Robin Beck

In the Hopper plus Video Interlude -- bumped

"I see some standing outside the elevator; praying to the door, afraid to enter themselves; and doing their level best to stop anyone who tries." ~~ me

Meditation for Western Nichiren Buddhists

This was something I composed off the top of my head in a Nichiren Buddhist Forum. It reiterates the main points in recent entries.I have expanded it and corrected the most obvious errata.

I compare Buddhist contemplative practices to an elevator. A Buddhist Altar is like the door to the elevator. Or we could say the Altar is like the housing that marks a formal place where the door can be accessed; and the Gohonzon enshrined in the Altar is like the door? The Daimoku, chanting Namu or Nam Myoho Renge Kyo, is like a key that opens the door. The door leads to a mental state called Access Concentration. Some are content to sit outside the door and worship or pray to it; or ask for divine favors. There is nothing wrong with doing that; it is called Preparation Concentration. It takes courage to enter. Veneration and prayer are means to develop trusting faith, so we have the courage to advance.

More On Mixing and Matching Practices: Intention