Shōdaigyō: chanting held between silence (Nichiren Shū)

Chant the daimoku within a set sequence of bowing, silent sitting, chanting, silent reflection and dedication.

Por qué funciona

Nichiren Shū describes shōdaigyō as a form of meditation practised regularly at its temples, usually in a group. Its sequence frames the chanting on both sides. A deep bow and taking refuge open the session. A few minutes of silent sitting follow, “to cleanse and bring harmony to the Body and Mind.” Then comes the chanting, then a few minutes of silent reflection on the daimoku, then a prayer dedicating the merit to all beings, the Four Great Vows and a final bow. The silence before the chanting settles the person who will chant, and the silence after lets what was chanted be reflected on rather than dropped.

Cómo hacerlo

1. If a Nichiren Shū temple near you holds shōdaigyō, attend one. It is usually practised as a group and is best learned that way.
2. Begin with a deep bow (raihai), preparing to receive the teaching, and take refuge in the Three Treasures.
3. Sit in silence for a few minutes before chanting.
4. Chant the daimoku, then sit in silence again for a few minutes, reflecting on it.
5. Close by dedicating the merit to family, friends and all beings, reciting the Four Great Vows, and bowing in thanks.

Evidencia

The sequence and its purpose are given in Nichiren Shū’s own description of shōdaigyō. The surrounding practice of chanting the daimoku goes back to Nichiren, as Stone and Habito describe. This is one school’s form, given in that school’s words. The support is practitioner-based. (anecdotal)

Shōdaigyō is Nichiren Shū’s practice. Other schools structure their chanting differently, and Nichiren Shōshū’s own question-and-answer page takes up the question of whether it teaches silent meditation, so do not assume this form transfers between groups. Not studied in research.

Fuentes

• Nichiren Shu. Our Practice: Quality Not Quantity; Two Practices of Odaimoku Chanting (Shodaigyo). Nichiren Shu Portal, English edition.
• Nichiren Shu. Our Practice: An example of a Shodaigyo service. Nichiren Shu Portal, English edition.
• Stone, J. (2020). Nichiren. In Oxford Research Encyclopedia of Religion. New York: Oxford University Press.

Error común

Treating the silent parts as dead time before and after the “real” practice. In the sequence Nichiren Shū gives, they prepare for the chanting and receive it, and they are part of the service.