This study series prepared by the SGI-USA Study Department aims to answer questions about the basics of Nichiren Buddhism.
In this installment, we turn to Ikeda Sensei’s guidance to answer some frequently asked questions about chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo.
Q: Why do we keep our eyes open when we chant?
Ikeda Sensei: It’s best to keep your eyes open and to look at the Gohonzon. It’s generally considered impolite not to look others in the eye when speaking to them. I think this is also true when we are facing and addressing the Gohonzon as we recite the sutra and chant Nam-myoho-renge-kyo.
Of course, if you do close your eyes occasionally, there’s no need to worry. It’s just that when we close our eyes, it can be more difficult to commune strongly with the Gohonzon.
This, of course, does not apply to people who are blind or sight impaired, who need simply to chant or recite the sutra to the Gohonzon within their hearts. (Discussions on Youth, p. 232)
Q: Should I chant a certain amount of time for my prayer to be answered? Or can I chant intensely for a short time? Which is more important, quantity or quality?
Sensei: The value—or, if you like, the quality—of a 100-dollar bill is more than a 10-dollar bill. Naturally, most people would prefer a 100-dollar bill, right? Similarly, in faith, sincere, strong prayers are important. Of course, having lots of 100-dollar bills is even better! Likewise, in chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo to the Gohonzon, both quantity and quality count.
Everything you do in the realm of Buddhist faith and practice is for your own happiness. The main thing is that you feel deep satisfaction after chanting. There are no hard-and-fast rules about having to chant a certain number of hours. Setting chanting targets can be helpful, but when you’re tired or sleepy and are just mumbling along in a half-conscious daze, it’s better to stop and go to bed. After you’ve rested, you can chant with concentration and energy again. This is much more valuable. We should be alert and earnest when we pray, not nodding off.
As I said, most important is that our chanting be satisfying and refreshing, so that we can exclaim when we’ve finished, “Ah, that felt good!” By reinforcing that feeling day after day, our lives naturally move in the most positive direction. (Discussions on Youth, p. 303)
Q: What should I think about when I chant?
Sensei: We should … go ahead and chant about our desires, our problems and our aspirations, just as they are. When we’re suffering, feeling sad or experiencing hard times, we should just go to the Gohonzon with an open heart, like an infant who throws himself into the arms of his mother and clings to her. The Gohonzon will “listen” to our every word, so we should chant abundantly as if we are carrying on a conversation, confiding our innermost thoughts. In time, even hellish sufferings will vanish like the morning dew and seem as but a dream.
If, for instance, we recognize that we have been in error in some way, we should offer prayers of deep apology and correct that error. Then we should make a fresh determination never to repeat the same mistake again and set forth anew.
Also, in crucial moments where victory or defeat will be decided, we should firmly resolve to win and chant with the power of a lion’s roar or the ferocity of an asura[1] demon, as if to shake the entire universe.
And, in the evening, after a happy day, we should chant to the Gohonzon with profound appreciation. …
Chanting transforms suffering into joy and joy into supreme joy. This is why it is important to single-mindedly chant Nam-myoho-renge-kyo no matter what, whether we are happy or sad, in good times or in bad. This is the direct path to happiness. (The New Human Revolution, vol. 11, revised edition, pp. 106–07)
—Prepared by the SGI-USA Study Department
August 15, 2025 World Tribune, p.9
References
- Asura: A type of demon in Indian mythology, described as contentious and belligerent, continually fighting with the gods. ↩︎
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