Silent Prayers

On the Silent Prayers

President Ikeda says: I would like to touch upon the silent prayers that we offer during gongyo.

Silent prayers are offered in the heart. Accordingly, even though we may read their words, it is what we are actually thinking --- the thoughts occurring to us --- that become our prayers.

President Toda said: Since we are human, it is only natural that various thoughts will occur to us while we are chanting daimoku. But if we chant earnestly, then gradually we will become able to focus entirely on the Gohonzon. If we chant with an earnest frame of mind, our various worries about our daily lives will be resolved. At that time, for example, the complaints of a spouse will sound as soothing as a lullaby.

But let's be careful when offering silent prayers. The thoughts in our heart are clearly expressed to the Gohonzon. If during the silent prayers we think, "That fellow's a real rascal," then even though we may be reading the silent prayer's words, it is the thought in our heart, "He's a real rascal, that becomes our prayer to the Gohonzon.

Offering the silent prayers properly is a decisive struggle. The prayers that someone offers reflect his or her life state. Prayers have to be concrete, and they must be earnest and made with determination.

Whether chanting daimoku or offering silent prayers, the most important thing is to pray with a resolute mind. Prayers should not be abstract. The Buddhas and Buddhist gods respond to earnest strong prayers arising from the very depths of one's life.

Source: Excerpt from the Lectures on the Hoben and Juryo Chapters of the Lotus Sutra by Sensei Ikeda