●Teachings of HONMON BUTSURYUSHU

8. Practices Performed by HBS8. Practices Performed by HBS

a. Practice which can be performed by anyone.

What about the practice through speech of chanting the 'Odaimoku'? This type of meditation can be done by any one of all ages, anywhere and at any time. It can be accomplished while walking, driving, and even while doing chores with your hands, whenever and wherever you wish. Because of its practical uses, this method of practice is found to be the most important of the three types mentioned.

Saint Nichiren recommended that ordinary people practice through speech by chanting the 'Odaimoku'. It is found to be the least difficult practice because it can be done at any time and anywhere. Although 'Odaimoku' can be chanted silently, the chanting in a strong voice is recommended for the following reasons.

Use of 'The five sense-organs'

One of the main objectives of our religion is to plant in one's conscious mind Buddha's virtuous merits of enlightenment which is instilled in the 'Odaimoku', to filter the evil and to build virtuous merits in the mind. Which practice do you think, silent or out loud, will better accomplish this objective?

Humans listen to the sound with their ears, view objects with their eyes, smell with their noses, and taste with their tongues. The body experiences sensations and the mind makes decisions. In Buddhism, these faculties are referred to as the six senses. In order to sow and transmit the seeds of the six senses deep into the 'Arayashiki', it is more effective to arouse as many senses as one possesses. Therefore, when one prays silently, it only arouses the thought consciousness, and consequently, becomes a weak method of sowing the seed into the 'Arayashiki'. However, when we chant the 'Odaimoku' aloud, all of our senses are awaken and aid the transmission of the teachings into our minds.

Saint Nissen said, "To chant earnestly the 'Odaimoku', by your mouth and your mind, is to sow the seeds of Buddhahood in the pasture of your soul. That is 'Geshu'."

Next. [Teachings] 8-b. Chanting repeatedly is a Buddhist practice (training):