The invocation of Nam-myoho-renge-kyo was established by Nichiren Daishonin on April 28, 1253. Having studied widely among all the Buddhist sutras, he had concluded that the Lotus Sutra contains the ultimate truth of Buddhism: that everyone without exception has the potential to attain Buddhahood. The title of the Lotus Sutra in its Japanese translation is Myoho-renge-kyo. But to Nichiren, Myoho-renge-kyo was far more than the title of a Buddhist text, it was the expression, in words, of the Law of life which all Buddhist teachings in one way or another seek to clarify. What follows is a brief and unavoidably limited explanation of some of the key concepts expressed by this phrase.

Nam

The word nam derives from Sanskrit. A close translation of its meaning is "to devote oneself." Nichiren established the practice of chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo as a means to enable all people to put their lives in harmony or rhythm with the law of life, or Dharma. In the original Sanskrit, nam indicates the elements of action and attitude, and refers therefore to the correct action one needs to take and the attitude one needs to develop in order to attain Buddhahood in this lifetime.

Myoho

Myoho literally means the Mystic Law, and expresses the relationship between the life inherent in the universe and the many different ways this life expresses itself. Myo refers to the very essence of life, which is "invisible" and beyond intellectual understanding. This essence always expresses itself in a tangible form (ho) that can be apprehended by the senses. Phenomena (ho) are changeable, but pervading all such phenomena is a constant reality known as myo.

Renge

Renge means lotus flower. The lotus blooms and produces seeds at the same time, and thus represents the simultaneity of cause and effect. The circumstances and quality of our individual lives are determined by the causes and effects, both good and bad, that we accumulate (through our thoughts, words and actions) at each moment. This is called our "karma." The law of cause and effect explains that we each have personal responsibility for our own destiny. We create our destiny and we can change it. The most powerful cause we can make is to chant Nam-myoho-renge-kyo; the effect of Buddhahood is simultaneously created in the depths of our life and will definitely manifest in time.

The lotus flower grows and blooms in a muddy pond, and yet remains pristine and free from any defilement, symbolizing the emergence of Buddhahood from within the life of an ordinary person.

Kyo

Kyo literally means sutra, the voice or teaching of a Buddha. In this sense, it also means sound, rhythm or vibration. Also, the Chinese character for kyo originally meant the warp in a piece of woven cloth, symbolizing the continuity of life throughout past, present and future. In a broad sense, kyo conveys the concept that all things in the universe are a manifestation of the Mystic Law.

Primary Practice

Chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo--also known as "Daimoku"--is the primary practice of SGI members. Through this practice, one is able to reveal the state of Buddhahood in one's life, experienced as the natural development of joy, increased vitality, courage, wisdom and compassion.

I'd like to share an inspirational video with you.

It's a ten minute talk given by a professor named Randy Pausch who has been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and only has a few months left to live. His talk is not about death however, it's about achieving your childhood dreams and how to live your life.

To watch the video please visit:

http://www.anthonyfernando.com/2008/04/29/the-last-lecture/ 

In a Chicago hospital, a gentleman had made several attempts to get
into the men's restroom, but it had always been occupied.

  A nurse noticed his predicament.

  Sir, she said ' You may use the ladies room if you promise not to
touch any of the buttons on the wall.'

  He did what he needed to, and as he sat there he noticed the buttons
he had promised not to touch.

  Each button was identified by letters: WW, WA , PP, and a red one
labelled ATR.

  Who would know if he touched them?

  He couldn't resist.. He pushed WW. Warm water was sprayed gently upon his bottom. What a nice feeling, he thought. Men's restrooms don't have nice things like this.

Anticipating greater pleasure, he pushed the WA button. Warm air replaced the warm water, gently drying his underside.

When this stopped, he pushed the PP button. A large powder puff caressed his bottom adding a fragile scent of spring flower to this unbelievable pleasure..

The ladies restroom was more than a restroom, it is tender loving pleasure.

When the powder puff completed its pleasure, he couldn't wait to push the ATR button which he knew would be supreme ecstasy.

Next thing he knew he opened his eyes, he was in a
hospital bed, and a nurse was staring down at him.

  'What happened?' he exclaimed. The last thing I remember was pushing
the ATR button.

  'The button ATR is an Automatic Tampon Remover. Your penis is under
your pillow.'

November 15

Daily Wisdom: From the Writings of Nichiren Daishonin

"The benefit of all the other sutras is uncertain, because they teach that one must first make good causes and only then can one become a Buddha at some later time. With regard to the Lotus Sutra, when one's hand takes it up, that hand immediately attains Buddhahood, and when one's mouth chants it, that mouth is itself a Buddha, as, for example, the moon is reflected in the water the moment it appears from behind the eastern mountains, or as a sound and its echo arise simultaneously."

Reference:

WND Page 1099
Page 1099 Wu-lung and I-lung
Written to Ueno-ama Gozen on 15 November 1281 from Minobu

These excerpts are from "Daily Wisdom: From the Writings of Nichiren Daishonin," a perpetual calendar of daily inspirational excerpts taken from the Gosho. This book is available for purchase at local SGI-USA Community Center bookstores and the online store.

For anyone living close to Northern Florida, this is a magnificent musical production; and admission IS FREE!!  Please consider rewarding yourself and viewing this important theatre event in the beautiful main concert hall on the UNF campus in Jacksonville, FL.

Below are the lyrics to a song ("As Above, So Below) from this musical that presents the central theme and thesis of the production: the inter-connectedness of all life (a very Buddhist concept, I might mention):

  As Above, So Below 

It's said to be a mystery,

But evidence abounds,

In ethereal and material,

All principles are found. 

Why wonder what's beyond- 

Life's mirrors tell the tale...

Upon the earth are manifest,

The very things we work with here! 

This connection gives direction,

To all who seek to know,

It's expansion that brings attraction,

Whether near, whether far,

Energy does flow. 

As above, so below,

As above, so below, 

(Child questions)  From them to us, from us to them?

(Answer)  There's no "us" and "them- we're One!

Some are the hands, some are the feet, some are the eyes and ears,

So does the work get done.  

As above, so below,

As above, so below. 

Inspiration brings new action,

Like atoms following the rule of eight,

Everybody's looking to unite with those, 

who stimulate their mind and souls,

To bond with those who generate the same (vibration) 

As above, so below,

As above, so below. 

We link, and link, and link, and link,

The spectrum do we cover,

Degreed awareness is what we are,

Building upon each other. 

As above, so below,

As above, so below. 

Wait a moment, let me see...

It's starting to be clear;

We're all reflections of each other,

So there is no there nor here, no here nor there? 

As above, so below,

As above, so below.

Exactly- see, it's not that strange!

Our thoughts like rivers flow,

We send out intentions through all dimensions,

And focus makes them grow.

Focus makes them grow!  

As above, so below, 

(Reflect, protect, direct, collect, connect!)

As above, so below,

(Contemplate, illuminate, elevate, initiate, radiate,

Incubate, reciprocate, In this way we all create!) 

As above, so below,

As above, so below.

As above, so below,

As above, so below. 

It's really simple, don't you see?

Love's the highest energy,

On Compassion wings it flies,

'Cross the veil of Space and Time. 

THE HIGHEST offering to the Buddha is not to worship

     something reminiscent of the Buddha. Rather,

it is to inherent the Buddha's spirit. In other words, the

highest offering lies in struggling to manifest, as one's

own way of life, even a part of the spirit of the Buddha,

who upheld the philosophy that everyone is a Buddha

and tirelessly strove to save all from suffering.

Buddhism Day by Day, p. 297

-Daisaku Ikeda

The Essentials for Attaining Buddhahood

Is not the meaning of the sutra and the commentary that the way to Buddhahood lies within the two elements of reality and wisdom? Reality means the true nature of all phenomena, and wisdom means the illuminating and manifesting of this true nature. Thus when the riverbed of reality is infinitely broad and deep, the water of wisdom will flow ceaselessly. When this reality and wisdom are fused, one attains Buddhahood in one's present form.

The sutras expounded prior to the Lotus Sutra cannot lead to Buddhahood because they are provisional and expedient teachings that separate reality and wisdom. The Lotus Sutra, however, unites the two as a single entity. The sutra says that the Buddhas open the door of Buddha wisdom to all living beings, show it, cause them to awaken to it, and induce them to enter its path. By realizing this Buddha wisdom, one attains Buddhahood.

The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin - Page 746