What is Nam Myoho Renge Kyo? (part one, by John Wesley Adams)
There is no way I would be able to truly answer this, even in 100 volumes: "What is Nam Myoho Renge Kyo?" I am a simple Westerner, whose heart is rooted deep in Eastern thought. I am limited for many reasons. First of all, Nam Myoho Renge Kyo is way beyond words. Secondly, it is way beyond what I have been able to learn so far in my life. It is a bit presumptuous to think we can ever truly define Nam Myoho Renge Kyo. However, I know from experience that when we teach a subject, we learn it. When we try to define it, we understand it at least a little more. When we share something, it increases for both the giver and receiver. Therefore, here goes.
We are all different, but we all come from the same Power. Whether you believe this power to be God, or the singularity of the primeval atom. We are all distinct, but we each work within a world that operates by one Law. Nichiren Buddhists call this Law Nam Myoho Renge Kyo. This is the sacred name of the Law that underlies everything in the entire realm of existence.
The fact that a Law underlies all of reality is a scientific fact. Because this is so, we are able to work within this Law to travel to the moon, cure diseases, date fossils to millions of years ago, and even pick up a cup of coffee to smell it, taste it, and enjoy it. Nam Myoho Renge Kyo, although considered a title originating in Buddhism, is way beyond Buddhism. For example, William Shakespeare was not a Buddhist, and seems to have little invested in Eastern thought, yet deep within his writings you can sense Nam Myoho Renge Kyo. The ancient Babylonians, the ancient Greeks, and the ancient Egyptians, were not Buddhist, but Nam Myoho Renge Kyo runs through their history, their beliefs, and their accomplishments. From the richest of us to the poorest of us, whether male or female, bold or shy, emotional or logical, dreamers or workers, hurting or celebrating, gay or straight, young or old, Christian or Buddhist, we all operate by Nam Myoho Renge Kyo.
Everything operates, at its most basic level, at a vibrational level. This vibration is a rhythm. In the deepest recesses of our memory we can feel that rhythm. Remember how soothing the spoken words of a trusted loved one when we were even too young to speak? How a lullaby puts a baby to sleep? How through the words of a leader, millions can rally to make a change?
Press your ears to the chest of a sleeping baby and hear its heart beating. This is Nam Myoho Renge Kyo. This is happening at all levels, whether we acknowledge it or not. From the atomic level, the way the electrons of an atom are bound to the nucleus by electromagnetic force, to the latest map of known galaxies, which are measured in light years.
In the map above, each white dot represents a galaxy. Each galaxy has billions of stars. Even the smallest of galaxies is measured in light years, which is approximately 10 trillion kilometers. Our galaxy, which is of moderate size, is about 100,000 light years in diameter. The actual size of the Universe is inconceivably large. It is all moving in a specific rhythm. All of it, from atom to galactic expansion, and infinitely beyond in both directions. This rhythm is Nam Myoho Renge Kyo.
The fact that there is a rhythm to the Universe, to life, and all things, is true and easy to accept. But how is calling it by the name Nam Myoho Renge Kyo any different than calling it "God", or "Allah", or even simply "science"? This is where spirituality and science meet, in complete harmony. Nam Myoho Renge Kyo is the the rhythmic law of the Universe. Say it and you will hear the rhythm for yourself: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tNbU2-9YcGI This link has a pronunciation for you. (to be continued)
We are all different, but we all come from the same Power. Whether you believe this power to be God, or the singularity of the primeval atom. We are all distinct, but we each work within a world that operates by one Law. Nichiren Buddhists call this Law Nam Myoho Renge Kyo. This is the sacred name of the Law that underlies everything in the entire realm of existence.
The fact that a Law underlies all of reality is a scientific fact. Because this is so, we are able to work within this Law to travel to the moon, cure diseases, date fossils to millions of years ago, and even pick up a cup of coffee to smell it, taste it, and enjoy it. Nam Myoho Renge Kyo, although considered a title originating in Buddhism, is way beyond Buddhism. For example, William Shakespeare was not a Buddhist, and seems to have little invested in Eastern thought, yet deep within his writings you can sense Nam Myoho Renge Kyo. The ancient Babylonians, the ancient Greeks, and the ancient Egyptians, were not Buddhist, but Nam Myoho Renge Kyo runs through their history, their beliefs, and their accomplishments. From the richest of us to the poorest of us, whether male or female, bold or shy, emotional or logical, dreamers or workers, hurting or celebrating, gay or straight, young or old, Christian or Buddhist, we all operate by Nam Myoho Renge Kyo.
Everything operates, at its most basic level, at a vibrational level. This vibration is a rhythm. In the deepest recesses of our memory we can feel that rhythm. Remember how soothing the spoken words of a trusted loved one when we were even too young to speak? How a lullaby puts a baby to sleep? How through the words of a leader, millions can rally to make a change?
Press your ears to the chest of a sleeping baby and hear its heart beating. This is Nam Myoho Renge Kyo. This is happening at all levels, whether we acknowledge it or not. From the atomic level, the way the electrons of an atom are bound to the nucleus by electromagnetic force, to the latest map of known galaxies, which are measured in light years.
In the map above, each white dot represents a galaxy. Each galaxy has billions of stars. Even the smallest of galaxies is measured in light years, which is approximately 10 trillion kilometers. Our galaxy, which is of moderate size, is about 100,000 light years in diameter. The actual size of the Universe is inconceivably large. It is all moving in a specific rhythm. All of it, from atom to galactic expansion, and infinitely beyond in both directions. This rhythm is Nam Myoho Renge Kyo.
The fact that there is a rhythm to the Universe, to life, and all things, is true and easy to accept. But how is calling it by the name Nam Myoho Renge Kyo any different than calling it "God", or "Allah", or even simply "science"? This is where spirituality and science meet, in complete harmony. Nam Myoho Renge Kyo is the the rhythmic law of the Universe. Say it and you will hear the rhythm for yourself: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tNbU2-9YcGI This link has a pronunciation for you. (to be continued)