HONOLULU MYOHOJI MISSION
Honolulu Buddhist Temple in Hawaii

The chanting of the sacred title is the meditative experience of chanting Namu Myoho Renge Kyo. That technique is described in the Kanjin Honzon Sho of St. Nichiren (13th century). And its central topic is observing our consciousness as a meditative experience. 

St. Nichiren called the chanting of Namu Myoho Renge Kyo, kanjin (observation). We observe our ego consciousness and become aware of the ten realms (the worlds of hell, hungry spirits, animals, asuras [fighting devils], men, heaven, hearers, cause knowers, bodhisattvas, Buddhas). That technique is called projecting our own consciousness on the mirror of mind.

Since the ego consciousness is that state of suffering where the continuum of memory is projecting on the mirror of the mind, St. Nichiren says to chant the Namu Myoho Renge Kyo to escape from that suffering. The chanting of the sacred title is to project Namu Myoho Renge Kyo onto the polished mirror of the mind. That is why through that observation the ego consciousness is separated from the continuum of memory (illusion), and if there are no waves on the mirror of the mind, we no longer worry about this or that, and a consciousness state of no thought can be induced.

It is Buddhism that heals the sufferings of human beings.  It is probably true that Buddhism is not necessary for people who do not feel suffering.  Yet to a greater or lesser degree human beings are experiencing suffering and trouble.

Many people think that suffering comes from the outside.  They think that the suffering that they are feeling is being caused by happening in the outside world.  I am suffering because that person is bad.  I am irritated because of that event. 

Nevertheless, the cause for that suffering is within the person.  Moreover, it can be thought that in the cause for many sufferings there are mental wounds such as trauma. 

Many people do not know this, but it is the religious training of the Odaimoku that can heal the mental wounds and trauma in the depths of the human mind. 

While the mindfulness meditation and psychological treatment, which is popular at present, has symptomatic results, it does not lead to a fundamental permanent cure.  In particular, strict caution is necessary in the use mindfulness meditation to treat patients with depression.   Through mindfulness, the cover over the trauma, which is deep within the person’s mind, is opened and there is a possibility that the suffering of that person will be further intensified.  However, the chanting of the Odaimoku does not require such caution, and it is useful in the treatment of such mental disorders as depression and schizophrenia.

For the cause of such mental illnesses such as depression, there is the enlargement of the amygdaloid nucleus in the brain.  The amygdaloid nucleus is essential for the preservation of life through the avoidance of danger in daily life.  It is the organ in the brain that remembers the information of past anxiety, fear and anger.  It is known that the enlargement of the amygdaloid nucleus is the cause of extreme worry and depression.  And for the cause for the enlargement of the amygdaloid nucleus, such conditions as a harsh living environment during childhood are mentioned.  The influence of the amygdaloid nucleus is strong and extends over the entire brain.

Those with depression cannot control their emotions because the amygdaloid nucleus cannot be suppressed by reason or thought.  From research it is known that amygdaloid has more nerve fibers in the brain than the frontal lobe that controls reason.  That is why it is difficult to control the mind with reason.  Even for healthy person, while he knows through reason that anger is not good, he cannot control such emotions as anger and sadness.  All of you have probably experienced the same.  It is very difficult to control the amygdaloid nucleus with reason and thought.  That is why many people are suffering mentally.

Nevertheless, there is a way to control the problem of the amygdaloid nucleus.  It is the chanting of the Odaimoku.  And to recite the sutra.  That is why it is receiving the attention of psychologists and neuroscientists. 

According to the research, it was recently learned that by activating the frontal lobe, the problem of amygdaloid nucleus can be controlled.  From research it was learned that when the Odaimoku is chanted, the frontal lobe is activated.  In the research of the psychiatrist, the recitation of the sutra, in particular the chanting of the Odaimoku, the concentration of the blood flow of the frontal lobe increases.  In other words, it was discovered that the frontal lobe is activated.

In addition, when the frontal lobe is activated, the activities of other portions of the brain come to a standstill, and a mind that accepts things as they are is fostered.  And it was also learned that when the frontal lobe is activated, the release of the happiness hormone serotonin is accelerated.  Serotonin brings a state of peace to the mind.

It was further discovered that during the practice of shodai, in addition to serotonin, oxytocin was also released within the brain.  Oxytocin is an intracerebral substance that is secreted when we pray for or are kind to another.  Moreover, oxytocin human life energy and it works to heighten life energy. 

Since oxytocin itself is life energy, we possess it from birth.  That is why to live our life and the bodhisattva practice (to benefit others) are rationally in agreement.  To live with the practice to benefit others through oxytocin is to heighten our own life energy.  This is scientifically proven.  This is an astonishing research discovery.

By chanting Namu Myoho Renge Kyo, we can receive the two effects of the mental stability of serotonin and the heightening of life energy by making people happy of oxytocin. 

Revised by Rev. Takamasa Yamamura　

Translated by Mr. Dean Makinodan.

Monthly Meditation Session at temple