ODAIMOKU
Sacred Title of the Lotus Sutra
ODAIMOKU
Sacred Title of the Lotus Sutra
NAMU MYOHO RENGE KYO AS AWARENESS OF THE LORD BUDDHA
Prince Siddhartha of the Sakya Clan made a long, profound search for the Ultimate Truth, and he finally attained Buddhahood through his great wisdom and experience. He then revealed His awareness of the supreme reality and taught the Way to those of us who are suffering in this Saha World. If we follow His teaching sincerely and faithfully, we will have the same awareness which the Buddha experienced.
Nichiren Shonin teaches:
"Sakyamuni Buddha's merit of practicing the bodhisattva way leading to Buddhahood, as well as that of preaching and saving all living beings since his attainment of Buddhahood, are altogether contained in the five words of myo, ho, ren, ge, and kyo (Lotus Sutra of the Wonderful Dharma), and that consequently, when we uphold the five words, the merits which he accumulated before and after his attainment of Buddhahood are naturally transferred to us."
(Kanjin Honzon Sho)
NAMU MYOHO RENGE KYO AS COMPASSION OF THE LORD BUDDHA
Odaimoku is the Buddha's great compassion. It is warm and lively. When we recite Namu Myoho Renge Kyo, we will receive the great compassion of the Lord Buddha. Since we will be happy when we receive someones compassion, everyone who receives the Buddha's great compassion will feel full of new power, physically and spiritually. We will not be afraid of anything whenever we face difficulty, and we will overcome it.
Nichiren Shonin teaches:
"Namu Myoho Renge Kyo is not only the true spirit of the Lord Buddha, but the heart, body and teachings of the Lotus Sutra."
(A Letter replying to Soya Nyudo)
RELIGION IS NOT NECESSARY IN THE REALM OF REASON, BUT IS IN THE REALM OF EXPERIENCE.
It is the state beyond explanation by words. Although we may explain the shape, color, and texture of a banana to someone who has never tasted one, we can never completely describe the exact taste. But if we show the same person a banana, peel off its skin and let him eat it, he can learn first hand what a banana is, In the same way, we can be aware of the realm of faith through the experience. The Buddha's teaching is not theory of life, but A WAY OF LIFE. Therefore, we should practice reciting Odaimoku as part of our experience of life, and we will open up a new world of faith.
It is ideal if you can face the Great Mandala, put your hands together in Gassho and chant Namu Myoho Renge Kyo. But since the Odaimoku contains all of the Buddha's wisdom and compassion, even while walking or working, whenever and wherever we recite Namu Myoho Renge Kyo, we will sense an "AWARENESS" of the "WISDOM" and "COMPASSION" of the Buddha.
The preceding text is from the pamplet "ODAIMOKU, SACRED TITLE OF THE LOTUS SUTRA" published by the Nichiren Buddhist International Center (NBIC).