If you would like to start practicing Nichiren Buddhism, we provide a PDF, Celebration and Practice of the Lotus Sutra, that includes everything you need for daily practice. In that book, you will find instructions for how to do what is called gongyo or “diligent practice,” which refers to the daily devotional and meditative practice of Buddhist chanting. More detailed instructions on how to do gongyo and build up your practice can also be found here.
If you would like to join our practice and chant with us please go to the calendar and you will find links to our online practice meetings and other events.
Nichiren instructed us as follows:
Strive to carry out the two ways of practice and learning. Without practice and learning Buddhism will cease to exist. Endeavor yourself and cause others to practice these two ways of practice and learning, which stem from faith. If possible, please spread even a word or phrase of the sutra to others. (Writings of Nichiren Shonin Volume 4, pp. 84-85)
Faith, practice, and learning are integral to the Buddhist path as Nichiren understood and taught it. Faith is about having a sense of trust and confidence in the Buddha’s awakening, in the Dharma as teaching, practice, and reality, and in the Sangha of our fellow practitioners, and in our own ability to practice and realize the truth directly for ourselves. Practice is how we cultivate, abide in, and share our faith through the daily practice of gongyo and in how we live out the spirit of the Buddha’s highest teaching, as expressed in the Lotus Sutra, in our daily lives. Learning is meant to inspire our faith and guide our practice.
When it comes to learning about Buddhism, there are many sutras (scriptures) and commentaries by great masters of the past. It can be overwhelming and hard to know where to start. Therefore, I offer the following articles to cover the basics that every practitioner of Nichiren Buddhism should know. The articles are accompanied by links to quizzes (obviously “open book”) so that, if you wish, you can test yourself on the material covered.
The Life of Shakyamuni Buddha
Take a quiz on the Life of Shakyamuni Buddha
The Basic Teachings of Buddhism
Take a quiz on Basic Buddhism
The Teachings of Mahayana Buddhism
Take a quiz on Mahayana Buddhism
Take a quiz on the Lotus Sutra
The Life of Nichiren Daishonin
Take a quiz on Nichiren’s Life
The Three Great Secret Dharmas
Take a quiz on Nichiren’s Teachings (this covers the above three articles)
Take a quiz on Nichiren Shu Practice (this covers the above three articles)
Nichiren Shu as an Organization
Take a quiz on Nichiren Shu as an Organization
If you would like to join Nichiren Shu, please talk to Ryuei Shonin about receiving the precepts to uphold the Lotus Sutra and the practice of its Odaimoku (Sacred Title). In Nichiren Shu, this ceremony is called Entering Faith and Returning to Rectitude Ceremony (Nyushin Kisho-shiki). We sometimes refer to it as “Jukai” because, in this ceremony, one receives the Wonderful Precept or Myokai of upholding Namu Myoho Renge Kyo and the Gohonzon.
If this is a step you would like to take, please practice with us for at least six months, review the basic teachings of Buddhism, Mahayana Buddhism, and Nichiren Buddhism listed above, and take the quizzes. This is so that you will know what it is you are taking refuge in (the Three Treasures as understood in Nichiren’s teaching), what is the Wonderful Precept you will be receiving, and what is the Gohonzon or focus of devotion of Nichiren Buddhism.