*Chanting With Our Entire Being

By TED MORINO

Editor in Chief

What is the correct approach to chanting?

Fundamentally, I think it can be said that if after chanting daimoku you feel refreshed and revitalized, then you chanted great daimoku.

In many of his writings, Nichiren Daishonin states that chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo is the core of his teachings. It seems the Daishonin felt the need to establish first and foremost the act of chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo itself in order to guide the people of his time away from misguided practices and beliefs that opposed the original intent of Buddhism. While emphasizing the importance of having faith in the power of the Mystic Law, he appears to forgo addressing any other specific details of exactly how to chant.

What the Daishonin does stress, however, is our attitude—the realization or conviction that we should have when chanting. He writes: “Shakyamuni Buddha who attained enlightenment countless kalpas ago, the Lotus Sutra that leads all people to Buddhahood, and we ordinary human beings are in no way different or separate from one another. To chant Myoho-renge-kyo with this realization is to inherit the ultimate Law of life and death” (The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, p. 216).

He also explains: “You, yourself, are a Thus Come One who is originally enlightened and endowed with the three bodies. You should chant Nam-myoho-renge-kyo with this conviction” (WND, 299–300).

We can discuss the purpose behind the act of chanting from two different levels. On one level, we chant to open our innate Buddhahood, the universal existence and cultivation of which is the ultimate message of the Lotus Sutra and the basis of human happiness. On another level, we can say that we chant to have our specific prayers answered—an intriguing element in the practice of Buddhist faith.

Ultimately, it is important that we chant with our entire being. This is indicated by a phrase the Daishonin quotes from the verse portion of “Life Span” chapter of the Lotus Sutra, which reads, “single-mindedly desiring to see the Buddha, not hesitating even if it costs them their lives” (WND, 389). For us, this translates into an earnest desire to reveal our Buddha nature each time we chant. He states, “As a result of this passage, I have revealed the Buddhahood in my own life” (WND, 389).

Explaining the principle of having our prayers answered through the power of faith underlying our act of chanting, Nichiren Daishonin exhorts: “Muster your faith, and pray to this Gohonzon. Then what is there that cannot be achieved?” (WND, 412). And: “Believe in this mandala with all your heart. Nam-myoho-renge-kyo is like the roar of a lion. What sickness can therefore be an obstacle?” (WND, 412).

From another perspective, Nichiren Daishonin cautions, “A coward cannot have any of his prayers answered” (WND, 1001). In this passage, cowardice can be interpreted as the benighted quality of life that is not rooted in our Buddhahood. In other words, cowardice can be defined in Buddhism as the impure elements in life, which, if allowed to take control of the self, separate us from our Buddha nature or the Mystic Law. Conversely, if we are continuously developing our Buddha nature, taking action with the wisdom we tap through chanting and thus courageous in our life-condition, then we are moving toward and becoming the type of person who can have all their prayers answered.

SGI President Ikeda states: “The more specific and detailed the blueprint we have in our hearts, the better. The point is to continue vividly painting the target we have and to advance toward that goal single-mindedly. Then, at each instant, the reality of our lives will gradually approach the painting that is our aspiration.

“Everything depends on what is in our hearts. Heartfelt prayers will definitely be answered” (Learning from the Gosho, p. 129).

In praying to the Gohonzon, we should drop all pretense and just be ourselves, offering sincere prayers for the realization of all our desires. By so doing, we can elevate our life-condition and strengthen our life force to the point where we start sensing what to do about each of our specific goals.

In the final analysis, we should first decide that we are going to win before we chant. This strong determination coupled with our chanting enables us to summon forth the appropriate wisdom to deal with any of the inevitable difficulties we will encounter on the way toward achieving our goals. With this resolution, something positive will start welling up from within our lives through chanting. Worry should not be basis of our prayer, as this can undermine the power of chanting. Rather we should to resolve to win first, so that through each daimoku we chant we are tapping every human quality necessary for our victory.

By chanting such heartfelt daimoku to the Gohonzon, the very core of our lives aligns with the purest life force of the universe, melting away whatever negative effects we may otherwise have to experience due to our karma. “Various sins are just like dewdrops,” wrote the Daishonin. “The ‘sun of wisdom’ (Nam-myoho-renge-kyo) is capable of dissolving them all” (Gosho Zenshu, p. 786).

Chanting from the heart solidifies the condition of Buddhahood as the basis of our existence, which is described by the Daishonin as “the unchanging reality which reigns over all of life’s functions” (WND, 832). When Buddhahood is firmly established as the basis of our lives, we gain self-control without being defeated by the five poisons—greed, anger, foolishness, arrogance and doubt.

After chanting, we can return to the reality of our daily lives, acting with renewed confidence to touch the lives of other people and reach our goals. As the Daishonin states, “The purpose of the appearance in this world of Shakyamuni Buddha, the lord of teachings, lies in his behavior as a human being” (WND, 852).

Lastly, President Ikeda writes about the meaning of prayer in Buddhism, referring to the concept of a pledge or vow in The New Human Revolution. He says to a pioneer member in Brazil: “Prayer in Nichiren Buddhism means to chant daimoku based on a pledge or vow. At its very core, this vow is to attain kosen-rufu. It means chanting resolutely with the determination: ‘I will attain kosen-rufu in Brazil. Therefore, I will show magnificent actual proof in my work. Please enable me to bring forth my greatest potential.’ This is what our prayer should be like.

“It is also important that we establish clear and concrete goals for what we hope to achieve each day and then pray and challenge ourselves to achieve each of them. This earnest determination gives rise to wisdom and resourcefulness, thereby leading to success. In short, to win in life we need determination and prayer, effort and ingenuity. It is misguided to dream of getting rich quick, expecting to encounter a rare stroke of luck or some shrewd moneymaking scheme. This is not faith. It is mere fantasy” (The New Human Revolution, vol. 1, pp. 250–251).

Summary of key points

• Chant with your entire being or with the spirit that “Nam-myoho-renge-kyo is

like the roar of a lion.”

• Chant with clear and concrete goals.

• Chant with the determination “I will win no matter what.”

• Chant with the vow to help achieve kosen-rufu.

“Everybody can be great…because anybody can serve. You don’t have to have a college degree to serve. You don’t have to make your subject and verb to agree to serve. You only need a heart full of grace. A soul generated by love.” ~Martin Luther King Jr.

~Many of you may be serving your local communities in a myriad of volunteer projects or attending special events, off from work or school and holding your own celebrations.

Here are a couple of links about the Holiday:

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Martin_Luther_King,_Jr._Day

www.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,1872501,00.html

www.factmonster.com › Cool Stuff › Holiday

What does this day mean to you? How are you celebrating? Are you being of service to your community? Feel free to leave you thoughts, comments etc.

Liz Isaacs

Lotus Writing & Communications

Bloomington, IN

812.336.1645 office

http://lotuswritingcommunications.net

http://lotuswritingcommunications.wordpress.com

http://lizwrites.wordpress.com

WE REALLY ARE POWERFUL BEYOND MEASURE!

Please enjoy the video and reading….

One of my favorite personal empowerment quotes by Marianne Williamson (Course of Miracles, etc.) which is often attributed to Nelson Mandela and was in the movie “Akeelah and the Bee”:

“Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness, that most frightens us.

We ask ourselves, who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, and fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be?

You are a child of God ( child of the Buddha). Your playing small doesn’t serve the world.

There’s nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won’t feel insecure around you.

We are all meant to shine, as children do. We are born to make manifest the glory of God (our Buddha nature) that is within us. It’s not just in some of us, it’s in everyone.

And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same.

As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.”

http://thinkexist.com/quotes/marianne_williamson

What’s your deepest fear/s? And how to you plan to over come it or them? Please leave your comments.

You’re voices have been heard. 2011 promises  to be an exceptional blogging year for lizwrites—As I am writing this, guest bloggers who are authors, screenwriters, journalists and fellow bloggers to write about various writing genres, general freelance writing opportunities, the book and screenwriting processes and other writing related topics; book reviews, movie reviews, interviews and much more are currently being scheduled.

We will still have other fun contests, giveaways, downloads, e-books, tools, writing courses, webinars, teleseminars, Buddhist or other spiritual and inspiration content. We also may talk some more in detail about the film making process too.

Thanks for those who have already signed up. If you are interested, in being a guest blogger, want us to review book or movie or would like us to interview you, please contact:

Liz Isaacs

Lotus Writing & Communications

Bloomington, IN

812.336.1645 office

http://lotuswritingcommunications.net

http://lotuswritingcommunications.wordpress.com

http://lizwrites.wordpress.com

liz@lotuswritingcommunications.net

info@lotuswritingcommunications.net

Looking forward to serving your creative writing needs in 2011!

Let’s make it an exceptional rockin’ year in writing!

Please let us know if you ever want to see us cover a particular topic!

My viral pals  author interviewer & book reviewer Joey Pinkney and Elaine Jacoby are my literary muses for this piece.

Joey, whom I am very well-connected on several networks, posted on Facebook something about wanting to know what his ‘friends’ got to read for the Holidays and proceeded to post on his page and blog. Then remembering a book app invite from my friend Elaine over the holidays  on “Which of the 100 books have you read by the BBC?” I decided to post on Facebook and my blogs.

Anyway, Santa, Chanukah Harry, Buddha Bob and the cosmos were very good to me this season in the literary sense. I got 4 books.

3 signed copies:

• Susan Gunelius of Key Splash Creative‘s  “30-Minute Social Media Marketing”-I am quoted on  pp.170-171. (The 3rd book  I am mentioned or quoted in).

• Fellow 2009  “Rock The World with your Online Presence”  Winner, Mark Amtower’s “Why Epiphanies Never Occur to Couch Potatoes” and his “Selling to the Government–What It Takes to Compete and Win in the World’s Largest Market”. http://www.FederalDirect.net

Reviews and Interviews for these books will be on my biz blog, Amazon.com etc.

The 4th book: Eknath Easwaran’s “Conquest of the Mind–Take charge of your thoughts & reshape your life through meditation”.

Just so you know I scored 42/100 on Elaine’s  BBC Book quiz. Would have scored higher if I had finished all those Tolkein, Jane Austen novels, Rebecca and few others.  Did see a lot of those movie adaptations, I guess that’s putting my college degree to good use (BA, Telecommunications/Area Studies, Film Studies) to good use. Thought my score was funny since I am a writer.

If you are on Facebook and want to see how you fair in the literary department, here’s the URL: http://bit.ly/hKFORs .

So, what are some of your Holiday reads? What books do recommend this Holiday season? What books would recommend to propel us into 2011?

I am looking forward to hearing from you….thanks for popping by and replying.

This year, 2010-the Year of Endless Possibilities, I am restating my vow to promise you my readers those things I mentioned last year, plus giving you updates on my book-”For This I Got Sober,” which will be humorous and inspirational in nature as well as updates on my other personal writing projects.

There will author interviews, writing chats, book and movie reviews,  contests  and other related writing topics that will be more engaging.  For my Buddhist readers there will still be relevant info posted on the blog with daily links to Buddhist Food 4 Thought and other tidbits of info.

These changes have been brought about from comments from my friends and other readers. I hope this won’t change in your patronage which I have greatly appreciated since the inception of this blog in September 2008 which started out as something random.

Looking forward to chatting with you all more in the days, weeks, months and year ahead. The pieces will have more graphics, video/audio and other appealing elements as well as listing pertinent links in the readings and blog roll.

Please, let me know if you have any further questions. Again, thank you for your patronage.

Happy Writing!

~Liz

Taking good care of our health is most important. In particular, it is vital for those who are advanced in years to get sufficient rest to avoid becoming fatigued. Sleep is the best medicine. I also hope you will put your wisdom to work and find various ways to improve and maintain your health.

Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda
Wednesday, December 30, 2009 ( Buddhism Day by Day)

Defeat for a Buddhist lies not in encountering difficulties but rather in not challenging them. Difficulties only truly become our destiny if we run away from them. We must fight as long as we live.

From the Writings of Nichiren Daishonin
Wednesday, December 30, 2009

In the yard around the hut the snow piled deeper and deeper. No one came to see me; my only visitor was the piercing wind. Great Concentration and Insight and the Lotus Sutra lay open before my eyes, and Nam-myoho-renge-kyo flowed from my lips. My evenings passed in discourse to the moon and stars on the fallacies of the various schools and the profound meaning of the Lotus Sutra. Thus, one year gave way to the next.

Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda
Wednesday, December 9, 2009

Faith means infinite hope, and infinite hope resides in the SGI. As long as your faith is sincere, infinite glory, boundless good fortune and endless victory will unfold before you. You will never find yourselves at a dead end.

Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda
Wednesday, December 9, 2009 (Buddhist Food 4 Thought)

Florence Nightingale, the founder of the modern nursing profession, proudly declared: “Let us be anxious to do well, not for selfish praise but to honor and advance the cause, the work we have taken up.” The spirit to fulfill a noble mission is pure, strong, and beautiful. It is a spirit that we all should emulate.

From the Writings of Nichiren Daishonin
Wednesday, December 9, 2009 (Daily Wisdom)

“How great is the difference between the blessings received when a sage chants the daimoku and the blessings received when we chant it?” To reply, one is in no way superior to the other. The gold that a fool possesses is in no way different from the gold that a wise man possesses; a fire made by a fool is the same as a fire made by a wise man. However, there is a difference if one chants the daimoku while acting against the intent of this sutra.

Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda
Tuesday, December 8, 2009

Joy is not simply your personal, egoistic happiness. Nor is it making others happy at the expense of your own happiness. You and others delighting together, you and others becoming happy together-this is the Mystic Law and the wondrous thing about our realm of kosen-rufu. The Daishonin states, “Joy means that both oneself and others have wisdom and compassion” (Gosho Zenshu, p. 761).

Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda
Tuesday, December 8, 2009 (Buddhism Day by Day)

Education allows us to be truly human. It deepens us and enables us to build a better society and a brighter future. The profundity of education determines the profundity of culture, the nature of society and the firmness of peace. Education plays a major role in creating deep solidarity, mutual understanding and trust.

From the Writings of Nichiren Daishonin
Tuesday, December 8, 2009 (Daily Wisdom)

Gold can neither be burned by fire nor corroded or swept away by water, but iron is vulnerable to both. A wise person is like gold and a fool like iron. You are like pure gold because you embrace the “gold” of the Lotus Sutra. The Lotus Sutra reads in part, “Sumeru is the loftiest of all mountains. The Lotus Sutra is likewise the loftiest of all the sutras.” It also states, “The good fortune of the believer cannot be burned by fire or washed away by water.”

Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda
Sunday, December 6, 2009 (Buddhism Day by Day)

Human society can be full of contradictions. It can be unfair; unforgiving, too. Yet we cannot afford to turn our backs to the world. A person who does loses, and no excuse can gloss that over. Given a choice whether to sink or swim, one must swim to the very end, no matter how the seas around us may rage.

From the Writings of Nichiren Daishonin
Sunday, December 6, 2009 (Daily Wisdom)

You have associated with a friend in the orchid room and have become as straight as mugwort growing among the hemp. If you will truly give consideration to the troubles I have been describing and put entire faith in these words of mine, then the winds will blow gently, the waves will be calm, and in no time at all we will enjoy bountiful harvests.