Hello!
My name is Marko, I am a gay man, born in 1970, married, living in Finland. I am a practicing Nichiren Buddhist, independent of any sect, which this blog is mostly about in my native tongue, Finnish.
If you would like to contact me, just comment below, with your e-mail address, and I will reply to you, especially if you think we might have something in common.
I would be happy to know other people around the world, especially if you are a gay man too, somewhat spiritual, not necessarily Buddhist, not to mention Nichiren Buddhist - but obviously that would be a big plus!
My name is Marko, I am a gay man, born in 1970, married, living in Finland. I am a practicing Nichiren Buddhist, independent of any sect, which this blog is mostly about in my native tongue, Finnish.
If you would like to contact me, just comment below, with your e-mail address, and I will reply to you, especially if you think we might have something in common.
I would be happy to know other people around the world, especially if you are a gay man too, somewhat spiritual, not necessarily Buddhist, not to mention Nichiren Buddhist - but obviously that would be a big plus!
I don't mind which Nichiren School you might represent, if you approve of my stand, and naturally, I don't welcome any debate or criticism, only friendly approaches. I do miss connection to "spiritual friends", whose role in Buddhist practice Buddha himself emphasized.
☸⚣🙏🌈
Here you can read a story of my conversion to Nichiren Buddhism.
Wikipedia on Nichiren Buddhism.
Here one blogger shares her reasons, Why I am an independent Nichiren Buddhist?
Excellent guide for independent practitioner: Nichiren Daishonin's Buddhism by Gerald Aitken
Below some of my favorite resources on Nichiren Buddhism:
The Threefold Lotus Kwoon
Lotus Happiness
Happy Chanter
Nichiren's Coffeehouse and Gohonzon Gallery
The Soka Gakkai Dictionary of Buddhism
Of course I know that many details of my personal practice come from Soka Gakkai International, even though I have never even been in their meetings, and I don't know any members. That's just natural because it is the most widespread Nichiren School with very strong online presentation. I have nothing against it. I have certainly read a lot, but I just don't know.
I was contacted by one person, who claimed to be the only Nichiren Shu practitioner in Finland. I have also participated in virtual online refuge ceremony offered by Nichiren Shu Temple in Seattle, USA. Later through virtual participation I have also become more familiar with Nichiren Shu style Gongyo.
Groups may say you can't practice on your own, because they need you - not vice versa. I have freedom to study all the Nichiren Schools and choose whatever tenets speak to me!
I want to protect myself from dogmatism, personality cult, superstition, group pressure; all this I have seen on my spiritual path before. I cannot allow anyone to interfere with my personal freedom. No external authority will tell me what is the right way to think or practice. I won't be restricted to any specific form of Nichiren Buddhism.
I can recommend Tina Turner's book, Happiness Becomes You; It's not very detailed as for the practice itself, but sure you can start with that, and even for me after five years of practice, it still rendered fresh inspiration!
Tina Turner: The Mantra of Her Life
Buddhist organizations I have found most interesting, are not part of any specific School of Buddhism, but rather they gather practitioners from various Schools. Unfortunately, they operate in the United States, where else. I know nothing similar in Finland.
My link list beside leads you to many other resources on GLBTQ-issues associated with Buddhism as well.
One Western teacher of Buddhism in general, whose books I have liked very much (many of them have been translated into Finnish), is Sangharakshita.
Two magazines I like to read online:
Tricycle
Lion's Roar
One Western teacher of Buddhism in general, whose books I have liked very much (many of them have been translated into Finnish), is Sangharakshita.
Two magazines I like to read online:
Tricycle
Lion's Roar
Some virtual activity I have enjoyed:
Thich Nhat Hanh's Plum Village in France has YouTube Channel, and they send live streams of Dharma Talks etc. Especially on New Year's Eve and night I have enjoyed their offerings.
Nichiren Shu Buddhist Sangha of the San Francisco Bay Area streams Gongyos and Meditation sessions via Zoom.
As for the latter one, I stopped participating after few months because one time I was urged to put on my camera, to show my face and introduce myself, and I wasn't ready and willing to do that, so it felt awkward and uncomfortable to me, and I wanted to avoid that in future. I'm just not that kind of person; I rather stay back and watch - at least until I feel safe enough. Long time ago I regularly attended church services weekly for the whole year, before taking any steps to closer connection, and I was just happy that nobody came to talk to me, and I was able to come and go anonymously! But when I was ready, I became very active and visible in many ways.
The Three Treasures:
Of course one of the first things I had to consider was how to be an independent practitioner without Sangha, which is one of the Three Gems of Buddhism.
Some answers I got from following discussion, How to take refuge without a Sangha;
Also in Tricycle Magazine, there is an article by Thich Nhat Hanh, The Three Gems;
And finally, Zen Studies Podcast: The Three Treasures of Buddhism: Buddha, Dharma, and Sangha.
Differences in Doctrines and Practices: Nichiren Shu, Nichiren Shoshu, and Soka Gakkai
Even as an independent practitioner, you are part of something greater... a chain of millions of followers of Nichiren through hundreds of years! I think that wraps up best my idea of Sangha. Faith is a personal matter, but it has its collective side as well; that is a minimum of basic tradition and doctrine I can accept.
Some answers I got from following discussion, How to take refuge without a Sangha;
Also in Tricycle Magazine, there is an article by Thich Nhat Hanh, The Three Gems;
And finally, Zen Studies Podcast: The Three Treasures of Buddhism: Buddha, Dharma, and Sangha.
Differences in Doctrines and Practices: Nichiren Shu, Nichiren Shoshu, and Soka Gakkai
Even as an independent practitioner, you are part of something greater... a chain of millions of followers of Nichiren through hundreds of years! I think that wraps up best my idea of Sangha. Faith is a personal matter, but it has its collective side as well; that is a minimum of basic tradition and doctrine I can accept.
And then completely different, more traditional view of the meaning of Sangha, also from Nichiren Shu (as the previous one), but the temple in UK. Personally, I can not relate. Partially it seems almost like superstitious attitude:
Faith, Practice, and Study
Exert yourself in the two ways of practice and study. Without practice and study, there can be no Buddhism. You must not only preserve yourself; you must also teach others. Both practice and study arise from faith.- Nichiren Shonin
"Resolute in mind is much better and accurate translation of the ancient Sanskrit/Pali/Chinese word from English scholars of 'faith'. Faith is simply not only missing the point, but completely misleading in our age as a word associated with acceptance rather than understanding and self realized determination."
Resolute in mind, they [the Bodhisattvas from underground] always sought wisdom, and expounded various wonderful teachings without fear. - Lotus Sutra, Chapter XV
"'Resolute in mind means to have strong determination for keeping one's aim in mind by all means until its accomplishment and defying any delusion. This is the phrase that should replace ANY use of the word 'faith', anywhere in the Buddha's teachings. Faith is so often misused and morphed over the centuries as to imply submission to something external. That implication is poison to the Buddhist practitioner whose actions and thoughts must be purely driven from self-observation and with self-determination."
- Sylvain Chamberlain-Nyudo
Only as recently as in 2022, I have taken a more serious effort in studying Nichiren Buddhism in general, and the Lotus Sutra in particular, and I have found three YouTube Channels to be especially helpful - and they all represent different Schools of Nichiren Buddhism:
The Lotus Sutra Lab (Rissho Kosei-kai)
Nichiren Bay Area (Nichiren Shu)
If I must make a review of these three, The Lotus Sutra Lab's videos are sometimes a little hard to follow, simply because of an accent of a guy, but he also sometimes makes excellent points. Nichiren Bay Area... well, they are somewhat academic, and therefore can be dull and dry, to be honest. I do appreciate their vast knowledge, though. Threefold Lotus Kwoon is definitely the best resource to me: not only they provide wide variety of information, but they also present it in such a vivid and inspiring manner! (And downside is, they seem to represent secular Buddhism, that is, they don't believe in actual rebirth, unlike myself.)
For some time I tried to maintain a study session once a week. Internet is full of material by SGI, that's why it is not included, and to be honest, personally I've got a little fed up with it.
Daimoku:
From Japanese, literally title; According to Collins English Dictionary, "Daimoku" is...
a. In Nichiren Buddhism, the words nam myoho renge kyo - "devotion to the Lotus Sutra" - chanted to the Gohonzon.
b. The act of chanting these words.
Meaning of Nam Myoho Renge Kyo
Simple and clear explanation on chanting Daimoku
Nam Myoho Renge Kyo - the meaning behind the mantra
Sometimes you can hear slightly different ways to pronounce the words. It's obvious that we pronounce foreign language differently. I don't think it's about exact pronunciation, but about our sincere attitude of devotion. After all, it's good to remember that Shakyamuni Buddha did not speak Japanese! Besides, Japanese linguists have pointed out that pronunciation of Chinese characters has changed over times, so nobody nowadays chants Daimoku even as Nichiren did!
Personally, lately (2022) influenced by Nichiren Shu, I have started to chant "Namu" instead of "Nam" (as they do in SGI). It's not a big difference, but Namu Myoho Renge Kyo is more rhythmic, and Nam Myoho Renge Kyo is better in high speed. Speed of chanting and recitation is not emphasized by other Schools of Nichiren Buddhism, only SGI.
I myself chanting: link to YouTube.
Variations of Daimoku:
Gohonzon:
From Japanese, go, an honorific prefix + honzon, object of respect; According to Collins English Dictionary, in Nichiren Buddhism the paper scroll to which devotional chanting is directed.
I have printed my Gohonzon, chosen from many available options, the one that pleases me. I know some schools don't even approve of publishing pictures of it, but I find that attitude a bit superstitious.
I have printed my Gohonzon, chosen from many available options, the one that pleases me. I know some schools don't even approve of publishing pictures of it, but I find that attitude a bit superstitious.
On upholding Faith in the Gohonzon
The Great Mandala Study Group
On Copying the Gohonzon
The Gohonzon Controversy on the Internet (pdf)
How Nichiren's disciples were influenced by the Gohonzon they received...
Cafepress Gohonzon Store
What is the Gohonzon?
 |
| Gohonzon I used for couple of years |
 |
| Nichiren's Nichimoku Renzobon Gohonzon, 1279, which I started to use on December 2020, because I wanted more clarity on pure white background. |
125 Mandala Gohonzons by Nichiren Shonin (125 copies Nichiren wrote and are preserved undamaged, of which none are identical):
Gongyo:
From Japanese, literally "assiduous practice". According to Collins English Dictionary, in Nichiren Buddhism a ceremony performed twice a day, involving reciting parts of the Lotus Sutra and chanting the Daimoku to the Gohonzon.
The form of service, and silent prayers included, I adapted from other independent practitioners available online, and they were based on Soka Gakkai Gongyo, which is very much designed for modern Western mind (that is, relatively short and easy). Sutra reciting is not hard to learn from YouTube videos.
The form of service, and silent prayers included, I adapted from other independent practitioners available online, and they were based on Soka Gakkai Gongyo, which is very much designed for modern Western mind (that is, relatively short and easy). Sutra reciting is not hard to learn from YouTube videos.
However, nowadays I have also become familiar with the Nichiren Shu style Gongyo, through virtual participation. In 2023 I reshaped the form of my Gongyo, as I felt a need to add traditional buddhist refuge, and bodhisattva vows.
SGI Gongyo
Nichiren Shoshu Gongyo
Nichiren Shu liturgy
Rissho Kosei-kai (English)
As one blogger says, "I have tried chanting in English, but it is actually harder. The English words (or Finnish, for that matter, if I may add) don't flow so easily and it's difficult to find a good tempo."
And another blogger says: "Do you have to understand how your body digests your food to take energy from it? Do you have to understand the mechanics of your synaptic processes to be able to think?"
Myokei Caine-Barrett Shonin explains: "It is said that chanting in shindoku (Japanese pronunciation of Chinese characters) inscribes the Lotus Sutra in one's life. This is a way of bypassing the conceptual mind, since it doesn't require understanding the words at that level. Alternatively, chanting in one's native language provides a way of engaging with the sutra intellectually."
Gongyo lyrics with Silent Prayers
Secular Shu Special Prayers
Secular Soka Silent Prayers
Secular Shoshu Silent Prayers
Gongyo lyrics with Silent Prayers
Secular Shu Special Prayers
Secular Soka Silent Prayers
Secular Shoshu Silent Prayers
Learn Sutra Recitation
Slow speed
Medium speed
Ideal speed
("Ideal speed" is ideal according to SGI; Not all Schools of Nichiren Buddhism emphasize high speed recitation!)
There's one exception, or disagreement I have with these videos: "Fu" in Japanese is not like our "F" (which is same in English and in Finnish)! However, I would say it's still not a big deal, even though I try to say it better (probably not perfectly).
This one is from Risho Kosei-kai UK:
 |
| This is the translation I have chosen; many others are available. |
The Lotus Sutra:
Pdf file: The Lotus Sutra.
I must say that factually it is not very likely that historical Buddha Siddhartha Gautama taught the Lotus Sutra, but it is the basis of this practice, so I can accept it as the main source of the faith.
What easily comes to mind in this context, is obviously the Bible: it was formed of collected (and contradictory) writings by countless unknown people through thousands of years, and still it is the "word of god" to many.
However, I heard on video lecture by Nichiren Shu, that since the Lotus Sutra obviously takes original ideas of the Buddha further, it is therefore still considered the teaching of the Buddha himself. That makes sense to me. Again, in the context of the Bible, it reminds me of the Gospel according to John, youngest of the four gospels, and therefore it contains highly developed theology, but precisely because of that, many believers value it the most among all the four.
The Lotus Sutra is quite long, and it is hard to understand without commentaries.
Sangharakshita said (this is my translation from Finnish book, since I couldn't find an original text online - it's available in audio, though):
Just like a plant absorbs its moisture up from the earth, and receives its light and warmth from the sky, so should the developing man be nourished from both, below, the unconscious depths, and above, the over-conscious heights. Translated into simpler concepts, we must be nourished through both, emotions and reason. Generally, presentations of Buddhism in the west emphasize the rational side, or even give the impression that Buddhism is solely rational. We are told about Buddhist thought and philosophy, Buddhist metaphysics, psychology, and logic, and sometimes all that feels very dry and academic. However, another side represented by myths, symbols, and imagination, emotions, and vision, is not any less important, and for many people it is perhaps even more important. This is why we must absorb the writings, appealing to our emotions, like parables, myths, and symbols of Mahayana, included in the White Lotus Sutra.
I have found similar atmosphere in the Gnostic Gospels, which is fascinating. There is a Gnostic parallel to the parable of the Jewel in the robe in the Lotus Sutra, The Hymn of the Pearl in The Acts of Thomas. Of course the story is a little different, but I think the idea behind it is the same: There is something more, something precious, within a man, but we often tend to forget, or we are even unaware of it in the course of our earthly life.
Nichiren:
I have read the Lotus Sutra from cover to cover. Next I want to read the Nichiren Gosho. Even though all his writings are online, I prefer a real paper book. This is the edition I chose, starting from book one.
Here is an excerpt from the webpage that no longer exists: "If the quality of 'certainty' (about founders’ teachings) is of any importance, then Nichiren’s writings come as an example of providing this certainty. Nichiren dedicated great efforts for leaving an enormous hand-written accounts on personally encountered events and on specific details about the scope and depth of his teachings - leaving in this way no room for doubt about the teachings he established."
Yet it is continued: "Nevertheless, Nichiren’s writings - although available in written form - did not escape the tendency of his followers to interpret them in variety of ways."
Nichiren has been compared to Luther, as he was a reformer, who made Buddhist practice available for ordinary folk. And just like Luther, he also had his intolerant traits. Yet my reverence for him has increased - but I don't think he was Buddha, and I don't even use a title "Daishonin" to emphasize his alleged superiority, but simply "Shonin".
Gerald Aitken in his online guide listed on top of this page, writes, "Although Nichiren is a great bodhisattva and even a Buddha, he is not infallible; this is because the life of Buddha and the life of the common mortal coexist in everyone, including Nichiren."
However, I do understand that since Nichiren's part is so significant in this school named after him, it is no wonder some people might actually think he is the Buddha. Nichiren himself didn't claim anything like that, it is quite exceptional idea even among the various schools of Nichiren Buddhism; he revered Shakyamuni Buddha above all.
In 2022 I placed a portrait of Nichiren Shonin on my altar, along with a statue of Shakyamuni Buddha. Also, I started to refer to him in my silent prayers as the "Great Bodhisattva" (Jp. Daibosatsu: so what's the difference, really.).
See also:
Nichiren's Life
Altar:
 |
| Detail on my altar curtain: embroidered white lotus. |
My Gohonzon was openly framed on the wall for long time, later I added a curtain - made by myself with my husband - to cover my Gohonzon, which probably speaks of increasing reverence.
 |
Above, latest version of my altar (11/2022). On top, between the candles, covered Gohonzon; Tassels in colours of Ukraine hanging from candlesticks, were made by my husband; On the shelf, offerings of water and apple; Below, on the small table, framed portrait of Nichiren; two artificial plants; Statue of Buddha, probably from Thailand (found from flea market), in same posture as I am while practicing Gongyo (as if a mirror image: a reminder, that ultimately, the Buddha you revere, is within a practitioner!), holding prayer beads that belonged to my late partner's grandfather, who was Buddhist (in Tibetan tradition) - that unites me with the past, and also brings different traditions (Theravada and Vajrayana) together; a copper vessel for incense sticks (only Japanese low smoke incense for me: the top quality in the world!). Under the table printed text of the Lotus Sutra in Shindoku for recitation; meditation stool; On the left, a singing bowl; on the right, a book stand with the English translation of the Lotus Sutra, and a velvet pouch containing my prayer beads - a pouch made for me as a birthday present by a friend, who first introduced me to more serious spirituality in the 1990's: we no longer keep in touch, but I still honor them this way. Also, I first used that pouch for the gemstones I started to collect back then, and now my prayer beads are made of gemstones! So, this is just to show you that my altar looks like myself, and only very few items I have bought especially for the altar, most of them I already had at home, and main elements of the altar (candlesticks, shelf, table, incense vessel) were in same use already many years ago when I still practiced Christianity; So, there is a long-standing spiritual continuation, and it seems like I was preparing for today without knowing, with my home altar, daily devotional practice, and prayer beads (Rosary then).
Juzu Beads:
From this American webstore I have purchased my gemstone Prayer Beads, with fancy rainbow-pride beads as you can see, so I can recommend it (and this is not a paid ad):
Lotus Lion Design: Nichiren Juzu Prayer Beads
Prayer and Meditation
Philosophy or Religion?
Buddhism isn't a Philosophy - it's a Religion
Is Buddhism a Religion or a Philosophy? (by monk Sarana)
The Four Noble Truths
Core teaching of Buddhism, according to traditional Buddhism, from Buddha's first Sermon:
- Suffering
- The Cause of Suffering
- The End of Suffering
- The Path
The Noble Eightfold Path
This is the Fourth Noble Truth, and essentially a description of awakened behavior:
- Right understanding
- Right thought
- Right speech
- Right action
- Right livelihood
- Right effort
- Right mindfulness
- Right concentration
Through Daimoku we connect with the true spirit of the eightfold path, the unfolding of the Buddha's life in our own lives.
The Five Precepts
The five basic rules the Buddha asked his lay disciples to follow; they directly relate to "right action" part of the eightfold path:
- Not killing
- Not stealing
- Not misusing sex
- Not engaging in false speech
- Not indulging in intoxicants
While it is certainly true that I haven't paid much attention to five precepts since their status in Nichiren Buddhism is not very highlighted, also my perception of them was quite vague, and when I finally found out about them, I was happily surprised! Below are some of the links I used. Michael McCormick (from Nichiren Shu) writes:
"However, it is also true that we need to take seriously the ethical guidance of Buddhism such as the five major precepts, the ten courses of wholesome conduct and so on. We go against these at our own risk. While they can't by themselves bring up awakening, I think people need to hear and reflect on these general guidelines because judging by how many people act it would seem they have not developed their conscience or compassion."
For example, I was a teetotaler for first 26 years of my life; I've had to witness what alcoholism is, and suffered because of that; I've been partying heavily every weekend for couple of years in later age; Nowadays I'm a heart patient, who can't drink that much, but still I rather refrain from all absoluteness. In New Year's night we uncorked a bottle of sparkling wine with my spouse, but I also took part in Buddhist ceremony streamed on YouTube, and performed my own annual magical rituals. It was perfect! It was balance.
Eternal Buddha
I got an idea from Rissho Kosei-kai that was simple: Buddha is eternal through his teaching. So, thus we could complete that just as Buddhahood as a state is obviously eternally existing, now Shakyamuni Buddha also always comes along. What would we know about Buddhahood without him?
Ichinen Sanzen
No-Self (Anatta) and Emptiness (Sunyata)
Dependent Origination
Death and Rebirth
Karma
What is "Karma"? - Buddhism for Western Minds
God?
"Buddhism is often regarded as 'atheistic', but such a term only makes sense in an overtly theistic context when we know what it is we are supposed to deny. Nor are any other of the endless western 'isms' which surround interpretations of Buddhism any more successful." - Michael Barnes S.J.: The Buddhist-Christian Dialogue, theway.org.uk.
Is there God or not? What did Buddha say?
Sin?
Devil?
Christianity and Buddhism:
This is the path I have walked myself - from Christianity to Nichiren Buddhism; not directly, though, jumping from one to the other, but through various phases. You can read more from my English blog, Via Veritas Vita.
Sangharakshita said: "There is a great difference of principle between the Buddhist and Christian approaches to, or attitudes toward, the archetypes of their respective traditions. In Buddhism, it is always clearly, even categorically, stated that all these appearances, all these archetypal forms, are ultimately phenomena of one's own True Mind, or projections from one's own unconscious, and that they are all to be integrated. But in Christianity the corresponding archetypes are regarded as objectively existing beings."And Ryuei Michael McCormick writes:
"In Buddhism, however, the fantastic elements are never the main point and they almost always exist to underscore a point that does make sense. In most cases, the metaphorical nature of the supernatural and miraculous in Buddhism is very easy to see and the Buddhist scriptures themselves state that they are using metaphorical language on many occasions."
So, I think that is the main difference, and change in my mindset: From head in the clouds to down-to-earth. While I don't believe in god, at least the kind that Christianity portrays, neither I doubt there is more to life than mere material existence. I believe there is a spark within each of us, mystical by nature, and transcending earthly personality, and that is also the one uniting factor: Christ in us, Buddha Nature. Names don't matter: it is a matter of experience, not of belief. Nowadays my attitude towards religion is quite "Jungian": Its inner psychological reality is more important than claims for objective supernatural reality.
Was Jesus a Buddhist?
Christianity and Nichiren Buddhism
Frequently asked questions for Christians by Ryuei Michael McCormick
Thich Nhat Hahn: Living Buddha, Living Christ (a book in pdf form)
Thomas Merton and Dialogue with Buddhism
James W. Heisig: Jung, Christianity, and Buddhism (pdf)
Ei kommentteja:
Lähetä kommentti
Vain asialliset kommentit ovat tervetulleita; kaikki kommentit tarkistetaan ennen julkaisua. Henkilökohtaisia viestejä ei julkaista (kunhan sanot että se on henkilökohtaista, ja muista e-mail osoitteesi, jos haluat vastauksen!)/Only suitable comments are welcome; all comments are checked before publishing; Personal messages are not published (if you SAY it's personal; add your e-mail address if you want a reply!).