GUIDANCES ON GONGYO & CHANTING DAIMOKU

GUIDANCES ON GONGYO & CHANTING DAIMOKU

How to approach the Gohonzon to perform Gongyo & chant daimoku:

1.  It’s important to WANT to sit before the Gohonzon as though going to meet the original Buddha, Nichiren Daishonin, and that Daimoku and gongyo be enjoyable. (DOY 2, page 44)

2. When all is said and done, to have the DESIRE to sit in front of the Gohonzon and chant Daimoku is very important. It is an expression of one’s determination to improve oneself. That spirit is important. That spirit is proof of our humanity, an expression of the noble spirit to accomplish something in our lives.

What is the Right speed for doing Gongyo and Daimoku:

Our gongyo and Daimoku should not be too fast, nor too slow. It should also not be too loud, nor too soft, and it should have a good, vigorous rhythm. The speed of gongyo often depends also on such things as a person’s age, or the time and place. So don’t worry too much about what the right speed is. Just do gongyo in the way that seems most natural and comfortable to you. One of our seniors once said we should do gongyo with the rhythm of a galloping horse. (DOY2, 137)

Should we close our eyes while doing Gongyo:

It’s best to keep your eyes open and to look at the Gohonzon. It’s generally considered impolite not to look others in the eye when speaking to them. I think this is also true when we are facing and addressing the Gohonzon as we do Gongyo or chant Daimoku. Of course, if you do close your eyes occasionally, there’s no need to worry. We should just bear in mind that when we close our eyes, it can be more difficult to commune strongly with the Gohonzon. This, of course, does not apply to people who are blind or sight impaired, who need simply to chant or do gongyo to the Gohonzon within their heart. (DOY2, 44)

How much Daimoku should we Chant:

No particular amount is specified in the Gosho. Nichiko Shonin states, “There is no fixed rule about the number of Daimoku to be chanted. The important thing is the ichinen that manifests in our pure and sincere prayers to the Gohonzon. We should chant to our hearts content, until we can feel refreshed and savor the overflowing joy of life. Concerning this Nichiko Shonin emphasizes that ”chanting Daimoku must fill one’s whole body with a thrill of joy. We must exert ourselves in it until we can become one with the Gohonzon.” In short, everything depends on whether we have deep, strong ichinen in faith. (Buddhism in Action 4, page 267)