Saving my friends Marriage. The Gohonzon. What it means to be a buddhist.

Hi Robbie, I like the video you post in youtube. I am new with Gohonzon and haven't attended any SGI meeting. I would like to ask if they have something about marriage. In Christian, they would prefer fixing the marriage if it is failling. Is it also the same in Gohonzon religion? She is fully aware that the guy is in a relationship and she induced him to cheat on her. She got herself pregnant and forced him to marry her. The problem now is he never told his main gf and didnt break up with her. She is working in abroad that's why she never could possibly found out about it. This guy want his life back and marry his main gf. I told him to chant gongyo e daimoku to fix his life. Is it ok to pray their annulment to work? Is this her karma? Hoping you could give me some advice...

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Hi there,

Firstly, thanks for writing. I always love to hear from people all over the world, with their various life stories etc.

Secondly, The Gohonzon is not a religion, it is an object for observing the mind. Nichiren Buddhism isn't strictly a religion, it is a life philosophy.

In our practice we learn that we need to be aware of three things;

The things we think
The things we do or our physical actions
and the things we say.

With these three things, we generate karma.

So when you chant daimoku  it is up to you what you chant for, you could chant for world peace, you could chant for the death of someone you do not like, you can chant for the murder of another person, to give you an EXTREME example.

The point I am trying to make is that daimoku, or chanting nam myoho renge kyo can be likened to a knife, a knife is capable of saving life, as well as taking life, it can be used to sustain life, it can be used to create and it can be used to destroy.

Ultimately, through your thoughts, your words and your actions, you can affect your life and the lives of others.

The best advice I would give someone, is to chant for the other persons happiness, nothing more.

Do not formulate your chant, just chant and trust that life will guide you in the right direction.

But when you choose your determinations, choose them with love, honour and compassion.

Being Buddhist is about choosing your words, thoughts and actions, and realising the potential impact they might have.

The Gohonzon, and chanting are not a magic weapon, or magic lamp.

Chanting enables you to take action, based on a place of love, compassion and great wisdom.

Deception is never a good thing, and lieing and being false behind other peoples backs, almost always comes out at some point.

Be honest and open is often the best way forward.

However, if you friend doesn't know what to do, and is struggling, she/he should chant for the happiness of this person, or chant for the wisdom to help her self out of this situation.

Fond wishes and love to you friend.

Robbie