How Much Daimoku Should We Chant?

DAIMOKU charges our batteries. 

If we take care to regularly charge our batteries, 

then we'll always be full of energy and vitality. 

If we fail to keep our batteries charged, 

we won't have energy when we need it most 

and as a result may be defeated by our environment.

Daisaku Ikeda, Daily Guidance, October 17th

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

President Ikeda's guidance on how much daimoku we should Chant:

"Chanting is a process of polishing and forging our lives, which is why our faith is so important. 

Consequently, the benefit of chanting 

Nam Myoho Renge Kyo 

is absolutely not dependent on the amount we chant. 

What matters is that we chant to our own heart's content, the amount that feels right and satisfying for us. 

Nowhere in his writings 

does the Daishonin say 

we should chant a specific quantity. 

The efficacy of our prayers 

is influenced by the strength and depth of our faith, 

and by our determination and attitude. 

At the same time, sincerely resolving 

to chant a specific amount is also an expression of faith. 

We can chant the amount we've decided on each day, 

while continually renewing and deepening our resolve. 

It's also important that we chant honestly and openly, 

just as we are. 

All of us face times of worry, 

anguish and sadness in our lives. 

When we do, we can feel free 

to go straight to the Gohonzon with our suffering 

and chant about it wholeheartedly, 

just like a child seeking its mother's warm embrace."

"There’s no need to worry. 

You don’t need to feel pressured 

about the amount of daimoku you have to chant. 

Even chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo just once 

has incredible power.

Nichiren Daishonin writes: 

“If you recite . . . the daimoku [even] once, 

then the Buddha nature of all living beings 

will be summoned and gather around you” (WND-1, 131). You will receive tremendous benefit 

from just a single, sincere utterance 

of Nam-myoho-renge-kyo. 

That’s how powerful the Mystic Law is. 

On the other hand, just because that’s true, doesn’t mean we should use it as an excuse to avoid chanting Daimoku! After all, as the Daishonin says: 

“IT IS THE HEART THAT IS IMPORTANT” (WND-1, 1000)"

Living Buddhism, Sep./Oct. 2011, pg. 74 & 75

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

In the picture above I'm sitting looking across the Rio Grande river, near Aspen, Colorado, into a beautiful glade. The river is rushing over the rocks and continuing on its path. I'm watching the yellow aspen leaves falling, dancing, glowing in the sun, and the river, going right over those boulders. I'm thinking of how on Tuesday, the 20th of October, I will be celebrating the completion of 30 years of chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo every morning and every evening, in serious practice for my life, and all of life. 

My practice has been a flowing river with various sizes of boulders. Unquestionably the biggest boulders have been this year, when I completed my divorce and my son Ben died. And as I'm watching that water go right around that boulder I'm reflecting on the resiliency of my own life ~ and strengthening my determination that my next 30 years of practice will be even stronger, and more magnificent, not in spite of my son dying, but because of it. 

I can't say I understand it all yet, but I feel much stronger, and more connected to people who are suffering. 

I posted that quote by Sensei because I made a determination to chant two hours a day a few weeks ago, and I make it most days, and there are a few days I don't, and I don't beat myself up over it. I know I've strengthened my determination for kosen-rufu, and am working harder for my fellow members. 

And I feel great. I've gotten more invitations to give my speech "Growing older, Bolder, BETTER" and I'm moving forward. This week I had to replace all my electronics and I forged fearlessly ahead on my own! 

Last night I attended a concert at the Chicago Culture Center after bringing a member for guidance. This morning I am spending with my son Aaron! Wonderful! 

I hope you enjoy your day! 

11 Tips for Terrific Tosos (How to Chant Joyfully for Longer Times)

Sometimes SGI Buddhists like to chant for longer times. No one has to do this, or is expected to chant a toso. But sometimes we just want to! No one will ever judge you if you don't want to join in, but we will support you if you do. 
A group of us are gathering at my house to chant from 5:00 until 8:00 tomorrow evening. Wonderful! 

When I first began chanting a leader told me our lives and our karma can be compared to a glass with dirt at the bottom. The dirt represents the karma that exists inside our lives. She said when you start to chant you stir up that dirt and see it swirling around...and if you want to really dig deep and clear it out, you might want to chant a Daimoku Toso (chant Nam-myoho-renge-kyo for an hour or longer) and to set a goal with specific time targets to chant per day...to do a Million Daimoku Campaign we call it. 

A reader requested I share some ideas about chanting joyfully, and with concentration - especially since so many of you are challenging yourselves to chant for longer periods of time. Thank you for asking.

Please do not copy and paste the 11 Powerful Tips. Please share by sending the chantforhappiness.com url or using the share buttons at the bottom of the post. Thank you! Jamie

11 Powerful tips:
How to Joyfully Chant for Longer Times.
Toso Power! 
From Chantforhappiness.com by Jamie Lee Silver

1. Realize that what you are about to do...chanting longer than usual ~ doing a Daimoku Toso (The word "Toso" is usually used for chanting periods of one hour or longer)  - has profound significance for your life. Give yourself credit for this worthy goal.  

2. Write your goal or goals. (Some of these goals may occur to you naturally as you're chanting) Write yourself a Power Prayer (fresh determination) connected to the greater good...to the real difference you want to make in the world. 

Remember that you are a precious votary of the Lotus Sutra and when you break through, the energy is forever changed. You are paving the way for others to break through ~ Your Happiness is IMPORTANT! 

So address that in your goals and in your chanting For example: 

"I am determined to have the most beautiful, loving relationship so that I can totally inspire other people that great relationships are possible ...I can show actual proof with my life, and be able to introduce others to this practice!" 

President Ikeda's guidance says you can chant to have 10,000 times more power in your prayer. So I usually dedicate some time to chanting to increase the power of my daimoku by 10,000 times! 

3. Have your favorite drinks close by...tea...water...soft drinks...whatever you like. 

4. DEMAND your results! YOU are the Buddha! Do not beg favors from a 'higher power." Remember the Gohonzon cannot get down off the scroll and do the Buddha's work in the world. YOU actually are the Gohonzon; it is inside your life. The scroll is a reflection of the highest life condition that exists within your own life. So when you are chanting CLAIM what is yours! Yes, the Gohonzon consists of the functions in the universe that are in our lives. Tell your life what you want. 

5. All change comes from within. Take responsibility for your life...not blame. Realize whatever you are going through, whatever is causing you to chant...it's your karma..not your FAULT. Chant to reach the very core of that karma and root it out forever. THEN your life circumstances and environment will change to reflect it. You don't have to figure out the deeper cause, don't worry about getting it right. Chanting is experiential, not an intellectual exercise.  

6. Keep your favorite study material close by...whatever touches your heart when you read it. And if you find yourself losing focus open it up to any page you want. I have "For Today and Tomorrow" next to me right now. I just opened it for you right now...I read "When we chant sonorous daimoku, the sun rises in our hearts. We are filled with power. Compassion wells forth. Our lives are lit with joy. Our wisdom shines. All Buddhas and Buddhist deities throughout the universe go to work on our behalf. Life becomes exhilarating." Read your passage and get right back to chanting!!!

7. Invite others to chant with you!

8. Have pen and paper handy. You'll want to write down those brilliant ideas that come into your mind while you're chanting. You'll also want to write down some of those pesky thoughts and reminders that keep coming back...things like "remember to buy dog food." Just write it down and eject it from your brain so you can focus on what really matters.

9. Put your telephone away. Tell people you are busy. 

10. After you chant write in your journal. Write to me too. I love to hear your successes and your challenges. I will only share your victories with your permission! Write me at Chantforhappiness.@gmail.com. 

11. Some obstacles might arise after your toso. And just say "Hello obstacles! I was expecting you!" When you take on the mission to change your karma for yourself and others you can compare it to turning your speedboat to HIGH. The faster you go, the more resistance you feel. 

Above all - Don't give up! You CAN change your problems into benefits. You ARE the Buddha! 

I am chanting for you to accomplish your goals and shine with happiness. 

If you are using the PowerPrayers please let me know how they are working for you! Email me at chantforhappiness@gmail.com

I'd love to hear from those of you who have connected to the SGI through my blog!
I am sharing your stories with Daisaku Ikeda, Sensei.

Email me at chantforhappiness@gmail.com 

When We Change the World Changes ~ PowerPrayer and Quote

It's Spring in Some Parts of the World! 

Yesterday I could FEEL your Daimoku for me and my son. Thank you so much. 

And I could feel the power of my own prayer, vow and determination. 

After I wrote yesterday's blog 

I chanted this 

Power Prayer to Love MySELF 

and Change the World!

By Jamie Lee Silver from Chantforhappiness.com 

Life!

Gohonzon!

By the power vested in me as a Votary of the lotus Sutra 

I hereby bring from within my life  

Extreme love of my life itself! 

I love myself more than I have ever loved myself.

I Glow! 

Let my light shine brighter 

and help more people every day! 

Make every moment of the day, 

every thought in my mind,  

every breath I breathe 

be a positive cause 

for my life and for everyone's life. 

I am living as the Buddha at each moment...

I AM the Buddha who lives with the desire for happiness for the whole world through happiness for herself. 

Shoten Zenjin! 

Protective Forces of the Universe

Come down from that Gohonzon

and come forth from within my life

root yourselves in this planet, 

in all of our lives, 

in all I touch

and in my son's mind, body and life.

Let me inspire people TODAY 

in the midst of my challenges! 

Through my challenges I will change the world! 

~~~~~

And what a fantastic day! I had lunch with a remarkable woman who is going to be my great friend and is coming to the Gosho Lecture at my house tomorrow. 

I spent time with a brilliant executive at my company. We had a deep dialogue that planted seeds for many new advances in my ability to help others through what I do. 

And I went to the hospital to see my son. 

He actually picked up the guitar and played one of his original compositions for me and another family. He has not played that song in over a year. 

As I was closing my eyes to sleep I could feel your Daimoku. I could feel it. And I appreciate all the  encouraging emails. Thank you so much. 

I am more determined than ever to defeat this devil of an illness and to help all the families who are being rocked to the core by it. I'm determined that my son live a valuable and happy life. And I am determined that YOU who are reading this blog WIN in all aspects of your life! 

In the April 4th World Tribune Guadalupe Calderon quoted President Ikeda's guidance on page B

"When we change, 
the world changes. 
The key to all change 
is in our inner transformation ~ 
a change in our hearts and minds. 
This is human revolution. 
We all have the power to change. 
When we realize this truth of life, 
we can bring forth that power anywhere, 
anytime and in any situation." 

Million Daimoku Campaign Update ~

How is the campaign going for you? It's not too late to join. Just send an email saying you're keeping track of 300 hours of Daimoku. I'd like to post some reports from you. Please email me at chantforhappiness@gmail.com to let me know how it's going and to share your determinations if you'd like. 

Many of you have joined the Worldwide Million Daimoku Campaign, and it's not too late to join. 
Just set your sights on chanting 300 hours of Nam-myoho-renge-kyo, write your goals for yourself and make or download a chart where you fill in the time you are chanting to add up to 300 hours. You can do a search on 
daimokucharts.org and download one for yourself. Or just make one - it doesn't have to be fancy. 
Most SGI members have goals they have set to reach by November 18th. 


It is natural to experience challenges and negativity after starting a Daimoku campaign. Think of it this way. Your regular life is like a plane going slowly down the runway. There's no resistance from the wind. When you start your daimoku campaign you turn the engines on and rev them up for takeoff, and start going faster. 

What happens to the wind resistance? It increases because your speed increases...just like your obstacles increase when you start a million daimoku campaign. 

But remember, those obstacles are EXACTLY what you need to get to the next level of happiness in your life. Remember the Gosho lecture I wrote about last month. You Summoned those obstacles for your own growth and so you can change your karma forever. 
Think of them as another log on the fire! And as long as you keep chanting, as long as you don't stop, you will take off sailing into the sky. Yes the wind resistance will still be there, but so will all the benefits of being able to look down on all your problems that looked so big while you were on the ground, but now look so much smaller from the air. 

And you will be able to soar over those problems and change them all ~ one after another ~ as your new life flies on and on with the wind of daimoku beneath your wings! 


And now, for November 18th - shakubuku is key. I'm dedicating all my daimoku to helping at least one person discover and reveal their infinite potential through chanting the Mystic Law! 

PowerPrayer for Overcoming Obstacles (Sansho Shima!)

SGI World Headquarters in Tokyo, Japan

November 18th ~ the opening of the new Worldwide Headquarters of the SGI is getting closer. Many of us are determined to permanently change our karma between now and then. Many of us are challenging shakubuku goals and personal goals. And we are facing obstcles, of course! 
I know my obstacles have risen up in front of me like a huge wall. I also know, that as Daisaku Ikeda states, on the other side of every wall is a HUGE expanse. I am determined to get there. Below is a PowerPrayer for Overcoming (and recognizing) Obstacles. 

As you know, in any worthy endeavor obstacles HAVE to arise. They are a natural function of life. But the important question is this ~ Can we see them for what they are, necessary obstacles to FUEL our determination and make us chant HARDER? Or are we FOOLED by them into thinking "Oh well, I guess I wasn't supposed to do this anyway" and then give up? Are we stuck blaming the other person or the obstacle, or can we see them for what they ARE - our own karma to change? It is up to each of us to either determine to win, or just succumb to losing.

The first step is recognizing them for what they are:
"When devilish functions are recognized for what they are, they lose their power."
Daisaku Ikeda, June 2013, Living Buddhism page 23. 

The second step is rousing our determination and roaring from the depths of our lives with the full force of the Nam-myoho-renge-kyo we are! 

(Please do not copy and paste this PowerPrayer. If you wish to share it please cut and past the url or share it using the buttons at the bottom of the post. This PowerPrayer is copywritten and from Julia Landis' and my upcoming book The BuddhaZone, PowerPrayers for Chanting Your Way to Absolute Happiness and Success)

PowerPrayers are meant to be kept in mind while chanting to help focus on outcomes. 
Please email chantforhappiness@gmail.com with your victories from using these PowerPrayers and you could be in my second book.

PowerPrayer for Winning Over Obstacles (Sansho Shima):

Hello, Sansho Shima, 
I was expecting you.
I recognize you for what you are.

Sansho Shima, I see you for what you are! 
No way! 
Not this time
Not any more. 
I'm in charge now.
I AM Nam-myoho-renge-kyo
I am roaring like a lion.
You  are not real, you  have no power here.
On the contrary, 
I take your pure energy now, and though my Daimoku I make you my ally, instead. 
Shoten Zenjin! Support me in every single action I take towards my goal. I am doing the Buddha's work on earth. Support me in every way!

I now use this obstacle to refuel my determination
and I will chant   ______  number of hours
every day until until I have ultimate victory.
I will win over_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Sansho Shima, I am now turning you into Shoten Zenjin! 
You are now the cause 
for victory in the lives of those I will
encourage by sharing this story.
You are now part of a powerful 
and inspirational story of victory.

Sansho Shima! You don't scare me! 
I am raising my life condition
and the life condition of ALL 
by challenging and winning over YOU Sansho Shima! 

Rooooaaaaarrrrrrrr!
Nam-myoho-renge-kyo!

PowerPrayer for Absolute Happiness

What is Absolute Happiness? 

It is unshakable confidence in our OWN life.

It is the knowledge that 

what we do makes a difference... 

Who we ARE makes a difference...

Our lives are meaningful everyday, and we are using our potential to bring out the best in ourselves and others. 

Absolute Happiness is being strong 

in the face of any blowing wind, 

and having the courage to sit down, once more, face the Gohonzon (our lives) and chant truthfully with a seeking spirit to be able to change on the inside so that what we can overcome any hardship or reach any goal. 

Absolute Happiness is 

NEVER being defeated...

never giving up, 

and somehow,having the faith to en-courage others even while facing our own storms. 

Absolute happiness lies in being able to chant wholeheartedly for others, no matter whether we feel they wronged us or not. It is the knowledge that we are all connected, and when we light the way for another, we light it for ourselves. 

Absolute happiness is KNOWING that every one of our obstacles or problems can be a springboard for growth, a reason to chant harder with deeper concentration, and for a longer time...and that we WILL win!

Absolute happiness is knowing that never, never, never is the way lost, because we chant Nam-myoho-renge-kyo, we have a wise mentor in life, and we have our friends in the Soka Gakkai by our sides. 

The following is an excerpt from our upcoming book

The BuddhaZone, 

           PowerPrayers for Chanting Your Way 

                                           to Absolute Happiness

PowerPrayer for Absolute Happiness

You have arrived! Go ahead, chant your way to absolute happiness. We've done it. We've proved the power of this prayer. Now it's your turn. If we can do it, you can do it.

Core Strengthening PowerPrayer to chant when experiencing unhappiness of any kind

I am determined to experience my brilliant Buddha-self. 

I am determined to raise my life condition. 

I am determined to develop a strong— 

strong 

core of life 

so that NOTHING 

will bring me to this state of unhappiness ever again. 

I am determined to strengthen my life 

from deep within 

and to radiate happiness wherever I go. 

I don't CARE if unhappiness 

keeps rearing its ugly head along the way. 

I WILL WIN and I will defeat it forever. 

I will defeat you, unhappiness.

I am determined to become happy so I can inspire others to become happy. 

If I can become happy, anyone can become happy.

As I am chanting I am strengthening my life now!

I now embrace absolute happiness 

as my mission.

I will use my happiness to inspire others to chant! 

Love YourSelf ~ Keep Your Eyes Open While Chanting and Enjoy your Daimoku!

One of my early Buddhist mentors said we should greet the Gohonzon as we would a lover...to have that feeling of love in our hearts while we are chanting. 

We are, after all, greeting ourselves, aren't we? 

And love for ourselves is the most crucial and key element of happiness and contentment that makes all things flourish. Since our environment is a reflection of ourselves, it makes so much sense to fill our hearts and ourselves with self love. 

I recently saw the beginning of a video of a person I really respect ~ Louise Hay, founder of Hay House Publishing. She is now in her eighties and STILL living a vibrant, exciting and contributive life. Her main message was that all happiness stems from loving yourself. That's where it begins and ends. 

How do we love ourselves? 

I believe this is a life-long journey with many facets and twists and turns in the road. And I KNOW that I made huge strides the moment I decided to speak nicely to myself in my head. I challenge you to stop saying mean things to yourself. 

Stop calling yourself a failure, or an idiot, or stupid ~ stop getting mad at your imperfections and focus on words of praise! 

Tell yourself "Look how far you've come! you are definitely on the right track! I am so proud of you!" It might sound corny, but being NICE to yourself will change your life. So will making a vow with yourself not to complain. 

I think how we greet the Gohonzon is key to how we greet our lives, because the Gohonzon, is, after all, our life itself. 

I offer you these quotes from Sensei! 

Enjoy!

Daisaku Ikeda says:
"It's best to keep your eyes open 
and to look at the Gohonzon. 
It's generally considered impolite 
not to look others in the eye while talking to them. 
This is also true 
when we are facing and addressing the Gohonzon 
as we do Gongyo and chant daimoku. 
If you do close your eyes occasionally, 
there's no need to worry. 
It's just that when we close our eyes, 
it can be more difficult 
to commune strongly with the Gohonzon. 
This, of course, 
does not apply to people who are blind 
or vision-impaired 
who need to simply chant or do gongyo 
to the Gohonzon within their hearts. " 
From Faith in Action page 122. 

Also:

"It's very important to sit before the Gohonzon 
as though going to meet the original Buddha, 
Nichiren Daishonin, 
and that daimoku and gongyo be enjoyable. 
What's most important 
is that you continue 
in your Buddhist practice throughout life. 
There's no need to be overly concerned with formality." Faith in Action, Page 122

An Honored Birthday ~ and New Beginnings

Today would have been my sweet Mommy's 81st birthday. 
I know that sounds old to many of you...but to some I'm sure it doesn't. You know I spent many years working in a nursing home. I once heard a 99 year old man call an 83 year old woman a "youngster"

It really seems fitting that I began the day by chanting two hours of Nam Myoho Renge Kyo with six of the members in my district. It felt so good!  We all have many challenges and much to chant about. That is our benefit. ALL of us are strengthening our life conditions and turning poison into benefit. 


We have also been celebrating the fact that it has been a full year since my teenage friend Shazara "went missing" from her home in the depths of despair and ended up on my doorstep...a complete stranger... but not for long. I invited her in and invited her to chant. One she started, she didn't want to stop. Today she is a very different young lady...she has solved her lifetime problem of being bullied, she is filled with life and enthusiasm and determined to help other teenagers end their pain like she did. This year will be her senior year in High School. I can't wait to see what she will accomplish! 


And it also was just perfect, that on Mom's birthday, Ben and I helped Aaron move into his new rental house close to the Loyola Medical School Campus. He starts Med school on the 30th of August. 
Wow! He has planned for this for so many years. 
He has chanted so much to prepare his life!


I am inspired! And my Mom...she is thrilled and proud! 

Born in San Francisco, a 49er fan for life!

Aaron's shared rental house

Great Colors!

Another Awesome Benefit!

I remembered to get a shot of the sun to show you on Saturday!


This is the second time in my life I have influenced the weather.


I know, I know, it sounds impossible, but I'm going to tell you about it anyway.


The first time was on my wedding day.
December 20th 1987.
We woke up in Oakbrook Illinois and it was so overcast that the clouds were hanging so low that we felt we could touch them. It was a cold, cloudy and ugly day.
My good friend Etjen, who was in my wedding,  joined me and Paul and we chanted for an hour and a half and the sun came out and every single cloud went away. I even had a friend say "Jamie, I KNEW you couldn't be married on a cloudy day!"


Well, this Saturday, the day of Aaron's graduation from the University of illinois,  I looked up the weather for the weekend. Rainy...thunderstorms...not very many clouds...they didn't cover a wide expanse, but there was no wind to blow them away. They were predicted to make things awful all weekend. At least that's what it said on the weather app on my iphone. 


Well, I thought...just the challenge for this votary of the Lotus Sutra!


I chanted sincerely with full concentration for an hour and 15 minutes for the wind to blow the clouds away. I chanted by all the power vested in me as an honorable votary of the Lotus Sutra, just like Nichiren Daishonin, just like YOU. And I could feel my prayer working. I mean it!


And we had two beautiful days. No rain, perfect weather. We spent most of the weekend outside, walking around U of I's quad with Aaron and Ben and every other beautifully dressed family and graduate. It just would not have been the same in the rain!


Remember, Daimoku is for the impossible!! Make it happen!

Chanting for YOU

Part of my chanting each day is dedicated to you. Yes you!

Even if we don't know each other personally, I can chant for you.

I AM CHANTING FOR YOU.

You can send me comments and questions to help me direct my prayers, and help you to focus yours. Remember that our intention and focus while chanting is very significant.

My prayers are not any better than yours...you are as powerful a Buddha as I am. But prayers from another on your behalf are always good!!

Constantly Growing

I feel like a beautiful, exotic plant that is about to burst forth in flower...the stems have grown, the water source is secure, and the sun is in the most favorable condition for me!
My spiritualweightloss.com web site is up and running, I'm writing articles for Megan Gala's magazine, and I am awaiting my business cards in the mail! Every day I run out there like a little kid! I probably would have gone to the Chamber meeting today if I'd gotten them in time...but it wasn't meant to be...no...I got to walk in the sunshine on this glorious day...and I also opened my business account! Woohoo!

And tonight's meeting was awesome. My entire district chanted with me for a whole hour...such heartfelt, life changing daimoku. Next week is the November General Meeting with food and song and new guests...it will be incredible.

Ben's picture is all over the newspapers for coming in tenth at state. I swear, there's a huge article. He definitely WON! Aaron took his big organic chemistry test and thinks he did well...and I'm here with the luxury of having time to chant to my heart's delight...chanting in appreciation and knowing that I'll find the perfect place to live, and I'll be helping people to lose weight and earning a living at the same time. Today I cleaned right down to the dust bunnies in my Butsudan room...all the while saying: "I am clearing this space to make room for all the wonderful things coming into my life right now...I am clearing my space to welcome new energy and income and people into my life! Woohoo!