Greetings to all, please follow along and assist as needed as I study the aspects of Nichiren Buddhism. One might ask why, as they are known to be rather strict and dour. But the evidence is in the results I say, the followers of Nichiren I have met and studied with all seem to be successful in the one thing that really matters...an understanding of the universe that leads to the ultimate happiness. I have read here in another thread from mahasattva about one of the basics of Buddhism, meditation. There is a lot more, but chanting to the gohonzon unlocks the door. Or so it seems.
Please explain what a Samatha technique is. Would this be focusing on one's breath, internal sounds (nada yoga), or what. What is the significance of chanting Nam-Myoho-Renge-Kyo? It seems Nam means devotion, Myo mystic, ho law, Renge lotus blossom, and Kyo sutra. So we have devotion to the mystic lotus blossom sutra. Am I anywhere near the meaning? By chanting this phrase we are articulating devotion to the Lotus Sutra? Now the gohonzon is apparently a Japanese scroll. I am not familiar with them. Do they follow or are they inscribed with a particular message or can the message vary?
You got me excited mentioning Vipasanna, which is a meditative technique where you focus your attention somewhere, most ideally on the content of your mind in the present moment, which yields amazing insights and causes measurable neurological changes in brains . . . and then you took this exquisite meal and sprinkled onto it the absolute cheapest dollar store candy of superstition, religious thinking, and the worshipping of men. Practice Vipassana with a focus on the ritualistic elements of Nichiren and cut them all to pieces; they only fill your mouth with foam.
Well that is an interesting response Mr. Writer. How is it that you hate Nichiren so much? Please elucidate, I am all open ears to discourse about Buddhists and Buddhism and the practices thereof. I have witnessed the 'Buddha Wars' between various factions but fail to comprehend the reasons why. If someone can explain this without emotion and insults that would be an enlightening experience for all!
Frankly I find the chanting of Nam Myoho Renge Kyo to be distracting, no matter how beautiful the meaning is supposed to be. The practice of Vipassana seems most rewarding to me as I do emerge from the state feeling calm, focused and creative. Instead of focusing on a mantra I focus on what is in my mind.
"First, for you to ask a question about the Lotus Sutra is a rare source of good fortune. In this age of the Latter Day of the Law, those who ask about the meaning of even one phrase or verse of the Lotus Sutra are much fewer than those who can hurl great Mount Sumeru to another land like a stone, or those who can kick the entire galaxy away like a ball." MWND Vol.1 The question is profound and is clearly answered in the Lotus Sutra and Nichiren Daishonin's writings. If you have any questions, I would love to share my experience of 35 years in the practice of Buddhism. Sincerely, JazzIs
Welcome JazzIs... we are all searching for answers and enlightenment of the mantras true meaning. That's why we are here, we are all ears listening
nicherin is a cult - started in japan in 1200 and it basically says chanting the mantra will return good karma - but it's a blasse interpretation of buddhism - for simple minded buddhism i prefer good land - but nothing beats the clean clear study of dzogchen
Lol, there is something to mantras and mandalas and the like.. think of it as a form of sculpture, they create a channel for the mind to fall into and shape it into a different kind of identity. It's a different route than western objective identification, it's actually getting in there. Sure there are misunderstandings, as with anything deemed "esoteric". The number of misconceptions around the essence of quantum theory is insane, however, the science exists and there are those who can grasp it. Or not, in a strange way.
Vipassana is a superb technique in its own right, and I share the same concern that it will be trivialised and diluted in importance by mixing it with other techniques and mantras. The Samatha is done by practicing single-pointed meditation most commonly through mindfulness of breathing, that is Ānāpānasati , which is observance of the breath and the sensations it's movement creates in the body. This creates equanimity of mind which supports undistracted awareness. This obviously means that the chanting of Nam-Myoho-Renge-Kyo, which is sort of a mantra, can develop equanimity of mind as well, similar to the mindfulness of breath practice. Vipassana from what I know observes mindfully the sensations in the body , as each sensation corresponds to an equivalent thought or emotion in the mind . Does focusing on images of Buddha and mandalas comprise Vipassana practice as well ! It would be something entirely different. It has its significance in reducing distractions to increase focus, but still it would be entirely different from vipassana.
