Lotus

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I dig meditation. I dig chant. Having been raised Catholic I have an affinity for incense and robes...
So naturally I'm a fan of Buddhism. However, its only since moving to Los Angeles that I've heard of Nichiren Buddhism.

Tonight I attended a Nichiren Buddhist meeting as the guest of the SGI-USA's Young Women's Divison leader, Vinessa. Having learned my forte was sound, Vinessa has been eager to expose me to her spiritual practice. We gathered at a members home and chanted Nam-Myoho-Renge-Kyo, the chant Nichiren Buddhists practice and repeat day and night in order to achieve enlightenment, or Buddhahood.

The meaning of Nam-Myoho-Renge-Kyo is broken down as such:

• Nam – derived from the Sanskrit word “Namas” which means “to devote oneself.”
• Myoho – “mystic law”
  
• Renge – literally translates into “lotus flower" referring to the Lotus Sutra Nichiren Buddhism is founded upon.
  
• Kyo – “teaching” and secondly, “sound.”
  

As I am learning, this chant is the backbone of the Nichiren practice, as is the principle of cause and effect.

Tonight's topic of discussion was Karma. Having just finished my metaphysics class on karma earlier this afternoon, I found the "coincidence" humorous and totally fitting.

It was fascinating to sit and listen to the Buddhist's view of Karma. In Nichiren Buddhism, the members believe they can eradicate their karma completely by chanting Nam-Myoho-Renge-Kyo. By doing so they feel they are directly taping into the universal life force that connects all things, and with this connection they are able to directly influence the past, present, and future.

For me, it was great fun. Sitting in a room of chanting souls is POWERFUL.
AND there was really yummy food.

Am I going to sign up? No.
But then again, if Catholicism cant pin me down, what can?

What I am going to do is incorporate the chant into my own unique tapestry of spirituality and see what happens.

After all, I could use a little more lotus in my life.