Nam-myoho-renge-kyo
On Monday night I went to my first SGI Buddhism chant-meditation group. In my recent quest for chant options and meanings, I learned that the "meditation group" that my friend attends, is actually a chant group of SGI members. (SGI = Soka Gakkai International, they follow the teachings of a Japanese Buddhist monk named Nichiren, who lived in the 13th century.) What do they chant? Nam-myoho-renge-kyo. That is the same chant that Tina Turner practices, and I learned about it in March when I saw the movie about her (click here to read my Tina Turner blog post). It was an example of sychronicity that I researched SGI on my own, and then learned that my friend has been practicing with them. That coincidence encouraged me to learn more about it.
The chant group was held at the SGI Cultural Center this week, because as it turned out they were having a study group meeting with several small district groups combined into a larger group. Usually the meetings involve over an hour of chanting. However, there was only 20 minutes of chanting this week to allow for the study group lecture and discussion. This was a great introduction for me, in my opinion. I was able to learn about their beliefs and SGI's history, as well as get a taste for how they practice. The chanting was a bit overwhelming for me. They chant very quickly, and some of the chanters sounded aggressive to me. I think it would take a while for me to get used to it and find the peace there. At the very beginning of the meeting, the chanting started. They chanted "Nam-myoho-renge-kyo-Nam-myoho-renge-kyo..." repeatedly and for a while it was hard for me to understand what they were saying and when the line started or ended. They blend it together so that it is continuous, and they take a quick inhale breath when they can and then continue chanting in sync with the others. I knew the chant already, and I'd practiced it on my own a few times, but hearing it chanted so quickly and continuously sounded different and stressful to me--like a race. I was relieved when the chanting stopped and the group discussion began. There is a beginners' chant group on Thursday nights, and they chant slower there. I might go to that at some point if decide to try it again.
The Buddhist books I've read and enjoyed in the past are by Tibetan Buddhists, which are different from SGI Buddhists. I'd like to learn more about how Tibetan Buddhists practice, and how they are represented in communities (I mean where and how do they get together and meditate or do other practices together). I'm currently reading a book by Cyndi Lee about her life, experiences and teachings as a yoga teacher and Tibetan Buddhist. (The book is called Yoga Body, Buddha Mind). I also plan to talk to my yoga teacher about her experiences with Tibetan Buddhism. As far as I understand, the practice involves sitting in silent meditation, as opposed to verbally chanting, but I want to learn of any variances. I went to 2 different one-day meditation work shops a few years ago, and at one of them we sat in silence for part of the time, and also did a silent walking meditation through a field, which was nice and peaceful.
The chant group was held at the SGI Cultural Center this week, because as it turned out they were having a study group meeting with several small district groups combined into a larger group. Usually the meetings involve over an hour of chanting. However, there was only 20 minutes of chanting this week to allow for the study group lecture and discussion. This was a great introduction for me, in my opinion. I was able to learn about their beliefs and SGI's history, as well as get a taste for how they practice. The chanting was a bit overwhelming for me. They chant very quickly, and some of the chanters sounded aggressive to me. I think it would take a while for me to get used to it and find the peace there. At the very beginning of the meeting, the chanting started. They chanted "Nam-myoho-renge-kyo-Nam-myoho-renge-kyo..." repeatedly and for a while it was hard for me to understand what they were saying and when the line started or ended. They blend it together so that it is continuous, and they take a quick inhale breath when they can and then continue chanting in sync with the others. I knew the chant already, and I'd practiced it on my own a few times, but hearing it chanted so quickly and continuously sounded different and stressful to me--like a race. I was relieved when the chanting stopped and the group discussion began. There is a beginners' chant group on Thursday nights, and they chant slower there. I might go to that at some point if decide to try it again.
The Buddhist books I've read and enjoyed in the past are by Tibetan Buddhists, which are different from SGI Buddhists. I'd like to learn more about how Tibetan Buddhists practice, and how they are represented in communities (I mean where and how do they get together and meditate or do other practices together). I'm currently reading a book by Cyndi Lee about her life, experiences and teachings as a yoga teacher and Tibetan Buddhist. (The book is called Yoga Body, Buddha Mind). I also plan to talk to my yoga teacher about her experiences with Tibetan Buddhism. As far as I understand, the practice involves sitting in silent meditation, as opposed to verbally chanting, but I want to learn of any variances. I went to 2 different one-day meditation work shops a few years ago, and at one of them we sat in silence for part of the time, and also did a silent walking meditation through a field, which was nice and peaceful.
posted by Anonymous @ 10:56 AM
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
<< Home