Does this Buddhism work?

Many people are wary of how some religions tend to emphasize belief without any evidence of how they work. They basically ask for your blind faith. Nichiren Buddhism is different. It is a philosophy and practice of actual proof—belief, or faith, arises from the positive impact the practice has on people's lives, from how it leads to happiness here and now.

Of course, if you are very new to chanting Nam-myoho-rengekyo, you might not have experienced any conspicuous actual proof yet. But at [SGI] activities, you have no doubt heard members' experiences of having received benefit as well as explanations of how the practice works. This can be your starting point—instead of blind faith, you can begin with an expectation that the practice works and therefore be willing to try it.

Nichiren Daishonin established the criteria of "three proofs" that people should apply to determine the validity of a religious practice: documentary proof, theoretical proof and actual proof.

Documentary proof means that the teaching should accord with the Buddhist sutras, considered the collective and comprehensive body of wisdom at the time. Nichiren explains in his writings how chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo and sharing it with others actualizes the Lotus Sutra, the highest teaching of Shakyamuni Buddha.

Theoretical proof means that the teaching must accord with reason and logic. Nichiren Buddhism is profoundly based on the principle of cause and effect, of which all phenomena in the universe are an expression. We are not expected to believe in anything that cannot ultimately be explained in light of this principle.

Actual proof means that the teaching actually changes people's lives for the better, that there is undeniable improvement that anyone can see. Nichiren argued that actual proof is the most important of the three:

"In judging the relative merit of Buddhist doctrines, I, Nichiren, believe that the best standards are those of reason and documentary proof. And even more valuable than reason and documentary proof is the proof of actual fact" ("Three Tripitaka Masters Pray for Rain," The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, vol. 1, p. 599).

As Nichiren Buddhists, we develop ever-deepening faith through our own experience rather than simply accepting our beliefs from others. Ours is a philosophy of proof, and new members can expect to see actual proof from their practice soon after starting.

Taken from SGI-USA website

Newsletter NL8406SZ - Nothing Speaks Louder Than Actual Proof

When one who is able to show clearly visible proof in the present expounds the Lotus Sutra, there also will be persons who will [come to] believe [in the sutra]. From “Letter to Horen” (WND-1, 512).

Nothing is more eloquent than actual proof. That’s why it is important that we strive to steadily demonstrate actual proof of our victory in society. Relating such experiences to others is one of the most powerful ways to advance kosen-rufu.

(Translated from November 16, 2011,Seikyo Shimbun)

Nichiren Buddhism is not something to follow blindly, but it is something to try for yourself. 

If you are not sure whether this Buddhism is for you or not, start chanting. 

Chant every day, morning and night for a fixed time, say fifteen to thirty minutes.  

After a month, compare your life to thirty days ago. 

Do you feel an improvement in your life state?  Can you sense any actual benefit from this practise?

If yes, keep chanting and prepare for even greater changes within your life.

Contact any of the SGI websites to find out more about meetings in your local area:

Live in the UK? Contact http://www.sgi-uk.org/

Live in the US? Contact http://www.sgi-usa.org/

Live elsewhere? Contact http://www.sgi.org/about-us/directory/asia.html