GONGYO FOR DAILY VICTORIES

GONGYO FOR DAILY VICTORIES

  

When we recite gongyo and chant daimoku, we conduct a ceremony in which we praise Nam-myoho-renge-kyo, the Law of the Universe, and the Buddha. We also praise the eternal life of the universe, and the World of Buddhahood in our own lives.

  

Doing gongyo regularly helps reflect on the day-to-day priorities and puts our lives in rhythm with the positive and vast energy of the universe.

  

President Ikeda says: “Morning gongyo is most crucial. It determines today’s victory or defeat, whether this day will be one of prosperity or decline” (ayd, 214).

  

Similarly, while chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo is considered the basic practice, gongyo is the supplementary prayer that accelerates the beneficial power of the basic practice. It is important to do gongyo each day as it revitalizes us from the very depths our being.

  

PRESIDENT IKEDA'S GUIDANCE ON DOING GONGYO

  

Just like eating regular meals each day, our daily practice of gongyo gets us going mentally and physically, and establishes a positive rhythm for our lives. It jump-starts our engine each day and it recharges us. (VC, December 2012, 61)

  

Basically, you do gongyo and chant Daimoku for yourself. Your practice of gongyo and Daimoku is not an obligation, it is a right … An attitude of appreciation in being able to chant to the Gohonzon is the heart of faith. The more you exert yourself in faith—in doing gongyo and chanting daimoku—the more you stand to gain. (doy-2, 29-30).

  

The way to victory is to banish all negligence and complacence and to face each day’s tasks with renewed energy. We get that fresh energy from doing a vigorous gongyo and chanting daimoku each morning. (VC, May 2013, 151).

  

If we continue to do gongyo and chant daimoku, then even when we feel depressed or face daunting problems, we will be able to recharge our life-force and shine vibrantly in our own unique way. (VC, September 2013, 42)

  

Chanting daimoku nourishes our spirit and is the way to polish and forge our lives. The time we spend chanting and doing gongyo is a precious time when we can align our lives with the rhythm of the universe. (VC, November 2013, 82)

  

CONVICTION IN OUR PRAYERS IS MOST CRUCIAL

  

Initially, we may not know or comprehend the meaning of daimoku or gongyo. 

  

The efficacy of our prayers depends on our faith, not on our knowledge of different terms and words in the liturgy book. Nichiren Daishonin explains, “If a physician gives medicine to a sick person, even though the sick person may not know the origin and nature of the medicine, if he takes it, then in the natural course of events his illness will be cured” (‘Conversation between a Sage and an Unenlightened Man (1)’, wnd-1, 132). Thus, faith or conviction in our prayer is most crucial.

  

President Ikeda explains that prayer is simply wishing for something with all our hearts and putting our trust in the Lotus Sutra. Quoting the Daishonin, he says we need to chant Nam-myoho-renge-kyo with the same trust as “parents [who] refuse to abandon their children, or as a child refuses to leave its mother” (‘The Meaning of Faith’, wnd-1, 1036).

  

Our prayers actually come from the heart, praising the Gohonzon and our own Buddhahood. Even though we may not know the meaning of words of a foreign language, when we pronounce them correctly, the message gets communicated.

  

From: ESSENTIALS OF FAITH