1. Nam-myoho-renge-kyo Based on the Basics of Buddhism by Pat Allwright
Presented by
Linda Myring and Jay Williams

2. Goals of studying Nam-myoho-renge-kyo?
To understand that it has a historical, doctrinal source in the Lotus Sutra and is its essence as well as its title.
To convey a sense that it is the Law of Life.
To stress the importance of having one’s own experiences of the power of chanting, rather than a theoretical understanding.

3. The Lotus Sutra Myoho-renge-kyo
The essence of Shakyamuni’s highest teaching, the Lotus Sutra is encompassed in it’s title:
Myoho-renge-kyo

4. Nichiren
It was a young monk named Nichiren, about 2000 years later in Japan, who took the final all-important step to transform profound theory into a simple practice.

5. Nichiren
He added “Namu” (contracted to “Nam”) to the title of the Lotus Sutra to create “Nam-myoho-renge-kyo”.
Nichiren: “Everything has its essential point and the heart of the Lotus Sutra is its title, Nam-myoho-renge-kyo.”

6. Nichiren
He brought it out of the realm of theoretical contemplation into an actual experiential practice when he first chanted
Nam-myoho-renge-kyo.

7. Nam-myoho-renge-kyo Is the basic invocation of Nichiren Buddhism.
Is the name of the Mystic Law that governs life eternally throughout the universe.
When we chant this, we attune our lives to the perfect rhythm of the universe.

8. Nam-myoho-renge-kyo Literal Meaning
‘Devotion to the Sutra of the Lotus Blossom of the Wonderful Law’

9. Nam
Derives from Sanskrit
"to devote oneself"
In the original Sanskrit, nam indicates the elements of action and attitude.
Refers to the correct action one needs to take and the attitude one needs to develop in order to attain Buddhahood in this lifetime.

10. Myoho MYO HO Mystic Mysterious Nature of Life Ultimate Reality
Enlightenment
Death
Unseen
Latent
To Open
To Be Endowed and Perfect
To Revive HO
Law
All Phenomena
Everyday Life
Life
Seen
Manifest

11. Renge Renge means lotus flower.
The lotus blooms and produces seeds at the same time, and thus represents the simultaneity of cause and effect.
The lotus flower grows and blooms in a muddy pond, and yet remains pristine and free from any defilement, symbolizing the emergence of Buddhahood from within the life of an ordinary person.

12. Renge - Cause & Effect
When we chant Nam-myoho-renge-kyo (cause) the state of Buddhahood (effect) immediately wells up form within us.
Simultaneity of cause and effect significant.
In earlier forms of Buddhisms, the effects of various practices were thougth to emerge later, future lifetimes.

13. Kyo Kyo literally means sutra, the voice or teaching of a Buddha.
In this sense, it also means sound, rhythm or vibration.
Sound of the universe (space).

14. Prayer
Our prayers are communicated to the depths of our being when we invoke the sound of the Mystic Law.

15. Unlike in most Western religions, when we chant we are not praying to an external deity invested with human qualities like judgment.
Prayer

16. Meditation, Positive Thinking or Chanting?
Meditation is passive exercise to calm one’s mind.
Meditation tries to negate certain ways of thinking.
Positive thinking is a tool to attempt to convince ourselves of our abilities.

17. Meditation, Positive Thinking or Chanting?
Chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo is an expression of your Buddha nature.
By invoking your Buddha nature at the ninth level of your consciousness, you affect all other levels.
Buddahood becomes the positive basis of every aspect of our lives, both mental and physical.

18. Nam-myoho-renge-kyo
“Nam-myoho-renge-kyo is the sound that awakens the Buddha nature of all human kind. It is the great teaching of supreme hope”
-Daisaku Ikeda, WT, 2/29/08.

19. Thought Provoking Questions
Why chant Nam-myoho-renge-kyo?
Why not some other mantra?
Is chanting a form of meditation or is it positive thinking?
Why do we have to chant?
Why not just meditate or think positively?
What about sign language?

20. Resources on Nichiren Buddhism
International Level:
sgi.org/media
National Level:
sgi-usa.org
Community Level:
sgi-usa-southbaycc.org
buddhainthehood.com
By Linda Delmar, SGI-USA Long Beach
abuddhistpodcast.com
By Jason Jarrett, SGI-UK