●Teachings of HONMON BUTSURYUSHU

8. Practices Performed by HBS8. Practices Performed by HBS

b. Chanting repeatedly is a Buddhist practice (training):

There are some people who say that it is not necessary to chant the 'Odaimoku' repeatedly over hundreds and thousands of times. Instead, ten times should be sufficient, if one prays earnestly. If that is the case, why did Saint Nichiren require the repetitive chanting of the 'Odaimoku'?

It is because, if the chanting is not done correctly, it ceases to be a training. In Buddhist faith, worshipping is a form of training. An athlete must train and practice daily for hours to become proficient in his endeavor. Likewise, in religion, fervent practice and training are necessary to make one's mind receptive to the benefits and good fortunes it provides.

HBS does not differentiate between wise and unwise (wisdom and non-wisdom). It disregards all things and concentrates only on chanting 'Namumyohorengekyo'. The training is being done in compliance with this idea. If the'Odaimoku' is repeated only ten or twenty times, it cannot be considered as training. Saint Nissen said, "To chant the`Odaimoku' ten thousand times will enable one to comprehend the value of blessings (Goriyaku) received."

The repetitive chanting of the 'Odaimoku' is analogous to training in sports, and only through repetitive chanting, can one receive the benefits of good fortunes.

Among our parishioners, there are some who feel that chanting the`Odaimoku' is too repetitive. We do not chant only for the sake of repetition. As the teachings indicate, we chant to create merits. For every chant of the 'Odaimoku', we are creating an equivalent number of good merits.

Saint Nissen said, "Do not misconstrue yourself to be talented when you are just ordinary. It is, also, a big mistake to consider that you are accomplishing your practice by chanting the 'Odaimoku' only once."

Next. [Teachings] 9. How to O-Kyuji(to adorn the altar,Gohonzon):