A typical service in the home might follow the following pattern. Services at a regular temple will often follow this model, but will generally have additional parts.
NOTE: Chapter 2 and 16 are recited the most frequently. However you may recite other chapters of the Lotus Sutra, like the very popular Chapter 25 -" Kannon Gyo". It is a great practice to recite the whole Lotus Sutra from the beginning, little by little until you have chanted the entire sutra.The Nichiren Buddhist International Center has CDs of chanting the sutra in the format of the home service to help you in your practice, but there is no substitute for chanting with a sangha.
All Buddhists meditate. At Nichiren Shu temples a form of meditation service is practiced on a regular basis. The outline for the Shodaigyo service is as follows.
This is an often neglected form of practice. It is a form of meditation. You can use a traditional Japanese calligraphy set or you can use your own ink or paint and a favorite brush or pen. You can trace the original kanji characters, or you can copy from an English , Spanish etc. copy of the Lotus Sutra.
Anyone who keeps, reads and recites this Lotus Sutra, memorizes it correctly, studies it, practices it, and copies it, should be considered to see Sakyamuni Buddha, and hear this sutra from the Buddha's mouth. He should be considered to be making offerings to the Buddha. He should be considered to be praised by the Buddha with the word 'Excellent!' He should be considered to be caressed by the Buddha on the head. He should be considered to be covered with the Buddha's robe. NAMU MYOHO RENGE KYO.
May all sentient beings be blessed with these merits, and may we all
Together attain Buddhahood.
Namu Myoho Renge Kyo,
Namu Myoho Renge Kyo,
Namu Myoho Renge Kyo.
NOTE: Treat you work with care until you continue at the next session. When complete you may dedicate the work to someone in need or to some good cause. For example when through you may write at the bottom "I dedicate the merits from this to world peace" or "I dedicate these merits to my sick uncle" etc. You may then give the sheets to your minister who will dedicate them on the temple altar. They will later be sacramental burned.
Again this is another vital practice spoken of in the Lotus Sutra. Preparation is identical to that for "Shakyo". However in step 3 you would substitute the following passage to read aloud:
Those who drew or caused others to draw in color a picture of the Buddha adorned with his physical marks, each mark representing one hundred merits, have already attained the enlightenment of the Buddha.
The boys who by playing drew a picture of the Buddha with a piece of grass or wood or with a brush, or with the back of their finger nails, became able to accumulate merits one by one. Having great compassion towards others, they attained the enlightenment of the Buddha, taught only bodhisattvas, and saved many living beings.
NAMU MYOHO RENGE KYO.
NOTE: You may trace a picture of the Buddha or copy one that you like. You may dedicate you work to the benefit of others as outlined under the "Shakyo" section. Do not worry about artistic perfection, it is the sincere veneration of the Buddha that counts. Present you finished work to your minister at the local temple.
In Japan before and during the time of Nichiren it was very common for priests or monks to retire to isolated areas in the forests or mountains and chant the Lotus Sutra. This was a form of ascetic practice that was viewed as a way to save all sentient beings and also as a form of meditation and self development. If you enjoy camping or hiking take your service book or copy of the Lotus Sutra along and try dedicating yourself to chanting as much as you are able, free from the distractions of everyday life.
Early Nichiren practitioners became famous for immersing themselves in cold water, standing under waterfalls or dousing themselves with cold water while chanting the Odaimoku. These ascetic practices were viewed as a way to "slay the mind" and attain supreme focused concentration. This probably grew out of Shinto beliefs. Today this ancient practice remains in a highly ritualized form called "Suigyo" or water purification. Most temples in the United States will offer this ritual during special retreats. If you are interested in such traditions contact a Nichiren Shu minister for available intensives or seminars.