I have recently become a Nichiren Buddhist, chanting Namu Myoho Renge Kyo and studying The Lotus Sutra, the last major teaching Shakyamuni Buddha gave before he died.
I was a Tibetan Buddhist nun for 8 years and explored, studied and practiced several other religious and spiritual traditions throughout my life: Christianity, Hinduism, Ashtanga Yoga, Native American, Zen, New Age, and some New Age Quantum Mechanics way-over-my-head thing. What I am experiencing now is unprecedented. Since I started chanting almost 2 months ago, I feel like I am running on spiritual rocket fuel. My whole life, my whole being is transformed, and it continues to move and shake dramatically on a daily basis.
Unfortunately, there are Nichiren Buddhists here in the west, who practice this chanting for material prosperity and this has given the whole lineage a bad reputation. I stumbled across those “Buddhists” many years ago. I liked the chanting but was turned off by their materialistic attitude. Oddly, though, the chant stuck in my mind through all these years. I could always remember it if I tried.
Nichiren Buddhism is actually in the Mahayana tradition, ie. chanting is to be done for the benefit of all sentient beings as well as yourself. Shakyamuni Buddha gave The Lotus Sutra specifically for us, we who live in these degenerate times. He said all his previous teachings were given expediently, in order to lead people into the Dharma, but that THIS teaching was the BEST of all. And I must say that I’m finding it to be absolutely true. I have read or recited a few other sutras and I studied many texts and tried many different practices in Tibetan Buddhism. Nothing even came close to this.
I have never felt so consistently happy, energetic, enthusiastic, creative, self-possessed, and ALIVE! My IQ seems to have jumped up 20 points and I’ve started remembering my dreams again. I’ve cut way down on smoking and drinking alcohol, and have switched over to organic, whole foods almost entirely. All these changes just flow naturally, effortlessly out of the practice. Every life situation becomes a learning experience. Every learning experience becomes an insight. Every insight becomes new wisdom directly applied in the present moment. I sometimes feel as if Shakyamuni is right here next to me, whispering in my ear.
I tried to tell my poor Christian brother – who is chronically depressed and anxious – about this. What a mistake that was. I don’t want to talk about it right now. Leave the Christians for later.
Anyway, if this inspires anyone out there to try chanting Namu Myoho Renge Kyo, that will be a wonderful thing for both of us.
Till next time.
Nanu nanu!
stranger on earth 