Why Do We Chant with Our Palms Together?
Most of the world's major
religions use hand positions in prayer. One of the most common positions used
by Buddhists, Hindus and Christians is the pressing of one's palms together at
chest or head level. When combined with a bow, it is known as namaskar or
namaste, an ancient reverential greeting that is common throughout central and
southeastern Asia to this day. Nam, or devotion, in Nam Myoho renge kyo derives
from the same root as namas in namaste. The Lotus Sutra makes numerous
reference to bowing with palms together as a sign of deep respect for the
Buddha and Bodhisattvas. For example, "Teacher of the Law," the 10th
chapter, reads: "Wherever {practitioners of the Lotus Sutra} may go, one
should greet them with bows, with palms pressed single-mindedly together, with
reverence and alms, with respect and praise" (The Lotus Sutra and Its
Opening and Closing Sutras, p.201).
Pressing palms together while
chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo is a Nichiren Buddhist tradition, imparting a
sense of respect, seriousness and determination. It should be noted, however,
that Nichiren placed the greatest emphasis on faith and dedication rather than
on peripheral details. SGI President Ikeda states in The Wisdom of the Lotus
Sutra: "Regarding the oneness of Buddhahood and the nine worlds, putting
our palms together when we pray symbolizes this. It also represents the Mystic
Law.
In The Record of the Orally
Transmitted Teachings, the Daishonin says: '[In the term pressing palms
together,] 'pressing' means myo, or wonderful, while 'palms' refers to ho or
the Law....Or again, 'pressing' is the world of Buddhahood, and 'palms' are the
nine worlds' (p.45).
"In other worlds,
Buddhahood lies in chanting [Nam myoho renge kyo] based on faith no matter what
happens. Whatever sufferings of the nine worlds we may be undergoing, through
strong faith we can lead lives in which the nine worlds manifest the world of
Buddhahood, and the world of Buddhahood manifests the nine worlds") vol.
4, pp. 194-95).
(Living Buddhism- Jan| Feb 10. pg. 103)
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