Reply to two new believers

"Hello! I'm XYZ. I'm happy to learn more about Buddhism. I consider myself a layperson. I've read excerpts of the lotus sutra and own a copy I'm working through. I'm not super knowledgeable but I'd like to be. Any info is appreciated

Fantastic!!! It is easy to begin and difficult to continue. As in SGI, we chant Namu Myoho renge kyo (not Nam Myoho renge kyo) to a copy of a Gohonzon inscribed by the venerable Nichiren. Also, similar to the Soka Gakkai, we do Gongyo morning and evening, reciting the same two parts of the 2nd and 16th Chapters of the Lotus Sutra. Unlike the Soka Gakkai, we study the Lotus Sutra and the writings of Nichiren and take them to heart:

How to obtain Supreme and Perfect Enlightenment (Buddhahood) quickly

another new believer, Josh, writes:

"Just a suggestion but would it be possible to post more info on how to really dive into the teachings for a new believer coming into the Nichiren fold? There isn't much info out there other than by "those that shan't be named." or others with their own agenda. Would it be possible to maybe post some things that show how one can begin, continue and develop their practice for the long haul and integrate into everyday life from an authentic point not from a watered down, mixed point like what is being peddled as Nichiren Buddhism." -- Josh

To begin to dive into the teachings, determine to chant Namu Myoho renge kyo for, at least, 15 minutes in the morning and 15 minutes in the evening. You may also recite portions of the 2nd and 16th Chapters of the Lotus Sutra in Sino-Japanese or your native language. You may find Sutra books containing these two chapters on line. From time to time you may also recite any or all of the Lotus Sutra as did Nichiren. I would avoid all sectarian prayers before or after your recitation of the Lotus Sutra unless they are based on the Lotus Sutra and writings of Nichiren. You may add your own personal prayers either before, after, or both before and after your recitation of Namu Myoho renge kyo and the Lotus Sutra. Your personal prayers too should be based on the Lotus Sutra and writings of Nichiren. They may be recited out loud or silently.

Choose a clean area of your home and set up an altar with blank wall, altar table, covered water cup [to change the water daily], vase for fresh flowers or evergreens [which should never be left on to wither and die], food bowl for offering fresh fruit [and try never to let the fruit rot], bell, incense dish, and candle holder. Initially, you may place a copy of the Lotus Sutra and a statue of Shakyamuni Buddha on the altar [be sure that it is Guatama or Shakyamuni and not Amida]. Make a great indestructible vow to continue chanting Namu Myoho renge kyo until the last moment of your life. To help you to continuously renew and strengthen your vow, it is necessary several things: To study the Lotus Sutra and the writings of Nichiren Daishonin on a daily basis if possible; to take as your teachers Shakyamuni Buddha of the Original Doctrine [Shakyamuni of the 16th Chapter of the Lotus Sutra or Gohonzon] and Nichiren Daishonin, the Supreme Votary of the Lotus Sutra. Integrating the teachings into your daily life is to chant the title of the Lotus Sutra with the same faith as Nichiren. When your vow is firm, you may ask your friend or family member who introduced you to the faith and practice to bestow upon you a mandala Gohonzon or you may print off a mandala Gohonzon and either frame it or mount it on a blank wall scroll. You should perform an Eye Opening Ceremony when you receive the Gohonzon. It can be found online. The Gohonzon should be placed on the wall above seated eye level or placed in a cabinet called a Butsudan [if you have pets or are surrounded by those who oppose your practice]. You should protect the Gohonzon. You may place a statue of Shakyamuni Buddha (and/or a statue of Nichiren Daishonin) and a copy of the Lotus Sutra on the altar. Usually, the statues and copy of the Lotus Sutra are placed in the middle in front of the Gohonzon but this is not a hard and fast rule. Nichiren was not absolutely clear as to the structure of a valid object of worship [devotion] or altar setup, be it a "painted" [inscribed] or a statue arrangement. This accounts for the different styles and arrangements of the objects of worship of the various sects. You can't go wrong with a copy of a Nichiren inscribed Gohonzon, particularly those from the Koan Era (1278 - 1281). .

There are two types of practice: The practice for oneself and the practice for others. The practice for oneself is to chant Namu Myoho renge kyo. We should also chant parts of the 2nd Chapter of the Lotus Sutra and the 16th Chapter of the Lotus Sutra (either the entire 16th Chapter or the verse section alone).

The practice for others can be further broken down into the peaceful practices and the forceful practices. Only the priests must perform both practices. Laymen and laywomen may or may not perform the forceful practices depending on their abilities. Nichiren performed principally the peaceful practices towards his disciples and believers and principally the forceful practices regarding the believers and practitioners of other faiths.

You will develop and integrate your faith and practice by following the Master Nichiren and adopting his manner of reading the Lotus Sutra [a bodily reading].

Nichiren teaches and I paraphrase: "There are two main reasons people make mistakes in their Buddhist practice...they are ignorant of the real teachings, and they follow bad teachers."

To avoid ignorance of the teachings, you should study the Lotus Sutra and the authenticated writings of Nichiren Daishonin. Several scholars and priests have determined which are authentic writings (definitely or probably) of Nichiren and which are forged writings. You should seek their writings on the subject. Studying the Five Major writings of Nichiren and their various translations are a good starting point. Please remember that the writings of Nichiren are ultimately consistent. If you read something purported to be from Nichiren and it is inconsistent with the Five Major Works or the entire canon of Nichiren, it is suspect. Please also remember that Nichiren developed his teachings. The earlier authentic teachings should be weighted against the authentic teachings during and after his exile on Sado Island with one exception: Establishing the Correct Teaching for the Peace of the Land written in 1260 is one of the Five Major Works and considered by some to be on par with the Opening of the Eyes and the True Object of Worship (A Treatise Revealing the Spiritual Contemplation and the Object of Worship for the First Time in the Fifth 500 year period after the Death of Shakyamuni Buddha)

The objective of the Nichiren faith is Supreme and Perfect Enlightenment or Buddhahood. In order to achieve such an exalted state one must perform a bodily reading of the Lotus Sutra as did Nichiren. By striving to have the same faith as Nichiren, you will be protected by the Buddhas, bodhisattvas, and Buddhist gods throughout the universe. To avoid following bad teachers, the only teachers to rely on are Shakyamuni of the Juryo (16th) Chapter of the Lotus Sutra (Gohonzon) and Nichiren Daishonin, the Supreme Votary of the Lotus Sutra.

Lastly, if you wish to engage other non-Nichiren Lotus Sutra Buddhists with polemics (the forceful practices), you had better study the Sutra classification of Tientai the Great...

"Five periods and eight teachings ［五時八教］ ( goji-hakkyō): A system of classification of the Buddhist teachings set forth by T’ien-t’ai (538–597) in The Profound Meaning of the Lotus Sutra to demonstrate the superiority of the Lotus Sutra over all the other sutras. The five periods is a classification of Shakyamuni Buddha’s sutras according to the order in which they were expounded and consists of the Flower Garland, Āgama, Correct and Equal, Wisdom, and Lotus and Nirvana periods. The eight teachings is an organization of the Buddha’s teachings by content and method of presentation. It consists of two sub-classifications—the four teachings of doctrine and the four teachings of method. The four teachings of doctrine, a classification by content, are the Tripitaka teaching, the connecting teaching, the specific teaching, and the perfect teaching. The four teachings of method, a classification by method of teaching, are the sudden teaching, the gradual teaching, the secret teaching, and the indeterminate teaching. See also eight teachings; five periods." - Nichiren SGI library

Mark, disciple and believer of Shakyamuni Buddha and Nichiren Daishonin who has adopted Nichiren's forceful practices and who desires little.