What is the correct way to practice Nichiren Buddhism?

What is the correct way to practice Nichiren Buddhism?

What is the correct way to practice Nichiren Buddhism? 
Practicing Nichiren Buddhism correctly consists of three things: Faith - which is faith in your humanity, faith in your own being, faith in your potential and faith in your own life.

Secondly: Study: Study consistants of furthering your mind, understanding the Buddhist teachings, mainly the Lotus Sutra, the writings of Nichiren Daishonin, and other teachers like Daisaku Ikeda, Josei Toda and many more great men and women who teach this wonderful practice, but also understanding other religions, reading and educating yourself, as education is the key to your understanding of the world and becoming a better, happier more rounded person. (see footnote for links to study)

Finally; Practice: This is the daily practice of chanting nam myoho renge kyo which we believe unlocks an innate quality in all human beings. A wellspring of compassion. But these qualities have to be nurtured, if they are not nurtured from a young age within  us, they will not blossom.

And if a person has lived a life without these qualities present it will take time for the flowers of this compassion to bloom.

All three aspects work together; if one is missing there is no Buddhism.

You are practicing correctly when all three function in beautiful harmony with one another.

But this takes effort, and a solid practice is not easy. Because if it was easy then it would not be worth doing.

Nothing worth doing came easily, to anyone.

Life is a wonderful adventure, it helps knowing we have a guiding light to help us unravel the mysteries of life and death.

Nam myoho renge kyo
Nam myoho renge kyo
Nam myoho renge kyo

Robbie

Further reading:

Study the Gosho (The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin: http://www.nichirenlibrary.org/)

Read quotes and articles by Daisaku Ikeda: http://www.ikedaquotes.org/

Study Buddhist Concepts: http://www.sgi.org/buddhism/buddhist-concepts/

Nichiren Buddhism is not about simply chanting, and nothing more.

Personally I don't think chanting is understanding or insight. People of course are free to practice chanting, but this is not any branch of Buddhism personally that I would associate with and my personal belief is that this is quite literally mind control , and not the original meaning of any aspect of Buddhism. Buddhism is a intellectual study for the development of the mind and spiritual insight, this practice does not fulfill either goal and misrepresents Buddhism.

My response:

Thank you for your honest comment.

I think that if the Buddha was alive today, he would say this... "do not cast judgement on beliefs and practices of others."

Nichiren Buddhism is a practice centred in daily life, there are three tenants for good solid practice.

1. practice/chanting

2. Study

3. Faith

We study the Lotus Sutra and align our lives for the greater good and happiness of others.

Through chanting Nam myoho renge kyo, and using the Gohonzon, we are able to observe our minds and emotions and make better choices and decisions in life.

Chanting is not a magic lantern, and we are quite aware that action is required to make changes in life and the world;

Devotion to the mystic law of cause and effect with the voice, is the meaning of this mantra, but primarily for people who practice Nichiren Buddhism, this is about becoming aware of all your actions, words & thoughts towards other people, your life and the world as a whole.

How do you feel about a Buddhism that forbid women that practised, how do you feel about Buddhism that said that only priests were allowed to practice, this was the case for what Buddhism had become in many parts of the world, and Nichiren Dishonan was a man who quite literally questioned these beliefs, as he felt that they were not true Buddhism.

Shakyamuni Buddah, gave birth this practice for the sole purpose of lifting people out of the three sufferings of life, birth, sickness and death. This practice meets that goal.

There are many paths to wholeness my friend, and you are correct when you say that this is some form of mind control, but I have to correct you and tell you that it is about controlling your OWN mind, not someone else, controlling it for you.

It is about mastering your thoughts, emotions and mind.

The mind is the root of most of our suffering as human beings, to master this human mind (which I liken to a wild horse most of the time) is the key to developing strong and unshakable happiness.

We generate positive karma by making and uttering the right choices, thoughts and words in our lives.

My Peace go with you Buddah.

Love and Light

Robbie