Sameer Staff asked 6 years ago
My friend has recently joined a buddhist chanting group and they say that chanting this Nam Myoho Renge Kyo mantra can fulfil all wishes. I am not sure what this mantra means. Can you explain?
Amit Khanna Staff answered 3 months ago
“Nam Myoho Renge Kyo” is a central mantra in Nichiren Buddhism, a branch of Mahayana Buddhism that originated in Japan. This mantra, often referred to as the “Daimoku,” is chanted as a fundamental practice by followers of Nichiren Buddhism. Here’s a breakdown of its meaning and significance:
1. Meaning of the Mantra:
“Nam”: This is a Sanskrit word meaning “devotion” or “dedication.” In this context, it signifies dedicating oneself to the teachings of the Lotus Sutra.
“Myoho”: Translates to “Mystic Law” or “Wonderful Dharma.” “Myo” means “mystic” or “inconceivable,” and “Ho” means “law” or “dharma.” Together, they represent the ultimate law of life and the universe, which is beyond human understanding.
“Renge”: Literally means “lotus flower.” The lotus is a symbol of purity and enlightenment in Buddhism, as it blooms in muddy water but remains unstained. It represents the simultaneity of cause and effect, where one’s actions (causes) immediately bring about corresponding results (effects).
“Kyo”: Means “Sutra” or “teaching” and refers to the words or teachings of the Buddha. It signifies the voice of the Buddha and the scripture that embodies the Mystic Law.
2. Significance of the Mantra:
Devotion to the Mystic Law: Chanting “Nam Myoho Renge Kyo” is an expression of one’s devotion to the Mystic Law of the universe, which is believed to be embodied in the Lotus Sutra. The mantra encapsulates the essence of the Lotus Sutra’s teachings.
Empowerment: Practitioners believe that chanting this mantra helps them tap into their inner potential and bring about positive changes in their lives. It is considered a powerful tool for personal transformation and overcoming challenges.
Spiritual Practice: Chanting is a core practice in Nichiren Buddhism. It is done to attain enlightenment, bring happiness, and fulfill desires. It is also believed to help create a harmonious and peaceful environment.
3. Historical Background:
Nichiren Daishonin: The mantra was established by Nichiren Daishonin, a Japanese Buddhist monk, in the 13th century. He taught that the Lotus Sutra, specifically the phrase “Nam Myoho Renge Kyo,” contains the essence of all Buddhist teachings and is the path to enlightenment.
The Lotus Sutra: The Lotus Sutra is a highly revered text in Mahayana Buddhism, regarded as the ultimate teaching of the Buddha. Nichiren Buddhism centers around the belief that the teachings of the Lotus Sutra are the true and final doctrine of the Buddha.
4. Chanting Practice:
Daily Practice: Practitioners of Nichiren Buddhism chant “Nam Myoho Renge Kyo” as part of their daily practice, often in front of a scroll known as the Gohonzon, which represents the Mystic Law.
Gongyo: This practice typically accompanies the recitation of sections from the Lotus Sutra, known as “Gongyo,” which is performed during morning and evening prayers.
“Nam Myoho Renge Kyo” is a mantra central to Nichiren Buddhism, representing devotion to the Mystic Law of the universe as taught in the Lotus Sutra. Chanting this mantra is believed to empower practitioners, help them overcome difficulties, and lead them toward enlightenment. It encapsulates the key teachings of Nichiren Daishonin and serves as a spiritual practice for personal transformation and inner peace.
raman Staff answered 6 years ago
It a childish thinking that doing nothing, but chanting something will get things done. If you doubt it then try this simple experiment – when you are thirsty, instead of drinking water, just chant and see if you get water without doing anything. If we were supposed to do nothing, then why did God give us hands and feet? Why did he give us minds? He gave these to us so that we can be truly self sufficient.
“Peace comes from within. Do not seek it without.” Buddha
All through our lives we keep running for something or other, not realizing that time is going by – IN SEEKING. In seeking we sentence ourselves to misery in this very moment.
“The past is already gone, the future is not yet here. There’s only one moment for you to live.” Buddha
So whatever comes your way – YOU can choose to accept it as the will of the universe and surrender to it. This is also known as the highest form of samadhi – nirvikalpa samadhi. To surrender means to fall in love with the whole universe and embrace it in totality. It is this state that is called enlightenment. It is not a mind process, but a heart oriented one.
The way we all are, we never relax or take things as they come our way. We are constantly fighting to change whatever there is and running after something or other, moment to moment. It is a frustrating mind game – an illusion( maya) that keeps us desiring, wanting leading to misery.
According to Buddha, all misery begins from desiring. All desires arise in the mind. An unhappy mind is one which is not content and hence wants. This wanting is misery.
Buddha did not invent this mantra – Nam Myoho Renge Kyo. Buddha only taught Vipassana to his disciples. The essence is to meditate upon the mind process with complete awareness and attain highest levels of purity.
Nam Myoho Renge Kyo is a phrase which was expounded by a 13th century Japanese Buddhist monk called Nichiren.
The chant translates to somewhere between “I devote myself to the Mystic Law of the Lotus Sutra”, or the more traditional “…the Wonderful Dharma of the Lotus Flower Teaching”. The Lotus Sutra is said to contain the last teachings put forth by the original Buddha before he died, and the core message taken from it is that every person can attain enlightenment, without restriction, in this lifetime. “Myoho Renge Kyo” is the title of the Lotus Sutra itself, and adding “Nam” creates a mantra that, when chanted aloud, is said to invoke the entirety of the teachings within the sutra.
- Nam is a Sanskrit word, derived from “namas” which is taken to express devotion. It’s the same root of the more familiar “namaste”, or “I bow to the divinity within you”.
- Myoho – translates roughly to “Wonderful Law”, “Mystic Law”, or the karmic law of cause and effect, which is considered by Buddhists to be the ultimate law of the universe.
- Renge – translates to “lotus”. The lotus flower seeds and blooms at the same time, representing the simultaneity of cause and effect – once a person has made a cause, the effect has already taken place (but might not manifest until later). The lotus flower also blooms in a swampy waters, representing the potential for any person to attain enlightenment in the “swamp” of human suffering.
- Kyo – translates to “sutra”, “teaching”, or “the voice of the Buddha”.
Chanting “I devote myself to the Mystic Law of the Lotus Sutra” without really following the Lotus Sutra itself, is similar to someone having Fever and instead of taking medicine, he starts chanting the name of the medicine. Kindly note – Lip service is not enough, understanding how the law works is important. Understanding your own mind process as a witness opens up the doors to secrets within.
Unfortunately to a seeking mind even this mantra will look like a key to get desires fulfilled. Seeking enlightenment is also just a desire which like any other desire will bring nothing but misery.
“When there is no desire,all things are at peace.” ― Lao Tzu, Tao Te Ching
To be – as you are and accept the totality with all your heart is what grounds you into this present moment. Devoid of mind you can be blissful and available to universal love and abundance.
“Be — don’t try to become” ― Osho
Nam Myoho Renge Kyo is not the mantra to get your wishes fulfilled. There is no such mantra.
A real prayer arises out of gratitude, never out of fear and greed. A real prayer arises out of love for truth. – Osho
If you wish to go deeper within your being then try meditation. Go for Vipassana instead. It is free and the centers are located worldwide. Visit http://dhamma.org