Embracing Buddhism: The Japanese way

With urban lifestyle’s rigour taking a toll on an individual’s quality of life, Delhiites are turning to the peculiar practice of chanting Buddhist chants in Japanese language. Surreal as it sounds, but Nam-myoho-renge-kyo is the new Om namah Shivaya.

In a competitive, mundane and fast-paced life, this practice is the secret to many happy lives in and around the national Capital. Rishwa Amarnath, a resident of South extension said: “Although it took me four years to accustom myself with this chant in Japanese language, in the end it was worth the effort. It is not a religion change, it is a philosophy which aids you to put faith into practice. The practice has no compelling hard and fast rule.”

Not only in Delhi, but this way of life, called Nichiren Daishonin Buddhism, is popular in various other states of India as well. Expanding through regular leadership programmes, the people also conduct weekly to yearly meetings. The support groups try to stay away from the lime light. Most people still wonder why not Sanskrit or any other native language is used to promote the idea and answering this, a practitioner said: “Language is just the medium, once a person starts practicing they will know that it is the vibrations in the chanting process that matters and not words. As chanting Om creates a vibration and allows ease in the mind, same goes for Nam-myoho-renge-kyo.”

Followed around the globe in 192 countries, these writings of Nichiren Daishonin, a 13th century Japanese Buddhist sage, reveal that the lotus sutra is the ultimate teaching of Buddha. Nichiren crystallised the teachings of lotus sutra into a concrete philosophy and established a practice suitable for all times.

A staunch believer of this practice said: “Many have transformed their lives through this idea. What makes it different is the concept of ‘Human Revolution’ and the ‘Cause and Effect theory’. 

In many of the philosophies, one needs to detach from the materialistic desires to attain higher state of mind. But in this case, it is quite contrary as one can achieve all their goals and after that detach themselves with a complete satisfaction. Gautam Buddha has taught that the key to happiness is within and centuries later, his teachings remain relevant. Though practiced in different ways and manners across geographical and cultural entities, Nichiren teachings have stood the test of time.

 

According to the writings of Nichiren, one must create good causes to get good effects, pray with eyes open to be in the moment. Also, one should be determined to achieve the present day goals. Paying gratitude to everyone for their contribution in life and having faith is the key to salvation. 

The writings also say that to utilise the complete potential, if you want to understand the causes that existed in the past, look at the results as they manifest in the present and if you want to understand what results will be manifested in the future, look at the causes that exist in the present.