Variations on Buddhism: Theravada vs. Mahayana vs. Vajrayana Buddhism

A discussion of the difference between Theravada, Mahayana (Zen Buddhism), Vajrayana (Tibetan Buddhism) and various Chinese forms of Buddhism. This is the fourth lecture on Buddhism, from a Comparative Religion course from professor Javy Galindo.
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[@ksriindra9299]

Thank you so much dear sir. I am Theravada Buddhist monk from Bangladesh. So ❤️❤️❤️

[@ashishlama2055]

I got to know so many inter- and intra- variations among many types of Budhhism...Thank You Professor for your great insight...

[@aliviahong]

The teaching is simple and profound. Buddha teach what is necessary for ultimate enlightenment, not adding on deluded or conceptual practice. Humans mind incline to imagination. That is the nature of the mind. What practices must do with understanding, no rituals can liberate a person but rather a person liberate oneself with understanding walking on the path. Understand the essence, the rest will not matters to you.

[@joannahsjournal]

I took an Asian philosophy class my freshman year of college where we talked about Buddhism, but my teacher was so unclear and jumped from topic to topic too much. I would have much rather had you as my prof! Thanks for this video, it was extremely helpful and easy to understand :)

[@JaxonTheWolf]

He was a horrible an non compassionate person for all.the religion he teaches. I was passing the class with an A+ and missed a major paper while I was in the hospital. We had two weeks left and because of my hospitalization I was only late to deliver the paper by a single day, mind you I had started the outline and just had to jot my ideas down, and he did not allow me to submit the paper. The dean was involved and he straight up lied and said that he had no recollection of talking to me. I ended up with a C after 6 semesters of straight A's. His teaching style was also horrible. We might as well have gotten our entire course knowledge by reading the short textbook we used for our comparative religion course.

[@pavankumargautam5067]

I'm practicing nicherin buddhism since last one year which is related to Mahayana.... this branch of buddhism was introduced in 13th century by nicherin dishonin, a Japanese monk. He compiled the teachings of awakened Buddha (after attaining enlightenment). According to the teachings of dishonin, everybody possess a Buddha nature. It means every person have inherent wisdom, courage and compassion. And by chanting "Nam myoho renge kyo" we can tap this inherent capacity that everybody possess within their life.

[@Johnathan909309]

Best video on Buddhism I've seen! Thank you and keep up the good work this is extremely helpful for understanding the far eastern mindset which Us in the West lack true insight this is great stuff! Easy to understand and put together very professionally

[@bernadettemalavarca1046]

Koan. This makes me think of poetry, Getrude Stein, for example, placing words in odd relationship to each other, which leads to out of the box thinking or surprising responses that are sort of groundless, etc. Love it.

[@nyimagyaltsen8054]

You are right that why His Holiness the Dalai Lama always use Sanskrit tradition n pali tradition. Mahayana got same subject like pali tradition but got more logic method to understand the philosophy. Even the high GuRu from pali tradition is also understand the unity between us and learn from each other. Now here His holiness is trying to unite all the Buddhist practitional as one. Variation on Buddhism more strong in the old time. Now this is 21st Century so, I Feel like better try to go deep inside the text which is directly though by Buddha. And share your wisdom on that part. 🙏🙏🙏

[@JessMichaelWillyard]

Vajrayana is an extension of Mahayana. And the Mahayana can not exist with out the Hinayana. While they all have distinct characteristics, they are built one upon the other. My teacher Gelek Rimpoche used the analog of a cake. The base part of the cake is Hinayana. Then you add another layer of cake, this is Mahayana. And the frosting....that's Vajrayana.

[@ensys1000]

This analogy has a fatal flow which is that it does not link its any of its components to the actual Buddha's teachings - the Early Buddism.

[@Relish121]

Do not use the word Hinayana. It is very derogatory. Theravada will be more appropriate. 🙏

[@ReachingHigher001]

32:40 - 32:47: Yes!

[@robertwilliamson6121]

The first step in learning about the various schools of Buddhism is to learn how to pronounce the names of the schools. The Th” in Theravada is not pronounced like the “Th” in “Them” or “Think” The “h” is silent.... and the “T” is pronounced as a hard “T” like the “T” in the words “Tough” or “Time”. And the “r” is rolled a bit almost like in Scots English. (Much time spent in Theravada temples over six months in Thailand and Cambodia talking with English speaking monks and studying books on Buddhism before Going for Refuge in the Triple Gem and taking the Five Precepts.)

[@marvinkmooneyoz]

it helps, but anything can be the first step

[@klowther247]

The words are not 'it'; they are only the finger pointing at the moon.

[@1990calum]

Wow, thank you so much for this. It was so interesting and well presented

[@paulinewqi]

Tqtq for this lecture... Had been waiting for this for long time.... Thanks very much...💖💝💐

[@ProfG]

Most welcome 😊

[@Relish121]

Everything that had been shared in this presentation was very much from the western perspectives on Buddhism. Our eastern Buddhist practices cover much more than in this presentation. This presentation gave the impression that Mahayana Buddhism = Zen Buddhism and Vajrayana Buddhism = Tibetan Buddhism which are so untrue. There are many other schools like Pure Land, Huayan, Tientai and so on which are under the Mahayana Buddhism umbrella. Likewise for Vajrayana Buddhism, it also has Newar (Nepalese), Shignon (Japanese) and Bhutanese schools.

[@daw7773]

Perhaps the author of this presentation should clarify his video as an "example" of each of the 3 main Buddhist Practices. Then there would be no need for reviewing every Buddhist practices within those schools in which it is estimated to be "hundreds" of sects.

[@pavankumargautam5067]

I do practice nicherin buddhism.

[@allanbeesey1006]

there was some discussion on the 4 Mahayana schools you mention, it was a half an hour talk, I am not sure what you expect ...

[@aribear1846]

Wow, I wish i had professors like this in my old university.

[@DrNemea]

It is so obvious that Mahayana is a mixture of Hinduism ideas with Buddhism characters.

[@pierrolosapio1042]

Mahayana is the Esoteric side of buddhism.

[@pierrolosapio1042]

And that might partly be true, but nothing that Mahayana teaches has not be hinted at in theravada. Theravada says bodhisattva maitreya will come - mahayana says you can become a Bodhisattva too. Theravada says buddha saved a hungry ghost through traveling through Dimension - mahayana says buddha amitabha perfected his mind to such an extend where he has created a own Realm for beings to reach perfect enlightenment. Mahayana teaches nothing new; just elaborates on the teachings and it's implications.

[@kashyap5849]

@@pierrolosapio1042 Maitreya is also a false made up stuff.

[@Buddhist_Philosopher]

@@kashyap5849 He's prophesied by Shakyamuni in the Pali canon.

[@marjanmarjan8500]

very informative and interesting and it was very easy to follow and underestand

[@sonamj694]

such a helpful and clear explanation , thank you so much!

[@ProfG]

Thanks for watching! If this was useful, consider liking, subscribing, or donating to help me make my lectures available to the public: www.patreon.com/ProfG. Interested in our textbook? "Taste of Transcendence": amzn.to/3im5BOV. So, what concepts stood out to you? Which principles might be useful in your life? Just as with my classes, I hope you all can help foster an enlightening discussion in the comments below.

[@ArianiMauve999]

Supreme Eternal Human Spiritual Knowledge...😊

[@matthewpimental2042]

Great lecture on Mahayana Buddhism. I would offer the critique that it is a bit light on Theravada.

[@NAKMUAYACADEMY]

Very very interesting and informative! Please keep those coming

[@paultapia1o]

Gracias Profe.

[@JagjotSingh]

Thank you for the great lecture sir. I want to study Buddhism. Can you guide me how to get started?

[@Relish121]

Start with the Buddha's Dhamma on the Four Noble Truths and the Noble Eightfold Paths. 🙏🙏🙏

[@kashyap5849]

15:19 Ego point of Mahayanists. All ideas and desire seems great but one thing is they don't regard the Buddha as a student must do toward a teacher. Instead they worship to imaginary Buddhas and deities while there is still availability of Buddhas teachings. :)

[@hisheylhamu7350]

You should find out why?

[@pierrolosapio1042]

Imaginary? All right man, you seem to get a huge ego boost by hating on mahayana.

[@kashyap5849]

@@pierrolosapio1042 : ) Who decides

[@daw7773]

Your mindset is the very reason why there are hundreds of Buddhist sects....an opinion does not justify starting a new practice. "Your body is your temple."

[@AmirOrdabayev]

A very interesting lecture. Thank you.

[@taidelek9994]

Regarding vajrayana or tibetan bhudhism, the influence of bon religion only limits within ritual practices only and not changing core teaching . But Regarding Hinduism ,there is no link. Hinduism is very different from bhudhism.

[@WaMo721]

what r u talking about bro?😀....hinduism has a huge influence on vajrayana....vajrayana's tantra is based purely off kashmiri shavism(shavism is one of the three main sects in hinduism).....please get the facts right

[@taidelek9994]

@nescafe` that's part of the similar propaganda like Bhudha was a reincarnation of vishnu and a branch of Hinduism. These are Braman propaganda to wiped out Bhudism.

[@Tsechen287]

@@WaMo721 Hinduism Do you even know when and from where did that word Hindu originate ? Vajrayana Buddhism has influence from Indian Buddhist schools. Not Hinduism.

[@indranialikhan5844]

Great lecture. Thanks

[@minthura9053]

If you wanna do comparison between different sects of Buddhism. Make sure you have enough knowledge. You don't even know about Theravada very well. Go study Tipitakas. Be careful using the word Hinayana. It's kinda an insulting word to the Theravada Buddhists invented by Mahayana side.

[@justiceearth9702]

Which type of Buddhism is better for children to practice?

[@Buddhist_Philosopher]

None. Buddhism is for being understood for adults, with an important degree of psychological and emotional maturation.

[@WaMo721]

What a “un-buddhist” question 😅……

[@Horaciowild1]

Great expaination

[@Relish121]

I often hear some westerners saying the Dalai Lama is the head of Buddhism. Unfortunately, he is not ! He is just the head monk of Tibetan Buddhism, similar to the Pope who leads the Catholics but not all Christians.

[@JessMichaelWillyard]

Technically, His Holiness the Dalai Lama is not head of any of the major schools of Tibetan Buddhism, yet he IS the figure head.

[@4587445]

he is mostly a political figure.

[@Buddhist_Philosopher]

@@4587445 Not anymore since 2011.

[@WaMo721]

He is the head of gelugpa sect not the whole tibetan buddhism…..but he is most popular one therefore whole buddhism community respect him

[@Buddhist_Philosopher]

@@WaMo721 The head of the gelugpas is the Ganden Tripa.

[@sarathw5740]

This is a good video thank you.

[@brucenenke-vk5nk]

There is another Buddhism FUTURE DHARMA a 3rd Buddhism based on the teaching of 5th Buddha and his best selling book 'Under the Dragon Tree'. Look I know 'Under the Dragon Tree' hasn't yet been written but their will come come a time when Buddhists will let go of Buddhism.

[@MrRezillo]

This guy is very biased toward the Mahayana lineage; he misrepresents Theravada Buddhism.

[@entropia34332]

Why are you pronouncing “mayahayana”?

[@leovaas]

Your lectures are very easy to digest by explaining such complex concepts in a very practical manner. Thank you professor! Are you planning or you have a video about Hindu Tantra?

[@mathsmakessense]

He commits many rookie errors. From mistranslating "Hinayana" as "Smaller/Lesser Vehicle" where "hina" is sadly much more negatively loaded, to more importantly construing Sunyata as "clearness" or "openness" which while being admirable qualities have nothing to do with Emptiness either within Theravada nor Mahayana. Finally that Zen story with Mahakasyapa and the Flower is likely a late one, but regardless, it is not about the deeper enlightenment being non-verbal. I had a great non-verbal answer at my last Rinzai Sanzen. But the Roshi threw it out. The point of any awakening, he said, is that we can embody and express it, as the circumstances require. Not as we want it. Sorry, I didn't go beyond this. He has no first-hand knowledge of what he speaks of.

[@allanbeesey1006]

judgement

[@kwanarchive]

You have a lot of knowledge about Buddhism. Sadly, not much wisdom.

[@mathsmakessense]

I like your guitar videos.

[@wat3281]

Theravada are using dharma that can be seen , visible & logical. Theravada do not contain mumbo jumbo teachings

[@Kioki1-x8p]

Pakistan, Indus plains Gandhara is the birthplace of Mahayana Buddhism, your map is historically incorrect.

[@camaradael2424]

Awakening, called by Buddhist traditions as enlightenment, is the personal efficacious realization of the first, second, and third noble truths. The Tathagatha became awakened realizing these, which he taught to others: 1. The truth of suffering 2. The truth of the causes of suffering 3. The truth of the end of suffering These are his realizations, which made him awakened. Then, he overcame these by realizing and actualizing the 4th Noble Truth which he taught people: 4. The truth of the path leading to the end of suffering (Eightfold Path) which is what one needs to do after being awakened to the first 3 noble truths. To cultivate oneself to doing the Eightfold Path. So, so-called masters who claimed to be enlightened but failed in even just one of the Eightfold Path, like Right Speech, Right Conduct, and Right Intention is NOT a buddha after all because the Tathagatha succeeded in these 8. So, Chogyam Trumpa is NOT a buddha as he is adorned to be.

[@sankhawkulathantille]

There is no "coming back from enlightenment". That even goes against the definition of enlightenment. Mahayana call themselves "all inclusive" just to skirt the fact that they believe in things that go against the core teachings of Buddhism.

[@sankhawkulathantille]

@enigma I gave an instance in the OP. Read again.

[@sankhawkulathantille]

@enigma it's what is said in this video. You need to watch it.

[@sankhawkulathantille]

@enigma no I have heard this so called "coming back from enlightenment" thing many times from Mahayana followers. It's not a joke.

[@sankhawkulathantille]

@enigma if you say that this video is not based on Mahayana scriptures, you are entitled to that opinion. But the reality is that there are so many Mahayana teachers and followers who would disagree with you including the author of this video. If there is no major contradiction, there shouldn't be several schools. The reason why these schools exist because they broke away from the teachings of the elders(Theravada) due to disagreements. Trying to water down that fact is not very beneficial.

[@sankhawkulathantille]

@enigma you are entitled to your opinion, but I wouldn't call the controversial teachings of Mahayana and Vajrayana as advanced. They appear to be beliefs borrowed from folklore and other theistic religions at the time. Also your presentation of how the sects came to be is highly misleading.

[@amenramuxikllc5658]

POSTPONING NIRVANA IS BUDDHISM, RETURNING FROM NIRVANA IS THE MIDDLE WAY.

[@Ozric8]

Vajrayana is not a distinct standalone form of Buddhism. It is firmly established within the Mahayana context! I took the two year " Foundation of Buddhism Couse, with the FPMT. The Foundation for the Preservation of the Mahayana Tradition. I mean this is the common rhetoric of what each tradition is about, in terms of goals or outcomes. It seems Anatta and emptiness are the most commonly misunderstood in all forms of Buddhism! What would be of help, is the common misunderstanding and explain how, most traditions veer so far from the original meaning of the Buddha? If they were not based on the Four Noble truths, they would be another religion, which some are! You need to be a detective to be a true Buddhist, not someone who just follows any tradition without question". Ideals Buddhism is a failure in my experience of 45 years from meeting my first Zen teacher, then a Geshe and Ajahn for the Forest Sangha. The problem is way too much information and confusion, about Awakened Awareness! zAz

[@iwakenak8383]

can anyone translate to indonesian...in indonesian centuris ago trantrayana is biggest religion

[@eightness888]

That first story made me laugh and I thank you for making this video. Life is so complex and needs to be enjoyed and experienced and well to be nice to ones self and others.

[@johndy9571]

Buddhis is on rise.

[@NishantSingh-qe7vv]

Sir you should read tripitaka first before giving lecture you said no saoul afterlife in others sects before vajrayana ,

[@ravinmb]

Thanks for your explanation. The actual fact of what Buddha Taught is Vipassana Meditation not Buddhism. Buddhism is what was developed later on about 5 centuries after the parinirvana of Buddha. So none of Buddhism is pure. If you have stayed in 10 Days Vipassana Meditation taught by S.N. Goenka, you will understand it by yourself what pure Dhamma (Law of Nature) is.

[@Buddhist_Philosopher]

Goenka "vipadsana" is a burmese innovation which in fact is shamatha. The vipassana thaught by the Buddha is in the Sathipattana Sutta.

[@cash_burner]

15:10 That awkward pause makes me uncomfortable lmao

[@Aquarius.]

this karuna virus is catching ;)

[@bhikkhuananda2293]

I feel sorry to comment that It has been again and again misinformed, misinterpreted, miscarried with narrow-perspective on and about Theravada Buddhism even by highly learned so-called scholars using themselves unfriendly, disharmonious, low, sarcastic term as "Hinayana- smaller-vehicle" or "smaller-raft" ..?! And its a matter of common question how could any students of so-called Mahayana Buddhism look down upon and pitch the Theravada Buddhism - the original, exact, early, rational, realistic, most striking, scientific, practical, empirical, pragmatic and non-mambo-jumbo, teachings and practice of the Buddha as "Heena" or "Low and Mean""...? It is clear-cut fact that Mahayana Buddhism itself is an offshoot of Theravada (early) Buddhism in a corrupted and deteriorated version adopting and mixing up Hindu ritualistic, mambo-jumbos-full of superstitious beliefs and practices to sustain in the contemporary world. My simple questions that demean Theravada Buddhism as "Smaller-vehicle" are: 1. Is the Buddha himself Hinayanist whose sole and central teaching based on striving oneself first on the purification of mind, whose one and the only path is " Path of Purification" (Visuddhimagga/ Visuddhimarga) which the Buddha stress as " One and the Only Way to Purification" or Nibbana/Nirvana (Ekayano ayam maggo visuddiya) which is final freedom from all suffering..! 2. Should the Buddha be a Mahayanist who without purifying himself first, indulge in the practice of mambo-Jambos, rites and rituals, tantras, and mantras in the name of serving/helping more people..? 3. Is the Buddha Hinayanist who escaped/liberation Suffering..? 4. Is the Buddha Hinayanist who achieved enlightenment by himself on his own effort as individual practice..? 5. Is the Buddha Hinayanist becoz he attained Arahanthood..? 6. How could one be a perfect teacher or mass-emancipator without first purifying oneself and attaining enlightenment..? Here I would like to quote the emphasizing teaching of the Buddha on self-purification and self-emancipation in his own words * "Victory over oneself is better than that over others. When a man has conquered himself and always acts with self-control, neither devas, spirits, Mara or Brahma can reverse the victory of a man like that...!"(Dhammapada104, 105 ) * First he should establish himself in what is right. Then if he teaches others, the wise man will not be corrupted. (Dhammapada 158)

[@pierrolosapio1042]

Not all mahayanist are viewing theravada as lesser. Stoppen saying most Rationalistic and Non-Mumbo Jumbo when there are a lot of different realms, gods, Rebirth and Telekenese talks in all of buddhist Branches. All Mahayana is, is an extension of Buddhas teaching. He said Maitreya the bodhisattva will come to teach the Dharma when there is no trace of it left. Mahayana says: you can become a Bodhisattva too. Buddha saved a mother of a monk who was reborn a hungry ghost and saved her from that realm, in Mahayana he perfected his Mind to such an extend that the created a pure Land for people to reach enlightenment without distraction in another realm. All Mahayana is, is a extension of buddhas teaching and can be viewed as esoteric.

[@kashyap5849]

@@pierrolosapio1042 That's exactly how Distoyana tried to distort the Buddha's teachings. But glad to know that the non-sectorial scholars from a secular perspective are trying to restore the true teaching of Buddha in Distoyana (distorted vehicle) and Zen Buddhism is really taking a good step for it with the influence of western comprehensive philosophy.

[@satatik21]

I think you should read the book cutting through spiritual materialism my friend.

[@virakvijay4957]

Hin Yana from San Jay, samanna bhal Sutta no Buddha gotama Maha Yana brahmanisme

[@pittsburghpatrika1534]

Not learning to pronounce Buddha, Buddhism, Shunyata, Mahayana, Hinayana (these terms are central to the lecture) is such a distraction that it became in me an irritant. I stopped after 6 min.

[@Buddhist_Philosopher]

Don't be so attached to words, but understand the meaning.

[@Relish121]

I agree with you!

[@bellamel4229]

Oh the bias!!! You're no expert or a teacher. Sad 😭

[@tyamada21]

A piece from a new amazing, eye-opening, thought-provoking and enlightening autobiography titled: Saved by the Light of the Buddha Within... (Amazon Books) Myoho-Renge-Kyo represents the identity of what some scientists are now referring to as the unified field of consciousnesses. In other words, it’s the essence of all existence and non-existence - the ultimate creative force behind planets, stars, nebulae, people, animals, trees, fish, birds, and all phenomena, manifest or latent. All matter and intelligence are simply waves or ripples manifesting to and from this core source. Consciousness (enlightenment) is itself the actual creator of everything that exists now, ever existed in the past, or will exist in the future - right down to the minutest particles of dust - each being an individual ripple or wave. The big difference between chanting Nam-Myoho-Renge-Kyo and most other conventional prayers is that instead of depending on a ‘middleman’ to connect us to our state of inner enlightenment, we’re able to do it ourselves. That’s because chanting Nam-Myoho-Renge-Kyo allows us to tap directly into our enlightened state by way of this self-produced sound vibration. ‘Who or What Is God?’ If we compare the concept of God being a separate entity that is forever watching down on us, to the teachings of Nichiren, it makes more sense to me that the true omnipotence, omniscience and omnipresence of what most people perceive to be God, is the fantastic state of enlightenment that exists within each of us. Some say that God is an entity that’s beyond physical matter - I think that the vast amount of information continuously being conveyed via electromagnetic waves in today’s world gives us proof of how an invisible state of God could indeed exist. For example, it’s now widely known that specific data relayed by way of electromagnetic waves has the potential to help bring about extraordinary and powerful effects - including an instant global awareness of something or a mass emotional reaction. It’s also common knowledge that these invisible waves can easily be used to detonate a bomb or to enable NASA to control the movements of a robot as far away as the Moon or Mars - none of which is possible without a receiver to decode the information that’s being transmitted. Without the receiver, the data would remain impotent. In a very similar way, we need to have our own ‘receiver’ switched on so that we can activate a clear and precise understanding of our own life, all other life and what everything else in existence is. Chanting Nam-Myoho-Renge-Kyo each day helps us to achieve this because it allows us to reach the core of our enlightenment and keep it switched on. That’s because Myoho-Renge-Kyo represents the identity of what scientists now refer to as the unified field of consciousnesses. To break it down - Myoho represents the Law of manifestation and latency (Nature) and consists of two alternating states. For example, the state of Myo is where everything in life that’s not obvious to us exists - including our stored memories when we’re not thinking about them - our hidden potential and inner emotions whenever they’re dormant - our desires, our fears, our wisdom, happiness, karma - and more importantly, our enlightenment. The other state, ho, is where everything in Life exists whenever it becomes evident to us, such as when a thought pops up from within our memory - whenever we experience or express our emotions - or whenever a good or bad cause manifests as an effect from our karma. When anything becomes apparent, it merely means that it’s come out of the state of Myo (dormancy/latency) and into a state of ho (manifestation). It’s the difference between consciousness and unconsciousness, being awake or asleep, or knowing and not knowing. The second law - Renge - Ren meaning cause and ge meaning effect, governs and controls the functions of Myoho - these two laws of Myoho and Renge, not only function together simultaneously but also underlie all spiritual and physical existence. The final and third part of the tri-combination - Kyo, is the Law that allows Myoho to integrate with Renge - or vice versa. It’s the great, invisible thread of energy that fuses and connects all Life and matter - as well as the past, present and future. It’s also sometimes termed the Universal Law of Communication - perhaps it could even be compared with the string theory that many scientists now suspect exists. Just as the cells in our body, our thoughts, feelings and everything else is continually fluctuating within us - all that exists in the world around us and beyond is also in a constant state of flux - constantly controlled by these three fundamental laws. In fact, more things are going back and forth between the two states of Myo and ho in a single moment than it would ever be possible to calculate or describe. And it doesn’t matter how big or small, famous or trivial anything or anyone may appear to be, everything that’s ever existed in the past, exists now or will exist in the future, exists only because of the workings of the Laws ‘Myoho-Renge-Kyo’ - the basis of the four fundamental forces, and if they didn’t function, neither we nor anything else could go on existing. That’s because all forms of existence, including the seasons, day, night, birth, death and so on, are moving forward in an ongoing flow of continuation - rhythmically reverting back and forth between the two fundamental states of Myo and ho in absolute accordance with Renge - and by way of Kyo. Even stars are dying and being reborn under the workings of what the combination ‘Myoho-Renge-Kyo’ represents. Nam, or Namu - which mean the same thing, are vibrational passwords or keys that allow us to reach deep into our life and fuse with or become one with ‘Myoho-Renge-Kyo’. On a more personal level, nothing ever happens by chance or coincidence, it’s the causes that we’ve made in our past, or are presently making, that determine how these laws function uniquely in each of our lives - as well as the environment from moment to moment. By facing east, in harmony with the direction that the Earth is spinning, and chanting Nam-Myoho-Renge-Kyo for a minimum of, let’s say, ten minutes daily to start with, any of us can experience actual proof of its positive effects in our lives - even if it only makes us feel good on the inside, there will be a definite positive effect. That’s because we’re able to pierce through the thickest layers of our karma and activate our inherent Buddha Nature (our enlightened state). By so doing, we’re then able to bring forth the wisdom and good fortune that we need to challenge, overcome and change our adverse circumstances - turn them into positive ones - or manifest and gain even greater fulfilment in our daily lives from our accumulated good karma. This also allows us to bring forth the wisdom that can free us from the ignorance and stupidity that’s preventing us from accepting and being proud of the person that we indeed are - regardless of our race, colour, gender or sexuality. We’re also able to see and understand our circumstances and the environment far more clearly, as well as attract and connect with any needed external beneficial forces and situations. As I’ve already mentioned, everything is subject to the law of Cause and Effect - the ‘actual-proof-strength’ resulting from chanting Nam-Myoho-Renge-Kyo always depends on our determination, sincerity and dedication. For example, the levels of difference could be compared to making a sound on a piano, creating a melody, producing a great song, and so on. Something else that’s very important to always respect and acknowledge is that the Law (or if you prefer God) is in everyone and everything. NB: There are frightening and disturbing sounds, and there are tranquil and relaxing sounds. It’s the emotional result of any noise or sound that can trigger off a mood or even instantly change one. When chanting Nam-Myoho-Renge-Kyo each day, we are producing a sound vibration that’s the password to our true inner-self - this soon becomes apparent when you start reassessing your views on various things - such as your fears and desires etc. The best way to get the desired result when chanting is not to view things conventionally - rather than reaching out to an external source, we need to reach into our own lives and bring our needs and desires to fruition from within - including the good fortune and strength to achieve any help that we may need. Chanting Nam-Myoho-Renge-Kyo also reaches out externally and draws us towards, or draws towards us, what we need to make us happy from our environment. For example, it helps us to be in the right place at the right time - to make better choices and decisions and so forth. We need to think of it as a seed within us that we’re watering and bringing sunshine to for it to grow, blossom and bring forth fruit or flowers. It’s also important to understand that everything we need in life, including the answer to every question and the potential to achieve every dream, already exists within us. To understand the meaning of Nam-Myoho-Renge-Kyo even more, I recommend that you read Tina Turner's new book: Happiness Becomes You.Or Google 'Let go, and let God' by Olivia Newton.

[@Relish121]

I much prefer to read Buddhism books written by Theravadin Ajahns, Bhikkhus and Bhantes than western writers who just say whatever they feel like saying and throw in their own personal opinions instead of the true Dhamma.

[@tyamada21]

Okay then, whatever you feel suits you :) @@Relish121