Praying as a Votary of the Lotus Sutra

Praying as a Votary of the Lotus Sutra

How we pray in Buddhism makes all the difference in the world. What does it mean to pray as a votary of the Lotus Sutra? One aspect is that the votary, or the practitioner of the Lotus Sutra, practices three things strongly. You cannot have your prayers answered as a votary of the Lotus Sutra if you are not practicing for others, if you are not studying, and if you are not chanting daimoku to the Gohonzon.

You know whether or not you ...are doing your best in those three areas. If your practice has lost its power to produce benefit, I would immediately look at those three legs of your practice and ask yourself, “Am I exerting myself to the best of my ability in study, practice for myself and practice for others?” If you want to move your life faster, strengthen those three aspects of your practice.

Some people have thought that President Ikeda told us in February of 1990 that showing actual proof in your daily life is the same as practice for others. They are not. One is as important as the other, that’s for sure. We must show actual proof in our daily life, but they are not the same thing. They are two different things. President Ikeda was telling us not to practice for others at the expense of our daily life. He was also telling us not to practice for benefit at the expense of others. Strive to fulfill both. Study is the backbone of being able to do this.

The prayer of the votary of the Lotus Sutra is answered because they carry out these three practices strongly. The votary of the Lotus Sutra is not seeking personal benefit, but enlightenment and wisdom to become a Buddha. Of course, when you become a Buddha, you get benefit.

President Ikeda gave the following guidance: “Prayers in Buddhism, however, never end with the mere act of prayer; they include the actions one takes to realize them. It is just like an arrow, drawn back, charged with energy, and shot from a bow. Prayer without action is idealism, and action without prayer is futile. A great prayer comes from a great sense of responsibility.”

Source: Excerpt from a lecture given by SGI-USA Vice General Director Greg Martin at the Seattle Culture Centre on June 9, 1995