Why is the Gohonzon important? Because, through having faith in it, we can bring forth the Gohonzon, or the state of Buddhahood, that is inherent in our own lives. The Daishonin states that the Gohonzon is found only in the faith of each one of us (see WND-1, 832).
>From The Wisdom for Creating Happiness and Peace, part 1, revised edition, p. 125
Daisaku Ikeda