Expert: Laurie McLauglin - 9/10/2010

Question
QUESTION: is there a difference between nichiren buddhism and tibetan buddhism, somebody took me to a chanting meeting but if i study i want to study the genuine teachings of buddhism.

ANSWER: Hello Marie-France,

Sorry it took me so long to write back to you. I was reading the Lotus Sutra.

I first was introduced to Buddhism through Nichiren Buddhism and then later in my life switched to Tibetan Buddhism.  From my experience, Nichiren Buddhism's main practice is to recite Nam Myoho Renge Kyo (Sorry for not spelling it correctly) Translated, I believe this means, I bow to the Lotus Sutra.  

There are two parts to your question.

First what is the difference between Nichiren Buddhism and Tibetan Buddhism.  Well, first off Nichiren Buddhism is Japanese. Tibetan is obviously Tibetan.  

As you may know, there are two major types of Buddhism; Theravaden Buddhism and Mahayana Buddhism.  Both Nichiren and Tibetan are Mahayana Buddhist practices. In fact, the Lotus Sutra is the first (I believe) sutra or at least the major sutra that teaches the Mahayana way of Buddhism.

Nichiren Buddhism as far as I know, focuses mainly on chanting the Lotus Sutra.  Tibetans also chant sutras but chanting sutras is not their primary activity. Tibetan Buddhist major practice tends, at least in my experience, to be reciting pujas, which are like a group of prayers to a particular Buddha. Pujas are kind of like Catholic Missals with prayers and recitations.  

From what I understand of Nichiren Buddhism their main practice is to recite the name of the sutra and chant it. They say that just by chanting the name it brings all the benefits of reading the entire sutra.  In a similar way, Tibetan Buddhists believe that chanting the mantra Om Mani Padme Hung has all the benefits of the entire Buddhist path

Now for the second part, you say you want to study the genuine teachings of Buddhism.  Well from what I have read and studied, Nichiren Buddhism does teach genuine Buddhism. The Lotus Sutra was a sutra Buddha gave toward the end of his life, but not revealed to his followers till after he entered Parinirvana.  

You say you want to study the genuine teachings of Buddhism.  Well, if you read the Lotus Sutra and chant it, from what I understand, you are studying the actual words of Buddha Shakyamuni.  

Ironically, from my experience, Tibetan Buddhism actually spends more time studying commentaries on Buddha's sutras than the Sutras themselves. The commentaries explain the genuine teachings of the Buddha.  But it appears to me that Nichiren Buddhism works most predominantly with an actual sutra.

Just as in Tibetan Buddhism where there are various schools, there are as I understand various schools of Nichiren Buddhism. There are some that claim to be evangelical and claim that there is only one way and that is their way. Most teachings I have attended say that Budddhism is not meant to be evangelical.  But, it still appears that despite that, the Nichren's are teaching true Buddha Dharma.

And as far as I understand, Nichiren himself refuted the other schools of Buddhism that were present at the time, such as Zen for falling away from what he believed were the true teachings of Buddha; those of the Mahayana school, but from my understanding, Zen is a Mahayana school of Buddhism, so I am not sure why Nichren made those claims.

If you want to study the genuine teachings of Buddha, from what I have been taught, the teachings of Buddha has four things that make them Buddhist teachings.  They are called the Four Seals of Dharma;
First - All compounded things are impermanent. Second - All emotions are painful. Or, this is all suffering. Third - All phenomena are empty; they are without inherent existence. This is actually the ultimate view of Buddhism; the other three are grounded on this third seal. The fourth seal is that nirvana is beyond extremes.

It is said that the Lotus Sutra is one of the Kings of Sutras because it does contain the entire path within it.

I hope this helps to answer your question.  If you have any other follow up questions, don't hesitate to let me know.

I wish you much success in your studies of Buddhism.

Namaste - Laurie

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: As I understand both ways are beneficial, but is there a reason why you switched to Tibetan buddhism, I like the idea of studying the commentaries instead of repeating a mantra. Actually I am reading no time to lose by Pema chodron and am starting an old book that i had from a long time ago: the sacred path of the warrior by chogyam trungpa and for some reason I am more inclined to learn his ways. I am sure I already read it years ago but it is a time in my life where it resonates more to  me now. Thank you.

Answer
Hello Marie-France,

Thank you for letting me answer your question again.

The reason I switched from Nichiren to Tibetan is because growing up Catholic, there were the Latin masses and from my side, I did not find it beneficial having to chant my religion in a foreign language.  

Some people are quite happy attending their religious ceremonies in a different language but I really want my religious ceremonies in my own language

That was the main reason.

That is great that you resonate with Chogyam Trungpa, many folks do.  It is so wonderful that we have so many teachers available so that we can find one that we specifically resonate with.

And it is true with the Buddhist path, I have found - and I am sure it is true in all religions but each time we revisit some part of the dharma we learn something new we did not get the time before.  It is great that we can continue to learn that way.

I wish you much continued success in your spiritual journey. if you have any further questions, don't hesitate to ask.

Namaste - Laurie