Gongyo

Gongyo literally means, ‘assiduous (constant) practice’.

In Nichiren Buddhism, ‘gongyo’ is the recitation of the ‘Expedient Means’ (second) chapter and the ‘Life Span’ (sixteenth) chapter of the Lotus Sutra and chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo in front of the Gohonzon. The recitation of the sutra is the preparatory practice, which helps to manifest the benefits of the primary practice, chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo. Gongyo is performed each morning and evening and is the most fundamental practice of Nichiren Daishonin’s Buddhism.

What should your state of mind be when you chant?
There is no need to empty your mind when you chant Nam-myoho-renge-kyo or recite gongyo, neither is it a form of self-hypnosis. In fact, when you first begin to chant, you probably won’t be able to think about very much other than trying to pronounce the words correctly. After this, most people find that anything that is concerning them will quite naturally surface in their minds while they are chanting.

Chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo is a form of prayer; therefore, we pray for a solution to any difficulties we, our friends and family, our country, or our world may be facing. As chanting activates the wisdom of our Buddha nature, we will find that we gain some insight into our difficulties. At other times, whilst the solution may seem no nearer, we will experience hope and determination beginning to well up in our lives. If we continue in this way, practising and taking action in our daily lives, a solution will definitely present itself.

Chanting is not merely an exercise to concentrate our mind but is the way to direct our whole life along a more creative, fulfilling path. Therefore, it is not a good idea to become fixed in our thoughts, repeatedly saying to ourselves while we chant, ‘I have to solve this or that problem.’ After expressing our prayers, we can try to relax our minds and enjoy the sound of our chanting.

Our inner wisdom or Buddha nature knows what is needed for our happiness, even though our conscious minds may not

For this reason, we should not try to find a solution to a problem as we chant, for this would block the flow of wisdom arising from our Buddha nature.

What is the effect of practice?
In order to see the effect that Buddhist practice can have, we are encouraged to test it by setting a goal or determination for something that we would like to see happen in our lives. It is not necessary to have belief in Nam-myoho-renge-kyo in order to start chanting it. Faith develops as we start to see actual proof in our lives.

Nichiren Buddhism does not seek to deny desire. Rather, it recognises that desire is a powerful motivating force in our lives. Those new to chanting, therefore, will often acknowledge some immediate proof in the form of a particular desire being fulfilled. This is a natural result of putting our lives in rhythm with the universe.

Carry on practising and you will gradually begin to discover the deeper implications of this profound philosophy for your life.

Benefits of practice can be divided into two categories, conspicuous and inconspicuous. Of course, it is wonderful to gain some conspicuous benefit in the form of an improvement in our circumstances, but the more durable benefits to be derived from the practice are the inconspicuous kind. These denote changes in our character as a result of deeply transforming our lives.

From this inner change we become more able to create change in our outward circumstances, thus changing our destiny or karma

By using our natural desires as a motivation to practise, our lives are revolutionised so that we gain what is most necessary for our individual happiness. Inevitably, this spreads to others and creates happiness around us.

While our initial goals may be self-centred and directed at personal fulfilment, after a time we find ourselves starting to dig deeper to discover and change the fundamental source of our unhappiness. We also begin to look outwards, to our friends and family, and the issues in society.

As we continue, we also discover that practising for others is a very effective means of motivating change for the better in our own lives. By developing our concern for other people, we start to tap the power of our greater self, our Buddha nature, which is one with the infinite power of the universe. ●