There has recently been a discussion on Zadankai (the discussion meeting that never ends) regarding the new Soka Gakkai International silent prayers. I began using my own version of the silent prayers in the early 90’s, after I “discovered” so much of Nichiren Shoshu theology didn’t match history.
I thought that I would take the ever-so-bold step and publish my prayers, which are a combination of the ones I originally learned with Gongyo in the early 80’s with some newer “updates”. The trick is, being the clever evil monkey I am, to formulate my prayers so they fit into whatever format is currently being used, thus being able to lead gongyo at meetings without a hiccup.
First Prayer (from the 1979 Nichiren Shoshu gongyo book)
I offer gratitude to Bonten, Taishaku, Nitten, Gatten, Myojoten and all other Shoten Zenjin, the universal forces within all life, the guardians of Buddhism who night and day protect those who embrace the Gohonzon.
Second Prayer
I offer gratitude and deepest appreciation to Nichiren Daishonin, the Buddha of the later day of the law who inscribed the Gohonzon and chanted Nam Myoho Renge Kyo for all mankind. I offer gratitude to all those sincere priests throughout the history of Nichiren’s Buddhism who have transmitted his true spirit of mercy and compassion until this day.
Third Prayer (includes excerpts from the 1992 SGI Gongyo book)
I sincerely pray for the earliest possible realization of Kosen Rufu throughout the world. I pray that the Soka Gakkai International develop eternally in this endeavor. I offer gratitude to Tsunesuburo Makigushi and Josei Toda for their selfless dedication to the propagation of the law.
Forth Prayer (excerpts from the 1979 NSS book)
I pray to erase my negative karma created by my own past causes and to fulfill my wishes in this life and in the future (I include my own personal prayers here, mostly for the safety and fulfillment of my family, friends and members).
I pray for all of my deceased relatives and all who have passed away (Includes my relatives and family members by name)
(This last paragraph comes directly from the 1979 book)
Lastly I pray for the Gohonzon’s impartial benefits to spread throughout the world and to bring peace and happiness to all mankind and the entire universe.
Funny – I have never seen these in writing. Though I’ve been doing them in my mind for years (in one form or another) when I began documenting them I found I couldn’t recall much of the content and am sitting in my chair shrouded with books spanning two decades. If I have written them down correctly they should fit into the current format. I’ll try them out and let you know if they do!
Please report any typos!
Rev. Greg, Shidoshi
Posted by revgreg at May 27, 2004 09:08 AMMy feeling is, I am comfortable with considering debts of gratitude during the silent prayers; the thought reminds me to consider how I can do what I can to reveal the Mystic Law in my life. I mean, any reminder to give of myself and not just take for granted; any opportunity to reflect that thanks should include the intent to give back to the Universe, is a good idea in my book.
During the Second prayer I also include Shakyamuni who perceived and taught the Lotus Sutra and during the Third prayer, I pray for kosen-rufu, and for the Soka Gakkai and all groups and individuals who truly practice the Law to develop harmoniously to teach others.
Also, in appreciating Makiguchi, Toda and Ikeda (yes I appreciate Pres. Ikeda; I find his lectures on the teachings and his encouragements helpful and so, I don't have a problem expressing that), I include appreciation to those who support and taught me and to all the Japanese women who were the first to spread NMRK outside of Japan, who overcame heavy obstacles and without whom I would not know about NMRK. For me this is important, because in all societies and most religions, the efforts of women are so often overlooked.
Cindy
Posted by: cindy at July 5, 2004 06:48 PMFirst silent prayer:
I offer my gratitude to the natural forces of the universe.
Second silent prayer: I offer my gratitude for the Gohonzon, the epitome of the Dharma, through which I attend the Ceremony in the Air.
Third Silent Prayer:
I offer my gratitude to the all the enlightened persons like Nichiren and Shakyamuni, whose teachings lead to liberation, and to all those who have transmitted the teachings such as Nikko, Nichimoku and (a short list of my teachers).
Fourth Silent Prayer;
I determine to help the SGI truly spread the Wonderful Dharma to liberate beings from suffering.
I vow to accomplish the following things in my life:
Fifth Silent Prayer:
I offer gratitude and send Daimoku to all those who have passed away, esepcially... .
Hi Greg
I think your blog on Silent Prayers is quite timely.
Here’s my 20 cents worth on my DIY Secret Prayers
Twice daily Gongyo is always a great buzz however SGI’s last revision of the Silent Prayers didn’t sit comfortably for me and I too had to revise my own prayers
The First Silent Prayer is fine with me.
I think the Second Silent Prayer is very disjointed . It’s as if it were quickly cobbled without time for editing by a committee in a big hurry to get home, Also, I’m fine with ‘appreciation’ and ‘gratitude’ but not happy with ‘debt’ And p l e a s e - isn’t it time to give Shakyamuni a break? – Wasn’t he the composer of the Lotus Sutra, Just think - without LS how could there be NHRK!
My version of Second Silent Prayer: I offer sincere appreciation and gratitude to Shakyamuni Buddha for all his teachings, in particular the Lotus Sutra. I also offer sincere appreciation and gratitude for all Shakyamuni’s disciples and followers and the many great teachers who followed over many generations, translating, studying and handing down his teachings. I offer sincere appreciation and gratitude to Nichiren Daishonin for his compassion and courage, his comprehensive and inspirational teachings and his inscription of the Gohonzon of the Three Great Secret Laws for all humanity. I also offer sincere appreciation and gratitude for the support of all Nichiren’s disciples and followers, priests and current SGI leaders who helped in the transmission of his teachings to me.
(Some might say “Why not mention by name Nikko Shonin & Nichimoku Shonin?” - then where should one stop - why not name Nagarjuna, Kumarjiva, Tíen-tái, Miao-lo etc etc?)
To me the Third Silent Prayer sounds like the “blessed trinity” in the Catholic Church’s “Credo” Believe me, I certainly appreciate and I am very thankful to Tsunesaburo Makiguchi, Josei Toda, and Daisaku Ikeda for their great efforts in bringing Nichiren’s Buddhism to me. However, please consider, should they get higher billing than Shakyamuni, Nagarjuna, Kumarajiva, Tíen-tái, Miao-lo etc etc?
My version of Third Silent Prayer: I pray that Nichiren’s Buddhist teachings be shared throughout the world, through true example and sincere compassion, so that all humanity can chant Nam-myoho-renge-kyo to bring out their Buddha nature and achieve perfect fulfilment, happiness and peace in Buddhahood. It is self-evident that this Buddhism is the way to the ultimate truth and the happiness of all humanity. Yet it is as if it was the world’s best-kept secret. I pray that we can find a way to eliminate the negative issues and agendas that stand in its way.
In the Fourth Silent Prayer “Personal Prayers and Prayer for the Deceased” The phrase “change my karma” is meaningless. I changed this phrase back to the previous “expiate my negative karma”
The Fourth Prayer is the place where I pray for Tsunesaburo Makiguchi & Josei Toda.
Happy Chanting
Ivan
I stopped offering canned prayers in the late 80’s because they amount to precepts—being told what to do and what to think. This is not in anyway critical of persons who choose to offer prayers of their own composition, which to my mind is consistent with seeking the wisdom appropriate to the circumstances of the present moment and the power and influence of embracing the daimoku of the Lotus Sutra.
Prayer is a personal matter. I also stopped participating in group prayers shortly thereafter. While there is nothing inherently wrong with praying together, the prevailing thought at that time in the SGI was that unless we chanted together—physically, at the same time and/or in the same place—no true unity can exist. While I don’t know if this is still taught as an axiom of faith today, there is no doubt that it’s essence is to be found in the SGI’s insistence on participation in organizational activities as a litmus test to be counted among the Bodhisattvas of the Earth—according to Greg Martin (I attended his lecture in Seattle a week ago.), only persons who support the SGI are of the same mind as Nichiren, and to support the SGI is what it means to be a Bodhisattva of the Earth.
I find this teaching, along with the rest of Greg’s lecture, consistent with the tendency to present commentaries on the commentaries of various SGI leaders on the meaning of the Gosho and the Wisdom of the Lotus Sutra, which in turn yields the same fruits as generations of inbreeding among a limited group of the same species.
“You cannot manifest Buddhahood if you have a selfish practice. Attitude is what is most important. If you have a negative attitude thinking ‘I don’t want to attend the meeting’ then you have selfish practice. How do you avoid a selfish practice? By contributing to the organization of the Bodhisattvas of the Earth: attend meetings, especially do Shakubuku, study and participate in May Contributions. If you think like a Buddha, talk like a Buddha, and act like a Buddha, then you are a Buddha.” (Greg Martin [**very close to his actual words without embellishment**]
I can agree with Greg on his last statement above, with one caveat: If you pretend to be a Buddha you are just that—a pretend Buddha.
The beginning of Greg’s lecture centered on the Brahmans use of the concept of karma to justify and maintain the caste system in the time of Shakyamuni’s historical existence, to control the masses and support the Brahmans at the top of the caste system.
My question for Greg would be in light of the SGI’s comments regarding ‘Selfish Practice’, is this not a way to influence the behavior of ‘members’ to support the organization ‘or else’? In setting forth such a precept as a “virtual prerequisite for enlightenment” (The Buddha in Your Mirror), how is this in anyway different than the intent of the Brahmans? In fact, a thinking person would have to conclude that Greg Martin and his co-workers have placed themselves in the role of the New Brahmans.
In my immediate family, my wife and our three children, we all chant of our own volition at the time and place of our own choosing, and all of us chant for the wisdom appropriate to circumstances of the present moment. Even my seven-year-old son understands that this is the sole reason. In his case, I do occasionally encourage him to ‘go chant’. When I do he says, “I know. I have to think about other people and not only myself.” Then he does, and I am awe stricken. He ‘gets it’. But according to the standards of the SGI, this young son of the Buddha (all of us being children of the Buddha) has a selfish practice, is not a Bodhisattva of the Earth, and cannot manifest his Buddha nature. How can this be true?
Sincerely, Chikushonin 智倶諸人
Daikudoshin, myokaku, myojisokukyo/
Namumyohorengemyojisokukyo 南無妙法蓮華命時儈倶經
Since it's a "guideline" (at least that's what they say) I like to throw in "Hey, thanks Shakyamuni!' in mine. No politics involved.
Leis
Posted by: david leisure at May 28, 2004 11:27 PMThe idea of praying for all who are dying at the moment one is doing the fifth prayer came from a Nichiren Shsohu poster on another board...I thnk it was Michael Cody. I have been given the same guidance by a Priest so it must be something quite common in Nichiren Shoshu.
We have , of course, the Kakucho - the memorial book which is read and prayed "to" just prior to the fifth prayer...
I can not really comment on the main topic here as it is something so strange to me ...no offense intended.
I love our prayers and especially the second and the second part of fifth...
"May the impartial benefits of Myoho-Renge-
Kyo spread equally to the farthest reaches
of the universe so that I, together with all
other existence, may attain the tranquil
state of enlightened life."
The Gakkai ones seem so superficial to me and also giving the impression that only human life is meaningful...I like the fact that we pray for ALL existence...
Jussi.
Rev. Greg,
I like your version of the silent prayers. Clear and to the point.
I read the "silent prayers" out loud when I am chanting with my 7 year old. The New SGI version doesn't quite float my boat-- sounds even stranger when I read them out loud. When I am chanting by myself, I tend to do a bit of personal editing.
Dr. Mimi
Posted by: Dr. Mimi at May 27, 2004 09:37 PMThanks Mike and Byrd....
In regards to the "Buddha of the latter day of the law", I spent alot of time working this out. Please don't be confused with NSS' "original Buddha of Kuon Ganjo". I'm merely referring to Nichiren as the Buddha for the time we live in.
Rev. G
Posted by: Rev. Greg at May 27, 2004 07:40 PMMost of you probably don't know this - in Nichiren Shu services, the prayer is generally spoken aloud. There are several to choose from, if one wishes; it is also not uncommon to write one's own, following a basic outline of honoring the Buddha, Dharma, and Sangha.
They do not much resemble the ones from Nichiren Shoshu or SGI. I personally find that speaking the prayer aloud seems to make it more *substantial* or *real* to me; I tend to think more about what exactly I am praying about. I generally use one of the selection from the service book, and add a line or two of my own as appropriate to that day's situation.
I only just thought about this now, but how would it feel to pray the SGI prayers out loud?
Namaste, Engyo Mike Barrett
Posted by: Engyo Mike Barrett at May 27, 2004 02:30 PMHi, Greg - I just popped over from Zadankai (the discussion meeting that never shuts up). I also prefer the final prayer the way we used to do it - blessing all the univere, sort of similar to the lovingkindness meditation for all beings. I don't do the Budh of the Latter Day of the Law thing becasue I don't buy Nichiren Shoshu (I'm glad you alluded to those issues).
Also, when doing the final prayer, I try to inculde any and all beings who are dying at that moment to join with me in the benefitsof the ceremony (I picked that one up off of one of the boards and i have found it to be pretty powerful).
Whenoffering gratitude wihtin th ecnotext of the Gakkai, I include all the unsung heroes as well - Makiguchi, Toda, and all the people whose names I don't know. This should be an interesting topicof discussion. Byrd in LA
Posted by: Byrd in LA at May 27, 2004 12:35 PM