Explaining the Basics

I was fortunate last month to have the opportunity to deeply ponder the question of Buddhism when my local chapter asked me to give a lecture at a group meeting explaining the basics of the practice. 

What is Buddhism?

Buddhism began roughly twenty-five hundred years ago.   Shakyamuni Buddha, also known as Siddhartha Gautama, abandoned his life as a prince in India to seek a means to end human suffering.  His teachings culminated in the Lotus Sutra, which elucidates the eternally present Buddha nature inherent in all life.

What is Nichiren Buddhism?

Nichiren Daishonin, a reformer in thirteenth century Japan, studied the writings of Buddhism for many years and realized that the Lotus Sutra was the supreme teaching.  The title of this sutra translates from its original Sanskrit to ancient Chinese as “Myoho Renge Kyo.” Nam was added to the beginning of this chant, which in Sanskrit means, “devotion to.”  Along with two chapters of the Lotus Sutra, this is the chant that practitioners of Nicheren Buddhism typically recite.

Why do we chant?

Nichiren realized that chanting, “Nam Myoho Renge Kyo,” made Buddhism available to all people, as the original Buddha intended.  The Lotus Sutra states that we can attain Buddha-hood in this lifetime, while Siddhartha’s previous writings that say enlightenment will take many lifetimes or kalpas are considered provisionary teachings in order to prepare the people of that time for the truth.

How can this be?

The words “Nam Myoho Renge Kyo,” are also ancient Sanskrit seed sounds, which are believed to be thousands of years old, perhaps even predating known civilizations. I recently saw a youtube.com video of the sounds recorded from the sun and our solar system.  Scientists were amazed to discover that the universe makes sounds.  Scientist have also discovered that sounds are also vibrations and that everything in existence is made up of energy vibrating at various frequencies.  By chanting, we connect to the Mystic Law of the universe, also called the unfathomable that permeates all existence.  (Please see the links below for more information on these topics.)

There have always been many paths people have walked in order to become one with the universal truths. Many people have asked me, “What is the difference between meditation and chanting?”  I have been an avid practitioner of meditation for over twenty years.  It has great benefits to relieve stress and calm the psyche and even relieve muscle tension and assist in healing the mind, body and soul.  However, action is what changes our karma.   In an introduction to Buddhism book, it likens chanting to “when a caged bird sings.”  Our karma and minds have caged us, but when we sing (chant), we begin to shatter the illusion of the cage that holds us and begin to realize our true boundless potential.  Chanting for me is the engine and the fuel that transforms karma.  Chanting has a power behind it as mentioned earlier – being a direct connection to the mystic law and the mystic law itself – Nam Myoho Renge Kyo – that does not even compare to simply sitting and breathing in meditation.

For me, chanting helps to give me the courage to take action, to do things previously unimaginable and to overcome fear and doubts.  It dispels the fears and fuels my determination to transform my karma in this lifetime and to transform my life to living joyfully through each moment today.  During one of my first experiences with chanting, tears flowed down my face as heartfelt love flowed, and I was able to forgive someone who greatly harmed me. I may not always be able to laugh at obstacles, but at least I have the determination to overcome them and the knowledge that I can.  With the power, knowledge and wisdom of this practice, I am unstoppable in achieving my goals and taking steps forward, not only for my own benefit but for the benefit of all living beings.

Chanting for the benefit of others is a basic component of this practice. I have always wanted to help others in any way that I was able.  It took me many years to realize and some astute friends observing my dilemmas, that the best way I could help others was to show them the power of my own transformation, to be the change I wished to see in the world, as Ghandi said.  When people see our joy and feel the energy of our happiness and our resolve to overcome every obstacle in the path of our goals and our enlightenment, they will be inspired to learn more and hopefully desire to thrive in a similar way.

What is the SGI?

SGI stands for Soka Gakkai International and translates to “Value Creating Society.”  It is the lay Buddhist organization practicing and promoting world peace through Nicheren Buddhism.  “A great human revolution in just a single individual will help achieve a change in the destiny of a nation and further, will enable a change in the destiny of all humankind.”  The SGI is an organization of practitioners in 192 countries who not only chant together, but by being living examples of the power to transform our karma and our lives, they give each other boundless encouragement and hope.

There are many other aspects to Nichiren Buddhism such as a Gohonzon, the mandala that represents the mirror of the soul, and Gonyo, the practice of chanting in the morning and evening.  I encourage anyone interested in transforming their lives and living as their true selves, and in the great benefit of supporting others and being supported by other positive, empowered people, to go to the site listed below for more detailed information and to find a chapter near you.

http://www.sgi.org (International)

http://www.sgi-usa.org

http://soi.stanford.edu/results/sounds.html (sounds of the sun)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GWCJkG31h0c A Nasa Video

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9oSePXRbW9o An interesting video on the power of sound in manifesting the physical world.