Nichiren Daishonin was a Japanese monk who lived in the 13th century and studied all of Shakyamuni’s teachings. Shakyamuni said that although his teachings were effective for the people of his time, they would eventually lose their power to lead people to enlightenment. He predicted that in the future, another Buddha would emerge who had the correct teachings for that time and into the future.
     Nichiren, who was the first person to chant Nam–Myoho–Renge–Kyo, fulfilled that prophecy. All Buddhist wisdom is contained in the words Nam–Myoho–Renge–Kyo.

     The words translate to: NAM (devotion to) MYOHO, (the Mystic Law of cause and effect), RENGE (the simultaneous nature of cause and effect) and KYO (sound, teaching, or vibration). The actual sound of chanting is a rhythm that permeates the universe. When we chant Nam–Myoho–Renge–Kyo, we connect to this basic vibration of life. It’s like calling up the universe on the phone, and Nam–Myoho–Renge–Kyo is the phone number! Chanting awakens our enlightened nature and transforms us from the inside out. When we transform internally, because we are one with our environment, the environment reflects those changes. We attract good things into our lives, elevate our life condition and become truly happy.

     The Gohonzon is not a god or deity. Nichiren was a common mortal and left the Gohonzon as his legacy. It is a picture of an enlightened life. When we chant to the Gohonzon, it’s similar to reading sheet music when playing the piano. The music isn’t on the paper — it’s in your life — you follow the notes to bring it out. In the same way we connect with the Gohonzon to reveal our enlightened nature.

     We chant to produce benefits in our daily lives — physical, material, or spiritual. You can overcome any problem, achieve any goal, or get anything you desire through chanting. Nam–Myoho–Renge–Kyo is like spiritual fuel. You put it in your vehicle (you), but you still must drive it. In other words, the Gohonzon is not a magic wish box. You must take action to transform your karma.

     Simply put, karma is the causes and effects you have made through your eternal life. Past, present, and future all exist in the present moment. To see what causes you have made, look at your present circumstances. To change where you’re going, chant Nam–Myoho–Renge–Kyo and take action toward your goals. Chanting doesn’t eliminate problems but you’ll find you can overcome any obstacles and turn them into benefit. In the process, you’ll discover indestructible happiness — the kind that is unaffected by outside circumstances — a pilot light that never goes out.

     Our ultimate goal as Buddhists is world peace. Peace must come from the heart of each individual. Chanting enables people to become happy and fulfill their dreams. That in turn affects the environment, creating a ripple effect spreading throughout the world. The Soka Gakkai International, which has its headquarters in Japan, exists in nearly 200 countries around the world and is an NGO (non–governmental organization) of the United Nations. With millions of people chanting Nam–Myoho–Renge–Kyo, we can achieve personal happiness and world peace.

Sites related to Soka Gakkai: http://www.sgi.org/public_info.html

Slow Gongyo Practice: http://www.sgi-usa.org/newmembers/resources/slowgongyo/

Introduction to Buddhism Video: IntroMovie.html