Q: Some may want to know, "Why should black people try chanting nam myoho renge kyo?
A: We should chant nam myoho renge kyo for various reasons. But first, you should know that in Nichiren Buddhism, we revere the Lotus Sutra, which is the highest sutra in all of Buddhism. The theme of the Lotus Sutra is that everyone has the potential to attain Buddhahood, which translates to absolute happiness. Everyone has the potential to become absolutely happy; and this kind of happiness consists of courage, compassion, Buddha wisdom, and empowerment, all of which comes from within. So with that said, chanting nam myoho renge kyo contains many benefits. Through chanting it, we can overcome our crucibles and become happier than we have ever been before. Through chanting it, we can acquire things that we need or want. Even if you don't chant with a goal in mind, you can attain more clarity, which in turn, causes you to make better decisions than previously. For example, suppose you have a hair-trigger temper, where even a small slight causes you to want to knock the hell out of somebody. You actually did that a few times, and as a result, you have had to pay fines, serve probation, attend anger management classes, or spend time in either jail or prison. One day, you're slighted, and you decide to chant nam myoho renge kyo, which is also a HUGE relaxer. You chant for sometime, and you're calmer. You do it consistently everyday, and eventually you realize that your irascible behavior stems from something bigger, maybe from years of being bullied, belittled, denigrated to the point of humiliation, abused, etc. And as you continue to chant, you little by little become improve. That's a benefit of nam myoho renge kyo.
Q: How does it help you overcome problems?
A: When you chant nam myoho renge kyo with determination and faith in yourself to overcome any problem, you tap into your inherent wisdom and courage. As a result, you come up with better solutions to overcome your problems, or take the right action and overcome your problem. Sometimes, you chant and eventually part of your thought pattern changes and the situation is resolved.
Q: Any other reason why we should chant?
A: As an alternative for revenge. Many black people have either lost a friend and or family member or hero/heroine to violence. I myself lost a second cousin to violence 11 years ago. While I did not know him antemortem, I went to his funeral. I will never forget the cries. I will never forget how one man was so terribly upset that he got up and said that this needs to stop, referencing the violence. I will never forget how the preacher, whose sermon of "The Prodigal Son", had a come-to-Jesus segment for young people where he said that the only options were: a new life with Jesus, or be next in line to be in a casket. We have lost family, friends, heroes, and heroines to violence. We watch the news the read articles and hear of people who lost loved ones, and young people who are not even 18 committing these acts of violence. The question then becomes, "How do we react?" There are those who react with revenge. I would not advise it. There are those who react with defeatism, which is accepting failure or defeat. There are those who use the tragedy to motivate them to activism of some kind. Many of us respond to these tragedies with defeatism. I know that I have done that because I felt powerless to do anything. However, Daisaku Ikeda once said about prayer, "Prayer is the courage to persevere. It is the struggle to overcome our own weakness and lack of confidence in ourselves. It is the act of impressing in the very depths of our being the conviction that we can change the situation without fail." I've begun chanting to find a way to end violence. I challenge others, regardless of race, to do the same. However you should know that it is entirely up to us. No deity or supernatural being will do this for us. It will require us to chant with faith in our inherent Buddha nature, with determination, and take action based on our inner wisdom, compassion, and courage.
Q: Well I believe I have no more questions. Thank you so much Akee.
A: No, thank you. This is always a pleasure.
