Robin Beck

Coming soon

Right now, I am going to be updating Gongyo on Line ; and posting on that topic here. After that, I shall be switching to the types of things I discuss at Ninth Consciousness.

By the way, I use the word Gongyo in a general sense of indicating formal religious services, especially chanting meditation. Most people likely associate the word Gongyo with Nichiren Buddhism, especially Soka Gakkai and Nichiren Shoshu. However, according to wiki, Gongyo 勤行 is a Japanese word that means "assiduous practice" and refers to a formalized service performed by followers of nearly every Chinese, Korean, and Japanese Buddhist denomination. It is often done once or more times a day and consists of the recitation of a sutra passage or passages, a mantra or mantras, or a combination of both. Gongyo can be done at a temple or at home, almost always in front of an object or objects of veneration and accompanied by offerings of light, incense, and food. Gongyo is also sometimes called o-tsutome (お勤め) or shōjin (精進). All three terms are common Japanese words and none is specific to any particular sect or school.

In the last 6 years or so, I have expanded my own chanting practice beyond Nichiren and the Lotus Sutra. At the present time, I see Daimoku as primarily an insight electing mantra' and, as such is basic. In other words, my take is that spiritual introspection and the insight derived therefrom, as the primary and ultimate practice. However, I noe believe that provisional practices are in no way harmful, and indeed can be useful, provided they are used as intended. Moreover, I think focusing too much insight / wisdom practices; at the exclusion of other, more emotive cultivations, can make one a bit grumpy. At any rate, unless I change mu mind, I intend to revisit some of the mantras and other chanting meditations I have discussed here. I might simply re-date and edit the old entries, or leave those as is, and do rewrites.

Any thoughts on which approach I should take? How about on mixing other devotional mantras with the Daimoku? One more thing, one of several reasons I started mixing was to challenge my own superstitions.

Posted by rbeck at November 21, 2008 03:00 AM