spicy foods , or sexual acts, for instance, I have never come across any passage in the sutras or treatises that speaks of avoidances connected with menstruation.

In this Gosho Mrs. Yoshimoto asks the Daishonin was it okay to chant to the Gohonzon  while on her Menstrual Period.  Real life is a "Menstrual Period. Women understand about a Menstrual Period. At such times some women my choose to do an abbreviated Gongyo.

In the Gosho the 'Gift of Rice" reads: “No worldly affairs of life or work are ever contrary to the true reality,” he revealed their meaning and pointed out that although the first two sutras are profound, since their meaning is still shallow and fails to approach that of the Lotus Sutra , they relate secular matters in terms of Buddhism, whereas the Lotus Sutra explains that in the end secular matters are the entirety of Buddhism.

What happen to "Joy" and so many who study Buddhism they are taught to  approach secular matters in terms of Buddhism.  Whereas the Lotus Sutra teaches that secular matters are the entirety of Buddhism. When it comes to secular life people understand. Buddhism should be taught in relationship to life.  Just to tell an educated Black woman just to chant to the Gohonzon and not connect the practice to daily life is not only confusing it is backward thinking.  In Buddhism there is a term called Zuiho-bini.  This means practicing Buddhism in accordance to the local laws and customs.  In my case I am African American I cannot wear a Japanese Shoe. Buddhism should be inclusive of our culture and history. I left both the SGI and Nichiren Shoshu because it is like wearing a Japanese Shoe. It is not my style.  I like Black music as opposed to "Top 100."  People do not understand Buddhism they understand their lives. When bills are due, your partner is giving you hell, the job is unstable, the child is sick.  You understand your secular life.  Buddhism at times is simply catching a good movie, or having faith in doing the right thing.  In short Buddhism should be a part of one's life as opposed to making ones life a part of Buddhism.

The Buddhist teachings is about "Real life Stuff." Many who practise Buddhism confuse Buddhist teachings with Asian Culture.  The Lotus Sutra teach us that "Real life Stuff" is Buddhism. We show joy in the Gosho that Nichiren Shonin spoke about a woman's Menstrual cycle and chanting. Buddhism is not about this leader or that leader. Buddhism is about your daily life.