HOW TO CHANT NAM MYOHO RENGE KYO

HOW TO CHANT NAM MYOHO RENGE KYO

"Nichiren Daishonin declared that 'the voice does the Buddha's work.' The primary practice of Nichiren Buddhism involves chanting the daimoku (or 'title') of the Lotus Sutra—Nam-myoho-renge-kyo—the opening words of the Buddha's highest teaching. We also recite portions of two chapters from the Lotus Sutra—the 'Expedient Means' and the 'Life Span' chapters—morning and evening. This is the prime point of one's individual practice. Unlike silent meditation, chanting is extremely concrete. You know you are doing it. When you chant each morning, your voice resounds throughout the universe. It heralds daybreak for your own life. 

"Find a quiet place. Seat yourself in a comfortable way: in a straight-back chair, on a pillow on the floor, or on the edge of your bed. Be sure to maintain an erect posture. Your attitude initially, no matter how deep your skepticism, should be one of respect—not necessarily devotional respect, more like Aretha Franklin-type respect. If you wish, place your palms together, fingertips touching, with your hands at the center of your chest, as in traditional prayer. Now recite the words Nam...myoho...renge...kyo... slowly at first, then as you gain more confidence, more rapidly. The chant should be rhythmical. You will find that the words shape themselves into a rhythmic pattern without much conscious effort on your part. No particular emphasis should be placed on any of the words. It should sound like a rich, pulsing single tone, not a singsong. This is the rhythm of the universe, more a wave than a melody.

"When you chant and recite the sutra, it is like a symphony in which you fuse the microcosm of your own body with the song of the macrocosm, the universe. The mystic law is both within you and without you (to paraphrase The Beatles). When you chant, you harmonise your little private world with the larger world outside.

"Do not chant so loudly that you disturb your neighbors, freak out your roommates, or convince your spouse, in case any further evidence were necessary, that you have gone completely mad. Chanting Sanskrit words (with Japanese pronunciation) definitely sounds strange to some Westerners. Chant with consideration. Yet it is quite important to chant with some conviction, with a strong, sonorous voice. It needn't be loud and the tone should be steady. You can be soft and strong at the same time. Remember, we are summoning the Buddhahood that lies within. Chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo is the cause that brings your highest potential forward. I don't know you, but it could be that your highest potential is buried under many layers of causes, or karma, which have accumulated like a crust, obscuring the potential that you possess. Therefore, the summons to your Buddha nature should be put forth with vigor."

—The Buddha In Your Rearview Mirror; Chapter 3: How to Practice: Making Waves; p. 94-95