Summary

Nichiren Buddhism is presented as a modern, practical, and flexible spiritual practice that aligns with contemporary life, emphasizing personal transformation, action, and inner happiness without rigid dogma or rituals.

Abstract

The article discusses the relevance of Nichiren Buddhism in modern times, highlighting its non-dogmatic approach, active engagement in daily life, and the potential to transform negative karma into positive outcomes. It emphasizes the religion's adaptability to individual lifestyles and the ability to practice it anytime, anywhere, without the need for strict rituals or clergy. Nichiren Buddhism is portrayed as a path to absolute happiness, which is independent of external circumstances, and it is grounded in the Lotus Sutra and the chanting of Nam Myoho Renge Kyo. The practice promises a change in one's inner life condition, leading to a corresponding positive change in one's environment and personal circumstances.

Opinions

Nichiren Buddhism is seen as a religion that fits into modern life without demanding strict adherence to traditional religious practices.
The practice is described as empowering individuals to manifest their highest potential within their current life circumstances.
It is believed that Nichiren Buddhism is not passive but requires action based on Buddhist wisdom to achieve tangible results.
The concept of changing one's karma through daily prayer and action is a central tenet, suggesting that individuals are not bound by their past and can improve their life condition.
The article conveys that Nichiren Buddhism can transform an individual's environment by changing their inner life condition, aligning with the idea that our external reality is a reflection of our internal state.
The practice is presented as convenient and flexible, suitable for the digital era, and does not require attendance at specific places of worship.
The absence of clergy and rituals in Nichiren Buddhism is highlighted as a key differentiator from other forms of Buddhism.
The ultimate goal of Nichiren Buddhism is described as achieving a state of absolute happiness, which is enduring and not contingent on external factors.
The article suggests that Nichiren Buddhism is a pragmatic spiritual path that offers tangible benefits in this lifetime, supported by the experiences of its 12 million+ members worldwide.

7 Reasons Why Buddhism is a Modern-Day Spiritual Practice

Buddhism is about transforming this world of suffering and hardship into a world of hope - Dr. Daisaku Ikeda

Buddha means an enlightened one. Buddhism teaches that we ALL have the state of enlightenment within us, waiting to be awakened.

There are many types of Buddhist teachings. Despite the confusing variety, they all boil down to two forms; Hinayana Buddhism (orthodox teachings based on the lesser vehicle) and Mahayana Buddhism (new teachings based on the greater vehicle).

The Nichiren Daishonin Buddhism, explained here, follows the Mahayana tenets that state that Buddhahood can be achieved right where we are.

No need for strict penance, tough rituals, or meditation in mountain caves. With Nichiren Buddhism, you can manifest your Buddhahood (highest life state) right here, in the midst of your present circumstances.

Just like lotus flower seeds and blooms in a muddy swamp, Nichiren Buddhists reveal their highest potential while living their daily life in a world full of suffering. This is what differentiates Nichiren Buddhist teachings from all other forms of Buddhism.

1. It’s not dogmatic

Modern life cannot conform to a rigid routine. We all want a level of freedom, fluidity, and flexibility in everything we do, be it work, our relationships, hobbies, or the religion we practice.

Nichiren Buddhism is not rigid.

It can fit into our daily life at our own pace and convenience. There are no priests sitting in judgment of how we practice this religion. In fact, there are no priests or clergy in the Soka Gakkai organization whose members follow Nichiren Buddhism.

2. It’s not passive

Nichiren Buddhism does not expect us to follow it with blind faith. This practice is based on putting our faith into action.

Daily prayer equates to faith and the actions we take, based on our prayer, manifest into desired results.

Action is key in Buddhism.

It’s a practical religion, rooted in common sense. If we’re looking for a house, sure we can pray for it all day long, but we also have to take the necessary steps (actions) to find it. Action based on Buddhist wisdom is what gets us the necessary results.

3. It changes negative karma

Buddhism believes this is not our first, or final birth. Our soul has existed for countless kalpas (lifetimes) and our actions in each lifetime accumulate as good and bad karma. All of which is deeply etched into the 8th consciousness of our life — called the karma storehouse.

With every new physical existence, we bring along the baggage of positive and negative karma from our past lives.

Good karma gets us the positive things in life, loving parents, good finances, a healthy body, a healthy mind, etc.

Negative karma is responsible for all our current sufferings be it in the realm of relationships, mental and physical health, finances, or fortune.

Nichiren Buddhism says we’re all born with some negative karma which creates suffering in life. However, we don’t have to live with bad karma and can change it into positive karma with our daily prayers.

For example, if we’re suffering from debilitating health issues, Buddhist prayers help us manifest the right medical treatment to completely overcome it or manage it to an extent where we no longer suffer from it.

4. It transforms us and our environment

Buddhism says our environment reflects our current life condition. When we change our inner life condition (outlook), our environment changes. The people that bring happiness to our life enter and stay, while those that take away our peace and happiness, simply exit.

Another way of saying this is Buddhism allows us to change our attitude toward everyone and everything in our environment.

“When you change the way you look at things, the things you look at will change”— Dr. Wayne Dyer

5. It can be practiced anytime, anywhere

In this digital era when everything is going remote and online, it feels archaic to practice a religion that demands our time for a set duration, or at a set place of worship.

Nichiren Buddhism doesn’t require us to follow any rigorous schedule. We can pray anytime, anywhere, and for however long we choose.

The only expectation is consistency in practicing Buddhism.

Nichiren Buddhists recite portions of the Lotus Sutra followed by chanting the phrase Nam Myoho Renge Kyo. Both of these can be done anyplace, anytime. How often we pray, or chant, is not policed by anyone, it’s based on our personal preference.

6. It’s not ritualistic

Nichiren Buddhists do not idol worship Buddha statues or rub the Buddha's belly. We are not expected to visit Buddhist temples, wear a robe, meditate under a Bodhi tree, or perform traditional rituals. Instead, we meet in places called “Friendship Centers” where Lay members gather to dialogue, study Buddhist teachings, and chant together.

None of this is a requirement for receiving benefits from this practice. It’s totally self-paced to suit our lifestyle and schedule.

7. It makes you absolutely happy

Regardless of our address on this globe, becoming happy is a common denominator for every human.

Buddhism defines happiness in two ways. Relative happiness and absolute happiness.

Relative happiness is the joy we experience when we get a new job, a new car, enter a new relationship, or win a lottery. All these joys are based on an external factor, the car, the money, or the person that enters our life. Take these factors out of the equation and the relative happiness goes out of the window.

Absolute happiness, on the other hand, is a state of joy that cannot be undermined or taken away by external factors. It’s an intrinsic life state where we experience true bliss and contentment just the way we are, in the very circumstances we live in. This joy is deeper and more fulfilling. Nichiren Buddhism teaches us to elevate our life condition to experience Absolute Happiness and not settle for the ever-changing and fickle, relative happiness.

Bonus point: It’s based on actual proof

We all strive to spend time and effort doing activities that bring value in exchange for our time. This applies to religion too. Nichiren Buddhism ensures actual proof with daily practice. Proof that is visible to us and others around us in this lifetime, not an afterlife.

With 12 million+ members practicing Nichiren Daishonin’s Buddhism across the globe, it is being recognized as the most practical form of spirituality and way of life in the modern world.

Buddhism is not divorced from reality but is found within it, confronting human suffering head-on and teaching a way to overcome it. Buddhism is about transforming this world of suffering and hardship into a world of hope. Buddhism is in the here and now, not in some distant place- Dr. Daisaku Ikeda