Is some sort of initiation necessary for the Namu Myoho Renge Kyo?

These days I thought I was going to continue reciting Hindu mantras, but the gods left me confused if they want to be with me or not. And I've got signs twice from god Jupiter/Zeus/Eagle to recite daimoku to fulfill my wishes, which was surprising.

So a few times I've tried putting up an altar with a printed Gohonzon and reciting a few rounds, but I just got tired of it. It's not like other mantras which cause a relaxing effect. I got tired because it was most of the time just like repeating any other phrase! I've only noticed a few random effects sometimes, like falling in a trance and having a vision of a guy connecting and disconnecting machines (changing my attachments perhaps?) and twice I had a little relief of my chronic neck pain. I also had a dream one night with a group of strange humanoid beings of different heights in my room, telling they wanted to help me.

Is some sort of initiation necessary for the Namu/Nam Myoho Renge Kyo to have a full effect? I've been told I had to go to SGI and "receive Gohonzon". But I'd rather prefer not to belong to any religious group, church or cult. Besides now I'm unemployed, just doing some freelance work once in a while so I can't afford donations or tithes.

agorman said:

These days I thought I was going to continue reciting Hindu mantras, but the gods left me confused if they want to be with me or not. And I've got signs twice from god Jupiter/Zeus/Eagle to recite daimoku to fulfill my wishes, which was surprising.

So a few times I've tried putting up an altar with a printed Gohonzon and reciting a few rounds, but I just got tired of it. It's not like other mantras which cause a relaxing effect. I got tired because it was most of the time just like repeating any other phrase! I've only noticed a few random effects sometimes, like falling in a trance and having a vision of a guy connecting and disconnecting machines (changing my attachments perhaps?) and twice I had a little relief of my chronic neck pain. I also had a dream one night with a group of strange humanoid beings of different heights in my room, telling they wanted to help me.

Is some sort of initiation necessary for the Namu/Nam Myoho Renge Kyo to have a full effect? I've been told I had to go to SGI and "receive Gohonzon". But I'd rather prefer not to belong to any religious group, church or cult. Besides now I'm unemployed, just doing some freelance work once in a while so I can't afford donations or tithes.

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Interesting. I used to practice with SGI ans Shoshu (not at the same time). Both you need initation and both you pay for the Gohonzon $20 I think it is. Least thats what I paid to SGI. For me, in our culture spirituality is free. Tithes are not required but people give for good will (donations) not for religious items as payment. It made me feel I was paying for my soul.

The initation in SGI is short. It is more cultish to use the word in a good way. Shoshu not so much. The chism between the two reminds me of the Church ans protestant issues. Both have grudges on each other.

If the chanting doesnt work for you, it is not worth it. All Nichiren lineages depend on Daimoku. If interested, get to know The Lotus Sutra and Gosho. The Gosho (Nichiren letters) doesnt talk about needing a special gohonzon to chant to. SGI and Shoshu differ. They feel the prayers wont work without the right Gohonzon.

Also, your faith is between you and who or where you put your devotion. I never heard of Daimoku causing the type visions and dreams you have. Like any religion, conforming to the groups norms and behavior is natural for any group. Go solo, if you must, but read The Lotus and Gosho to get an idea of what you are chanting.

Nichiren Shu uses drums, I read. To Nichiren, he doesnt say how one practices or chants just that one does. The Gohonzon is in you not outside you, he says. Get to know his teachings, then diamoku (Nam Myoho Renge Ky) has more meaning. Practice how it works for you and see if its your thing.

Nam.

Carlita, I did read the whole Lotus Sutra (not an easy task) and printed a Gohonzon that was supposedly signed by Nichiren himself on 1277:

On the Kito Honzon of Nichiren Shu, aka Prayer Gohonzon of the Independent Movement

Who knows, maybe it's just not my path. But apart from selling you the Gohonzon, is there another ritual that SGI and Shoshu do when they give you the Gohonzon?

agorman said:

Carlita, I did read the whole Lotus Sutra (not an easy task) and printed a Gohonzon that was supposedly signed by Nichiren himself on 1277:

On the Kito Honzon of Nichiren Shu, aka Prayer Gohonzon of the Independent Movement

Who knows, maybe it's just not my path. But apart from selling you the Gohonzon, is there another ritual that SGI and Shoshu do when they give you the Gohonzon?

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Good link. I read that site awhile back to figure the translation of the gohonzon and diamoku.

Shoshu there is a temple ceremony. If I can remember since I been to others ceremonies, after service (chanting, gongyo, and a talk on a gosho passage), everyone chants for an hour daimoku. Then, with a sponsor who brought you to the practice and the devotee comes up front. The priest hands the devotee a rolled up gohonzon. Cant remember the rest.

SGI has a meeting ceremony. Different districts come together to witness and support of receiving the gohonzon. Then, majority of the ceremony is chanting and listening to testimony of people chanting and their health improved or they got a better house etc.

If I had a choice which to follow, Id follow Shoshu because they have structure and I like ritual. Gives structure. The doctrinal differences and seeing nichiren as a reincarnarion of The Buddha himself threw me off.

It really depends on preference. If you looove chanting, go to SGI. If you want more a round approach and talk, Shoshu is good. Mind you, both worship the Gohonzon as if it were our Buddha nature itself. Nichiren doesnt teach that so if youbare called to the practice chanting is core tenent. Everything else is dependent on Daimoku.

Also, with both you cant have a printed gohonzon. They want you to have theirs. So Shoshu cant have SGI and vis versa. Thats why I dont practice with either. Too political.

agorman said:

Carlita, I did read the whole Lotus Sutra (not an easy task) and printed a Gohonzon that was supposedly signed by Nichiren himself on 1277:

On the Kito Honzon of Nichiren Shu, aka Prayer Gohonzon of the Independent Movement

Who knows, maybe it's just not my path. But apart from selling you the Gohonzon, is there another ritual that SGI and Shoshu do when they give you the Gohonzon?

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The real power is in the chanting of the Liturgy of the Nicherin Shoshu with others, not just the daimoku. Find a group and join in. There's a bit of ritual to it. The Butsudan (the altar/cabinet where the Gohonzon is kept) traditionally has a piece of fruit, something green (a pine sprig), a bowl-bell, incense, and a candle. You can probably order a copy of the liturgy online.