After the Eko (Prayer) [in the Shodaigyo ceremony], the Four Great Vows are recited. Regarding the Four Great Vows, most members of Buddhist communities recite these Four Great Vows as a Buddhist maxim (code of truth and conduct). A simple explanation of The Four Great Vows is the following:

“There are innumerable people in this world, yet, if but only one person is suffering, let me save them from that suffering.” And as I save them from that suffering, so must we relinquish the defilements that are the foundation of that suffering.

“There are inexhaustible defilements, let us relinquish them all.” To relinquish the defilements, so must we understand the teachings of Buddha nature and all things of this world.

“There are immeasurable teachings, let us know them all.” In doing so, all people throughout the world will, also then, recite this same declaration before the Three Treasures.

“The way of the Buddha is preciously unexcelled, let us therefore advance on the way of the Buddha and become a Buddha ourselves. And let us build a world of goodness.”