How To Chant
How To Chant - Nam Myoho Renge Kyo
The basic phrase can be broken down into six syllables thus......
Nam - Myo - Ho - Ren - Ge - Kyo.
This gives us 6 beats to the bar which, in music terms, corresponds to a 6/8 time signature.
As explained previously, Nichiren took myoho-renge-kyo and added the word nam. However, rhythmically speaking, the word Nam is beat #6 so the chant looks like this.......
Beat 1 2 3 4 5 6
[myo - ho - ren - ge - kyo - nam]
It is important to remember this when you are chanting so that when you stop to draw breath, as we are forced to do on occasion, you continue by starting on the word Myoho and not Nam. When chanting in unison with others, ignoring this rule will upset the rhythm.
In musical terms, a chant is a rhythmical monotone. Therefore the pitch and rhythm stay constant although the number of beats per minute can be varied to suit the occasion.
Form your lips as though singing the letter O and try to maintain that shape. If your lips move excessively, or worse still. your jaw moves up and down, then you or speaking or shouting and therefore not chanting.
Try to get into the habit of pronouncing the syllables correctly. One of the more common digressions is for the phrase to come out like nam-meeaw-haw-ren-gay-kyaw. For all we know, this may mean that we are asking to have our lives completely wrecked and to live in misery and suffering!
The preferred position of the hands is placed palms together pointing upward and outward from the center of the chest at breast level. Beads are not required and, if worn, should not be flaunted or rattled. You are chanting to manifest absolute happiness in your life - not to attract attention or impersonate a rattle snake.
Before you chant, create a mental image of the life of your dreams. While you are chanting, try to empty your mind of all thought - not easy I know.
A big advantage of practicing Nichiren Buddhism is that we can do it any time - any where - within reason of course! We have no need for temples, altars or ritual.
