When I saw Danni El last Sunday, she got me to promise her that I would practice a Buddhist chant, a mantra, if you will, called NAM MYOHO RENGE KYO. She told me to practice chanting this mantra for 15 minutes every day when I wake up, and 15 minutes before I go to bed at night. So, Every morning, and every night, I set the timer for 15 minutes, sit on a chair or on my bed, concentrate, and start chanting, and I gotta tell you... it's FREAKING HARD!!! My eyes water, I start to yawn, my back starts to ache, lots of different images flood my mind and try to mess with my concentration, etc. But, I will persevere, I will keep pushing. If it's one thing I learned from the Martial Arts, It's to keep pushing.
So, What is NAM MYOHO RENGE KYO? What does it stand for? Well, I'll let this article from SOKKA GAI INTERNATIONAL - USA explain that. You can find thier website in the sidebar under MANKIND'S MANY PATHS TO GOD.
Nam-myoho-renge-kyo
The invocation of Nam-myoho-renge-kyo was established by Nichiren Daishonin on April 28, 1253. Having studied widely among all the Buddhist sutras, he had concluded that the Lotus Sutra contains the ultimate truth of Buddhism: that everyone without exception has the potential to attain Buddhahood. The title of the Lotus Sutra in its Japanese translation is Myoho-renge-kyo. But to Nichiren, Myoho-renge-kyo was far more than the title of a Buddhist text, it was the expression, in words, of the Law of life which all Buddhist teachings in one way or another seek to clarify. What follows is a brief and unavoidably limited explanation of some of the key concepts expressed by this phrase.
Nam
The word nam derives from Sanskrit. A close translation of its meaning is "to devote oneself." Nichiren established the practice of chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo as a means to enable all people to put their lives in harmony or rhythm with the law of life, or Dharma. In the original Sanskrit, nam indicates the elements of action and attitude, and refers therefore to the correct action one needs to take and the attitude one needs to develop in order to attain Buddhahood in this lifetime.
Myoho
Myoho literally means the Mystic Law, and expresses the relationship between the life inherent in the universe and the many different ways this life expresses itself. Myo refers to the very essence of life, which is "invisible" and beyond intellectual understanding. This essence always expresses itself in a tangible form (ho) that can be apprehended by the senses. Phenomena (ho) are changeable, but pervading all such phenomena is a constant reality known as myo.
Renge
Renge means lotus flower. The lotus blooms and produces seeds at the same time, and thus represents the simultaneity of cause and effect. The circumstances and quality of our individual lives are determined by the causes and effects, both good and bad, that we accumulate (through our thoughts, words and actions) at each moment. This is called our "karma." The law of cause and effect explains that we each have personal responsibility for our own destiny. We create our destiny and we can change it. The most powerful cause we can make is to chant Nam-myoho-renge-kyo; the effect of Buddhahood is simultaneously created in the depths of our life and will definitely manifest in time.
The lotus flower grows and blooms in a muddy pond, and yet remains pristine and free from any defilement, symbolizing the emergence of Buddhahood from within the life of an ordinary person.
Kyo
Kyo literally means sutra, the voice or teaching of a Buddha. In this sense, it also means sound, rhythm or vibration. Also, the Chinese character for kyo originally meant the warp in a piece of woven cloth, symbolizing the continuity of life throughout past, present and future. In a broad sense, kyo conveys the concept that all things in the universe are a manifestation of the Mystic Law.
Primary Practice
Chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo--also known as "Daimoku"—is the primary practice of SGI members. Through this practice, one is able to reveal the state of Buddhahood in one's life, experienced as the natural development of joy, increased vitality, courage, wisdom and compassion.
So, will chanting NAM MYOHO RENGE KYO help make all my dreams come true, or make me an elightened being? I don't know. However, I will keep my promise and practice this chant morning and night. And I'll see where this journey takes me.
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