Chanting Integral to Nicheren Buddhism

Nicheren Buddhism is a sect of Buddhism that originated in 13th century A.D. Japan. The sect’s founder Nicheren Diashonin discovered the Buddha’s teaching of the Lotus Sutra. These teachings were originally taught in India but he learned about them while traveling. This teaching was considered the highest of all his teachings. It involves a belief that an individual can chant to change their life condition. The Lotus Sutra teaches that chanting can make the impossible possible. It is known as the mystic law of cause and effect through sound. The sanskrit words that are chanted are: Nam Kyo Ho Renge Kyo. They are chanted over and over to create a beneficial vibration in one’s life.The main focus of the organization is to overcome lifes obstacles.

By chanting this mantra it in effect causes a positive vibration which produces are positive benefit in one’s life. Some may consider this a form of magic. But Nicheren Buddhists believe that this is a natural force in the Universe. Just as we acknowledge that gravity exists eventhough we cannot see it, the mystic law of cause and effect through sound also exists.
Members may chant for love or money. They may chant for improvement in their health or through emotional distress. The greatest benefit for the chanters is that it helps them overcome obstacles to happiness. They build their confidence in the practice when they see for themselves that their chanting has made their lives better. Chanting is a form of prayer. Even if you do not understand the meaning of Nam Kyo Ho Renge Kyo it does not matter. The vibration of these words will create an energy that will improve your life condition.

Buddhists of this sect have a small alter. The mandala that is written in Japanese is on rice paper. It is kept in a butsudan which is small cabinet which is only opened during chanting. It is then closed when not chanting. Most chanters choose to light candles and incense during the chanting but this is not required. They will also have a gong that they use to strike during the beginning and ending of their chanting. Prayer beads are held in the hands to focus the mind on achieving your goal.
Here is a website that will give you an idea what a butsudan looks like – http://www.butsudan.com. There is also pictures of the gong and other equipment that is used during chanting.

It is common practice for chanters to meet at the religious center once or more a month at the community center and then at various members homes on a weekly basis. This allows for support and additional education by the more experienced members. There is also a published newspaper called The World Tribune that publishes important updates going on within the organization. There is also uplifting stories of people who used their chanting to overcome various problems. They do not have priests. They believe that everyone is equal. But they do have one leader in Japan. His name is Ikeada
Daisaku whom resides in Japan.

Nicheren buddhism is practiced by millions of devoted chanters. The main religious organization that practices this form of buddhism is called Sokkai Gokkai International. This means in English Value Creation Society. It is based in Japan but it has spread throughout many countries including The United States. For more information visit their website (http://www.sgi-usa.org). They have centers for members all over the country.