~ And why does chanting these words have such a profound effect on each person?
Nam-myoho-renge-kyo, to those of us who wake each day and chant these words, is the means to put our lives in rhythm with the universe and bring out our own highest and best qualities. Life itself is a duality, and each one of us has choices to make at every moment of the day. Chanting these words help us to "true" our choices in a way that leads us to greater happiness.
It is a law, the mystic (unfathomable) law. And it works whether we believe it or not. But please, don't take my words for it. If you're new to chanting I have several blogposts on how to chant. You can find them in the archive section. The link to the SGI-USA Portal (to the right) has listings of centers in your area where there are wonderful SGI members who would love to answer your questions and help you learn this practice.
The literal translation is "I devote my life to the mystic law of cause and effect (lotus flower) sutra."
"Nam" means devote, or fuse. I think of it like the prow of the ship. With "Nam" I am pointing my ship (life) in the direction of happiness for my own life and those of others.
"Myoho" means mystic law. There are many readings to study regarding the deep meaning of myo and ho. Myo is mystic, ho is law. The mystic law is unfathomable because our minds cannot fully comprehend it.
"Renge" means lotus flower. The lotus is significant for two main reasons. First, it blossoms and seeds at the same time, signifying the simultaneity of cause and effect. The minute you chant these words, you have made the cause. You WILL see the positive effect from chanting. Throughout our lives we make many causes, both positive and negative. And chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo is the most positive cause that you can make in life. In Nichiren Buddhism you can actually change your karma and the karma of your family and entire nation by chanting.
And the second is that the lotus blooms in a muddy swamp. No matter where you are when you start practicing you can raise your life in every possible way through chanting.
~One of my favorite experiences is of my first SGI chapter leader who helped me learn to chant. She was a welfare mother who suffered from abuse when she found this practice. Over the years she left her abuser, enrolled in school, became a nurse, went back to school and eventually became the CEO of the largest hospital in San Francisco California...all by basing her life on this practice and Daisaku Ikeda's writings.
"Kyo" means Sutra, or teaching. Many interpret it as "sound vibration" as well. When you chant you generate a sound vibration that your whole body feels. Sometimes you feel this vibration so strongly you end up sweating. It's a spiritual work out. The vibration affects your body, as well as your life.
And the way most Buddhists interpret Nam-myoho-renge-kyo is "The name of the rhythm of life itself." Think about it. Do you answer to any other name besides your own? Yes, you may have nicknames, but you answer to the name and nicknames you know are your own. Nam-myoho-renge-kyo is the name of the rhythm of life itself. It permeates every atom, and every cell.
Chanting these words gives you the tools to access your highest intentions and to do battle against the fundamental darkness that is within each of us, the voice that tells us to do something that will lead to our own unhappiness, or is not good for us or another person. It allows us to reveal our highest nature, the Buddhahood that lies within us all.
I can't cover all the aspects is one post. Here I just touched on the meaning. The real understanding is in chanting these words and experiencing the effect for yourself.
I highly recommend reading the book "Lectures On Attaining Buddhahood in this Lifetime, by Daisaku Ikeda." It can be obtained by going to the SGI-USA Portal to the right of this post and going to the bookstore tab.
Have a great day! I am chanting for all of you, and to write posts that encourage you. But your own prayers are the most important of all!
Great blog!!
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