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Recent scientific studies on the power of mantras to calm and focus the mind are featured in this short 9 minute BBC Reel segment.

Namu Myoho Renge Kyō 🙏🙏🙏

Being with someone and seeing them as they are is the greatest gift we can give.

“I deeply revere you. I could never find you unworthy of respect or put myself above you. For all of you are practicing the bodhisattva way and all of you will become buddhas.” - The Lotus Sutra Chapter 20

“The heart of the Buddha’s lifetime of teachings is the Lotus Sutra, and the heart of the practice of the Lotus Sutra is found in the “Never Disparaging” chapter. What does Bodhisattva Never Disparaging’s profound respect for people signify? The purpose of the appearance in this world of Shakyamuni Buddha, the lord of teachings, lies in his behavior as a human being.” - Nichiren

We are encouraged to behave as Never Disparaging trusting in our own buddha nature and that of others and act in accord with that trust.

People frequently ask, is it OK to meditate or chant for 'things?'

YES! YES!! YES!!!

The Buddha taught in the Great Perfection of Wisdom Sutra that one should have four aims (intentions) for their practice of meditation.

Here is a short 30 second video with an excerpt from Apple+ TV's program "The Crowded Room," that perfectly capture the second and third of the four aims.

Find comfort and ease knowing everyone is working on the somethings, and there are resources to help. Chanting meditation is just one of them, albeit quite a powerful and effective one.

A Kinder, Gentler Nichiren Buddhism for Everyone

Nichiren Shu Sangha of the San Francisco Bay Area International [NBA] Shingan-Ji Temple welcomes everyone. We offer a wide range of services and meditations, oriented for self-identified buddhists, both Nichiren Buddhists and other buddhist schools, and faiths, as well as secular humanists.

Our temple’s full name is Enryu-zan [Perfect Dragon Mountain] - 圓龍山 - Shingan-ji [True Vow Temple] - 眞願寺. Following tradition temples have two names, a “mountain name,” and a “faith name.” In daily conversation we use the faith name of Shingan-ji. The word “True” in our temple’s name, does not mean true as in an exclusive or dogmatic manner of right or wrong. True as in an authentic, passionate and wholesome desire to reduce the world’s suffering and spread the Dharma. So, in our case “True” describes our clear and concentrated intention for World Peace and awakening for all beings.

NBA doesn’t require anyone to join. Or commit to un-questioning allegiance to a leader, teacher, master, mentor or guru. We don’t tell people who they can and can’t associate with nor what other services and practices they can attend. There’s no hierarchical authority telling us what to do or criticizing us if we fall short, condemning us if we slip up. After all, who needs anyone else to do that when the inner voice in our head is quite capable of doing it for us!

While we honor our history and roots, we believe that overly emphasizing lineages, networks, sectarian denominations, schools, societies, or organizations is a fetter to liberation and awakening, perpetuates attachment and is unnecessarily controlling; being contrary to what Buddha actually taught.

If Buddha’s teachings truly work, then everyone will become liberated and awakened through their own personal effort - not through an intermediary teacher/master/leader/mentor. They will be develop the ability to make their own wholesome choices how to skillfully and mindfully live with love, compassion, joy, and ease.

Buddhism is experiential. The Buddha pointed the way, sharing how to free ourselves from suffering, how to find happiness; how to play our part in creating a beautiful world of peace and love. But it’s up to us to actually do it. It’s grown-up teaching; the Buddha treats us like adults, not children. Whenever the Buddha finished teaching his final words as people departed was "now is the time to do as you see fit."

For over 2500 years the Buddhist tradition has been offering a way for every person to become awakened, thereby realizing and actualizing one’s own buddha-nature. The Buddha never said he was a god nor did he say that we should follow him to an otherworldly heaven. Instead, he said, “Come try this and see for yourself.” The Buddha emphasized personal responsibility and accountability. In essence, Buddhism teaches that if we liberate ourselves, we can liberate the world. Mindfulness and compassion are noble human qualities that all can cultivate. Through practice we can live with trust and confidence, so that our thoughts, words, and actions can transform us and positively influence everyone and everything around us.

We find strength and support in our community helping each other grow deepening our journey of self-discovery.

Our community offers weekly services free of charge. Everyone is welcome. Please visit our “Come Try It” page to sign up for the weekly Zoom link.

Sunday 10:30 AM Pacific time Buddhist Service followed by a dharma talk and open sharing and discussion.
Wednesday evening 7:30 PM Pacific time “secular” meditation group.
Thursday morning 10:00 AM Pacific time Buddhist meditation group.

Community is one of Buddhism’s Three Treasures. We all naturally desire to be supported in a safe and loving community who can give us comfort and refuge in both good and bad times. Nichiren Buddhist Sangha of the San Francisco Bay Area is a group of people who practice the Buddhism of the Lotus Sutra as taught by Nichiren Daishonin which is primarily centered on chanting Namu Myoho Renge Kyo.

Nichiren Buddhist Sangha of the San Francisco Bay Area [NBA] Shingan-ji [True Vow Temple] - 眞願寺 is affiliated with the Nichiren Shu. We will foster a spirit of gratitude and appreciation for the efforts of all those who work to share the Dharma in a spirit of itai doshin (different bodies, same mind) among the clergy and laity. We are guided by the teachings of our founder, Nichiren Daishonin.

The Sangha shares and supports Odaimoku-centered practices, cooperates peacefully with other religious and wisdom traditions, and coordinates our work and outreach within the local community.

Our Sangha acknowledges and values equally the expressions of practice in formal settings and in daily life. Thus, we affirm both household and monastic practice as aspects of the One Buddha Vehicle.

Founded in celebration of diversity, equity and inclusion for all beings the NBA Sangha welcomes everyone seeking to end suffering and cultivate happiness. Our Sangha seeks to maintain a culture of purposeful inclusion of all people regardless of gender, race, ethnicity, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or national origin.

Our mission is to enable liberation, personal and interpersonal healing, social action, and inclusive community building. Rooted in our commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion we operate with transparent democratic governance, generosity-based donations, and environmental sustainability. We are committed to working with all religious and wisdom traditions to bring peace and healing to the world while maintaining the integrity of the Nichiren Shu’s lineage, teachings, and practices.

check out our new Nichiren Bay Area YouTube Channel

This channel features recorded study sessions, how to meditate videos and a forthcoming monthly podcast: “Conversations between a Sage and a Fool.”

Nichiren Bay Area YouTube

Rev. Ryuei McCormick, head priest of Nichiren Bay Area is interviewed by filmmaker Yujiro Seki discussion the Four “Aims” Siddhantas of Buddhism.

Mt. Minobu — About

Learn more about Nichiren’s Buddhism of the Lotus Sutra, our San Francisco Bay Area community and how you can find peace, joy and happiness in this lifetime.

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