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 

Feeling Stuck? PowerPrayer to Open Your Life to Change

How do we use PowerPrayers? We read them before chanting to get our minds focused for prayer. And when we are chanting we bring these words to mind...maybe one sentence...maybe a few phrases. There is no need to memorize the entire prayer...just to get the feeling for it, and allow it to bring focus to our daimoku as we chant the name of the Mystic Law  ~ Nam-myoho-renge-kyo with all our heart! 

Powerful Power Prayer to Open Our Lives to Change:

I chant to realize and see the basic life tendencies that don't serve me and are holding me back. 

I chant to see them and root them forever out of my life. 

I chant to release my resistance to change!

I chant to make every action, thought, prayer and feeling a positive cause for my own happiness and for kosen-rufu. I envision a world of happiness for all beings. 

I chant for the wisdom to know what action to take, and then to take it decisively. 

I chant for my life to unfold like the brilliant Lotus it is, and for every day to brim with happiness and hope-full-ness, magic and fulfillment. Every day I chant to make a positive impact in my own life and the lives of those around me. 

I begin my day chanting in gratitude for my health, my protection, my mentor - Daisaku Ikeda, and for having the ichinen (will put into action) to continue to chant. 

Today I also focus my prayer on_____________________________________(you fill in the blank) I am determined to accomplish __________________ to show actual proof of this practice in my life, and to lead others to the law of chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo through my sparkling example of happiness. 

I will defeat every negative function that attempts to hold me back NOW! 

Shoten Zenjin! (Protective forces of the universe in me and in everything) Activate in every way for me NOW!!!


Daisaku Ikeda states in Faith in Action (page 87):

"Buddhism means putting the teachings into practice. Practice equals faith. With a practice of sincere prayer and action, our desires cannot possible fail to be fulfilled. When you continue to apply yourselves to your Buddhist practice towards kosen-rufu. solidifying and gaining mastery in faith, all your prayers will definitely be answered."

How to use PowerPrayers While Chanting

A reader wrote me with this question. 

How do I use a PowerPrayer? 

The real answer is to read them and internalize them. There are many PowerPrayers posted on this blog, and I am soon to release my book PowerPrayers for Chanting for Your Absolute Happiness and Success. (I'm currently ready to find the right literary agent - Agents can contact me at chantforhappiness@gmail.com)

While we are chanting we can actually pray them in our minds as we are chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo (Daimoku) over and over. (Of course we don't have to use PowerPrayers. We can chant whatever is in our hearts, and chant naturally as Daisaku Ikeda says. But I have found, and many have proven, that using these PowerPrayers helps focus our prayers for results. That is why I offer them to you.) 

This morning I chanted for a long time. I have a job interview today, and want to be very focused and alert. 

Many thoughts came into my mind while I was chanting, and I asked myself "What do I want? What do I really want out of this session of chanting?" and I realized that today I want to increase my confidence and experience life as the Buddha I am. I want to end this day not thinking "Oh I wish I'd said that...I wish I'd done that..." So I brought some PowerPrayers to mind. 

I chanted the PowerPrayer "I PRAISE MY LIFE" over and over, until the I was actually praising my life as I was chanting...I was not just thinking about it. I was praising my life. 
I chanted to "Raise my life condition, and to experience every moment of this day as the Buddha I am." I let the prayers run freely in my mind. "I see throught the eyes of the Buddha, I feel with the heart of the Buddha. I am determined to get the best job for kosen-rufu...so I don't have to worry about anything.  I trust my Buddha nature to be present and with me through the whole afternoon." 

This is PowerPrayer in action! 

PowerPrayer for Happiness and Establishing a Strong Practice

Your Happiness starts with you, with your conviction, with your hope and with your power prayer. You can choose happiness in life. But it takes energy to do this! 

How much are you going to put into making your vision a reality? 

I'm getting a quite a few emails from people who want to change their lives, but are not able or willing to put in the effort that it takes to establish a strong practice. 

The Positive Psychologists talk about something called Activation Energy - that is the "start up" energy that is required get something started. Establishing your solid practice requires "Activation Energy" and once this is established you are, as I say, "on a roll". It will affect all areas of my life. But please, don't take my word for it. This is something you must DO to experience. 

I remember when I was concentrating on this activation energy. I knew that the more energy I put into my practice, the less energy I had to use in my daily life. Forcing myself to chant made the rest of the day flow. I had SGI members come and chant with me at night and in the morning for awhile to help me establish this rhythm. (Thank you Dolores and San Francisco members!) 

Here's what it takes: 
Strong Desire - write your goals
Connecting with the SGI, or having a desire to connect with the SGI and including this in your prayers. 
Keeping to a schedule (even if a bit flexible) of chanting twice a day every day. 
Studying the Gosho and President Ikeda's guidance and sharing this practice with others. 

This is the formula for happiness - and you can do it! 

No one can do this for you. You are the only one who can change your karma and the best thing is 
YOU CAN CHANGE YOUR KARMA. 
You CAN do this. 
You CAN be Happy

But you have to do it! No one can do it for you. Once you establish the daily rhythm you WILL notice a difference, unless you are eroding your life by constant complaining and "why me-ing". Find a way to replace the complaints in your mind with appreciation. Your practice will help you to do this. Your thoughts will turn to thoughts of appreciation naturally if you devote yourself to your practice, in other words, to your own life. 

Your happiness is incredibly important in so many ways. It is your birthright, it is your mission, and your happiness makes the world a better place. 

Of course your actions make a difference:

Smiling at another is a cause for your (and their) happiness. Do you know they've done tests and the people you smile at actually register a higher level of happiness just by being smiled at? And your brain registers happiness just by smiling. Isn't that wonderful? 

Power Prayer for Happiness:

Life! 
I am determined to build a life of happiness! 
I am determined to chant every day - twice a day 
from now on! 
I am determined to use ALL my problems 
as fuel for creating victory in all areas of my life. 
I will be happy, healthy, successful 
and have great and fulfilling relationships! 
I am determined to strengthen my practice, 
to chant every day twice a day. 
I WILL do this.

PowerPrayer for Revealing YOUR Buddhahood - Your Brilliant Sparkling and Powerful Self

PowerPrayer for Revealing 

Your Buddha Nature 

and Appreciating YourSELF

"I chant to reveal the pure, sparkling Diamond

of resilience, strength, wisdom-heart

that lies within me. 

I chant to be more and more aware 

of how wonderful I am every single day. 

that every cause I make, 

at every single moment of every day 

is a great cause for my life, 

and all of life, 

and leads me to see more and more of my Buddha nature. 

I chant that my Buddha Nature emerge 

and flow from my life touching everyone I see. 

I chant that I see my life 

as the brilliant sparkling Diamond that it is. 

I chant that throughout the day 

I say only kind words to myself. 

That I praise myself with my every thought. 

I chant to believe in my own goodness 

and to see it revealed in my actions. 

I pray to realize my life as the Buddha I am.

I chant that those around me 

are inspired to begin chanting, 

or to strengthen their practice 

just by seeing my happiness flow. 

I chant to meet the people 
who are looking for the Mystic Law 

and to be able to help them practice.

Let's Enjoy our Lives!

I love this picture, and it is so true. 
In front of the Gohonzon, we create our lives. 
We tell our lives exactly what we want. 
And when we are not in front of the Gohonzon sometimes we have to just take a deep breath 
and enjoy the moment...
just live in the moment. 

Sending you love and peace on this Sunday afternoon. 
My dear friend just agreed to get her Gohonzon on Wednesday. 
May you ALL have friends who decide to practice this month! See the shakubuku PowerPrayer from a few days back. 

PowerPrayers to Strengthen Your Practice and for Unlimited Self Esteem

Good morning. It's early on Sunday morning and I'm heading off downtown to the Tozo going on now.

At the Chicago Buddhist Center I will be chanting for all of you to achieve every single one of your goals and to grow in faith as you complete your million daimoku towards your goals. Please remember you are WORTHY and you are not asking anyone or anything to fulfill your prayers...you are TELLING your life the way it's going to be. "LIFE this is what I want!" and email me if you want to join the campaign or share your goals and pictures with me: chantforhappiness@gmail.com

ALSO ~ do you have any requests for powerprayers on a particular subject...ones that might help great numbers of people? I am about to submit my book soon! Email me! 

Here are two PowerPrayers from my upcoming book of PowerPrayers. The first is for strengthening your practice. The second is for unlimited self-esteem:

PowerPrayer to Establish a Strong Practice 

for Chanting My Way to Absolute Happiness! 

I will chant every morning and every evening 

no matter what. 

I will no longer allow anything to stop me! 

I am establishing the strongest practice imaginable 

and I am becoming so fully resourced in self esteem 

that I fully commit to myself:

I keep my promise 

to myself 

first and foremost 

with the understanding that 

I can only really love/help others 

when I myself have become strong and self-loving.

And it’s very natural for me now to share Nam-myoho-renge-kyo because my life is overflowing with benefits. 

The more I chant, the more I want to chant. 

I look forward to my time with myself 

dialoguing with my own life

and discovering who I really am. 

I feel the connection more deeply every time I chant. 

I see actual proof that my self esteem is rising:

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 

Nothing can stop me from getting to discussion meetings 

and studying SGI periodicals and books. 

I am deepening my understanding of what I study with every Daimoku I chant. 

My eyes are opening.

My depth of understanding is growing! 

Study helps me to see the connection 

between my chanting 

and what I see happening in my life. 

What a privilege! 

PowerPrayer for Unlimited Self Esteem

As I am chanting, 

I am becoming a woman/man/person 

of unlimited self esteem. 

I open my heart to myself and my life. 

I am determined to really love my-self 

in a way I have never done before. 

I am determined to take 

the best and most tender care of myself 

and to learn to really want 

and manifest 

all the very best things my life has to offer me 

and this world has to offer. 

From this moment forward 

I am a person of unlimited self-esteem. 

I learn from my mistakes, 

I don’t dwell on them or in them. 

I understand that I am Nam-myoho-renge-kyo 

and I have unlimited power 

to focus on the things I do right. 

I spend more and more time 

in self-appreciation and gratitude.

And it feels wonderful.

These are the qualities I appreciate in myself:

___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

These are the qualities I am strengthening in myself and my life as I chant:. 

___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Need A Job? Want to Change Jobs? Chant with this PowerPrayer in Mind~

The Beautiful White Lotus - Symbol of our Lives. 

The Lotus blossoms and seeds at the same time, signifying the law of cause and effect. The exact second that we make the cause - ANY cause - the effect is already there in our lives and will manifest. Chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo is the best cause we can make for our lives...along with doing shakubuku - introducing others to this practice. 

I have been enjoying our million Daimoku Campaign and chanting two hours a day. Yesterday a family member found an item of mine that had been lost for four years...my extra set of car keys with the remote opener attached. 

I opened the trunk of my car with one click for the first time in sooo long! 

I didn't have to unlock the car door with the key, lean down to the floor and hit the switch. I know, it might not seem like such a big thing to you, but it is delightful to me! I would have replaced the lost key years ago but that little gizmo costs about $130 and I just couldn't bring myself to pay that much for something so small!

 And I know that's just the tip of the iceberg as far a benefits that are accruing with the determination to chant two hours a day. Yesterday I heard the perfect guidance (I shared it in yesterday's post) And I have overwhelming confidence and hope in all areas of my life. 

I have time to chant for everyone, and to really dig deep into my own karma. It's not too late to join the million Daimoku Campaign. Come along with us! See the previous posts to learn how and email me at chantforhappiness@gmail.com! A million Daimoku is 300 hours - with goals!

Here is a PowerPrayer from our upcoming book for you. In reality, what is really necessary when chanting for a job is to chant for the best job for your life, and the best job for kosen-rufu! We've found the following PowerPrayers helpful too:

Confidence, Job Creation Power Prayer

All the Best is coming to me now. 

The best job of my life joyfully emerges right now. 

I now attract all that I need. 

All the right people, resources, connections and opportunities are flowing my way, at just the right time and I am ready for them! 

I have confidence in my own life

I am determined to keep my spirits up. 

I am determined to stop any negativity from coming into my mind. 

As I am chanting, everything is lining up so that I find work that uses all my talents, and pays well with benefits. 

I am determined to be around people whom I appreciate and respect and who appreciate and respect me!

I am determined to show actual proof of the power of this practice through my own life!

In order to help crystalize your desires, write a list of your talents and goals below regarding your dream job:

__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Making a deadline galvanizes you prayer and helps it manifest ~

If the deadline passes, make a new one and keep chanting no matter what! 

My Do-date ___________________________________________________

Power Prayer to Reveal my True Self and create the Profession that uses ALL my talents:

Today, I am willing to discard everything that no longer serves me. 

I discard all doubt, negativity and any feelings of not being good enough or not knowing what I should do.

My mind is becoming crystal clear. 

I am determined to be full-filled in every possible way, and to utilize every single one of my skills

joy

and potentials. 

I am in an organization that is thriving with self-fulfilled individuals living their passion every day.  My professional environment reflects my true identity, my real, magnificent self, and is filled with appreciation and love. I am richly compensated.

I am DONE with the karma of being unappreciated. I permanently root that pattern out of my life.

I permanently wash doubt and negativity from my life. I don't care how many times it arises. Each time I feel doubt I will chant and chase it out of my brain like the fierce lioness I am. 

I can already feel the excitement of my new full-filled professional life!

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! 

PowerPrayer for Releasing Resistance to Change

This post contains one of the most important PowerPrayers. I think many of us (me included) have what many religions call "attachments" to the way we see things, and the way we think things ARE. 
To really be able to change our lives, we have to be courageous and willing to release fear of the unknown and step into change. 
Last fall I was reading Louise Hay's seminal book You Can Heal Your Life. This is a book I have kept close to me ever since discovering it many years ago. Louise is an amazing human, one of the people I most revere. In the 80s she was one of the first to work with people with AIDS.  She is also the founder of Hay House Publishing which publishes Doreen Virtue, another of my favorite writers. 

So I came across the affirmation "Release my resistance to change." and I thought "Wow, this is really powerful. What would happen if I chanted this way?" And I tried it. Immediately my life shifted drastically and I was given the time and space to write my Treasure Map of PowerPrayers for you. 

I warn you! This prayer, along with chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo may shake up your life a bit. But if you are courageous and you have a strong practice (meaning you chant every day, twice a day, are connected to the SGI, and are going to meetings, study President Ikeda's guidance and the Gosho and encourage others to chant), you might be as appreciative of this powerful prayer as I am! 

Please let me know how this PowerPrayer works for you. I deeply appreciate all your letters and posts. I will be using many of your testimonials in the book. You and your feedback and support are crucial to helping this book and blog reach people who are looking for solutions...seeking Nam-myoho-renge-kyo. Your efforts at sharing this blog and emailing the link to people, liking the Facebook page "Chant for Happiness" and sending me your thoughts are so important! My email is chantforhappiness@gmail.com. 

Power Prayer 

for 

Releasing Resistance to Change

I chant to release my resistance to change 
and to be willing to change from the inside out. 

I am now open to changing in any way 
that will help me to be a shining beacon of light and hope 
to myself and those around me. 
I now find the experience of change deeply pleasurable! 
I love it. 
I love the sensation of changing 
and becoming a happier and more beautiful person 
and inspiring 
that same kind of change in everyone in my life.
My inner wisdom and intuition is blossoming. 
I can hear it, 
I trust in it, and I love to see the effect in my life! 

Ultimate PowerPrayer for Human Revolution, the KEY to Absolute Happiness

Doing your own Human Revolution is the most important thing you can do. 

Why? 

Human Revolution is YOU, growing and changing from within, strengthening your life, and raising your life condition to the life condition of the Buddha. 
By doing your Human Revolution you can change ANY poison into a medicine. 
Why is this? 
When we change on the inside of our lives, due to the principle of Esho Funi, our environment and everything in it HAS to respond because we are one with it. We are interconnected with everything. There are times we feel and see this connection, and there are times that we don't. But whether we see it or not it is there. SO if you want to make real changes you must change from within. 

Today, on the day my son just got back from three weeks of medical work in Bolivia, I am sharing with you two PowerPrayers from the book Julia and I are writing for you. These PowerPrayers, along with your strong practice of chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo every day, twice a day, going to SGI meetings and studying and encouraging others can be extremely powerful in your life. 
I am interested in your feedback. 

UltimatePowerPrayer 
for Human Revolution


I am determined to make any changes necessary 
in my thoughts, 
in my actions, 
even in the way that I chant 
in order to make continual positive causes 
in every moment of every day. 
These positive causes 
result in rooting the negative karma OUT OF MY LIFE! 
I am determined to make the changes inside myself, 
to change any weakness within me into strengths...
to do my own human revolution 
and raise my life condition! 
I am determined to change in any way necessary 
to accomplish_____________. 
Life! 
I am bringing the determination, 
wisdom and fire 
I need to create the life of my dreams. 
I AM NAM MYOHO RENGE KYO! 
I AM ROARING LIKE A LION IN MY OWN LIFE! 
I WILL CREATE MY LIFE! 
I do this not only for me, but for everyone who is suffering. 
I am determined to glow within my own life. 
I am a shining light for all who are suffering. 
I am a beacon of hope 
that ANYONE can solve their problems 
by chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo. 
I am ready to meet people 
who are ready to hear about this practice!  
I chant to have the most inspiring life. 
Gohonzon (my life) I demand to see these results now!"

VICTORY! The Sansho Shima PowerPrayer Works!

ROAAARRRRRRRRRRRR!

WOW is all I can say.  

Sometimes even though I have been practicing for a long time, I am BLOWN AWAY by the power of my own life through chanting with fierce determination and roaring Nam-myoho-renge-kyo like a lion. 

Yesterday morning I chanted the very same sansho shima PowerPrayer I posted for you in the morning. 

There was a particular obstacle I was determined to overcome regarding the set up of my new website. I had been worrying about this problem for more than a month. 

On Monday, when Julia and I were writing the PowerPrayer for Sansho Shima, and using the quote from President Ikeda about obstacles losing their power when they are recognized for what they are, I realized this website problem was really nothing but an obstacle, and I determined to blow it away through my daimoku. 

So in my morning power hour of daimoku I chanted the PowerPrayer I posted for you yesterday 
(and am reprinting today for you at the bottom of this post) 
and chanted "NO WAY SANSHO SHIMA! I MUST ADVANCE!" 

And later in the afternoon, in the middle of a flash thunderstorm the problem was resolved. It was literally as if the very heavens had come to wash away my obstacle!

Sometimes, If we really want to overcome something, we just have to get to the point that we are DONE with it, and blast daimoku from the depths of our lives. When I was chanting I was literally sweating from the release of energy. And when I was finished chanting, I KNEW my daimoku had worked. The minute we make the cause, we also make the effect. 

Is there something you have been putting up with and think is a problem that will not go away? 
Is there something that's been on your mind that you are ready to blast with daimoku? 
If you can recognize it for the sansho shima (obstacle) that it is, you can elevate the problem and blast it out of your life. 

I would love to hear from you when you accomplish this. 

If I can do it you can do it! 

Send me emails of your victories! I am including your comments in my book as testimonials. Before I print I will ask if you want to be identified or would rather remain anonymous. It's up to you. Email me your results to me at my new email: Jamie@chantforhappiness.com~ 

Here's the PowerPrayer that generated immediate results. 
Go for it! 

Sansho Shima PowerPrayer:

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!

This_______________(fill in the blank) 
is going to change immediately! 

I now use this obstacle to fuel my determination.

Sansho Shima (obstacles), I am now turning you into Shoten Zenjin (protective forces of the universe)! 

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.


Nam-myoho-renge-kyo!

PowerPrayer to Achieve Your Desires

Daisaku Ikeda states 

in Ikedaquotes.org 

under "Desires":

"The Buddha’s enlightenment 

does not lie in “eradicating” earthly desires, 

but in infusing them with compassion and wisdom. 

It is a matter of transforming 

the turbid river of earthly desires, karma, suffering 

and negativity into a pure stream 

of compassion and wisdom. 

Those who achieve this 

possess a perfectly tranquil and serene state of life 

in that they are not troubled by earthly desires; 

at the same time, 

their lives have a vigorous dynamism. 

Such a state of life is like the ocean. 

No matter what turmoil there may be on the surface, 

in its depths there is absolute calm and tranquility."

I get emails every day from people asking me how to chant for their desires and if they can chant for their desires. And the answer I glean from Daisaku Ikeda's writings is this: if you elevate your desires into the deep desire for the happiness of all mankind you will have the deepest prayer to enable you to achieve your desires, and you will be helping other people at the same time. 

How do you do this? 

This is what PowerPrayers are all about. With every desire you have, you can infuse it with the light of compassion for all. 

Power Prayer infused with Compassion to Achieve Your Desires:

"Gohonzon! My Life! I desire ______________. It is my heart's desire! I am determined to achieve this to PROVE to my family, my friends and the world that chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo WORKS. I am determined to show this actual proof and help others learn to chant and become happy themselves!"

And then Take Action. Chant consistently. Take action towards your goal. Tell others about Nam-myoho-renge-kyo, study and attend meetings. You will see that you will develop peace about your goal. 

Nam-Myoho-Renge-Kyo 

enables us to make any hardship or 

setback the source of our new advancement 

and our treasure for the future. 

Therefore, you don't have to be 

afraid if making a mistake or encountering an obstacle. 

In short, as long as you are devoted 

to staying in the correct orbit of faith, 

you won't ever cease to advance

toward your victory, 

even if you may go through 

some twists and turns in life." - Daisaku Ikeda