Pagan Blog Project - N is for Nam Myoho Renge Kyo & Nichiren

Nam Myoho Renge Kyo in Japanese

The Buddhist part of Buddhagan refers to my practice of Nichiren Buddhism. The primary practice of NB is to chant nam(u) myoho renge kyo which translates into  devotion to the Lotus Sutra. The Lotus Sutra is believed to be the last and most important writing of the historical Buddha (see my post here). It is thought that just the title of the Lotus Sutra contains the essence of the Sutra itself and to chant nam(u) myoho renge kyo is to harness that power.

Nam or Namu?
Nam is a contraction of namu; I use both in my chanting. Various NB sects will argue over which is correct. I say it doesn't matter as long as you chant one or the other or both. It's equivalent to arguing over I'm vs I am.

Nichiren Himself
Nichiren studied Tendai in the 13th century which is another form of Buddhism. After he left the Tendai monastery, he continued to study on his own. He concluded that Buddhists should follow the Lotus Sutra.  Nichiren wrote many letters to the government of his day accusing the other Buddhist paths of corruption. He also wrote letters to his followers and priests to encourage them.

Why NMRK & Nichiren Buddhism
The Lotus Sutra teaches that everyone has a Buddha nature. Chanting helps to unlock it. Of course, you don't have to chant NMRK or even be a Buddhist. Chanting is only one way to meditate.

Moon of Lost Souls

Hathor's Day
LuniSol - Moonth 8, Day 6
Metonic - Year 13, Lunation 205, Day 22
Dreamspell - Blue Self-Existing Night (4 Akbal) - Kin 43
Mayan Tzolk'in - 9 Cib (Yellow Solar Warrior) - Kin 256
Mayan Ha'ab - 19 Zec

3rd Quarter Moon in sidereal Pisces

The Moon of Lost Souls is a gray and hollow time. It is a time of seeing clearly the worst of the world, all the bad things that humanity does to itself, and empathizing with that pain even when it hurts. On this Moon, we stretch our pity and see how far we can go before our defense mechanisms kick in. We stare down into the Universal Sorry and see if it breaks us. - Moon Phase Astrology by Raven Kaldera.

I can't stand to hear about people abusing animals. I mean, I understand that everyone doesn't like pets but there is no reason to abuse them. Later this month, my dog Samus will get spayed. Although I wish I didn't have to submit her to that surgery, I understand why it is necessary. Rescues and humane shelters are overcrowded with unwanted pets.

There is no need for any human being to not have clean drinking water. Oh, I guess except for greed and monetary gain.

All this talk about the world ending - it won't happen by an act of a vindictive God. We humans are ruining the Earth ourselves, and She is rebelling. If the end of the world happens, it will be because we caused it by our lack of concern.

Marriage equality should be a non-issue. Just because certain religions forbid same-sex marriage doesn't mean that SSM should be forbid civilly or by the government.

What things make you wish you weren't a member of the human race?

Pagan Blog Project - N is for Nude, Not Naked

What's the difference, you may ask? Generally these terms are used interchangeably. Inevitably, when discussing paganism, one wonders about the nude/naked or skyclad rituals. I will be defining nude and naked as it relates to these rituals. Nude simply means without clothing. No embarrassment, just appearing in the state that you came into this world. Naked implies a sense of helplessness, embarrassment, and/or forced nudity. Skyclad is being nude outside.

I try to do my rituals nude when I can. It's part of loving my body with all its lumps and bumps and stretch marks. If you believe the bible, Adam and Eve were without clothes and unashamed of themselves before they "sinned". Pagans do not believe in original sin, so going nude is getting back to my roots, so to speak. Something about being nude is very freeing.

Apostle's Moon

Isis' Day
LuniSol - Moonth 8, Day 2
Metonic - Year 17, Lunation 205, Day 18
Dreamspell - Blue Cosmic Storm (13 Cauac) - Kin 39
Mayan Tzolk'in - 5 Eb (Yellow Overtone Human) - Kin 252
Mayan Ha'ab - 15 Zec

Waning Gibbous in sidereal Aquarius

On the Apostle's Moon, we think about what gives us hope. We wish on stars. If we have no hope, we go in search of it. - Moon Phase Astrology by Raven Kaldera.

Priest's Moon

Hathor's Day
LuniSol - Month 7, Day 27
Metonic - Year 17, Lunation 205, Day 15
Dreamspell - Yellow Planetary Warrior (10 Cib) - Kin 37
Mayan Tzolk'in - 2 Muluc (Red Lunar Moon) - Kin 249
Mayan Ha'ab - 12 Zec

Full Moon in Sagittarius

On the Priest's Moon, we think about the traditions and beliefs we hold - religious or otherwise - and whether we are able to objectively question them. - Moon Phase Astrology by Raven Kaldera.

I did this when I decided that I was not returning to the Jehovah's Witness religion. In search for my new spiritual home, I realized that I didn't agree with the bible as the word of God. Everything that I believe in now is questioned in my heart and if necessary I am free to change my mind. Here is a list of some of my current beliefs:

Beliefs

• pro-choice for women but personally I'm pro-life
• pro marriage equality
• homeschooling (every parent should try it at least once)
• selective vax (there was no chicken pox vaccine when I was a kid)
• circumcision on 8th day
• belief in God but I use the feminine pronoun
• natural childbirth with natural positions like squatting
• calendar reformation
• soul = the part of me that make me, me; energy that never dies
• reincarnation (?)
• women should retain their last name when married
• Libertarian
• all paths lead to the Divine including science/secularism
• polyandry
• deism

Traditions

• Frigiving dinner
• Festivus
• Lammas ritual

(wow, I really need more!)

What are some of your beliefs and traditions? I will delete any disrespectful comments.