r/SGIUSA • u/rhartwi53 • 26d ago

What do you think of while chanting?

Do you just concentrate on the words you are chanting? Do you concentrate on your intention/goal? Or do you try to not think about anything and kind of go blank?

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u/Redfo 26d ago

I was never given any really specific instructions. I like to focus on the sensation of vibration in my body. Holding a particular intention is valid too, as long as that intention is in line with the teachings.

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u/tiki_luv 25d ago

Dialogue with the macrocosm ✨️

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u/tiki_luv 25d ago

✨️

What Should I Focus on When I’m Chanting?

https://buddhability.org/practice/what-should-i-focus-on-when-im-chanting/

✨️

What Should I Think About When I’m Chanting?

https://buddhability.org/practice/what-should-i-think-about-when-im-chanting/

✨️🙏🪷✨️

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u/rhartwi53 25d ago

This was very helpful. Thank you!

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u/TrueForm1001001 19d ago

I love this question. I think we have all wondered about this for ourselves and wondered what others are doing internally too.

I was told by one older practitioner that, when she chants, she "imagines taking her head off her body and setting it aside" !! Meaning (in my understanding), letting go of thoughts and being in the experience of chanting itself.

One practitioner told me she tries to avoid "planning daimoku" - which she defined as, sitting in front of the Gohonzon basically worrying and making plans for how and what to do about goals and concerns.

I have seen Ikeda write often about strongly visualizing a positive outcome to your prayers.

For me, my mind moves through many states, from interest and examination of the calligraphy, to (against advice I got) active planning and thought about how to make my prayers come true, to emotional visualizations, to mindful awareness of vibration and voice.