A 90 Day Buddhist Trial Experience - Days 1&2

[december52004]

After deciding to take the 90 day trial with Kempon Hokke Shu (A Nichiren Buddhist organisation), and receiving my beautiful KHS Gohonzon, I offered to record a regular diary in a way to say thank you to KHS for this opportunity – but also to provide interest, experience and hope to influence other people who may not be decided to take the plunge!! – After all it's only 90 days – What can happen?? – Well let's see!!

(I am not familiar with publishing material and as I originate from the middle of England, please excuse the odd use of my local tongue)

I have to say that I am familiar with the workings of Nichiren Buddhism after being an SGI member for 7 years – but after deciding to leave the SGI to pursue something that "felt deeper and truer" I have spent several months researching into alternative groups.

I decided the only way I am going to know for sure what is the correct home for my faith would be to take up the offer of a 90 day trial.

So on receiving my Gohonzon and having it printed onto a good quality paper, I framed it, placed it in my Butsudan, got out my copy of "The Essential Services of Sublime Dharma of the Lotus Flower Sutra" (What I would call Gongyo book – but it is much more than that) and began.

The enshrining of my Gohonzon was a special experience – I placed my Shakyamuni Buddha statue, that I had received many years ago, underneath my Gohonzon and it felt a very wholesome and homely experience.

I sat down and began to do some Daimoku ( repeatedly chanting) – Namu Myoho Renge Kyo, Namu Myoho Renge Kyo……….

I opened the book, went through The Invitation, onto the Auxiliary Practice (Hoben-Pon and Jiga-ge sections) and onto the Principle Practice of chanting Daimoku with the utmost devotion…. Namu Myoho Renge Kyo, Namu Myoho Renge Kyo……….

It was getting pretty late at night by now, so I decided that 15 mins Daimoku would be enough (although I understand much more – or indeed, much less is certainly acceptable according to time available)

I think I must have entered some time warp or something as the 15 mins cruised by in what seemed to be even less than 5.

"Blimey" I thought, "not only is this practice flexible, but so far highly enjoyable"

Onto the Witnessing the Truth section – it seemed a little odd to be reciting this out loud in English – but when reading the words it encompasses so much of what I believe Nichiren Buddhism to be about – and I am especially looking forward to the " The Sun of Wisdom melting away my sins like frost and dew" – (anyone new to Nichiren Buddhism – don't read the sins bit as you may currently understand it – as it's different – just think wrong doings/bad karma type stuff and replace for sins)

Finally, the Dedications, The Vows and Receiving and Keeping the Daimoku.

Sansho (Namu Myoho Renge Kyo x3) and finish.

After I closed my Butsudan (cabinet) I did feel good – no word of a lie, that felt like one of the best Gongyos I can remember having for sometime.

I decided to crack open a can of beer and escort it outside for a cigarette to celebrate despite the late hour!!

When I awoke at 5.20am this morning with the sound of my alarm accompanied by next doors rotweiller breaking in the day, I was soon into the bathroom, out, dressed and downstairs opening the sliding doors, dragging the mosquito inner mesh doors closed, offering water to my Gohonzon, offering water to myself, and on my stool to commence morning Gongyo.

It was only a matter of moments before I was joined on the sound waves by next doors rotweiller! It became almost a contest, the more he barked the more passionate and louder (may not be the best choice of words, but you get the idea) my Gongyo became, till eventually, there could only ever be one winner – ME and DAIMOKU!

Admittedly when it comes to downing a few tins of Chum or scaring passing cyclists half to death – there is no contest – not unless I mention the time my step son decided to yank down my shorts in full view of the neighbours whilst I was watering the garden – but this is definitely not the place for revealing that (which oddly sounds just like what my Fiance said at the time!!) - but he paled away to the back of their house this morning!

Cant wait to get home this evening for evening Gongyo!!

So far – so very good!

More from me soon….

[sabaijai]

If you're planning to post regularly here, just wanted to point out that the ThaiVisa Forum is a discussion forum, not a blog.

Thanks.

[Brucenkhamen]

It's a copy and paste of what's on his website, so probably a link would have sufficed.