Gongyo and Daimoku
(To be shared at the May Discussion Meeting)
Not More Than 10 Minutes
The full explanation is published on the April 2023 issue of Soka Times.
(A) Key Points
Introduction:
Last month, we learnt that sharing Buddhism with others constitute "practice for others". This month, we shall study the other aspect, "practice for oneself", which specifically refer to doing gongyo (reciting excerpts of the Lotus Sutra) and chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo.
1. What Is Nam-myoho-renge-kyo?
- Nam-myoho-renge-kyo is the fundamental Law that pervades the entire universe and all life to which Nichiren Daishonin had awakened.
- It is the fundamental Law for resolving the suffering of all humanity.
- When we chant Nam-myoho-renge-kyo with faith in the Gohonzon, we can manifest our inherent Buddha nature, thereby causing an inexhaustible source of life force to well forth from the depths of our lives.
2. What are we reciting during our gongyo?
- In our daily practice of gongyo, we chant the daimoku of Nam-myoho-renge-kyo and recite excerpts portions of the Lotus Sutra — an extract from the "Expedient Means" (2nd) chapter and the verse section of the "Life Span" (16th) chapter.
- Among the vast array of teachings that Shakyamuni Buddha preached, the Lotus Sutra is the scripture that conveys the ultimate truth of his teaching.
- Among the twenty-eight chapters of the Lotus Sutra, the reason we recite the "Expedient Means" and "Life Span" chapters is that these are the two most important chapters of the Lotus Sutra, which opens the way to enlightenment for all people.
3. What is the relationship between gongyo and chanting daimoku?
- Chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo with faith in the Gohonzon is fundamental; it is therefore called the "primary practice".
- Reciting the "Expedient Means" and "Life Span" chapters helps bring forth the benefit of the primary practice; it is therefore called the "supporting practice".
- When eating rice or noodles, the primary source of nourishment, seasonings such as salt or vinegar are used to enhance, or supplement, the flavour.
4. Is it okay that I don't understand the meaning of what I'm reciting during gongyo?
- Even though you may not understand the meaning of Nam-myoho-renge-kyo or the sutra that you are reciting, the benefit you receive from carrying out the practice of gongyo will remain the same.
- For example, even though you may not understand a foreign language, if you pronounce the word correctly, it can be communicated to those who are proficient in the language. In the same way, our voices chanting daimoku and reciting the sutra during gongyo are communicated to the Gohonzon, and unerringly understood in the realm of Buddhas and bodhisattvas. You might say that when we do gongyo and chant daimoku, we are speaking the language of Buddhas and bodhisattvas.
- What's important here is our heart of faith in the Gohonzon and the heart to praise and enhance the beneficial power of the Gohonzon.
5. What is it that's important when carrying out the practice of gongyo and chanting daimoku?
- What matters most is having the spirit to sit in front of the Gohonzon and chant, even if it's just for a little while. Striving and making the effort to do so is itself a victorious step.
- Whether experiencing suffering or joy, we should just take everything to the Gohonzon, expressing whatever is in our hearts as we chant.
- Ikeda Sensei says in his guidance, "Even a single utterance of Nam-myoho-renge-kyo reverberates throughout the entire universe. The sound of the Mystic Law cannot fail to awaken and activate the protective forces of the universe."
- Let's offer our prayers based on absolute conviction.
- When we diligently strive to carry out the practice of gongyo and chanting daimoku, a surge of vibrant life force and wisdom will well forth from the depths of our lives to enable us to prevail over any hardships or obstacles that we encounter.
- Prayers is the powerful engine that propels our advancement towards our goal.
(B) Sensei's Guidance
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Tapping the Dynamic Wellspring of Life Force through Gongyo and Daimoku
Gongyo is a solemn ceremony. When we do gongyo, we open wide the doors of the treasure storehouse within; we mine the dynamic wellspring of life force that lies dormant in the vast inner reaches of our being; we tap an inexhaustible source of wisdom, compassion and courage. The universe and our lives are manifestations of the Mystic Law, Nam-myoho-renge-kyo, and the Gohonzon is also an embodiment of Nam-myoho-renge-kyo. Since all are entities of the Mystic Law, they are essentially one and indivisible. Therefore, when we chant Nam-myoho-renge-kyo and focus on the Gohonzon, our lives and the universe merge like cogs in a machine meshing together with perfect precision, and we begin to turn in the direction of happiness and fulfillment. Then we can be in rhythm with the universe 365 days of the year, manifesting the vigour, wisdom and good fortune with which to surmount any problem or suffering. When we rev up the powerful, revitalizing engine of Buddhahood, we can break through any impasse and boldly steer a course in the direction of hope and justice.
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You can imagine the immense benefit you will obtain when you earnestly continue to do gongyo and chant daimoku. Basically, you do gongyo and chant daimoku for yourself. Your practice of gongyo and daimoku is not an obligation, it is a right. The Gohonzon will never demand that you chant to it. An attitude of appreciation in being able to chant to the Gohonzon is the heart of faith. The more you exert yourself in faith – in doing gongyo and chanting daimoku – the more you stand to gain.
(From Ikeda Sensei's "Discussions on Youth")
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Prepared by SGS Study Department
