The central practice of Nichiren Shu is the chanting of Odaimoku — the sacred title of the Lotus Sutra:

Namu Myoho Renge Kyo

(“I take refuge in the Sutra of the Lotus Flower of the Wonderful Dharma”)

Nichiren Shōnin taught that the entire truth of the Lotus Sutra — and indeed the enlightenment of all beings — is contained within these five characters. Chanting the Odaimoku is not a petition to an external power. It is an act of devotion, focus, and awakening. As one priest explains, “Odaimoku is considered the seed of Buddhahood in Nichiren Buddhism, and so everything begins and ends with it, just as a fruit tree begins with a seed and then produces more seeds-bearing fruit”.

The purpose of prolonged chanting of the Odaimoku is to reduce suffering by eradicating negative karma, to cultivate a mind of calm and clarity, and to realize the buddha-nature within oneself and all beings.

You can chant Odaimoku anywhere, anytime. It requires no special equipment, only a sincere heart.