Nam Myoho Renge Kyo is the title of the Lotus Sutra, an ancient Buddhist text which contains dialogue from the original Buddha, Shakyamuni. The promise of chanting Nam Myoho Renge Kyo is that in using this means one can attain enlightenment, without fail, in this lifetime. Chanting Nam Myoho Renge Kyo enables you to grasp the mystic law of cause and effect that is always at work in your life. You are the cause of all events, good or bad. Through earnest chanting and steadfast practice, this truth becomes evident.
Courage
One who chants Nam Myoho Renge Kyo will be filled with the courage of a lion. Nichiren Daishonin, who first started the practice of chanting Nam Myoho Renge Kyo referred to chanting as the roar of a lion. Through chanting, one summons up the unstoppable Buddha-nature that is in the heart of every living being. When one chant, he challenges the voices of fear and doubt that cloud the mind and causes men to lose focus.
Concentration
Chanting also allows the practitioner to view the contents of his mind.
These habitual thoughts are one’s karma, the mind’s normal reactions to everyday situations.
The aim while chanting is to focus the mind. While doing this it’s easy to see what kind of thoughts the mind usually contains. Before chanting the mind is like a wild horse. Through chanting, you grab the reigns and steer it towards a definite course.
Fulfillment of desire
The main benefit of chanting is that if you focus on something you want, you will get it. While you are chanting you are focusing all your mental faculties on the object of desire, casting out negative thoughts and distractions, while holding the image of your goal firmly in your mind. There is nothing that cannot be accomplished when a mind is firmly fixed on a single goal.
By chanting Nam Myoho Renge Kyo you can attain enlightenment in this lifetime. This is the promise of Nichiren Buddhism. Enlightenment is only awakening to the truth of your inherent Buddha-nature. When you awaken to your Buddha nature, you are free from fear, doubt, suffering and all forms of blame. You begin to understand that your mind is the entity of the mystic law, creating all things, pervading even the smallest particles of dust. You are free, knowing that you are truly in control of your life.
