All The benefits of the Lotus Sutra can be realized by chanting the six syllables Nam Myo Ho Ren Ge Kyo
Chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo 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.
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| Chanting The Lotus Sutra - gongyo e daimoku - Click Image |
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| Nam Myoho Renge Kyo - Ancient Chants, Blissful Grooves - Click Image |
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| Daimoku: Chanting Nam-Myoho-Renge-Kyo. LIVE FROM INDIA - Click Image |
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THE LOTUS SUTRA
What is NAM-MYOHO-RENGE-KYO?
The phrase NAM-MYOHO-RENGE-KYO is taken from the title of the greatest teaching of the first historically recorded Buddha, known as Siddhartha Gautama or Shakyamuni Buddha, who lived in India around 500 years before Christ was born. This teaching, called the Lotus Sutra, declares that all living beings, regardless of gender or intelligence (that means everyone - including you and me!), have the potential to attain Buddhahood. In the Lotus Sutra, Shakyamuni Buddha teaches that inside each one of us a universal truth known as the Buddha nature. Basing our lives on this Buddha nature enables us to enjoy absolute happiness and to act with boundless compassion. Such a state of happiness is called enlightenment. It's simply waking up to the true nature of life, realizing that all things are connected, and that there is such a close relationship between each of us and our surroundings that when we change ourselves, we change the world.
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In the 13th Century, a Japanese
priest called Nichiren (1222-1282) realised that the message of the Lotus
Sutra was summed up by its title, NAM-MYOHO-RENGE-KYO, which can be translated
as the teaching of the lotus flower of the wonderful law. Nichiren
declared that all of the benefits of the wisdom contained in the Lotus
Sutra can be realized by chanting this title NAM-MYOHO-RENGE-KYO. Since
the time of Nichiren many, many millions of people have followed his advice,
chanting NAM-MYOHO-RENGE-KYO regularly as a means of improving their health,
happiness, wisdom and compassion. The
goal of chanting NAM-MYOHO-RENGE-KYO is
to manifest the enlightenment of the Buddha in our own lives. We can then
realise our own creative potential as individuals and, in so doing, create
thriving and peaceful families, work places and communities. Eventually
this gradual transformation of individuals will create peace and prosperity
in societies throughout the world.
http://www.comp.glam.ac.uk/pages/staff/srharris/nmhrk/whatis.htm
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Power Of Nam Myoho Renge Kyo
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THE LOTUS SUTRA
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
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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.
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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.
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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.
CHANTING NAM MYOHO RENGE KYO
"When deluded, one is called an
ordinary being, but when enlightened, one is called a Buddha. This is
similar to a tarnished mirror that will shine like a jewel when
polished. A mind now clouded by the illusions of the innate darkness of
life is like a tarnished mirror, but when polished, it is sure to
become like a clear mirror, reflecting the essential nature of
phenomena and the true aspect of reality. Arouse deep faith, and
diligently polish your mirror day and night. How should you polish it?
Only by chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo."
--Nichiren, On Attaining Buddhahood in This Lifetime
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Tina Turner on Chanting The Lotus Sutra
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