I’m going to quote the entire first paragraph from Honshu Nakanishi’s writing believing I could do no better at expressing his thoughts than he has, important thoughts for us to always maintain as we engage in our own services.

“Ceremonies and protocols are art. Because they are the foundations of noble faith, Nichiren ceremonies are a solemn, refined, comprehensive art that is created by our entire body and heart. Anyone who says they are no more than formalized sutra chanting has no idea of their true nature. It is sometimes said that art needs no goal; that art exists for its own sake. Buddhist ceremonies do not exist for proselytizing or teaching. Instead they are supreme expressions of pure, unmitigated devotion to the Three Treasures. Only when this is true can the performer and the observer steep themselves in unobstructed concentrated meditation. From awareness of the true nature of ceremonies, as an unexpected collateral effect, awakening arises.”