Shakyo - Copying the Odaimoku
Rev. Kanto Tsukamoto

On April 28th, 1253, at Asahigamori of Mt. Kiyosumi, Nichiren Shonin recited the Odaimoku, Namu Myoho Renge Kyo, for the first time and declared the establishment of Nichiren Buddhism. In the year 2002 we will celebrate the 750th Anniversary of this event. Nichiren Shu follows the vow of Nichiren Shonin, which is, "May all beings of the whole world live in accordance with the Lotus Sutra", and promotes the campaign of the copying of the Odaimoku. The idea of the campaign is to copy the Odaimoku and store it permanently in the monument at Seichoji Temple in Chiba, Japan, which is the sacred place of the proclamation of Nichiren Buddhism. This campaign has been taking place not only in Japan, but all over the world. Thousands of copied Odaimoku have been sent to Seichoji Temple, where they are stored in a time capsule. The first capsule is full of copies of the Odaimoku, and the second one is beginning to be filled.

There are many reasons why people copy the Odaimoku. "During my busy daily life, I am able to calm down and reach peace of mind with this practice." "My calligraphy has become much better." "I used to have a short temper, but it’s much better now." "I obtain a peaceful mind more deeply than in Zen meditation, and I can concentrate more easily now." "I no longer make simple mistakes at work." "As I practice copying the Odaimoku, I hear beautiful music." But some people don't know how to practice copying the Odaimoku. Later in this article I will explain how to do Shakyo.

Merit of copying sutras

The copying of sutras has been done since 1st Century BC. The materials used were mostly leaf, bark, and cloth. The oldest copied sutra on bark was discovered in Central Asia. It is interesting that Theravada Buddhism does not expound the merit of copying sutras, but Mahayana Buddhism expounds many merits of copying sutras. This is because, in Theravada Buddhism, the teachings are mainly transmitted verbally, and in Mahayana Buddhism they try to copy the sutras in order to spread them correctly. The Lotus Sutra in particular clearly expounds the merit of copying sutras as follows;

"The good men or women who keep, read, recite, expound or copy this Lotus Sutra will be able to obtain eight hundred merits of the eye, twelve hundred merits of the ear, eight hundred merits of the nose, twelve hundred merits of the tongue, eight hundred merits of the body, and twelve hundred merits of the mind. They will be able to adorn and purify their six sense organs with these merits." - Ch. 19, The Merits of the Teacher of the Dharma

"If anyone keeps, reads, recites, expounds and copies even a gatha of the Lotus Sutra, and respects a copy of this sutra just as he respects me (the Buddha), and offers flowers, incense, necklaces... to it, or just joins his hands together respectfully towards it, he should be considered to have appeared in the world of men out of his compassion towards all living beings. Such a person will become a Buddha." - Ch. 10 The Teacher of the Dharma

"Anyone who copies, keeps, reads, and recites this sutra, makes offerings to it, and expounds it to others after my extinction, will be covered by my love." - Ch. 10 The Teacher of the Dharma

"Anyone who keeps, reads, or recites this sutra, expounds it to others, copies it, causes others to copy it, or makes offerings to a copy of it after my extinction, need not build a stupa or a monastery, or make offerings to the Samgha. (Because he receives the same merits as doing so.)" - Ch. 17 The Variety of Merits

"Anyone who keeps, reads and recites the Lotus Sutra, memorizes it correctly, studies it, and copies it, should be considered to see me, and hear this sutra from my mouth." - Ch. 28 Universal -Sage Bodhisattva

Thus, copying the Sutra is recognized as an important practice carrying with it great merit. In the Lotus Sutra, Sakyamuni Buddha states the five kinds of practice as necessary practice for those who follow the Sutra. The five practices are to keep (upholding the Sutra), to read, to recite, to expound and to copy the Sutra. Nichiren Shonin teaches that keeping the Lotus Sutra is the most important, so we should chant the Odaimoku, have deep faith and act to make the teaching realized.

Copying the Odaimoku

Nichiren Shonin teaches in his writing "Kanjin Honzon Sho,"

"All the good deeds and virtues of the Buddha Sakyamuni are manifested in the title of the Lotus Sutra, that is, ‘Myo Ho Ren Ge Kyo’. However sinful we may be, we shall be naturally endowed with all the deeds and virtues of the Buddha if we adhere to these five letters."

In other words, the five characters of Myo Ho Ren Ge Kyo are not simply the title of the Lotus Sutra, but they possess wonderful power to save people. Copying the Odaimoku is to experience this wonderful power, and it also brings you a peaceful mind and the opportunity to be awakened to your Buddha nature.

Nichiren Shonin put importance on the Buddha's words in Ch. 21. "All the teachings of the Buddha, all the treasury of the hidden core of the Buddha, and all the profound achievements of the Buddha are revealed and expounded explicitly in this sutra. Therefore, keep, read, recite, expound and copy this sutra, and act according to the teachings of it with all your hearts after my extinction."

The way to copy the Odaimoku

Copying the Odaimoku means that you write the seven characters of 'Na Mu Myo Ho Ren Ge Kyo', so it is difficult to realize its appeal by copying it only once. Therefore, we recommend that you practice copying the Odaimoku many times. It is similar to chanting it. When you become ready, after some practice, please copy the Odaimoku on an official Odaimoku sheet provided by Nichiren Buddhist International Center.

The manner of copying the Odaimoku

1. Purify your body.
Even though you copy the seven characters, it should be considered the same as copying the entire Lotus Sutra. Before you begin to copy, purify your body by washing your hands and rinsing your mouth.

2. Meditation
Do meditation for seven to ten minutes in order to calm down and make your mind void.

3. Read the Sutra
When you achieve concentration of your mind, put your hands together in Gassho, chant the Odaimoku three times, then read the following phrase.

"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."

4. Copy the Odaimoku
Take a brush or pen, and start copying the Odaimoku.

5. Ending the copy
When you finish copying, please read this prayer. "May all sentient beings be blessed with these merits, and may we altogether attain Buddhahood.
Namu Myoho Renge Kyo,
Namu Myoho Renge Kyo,
Namu Myoho Renge Kyo"

Materials for copying

You may use a pen or brush. Your practice sheet and official Odaimoku sheets are available at your local Nichiren Shu church or temple or Email NBIC for practice sheets and Odaimoku sheets.You may copy the Odaimoku as many times as you want. The Odaimoku you copy will be stored at Seichoji Temple. Your donation is $5.00 or more no matter how many Odaimoku you copy.

Practice sheet

On the practice sheet, you can trace the characters and learn the order of the strokes of each character. If you need more, please make copies. Even though it is practice sheet, it is the same as the Odaimoku, so please try to copy from your heart. After your practice, please bring your practice sheets to your church or temple. You should never throw away your practice sheets.

Our life is getting more convenient with the advance of technologies like the Internet and cellular phones. On the other hand, we seem to be chased by time and daily tasks, and time seems to fly away. In such a busy time, it is important and necessary to stem the rapid stream of time and recover your own life pace. Copying the Odaimoku is a good practice to get your life pace back, as well as accumulating merit.

Try to banish all other thoughts from your mind, release yourself from all attachments, and concentrate on copying the Oaimoku. When you achieve such a state, time stops and you can reach a deep, peaceful state of mind.

At this opportunity of the Campaign of Copying the Odaimoku to commemorate the 750th Anniversary of Nichiren Buddhism, please try copying the Odaimoku, experience the merit of the Odaimoku and spread the merit to your friends by introducing them to the practice.