Thank You For The Music

 Since it is the high point of the year this weekend, Eurovision Song Contest 2023, in Liverpool, UK, I decided to make more lighthearted post this time. I have been planning for this for long time, and ESC just gave me a good reason to actualize it now. I will post this after we will know the results, and finish the last details. 

Here I'm going to take a look at musical influences in my life. My taste is very broad, from some classical music to metal, from electric pop to rock. I don't care what genre it is, I just know if I like it, and I'm proud that at my age I'm not stuck with nostalgia: I still always try to find something new. I try to keep this short, and only focus on the most essential, so remember it's a small proportion of wide variety. You can check my YouTube Channel (see the sidebar), and my playlists for more.

So, as a child my first musical interest was Elvis Presley. I'm almost ashamed to admit that, but I didn't know anything yet. But soon, as a teen of the 1980's, I became a fan of Hanoi Rocks - Finland's first international success story. They never quite made it, because at the critical moment their drummer died in car crash on tour in the USA 1984, in a car driven by Vince Neil of Motley Crue. But they still had a huge influence on other bands of an era, and gathered a cult following. Their singer, Michael Monroe, has continued on successful international solo career, and last year he celebrated his 60th birthday with huge concert in Helsinki, where original line up of Hanoi Rocks also performed. People came to see it from abroad too. To be honest, I don't really listen to his music nowadays, but as 53 years old myself, I find him very inspiring person: He can still ROCK, and he has always dared to be himself! (And still  looks amazing!) He is the living legend, and very much liked in Finland. Following sample I chose from their 1983 album, "Back to Mystery City": 

Hanoi Rocks: "Until I get you" live 1983 

Michael Monroe 60th Birthday Bash 23.9.2022: Hanoi Rocks - Tragedy

This year we got the new release of the second studio album of Hanoi Rocks, Oriental Beat - 40th Anniversary The Re(al)mix. (See Wikipedia: Oriental Beat)

Update 13.6.23: I just have to add this global news few days ago; Michael finally met Vince Neil on June 2023 at festival in Finland, and he himself wrote: "One of the most important moments of my life was meeting Vince Neil for the first time last night. Razzle [Nicholas "Razzle" Dingley] always wanted us to meet as he thought 'us singers' were a lot alike. Under different circumstances both bands probably would've ended up as good friends, but fate had other plans... Thank you for your time, Vince. We didn't say much but your eyes told me more than 1000 words ever could. And your singing was great at the show. Nice to finally see you guys live!" - That's Michael, that's the sort of guy he is! 

Vince Neil and Michael Monroe

Of course in 1980's I listened to all sorts of music, including international top artists and bands, like Duran Duran, Culture Club, Eurythmics... (God, I'm old! 😄) Music, along with some movies and Tv-shows, was the bright side of that era to me; in other aspects my life was very depressing. 

Also, I remember first time watching Eurovision Song Contest in the 1980's, but it was quite different back then: so rigid and boring. Although, I don't think there is any doubt that ABBA is the most successful winner of the contest ever, and that was already in the 70's! (Title of this post is a name of one of their songs, you know.)

I didn't watch it every year. Nowadays it is THE ULTIMATE QUEER SHOW! (Or "Gay Paralympics", as someone said.) Live performance, costumes, dancers, lights, pyro... all that is important as well. It is so unpredictable: sometimes the winner is very artsy (and I don't really like that kind), sometimes it is more campy, and everything in between. That's diversity! You never know what people will like this year. It's never "the same old". Juries in each country give their points first in Grand Final, but public vote often changes everything. I have been watching ESC regularly only after I met my husband in 2016, because he is a big fan! 

For a while in the 1990's, when I had my "spiritual awakening", so to speak, I listened to a lot of New Age music, but soon there was a short period when I only listened to classical music, and that was because I was a member of cult, and they said popular music is bad for you ("rock is satanic", and all that shit... but New Age music was considered bad as well).

When I had to bury my late partner, and later my mother, it was my wish that at both funerals they played Albinoni's Adagio in G minor (which in fact was not composed by Albinoni) for opening, and J.S. Bach's "Jesu, Joy of man's desiring" BMW 147 for closing. First, melancholic tunes in the beginning, and then almost hopeful tone in the end. That's life. 

When I started to listen to pop and rock in the 1990's again, after meeting my late partner, and leaving that cult, there was a lot of excellent music on that decade, as we all know. The one song that summarizes all that, is the world wide hit from Finland, Sandstorm by Darude. Not long ago I visited with my husband, who was born in 1991, a museum exhibition of the 1990's, and this was the song they played there:

Darude: Sandstorm (1999)

In 2001, Finnish world-famous rock band, The Rasmus, published their album Into, and I was very much into it. I saw them live many times. However, the next album didn't impress me that much, they changed their style to darker, and my enthusiasm faded. Last year they represented Finland in ESC, but didn't reach very high. 

The Rasmus: F-F-F-Falling (2001)

And then the moment came when Finland finally won ESC in 2006, with monster band Lordi and their song, "Hard Rock Hallelujah": certainly one of the most memorable acts in the history of ESC until this day: 

Lordi: Hard Rock Hallelujah at ESC 2006

In 2019 Hatari represented Iceland with their song, Hatrid mun sigra ("hate will prevail"), and suddenly I became a FAN. You can like many kinds of music, but being a true fan is rare, to me anyway; I would say it's almost like a religious experience. I saw them on gig in Helsinki that same year, and again after Covid in 2022. On March 2023 we were told that band's screamer, Matthias, is leaving. It was very sad news. How could they continue without him? I made a poster of one photo taken in Helsinki in remembrance. My unpopular opinion, which I haven't dared to put into words before this, is that I could sense on October 2022 that something was different: They performed very well, and quality of the sound was much better than the last time, but some chemistry, vibe, energy... whatever... that I felt in 2019 was lacking. They already knew about Matthias, and he soon told in interview that he didn't enjoy performing anymore. 

This is the picture I made a poster of: Klemens
and Matthias (Einar in drums in the background)
performing "Soda Ritual".

I just loved the fact that they sing in their native tongue! See: Hatari translations. They don't have a single song I wouldn't like. 

Hatari: Hatrid mun sigra at ESC 2019

Amazingly enough, ESC 2023 introduced me a new band I immediately started to follow: Lord of the Lost from Germany! They already have a long history and many albums. I have been aware of them, but never payed attention. This is the power of ESC! Yes, I can say I am a fan now: Can't wait to see them live! Hatari and Lord of the Lost are very different, but there is one common word to describe their music, and that is "industrial", whatever that means... 

Lord of the Lost: Blood & Glitter

This year at ESC the international hype around Finland's Käärijä has been massive. Even in my hometown they lighted the centre with green lights in support of him. I personally remained quite neutral. It's one song. Who had heard of Käärijä even in Finland before this? Of course I sincerely hoped Finland would win, it would be about time to redo it. I supported Germany and voted for them (this year it's been made possible to vote all around the world, outside of ESC participants too - you can't vote for your own country obviously, unless you are located in some other country). Lord of the Lost - who have connections to Finland - even made a cover of Käärijä's song in Finnish, and in my opinion it's better than the original (go find it on YouTube!). For the show I wore red instead of green, and put a golden glitter on my face. But for the first time in my life I bought a bottle of real Champagne... and I'm not going to waste it by pouring it on myself, as in lyrics of Cha Cha Cha (see them in English). Unfortunately, Germany was the last; still, it was a gain for myself (new favorite band; So, gain for them as well - new fans!). Nevertheless, Käärijä came second; Loreen from Sweden won. This time it was Jury points that made a difference. That was our second best place ever! But I know many people in Finland will think that was a loss; that's just the nature of this nation. But Käärijä has ascended to Eurovision hall of fame forever! Anyway, it will take a long, long time for us to beat this result, I'm afraid not in my lifetime, and that's why I am a little disappointed. It was very contradictory experience, and hopefully I will recover by next year, but meanwhile I feel like I don't even want to hear about ESC! 

One week later (21.5.2023): I just have to add that now that we have seen Käärijä breaking all the records, I can only be proud of him, and proud of being Finn! He did win... hearts of people. 💚💚💚

Käärijä: Cha Cha Cha

If I should pick up one artist singing in Finnish whom I really like, that's easy: It is Olavi Uusivirta, singer - song writer, and actor. This song is quite old already (2006), but it's very touching; Hautalaulu ("Gravesong"). See lyrics in English. He's got more rocking tunes too. It's a shame I am yet to see him live; his live performances are praised. 

Olavi Uusivirta: Hautalaulu 

American Song Contest in 2022 was based on Eurovision Song Contest. It was shown on Finnish television as well, but I didn't watch it: it's not the same at all! I like to watch videos where Americans react to European things, and ESC is definitely one of my favorite subjects! 

But not all Americans are unaware of ESC: On YouTube I follow American drag queen Maxxy Rainbow, who is a big fan of ESC: he/she was in Italy last year, and now in Liverpool. I just love how excited and emotional he/she is about everything! That's an example of real ESC fan for all of us! Check out his/her YouTube Channel: Maxxy Rainbow ESC. 

Personally, I'm not musical at all. One time in my youth I have sung Karaoke, and that was also the last time ever, I promise! However, to include Buddhism/spirituality in this post, Tina Turner has said: 

"Nam-myoho-renge-kyo is a song. In the Soka Gakkai tradition we are taught how to sing it. It is a sound and a rhythm and it touches a place inside you. That place we try to reach is the subconscious mind. I believe that it is the highest place and, if you communicate with it, that is when you receive information on what to do. Singing a song can make you cry. Singing a song can make you happy. That’s spirit—the spirit inside of you."

It is true, it actually feels like singing. If I start chanting after I have listened to music I like, I feel like that same energy music gave me, is coming forth from myself, it is uniting two experiences following one another as one.  In 2020 Daimoku (Nam-myoho-renge-kyo) was part of Azerbaijan's Eurovision entry, Cleopatra. My husband was especially excited to point out this fact to me, and he still reminds me of it at times! Somehow it validated my practice for him, so I'm glad about the song, even if it feels a little forced and random how mantra is included, to add some mystical vibe. Sadly, that was the year contest was cancelled because of Pandemic. 

Efendi: Cleopatra (ESC Azerbaijan 2020)

EXPERIENCE OF LIFE

My altar

This post is new in English, but it is collected and translated from one of my Finnish blogs. Now over a year has passed that I have been a practicing Nichiren Buddhist. Still doing Gongyo twice a day, I have read The Lotus Sutra in its entirety, and my respect for Gohonzon has just increased: while I don't have Butsudan, I no longer keep it always on display; with the help of my husband, I have made a special cover to hide it when I'm not chanting.
At some point, hopefully in near future, I will blog about my heart surgery on April 30th, but I'm still recovering, and that is harder topic to write about.

Tina Turner said:

Maybe I stopped saying the Lord’s Prayer and went into Buddhism because I needed new words—I needed refreshment— to get to the next step. I noticed that saying the Lord’s Prayer and chanting a mantra had a similar effect on me. But I was chanting a mantra for longer periods of time and more often than I had ever said the Lord’s Prayer. I didn’t have this system for the Lord’s Prayer and it’s a system that works for me.

I totally agree. Real change of viewpoint brings forth freshness in life.
For many years, I didn't consider myself a Christian anymore, but I was living in a religious void. I had stopped praying, and didn't care about theological questions I used to ponder a lot.
Perhaps I was previously estranged from Buddhism by the idea that it was purely intellectual philosophy, and that as a Buddhist you have to adopt specific rules for life, namely, abstinence from alcohol and meat (been there, done that, and that was enough for me).
Nichiren Buddhism is unique, and radically reinterprets traditional Buddhist doctrines. In its traditional form I couldn't accept Buddhism: even Zen was mostly a method of meditation for me. Its views are quite vague and hard to comprehend. More religious approach of Nichiren Buddhism suits better for me. I think Christianity with its otherworldlyness maintained unpractical dreaming, as I was mostly drifting in life without a goal, whereas Buddhism keeps me down to earth, and I am now very much an active agent in my life.

I have always been proud of my knowledge of religions, but obviously it has been superficial in terms of Buddhism. How could it be otherwise, as long as you observe it from outside. But it is also obvious, that I needed this level of maturity to adopt Buddhism: it is through my experience of life that I have come to understand, for instance, the Buddhist idea, that there is no permanent self; everything changes all the time. I have always believed in Reincarnation, but not in immortality of personal soul: this is also confirmed by Buddhism. In fact, I no longer use a word "Reincarnation", because it is misleading in Buddhist context.
Doctrines of Buddhism are very logical, and you can take them as working hypothesis to analyze your world with. Many doctrines of Christianity demand more blind faith in authority.
Along with Christianity I was also freed from quilt. Of course it doesn't mean I'm free to do what I know is wrong. It is worth to check out Buddha's ethics; it is very reasonable, not just commands to observe. You actually have to think for yourself!

As Buddhist teacher, Sangharakshita, has pointed out, there is a big difference how Buddhism and Christianity approach their own archetypes: Buddhism always clearly states, that in the end all these archetypal forms are expressions of our own ultimate consciousness, or projections of our subconsciousness, and they all need to be integrated with our own being. But in Christianity, similar archetypes are considered objectively existing Beings.
My view is not a mixture of both: I identify myself 100% of Buddhist. It is absolutely beneficial to observe one tradition in your religious practice. It will give you clear boundaries and guidelines for your spiritual life, and you don't just jump aimlessly here and there.

Along with these +40 years I have lived, my worldview has changed (completely, without minor variations) FOUR TIMES! Someone might think I'm a spiritual weathercock, but each and every time was generated by inner necessity. Every time I have been very serious and fully part of it. Man must only listen to one's heart and make his own paths. You can not question sincerity of another person's faith, unless you have walked in his or her shoes.
I dare to think my experiences give me quite unique perspective on these matters. I don't think I used to be wrong, and now I know the truth. I only understand better and see more. Everything we have experienced cultivates us, becomes part of us: even if you consciously leave something behind, it has left its mark on you. Our experiences shape us and our beliefs. We only have our experiences we can rely on. What you have read and may think it is true, is not your own, it's borrowed. When I compare my experience to other people's spiritual way, and I see they have stuck to one conviction all along, I don't get impression of "strong faith", but of stagnation.

My way proves to me that "truth" is very subjective matter. For me, truth today is not the same as truth yesterday, and yet I can't deny I have experienced it so strongly, that I have been a fanatical "defender of truth", as I have seen it. I have been through everything, but nowadays it's very difficult to understand the kind of mentality whereby there was an objective, universal, and absolute Truth. I only see "truths" that are theories, opinions, and beliefs. Buddha remained silent when asked about "God"; he didn't necessarily deny "God", it just doesn't matter here and now. Zen Buddhist aphorism says, that if you meet Buddha on the road, kill him. Just as well, if you meet Jesus. Mental concepts are obstacles you have to remove.

Basically, my mind has not changed from time when I avowed myself a Luciferian, only cynicism and pessimism have vanished, and I don't need to veil my thoughts with sinister symbolism. My Luciferianism was short-lived, but I went deep, and now that I have abandoned that outlook, I think I might be more Luciferian by nature than ever before. It was a necessary phase to help me to rip myself off even from the last remains of Christianity. I had to break through the cultural conditioning and preconceptions I was indoctrinated with. I think my Luciferianism was fundamentally about integration of my suppressed and forbidden shadow-side: angel and demon within me became one, I became whole.
Outer destiny helped me to spiritual revolution and breakthrough: my disappointment in religious people in 2013, and a sudden death of my partner in 2015, were part of the process that took me through the darkness into the Light, purified and enlightened. What used to be an ideal for me, now became reality.

The specific dogmas of religions are human invention; unlike Christianity, Buddhism does not plead for Divine origin. It is true, there is spiritual dimension of life a person can get in touch with; religions offer different methods for this. I must admit, that out of all religions, I think Buddhism has best  reached the essential, but you don't have to believe that. 

It's like religions paint the picture of the world, that essentially can not be described by human concepts. Interpretation of each artist, and even their technique, is different, even if the subject was same. Instead of things being objectively "as it is written", they can be true to you; Beliefs have their psychological affect in any case, and it can be either positive or negative. This is almost self-evident, and yet it is not for all, especially for religious believers. It is a big difference after all, whether you think Hell is a real place, where some people will suffer for eternity, or it is a state of mind that you can alter by yourself.

Even as a Buddhist, I will stay as a member of The Christian Community and go to Church from time to time, even though my practice satisfies all my spiritual needs. There was a time when I experienced the Service of The Christian Community as strongly as my Buddhist practice now... how it was like a heartbeat of my life.
It proves that whatever the religion, it doesn't matter what you believe in; it's crucial what you feel, and the spirit is same, no matter the form... The frame of religion - sacred scriptures, rituals, doctrines - are basically indifferent, but when you internalize certain tradition and make it yours, they can help you to direct your attention to that very core, that can only be experienced. For someone representing a different tradition, all that can be disturbing, but you can also learn to "see through" everything external.

Community and tradition may be important, and myths, symbols, and rituals have their meaning even if you didn't believe literally what they are supposed to represent.
I didn't believe for long time anymore, and since as a Christian I was esotericist, it's not hard for me to say that the Gospels would be true even if Jesus had never lived - which I don't doubt, though - a thought most certainly unthinkable for  any exoteric Christian.
In the main Holy Scripture of Nichiren Buddhism, The Lotus Sutra, teachings are framed with supernatural events and beings; you're not supposed to take it literally, it appeals to your imagination. Interestingly enough, there is a lot of similar atmosphere in the Gnostic Gospels, but as we all know, tales of the Bible are often taken as historical accounts... I would go as far as saying, that at its best, the Bible is a collection of aphorisms; at its worst, it's toilet paper. But there are much better collections of aphorisms in the world, and toilet paper of better quality.

People who cling to one book, are dangerous, and it is mere stupidity to build your life on scriptures thousands of years old! I know The Bible very well, better than many fundamentalists, unconcerned of historical facts. I'm also quite learnt man, without degrees. I have read up on historical-critical Bible study, Church history, philosophy of religion, mythology, esoterism, atheistic criticism of religion... Nonfiction provides you with intellectual stimulation, spiritual literature - as well as biographies of people who walked the spiritual path - provides you with inspiration, but also fiction nourishes your soul, and during my life I have read many Classics, that have made an impression on me and become my favorites, to which I have returned several times.
To get forward, you sometimes have to "unlearn" knowledge you have recorded on your mind, but first you have to have as comprehensive knowledge as possible, otherwise you are just ignorant.

I don't believe in one and only truth, yet there is one and only truth for me, and that is to be true to yourself: there is no outward authority, not a single teacher or sacred scripture above others - there is only one master, inner master! I don't have answers for anyone else, I don't need that kind of certainty.

My Conversion to Nichiren Buddhism

In the beginning of this year, 2018, I practiced silent meditation, Zazen, not daily but whenever I had time and I felt like it; I also started to go to my church, The Christian Community, every Sunday. Yet my spiritual life was very dry. Even though I learnt to appreciate the tradition of my church again, and I found inner peace in our Mass just like always before, I no longer could call myself a Christian, neither I believed in personal God, or that Jesus was more than human. With my partner we go to the "Rainbow Mass" of the Lutheran Church, aimed for GLBTQ-people, and I'm happy we can share that religious world together. 

I see certain progress in my spiritual life, especially since 2015, but even when I avowed myself a Luciferean, I really needed to take that step, go deep to the darkness to find my way back to the light again. After all, Lucifer means "the bringer of light"! I'm proud I can see the both sides without fear; it's balance. 

So my mind was moving for certain direction. Oriental thought seemed much more natural to me than Christian world view. I have always been interested in Buddhism, and vaguely aware of different schools of Buddhism. But it seemed perhaps a little too intellectual, more like philosophy than religion. That's why Zen was most interesting to me, and I went to local Zendo to learn to meditate in Zen way - Zazen. I have meditated before, and there are different techniques in Zen too, but the one I adopted because it suits me so well, is a "technique without technique". Basicly, it's just sitting. There is no purpose. When you focus on something, you are easily distracted, but with this technique everything that happens around you, becomes part of your practice. I also liked it because it goes beyond words and ideas and needs no faith in anything. 

 I have become very critical, even skeptical, about spirituality and religion, and yet I do have a tendency toward mysticism, and it's good to see that I still can get excited about something. So what happened next was not a result of thinking, but more like a "mystical experience", very sudden and surprising even for myself. I'm almost ashamed to admit it was triggered by such a trivial thing: I was watching a Youtube video of Tina Turner chanting a mantra, Nam Myoho Renge Kyo; it touched me deeply, resonating with something within me. It stuck with my mind, and after couple of days I started chanting at home. Soon after I set up a proper Buddhist altar, and now I'm learning to recite the Lotus Sutra in Japanese!

While silent meditation is passive and more about your mind, chanting is very physical and active. I haven't stopped meditating, but even meditation feels more profound after chanting. I had not even read about Nam Myoho Renge Kyo before - I only remember seeing the movie "What's love got to do with it" in the 1990's, and a scene of Tina Turner chanting; I was with a Japanese friend, who pointed out she was chanting in Japanese.

Now that I read more about its meaning, I right away acknowledged that I already believe in this! It's like a key I have been missing... to tune myself with the rhythm of the universe. In previous post, "Through Death to Love", I tell what happened to me after my long-time partner suddenly died. Already then I felt like everything goes just like it's supposed to go, in the best possible way: The Universe is working in favor of me, and I'm in the flow of life. Miracles happened, things I never dreamed of doing. Of course the death of my partner was something I never wanted, but it was like forces of change were blocked, and a "strike of destiny" was necessary. Everything after that was not by grace granted by some higher being, but I found the power and courage within me to act for change. Even after that I have also experienced a setback, when I have lost my course, let the worries distract my mind and anger blur my vision. Water will carry you as long as you trust it will, if you panic, you will drown; that's the nature of life too. You need to adapt to its flow, because if you stand against it, you are asking for trouble and suffering. It's an attitude you can choose and act on it.
That's what I mean by "key", a tool to work with, to harmonize yourself with the Law of Life. "In the beginning was the Word..." (1 Jh.1)

This practice comes from Nichiren Buddhism, which also has various subgroups with slightly different tenets. In Finland, where I live, we have Nichiren Shoshu school, and its rebellious offspring, Soka Gakkai International - the most wide spread and largest of all. After doing some research - thanks to internet, it's so easy today, and I seriously encourage everyone to do the same, no matter what religion or spiritual movement you are interested in - I am convinced that I will remain an independent practicioner; there are lots of us throughout the world too. 
I can't really judge something I have no experience of, and I'm sure I would meet nice people in Soka Gakkai International, but I'm also sure I would meet some narrow-minded people, because that's just human! Especially I'm afraid of dogmatism, superstition, and a cult of personality: that's all too familiar for me. I'm just protecting myself from disappointment - I already have enough of that for one life time. I must admit that their attitude toward GLBTQ-people seems to be okay. 
I'm not interested in Temple Buddhism with their priesthood. And I don't really feel like I need a group of like-minded people at all. Like-mindedness to me is both an illusion and a threat, as I have experienced both sides during my spiritual journey; illusion, when you actually have a mind of your own, and you find that your ideas are not accepted; threat, when you are so brainwashed that you believe everything you are told, even if it is against your very nature. 
From three major branches of Nichiren Buddhism, Nichiren Shu seems to be closest to traditional Buddhism. 
Here are the theses I hold to: 

• There is no one true form of Buddhism, just like there is no one true form of Christianity. 
• I revere Shakyamuni Buddha; Nichiren is not Buddha of "the Latter day of the Law". He was just a priest. Some people have compared him with Luther. Just like Luther, he also had his faults as a human being. He didn't invent chanting Nam Myoho Renge Kyo, he only wrapped it up in this form and deserves to be remembered as its populariser. 
• The Lotus Sutra is one Sutra among others. This practice is based on it, so it is essential. But more traditional Buddhist teachings are important too. Personally, I perceive the Lotus Sutra a kind of like the Gospel according to John in Christianity: it is later than other canonical gospels, and includes highly developed theology; it is central to all Christian Churches, but a question is, is it more a teaching about Jesus than teaching of Jesus. However, power of myths is meaningful too, it addresses the feeling rather than reason.

I have printed my Gohonzon from internet, and that is obviously sacrilegious to all hardcore-Nichiren-Buddhists. I keep it framed on the wall above my small altar table - not closed in Butsudan when I don't practice - and I also have a statue of Shakyamuni Buddha on the shelf in the middle. 

As an independent practicioner, you are of course free to choose which elements of practice speak to you. Daimoku is after all the one and only thing necessary. When I still was Christian, my private devotional practice was composed of very similar elements, so it is not so alien to me. It fascinates me that this is much more religious discipline than mere silent meditation. However, it's hard for me to see Daimoku separate from Buddhist context, or else you might just as well repeat the phrase, "abracadabra".
We are in the core of Buddhism: we don't plead with external Deity, expecting for their mercy, but rather try to bring forth our own inherent potential of Buddhahood: Buddha nature. 
This practice is very empowering; it's like opening a spring of clear fresh water in me, it's pure joy, and even though I learnt it from external sources, at the same time I feel it already existed within me, and it is my very own sacred realm, where I am absolutely free individual.
Nichiren Buddhism is sometimes criticised because people chant to achieve material benefits for themselves, and that sounds like New Age to me. Even as a Christian, I didn't want to pray for a specific outcome or realization of some concrete goal, because it seemed too egoistic to me, and how should I know what's really best for me. That's exactly the same thing, and many Christians do that anyway! True happiness is within, not outside. Why expect for a miracle, when life itself is a miracle. I don't practice in hope of some future reward, but because of its immediate positive influence. Yet all the good things that happened to me in recent years were like a by-product of living in harmony with the currents of the Universe, with positive attitude. So I don't claim you need this practice for that, but maybe it helps; it's not always easy, so all the help is welcome.

I realize it may sound a little too simple and irrational, and I think I am quite intellectual and rational guy, but perhaps the greatest things in life are simple and irrational - practical and matters of heart. If you are an independent practicioner of this tradition, I would like to hear from you; we are members of the one spiritual Sangha!