The old computer proverb “Garbage In; Garbage Out” is why I worry about the output of AI research assistants. One way to get around GIGO is to limit the AI to sources you trust. This is the big selling point of Google’s NotebookLM. The other day I wrote about my early experiments with NotebookLM. (Here). Today I experienced the magic.

For a source on Nichiren and Nichiren Buddhism, I took Jacqueline Stone’s article on Nichiren written for the Oxford Research Encyclopedia, Religion. A PDF copy can be download here.

I created a “new” Notebook at NotebookLM and uploaded the article to be the source material for the AI.

Here’s some of the magic generated.

Nichiren’s Understanding of the Daimoku

For Nichiren, the Daimoku is far more than a simple title; it represents the core of his teachings and the sole path to enlightenment, especially in the Final Dharma Age (mappō).

Here’s a breakdown of Nichiren’s concept of the Daimoku:

• “Namu Myōhō-renge-kyō,” the Daimoku: This phrase, chanted in Japanese, combines “Namu” (expressing devotion and taking refuge) with “Myōhō-renge-kyō” – the Japanese pronunciation of the title of the Lotus Sūtra, a scripture revered by Nichiren as the Buddha’s highest teaching.
• More than a title: Nichiren viewed the Daimoku as encompassing the entire essence of the Lotus Sūtra and the Wonderful Dharma itself. He believed its five characters encapsulate the complete enlightenment of the Buddha and provide a direct link to that enlightened state. This understanding drew upon a tradition of interpreting Buddhist texts through their titles, where the title encapsulates the text’s complete meaning.
• Embodiment of Ichinen Sanzen: Nichiren connected the Daimoku with the principle of “ichinen sanzen” or “three thousand realms in a single moment of thought”. This concept emphasizes the interconnectedness of all things, with each phenomenon containing the potential for buddhahood. By chanting the Daimoku, practitioners tap into this interconnected reality and reveal the inherent enlightenment within themselves and the world around them.
• Accessibility of Buddhahood: Nichiren taught that chanting the Daimoku grants immediate access to the merits accumulated by the primordial Buddha over countless lifetimes. By aligning oneself with the Buddha’s enlightenment through the Daimoku, one achieves “realization of buddhahood with this very body”.
• Benefits of Chanting: While the ultimate aim is enlightenment, Nichiren also emphasized the tangible benefits of Daimoku chanting. He taught that it brings protection, healing, and positive consequences in this life and the afterlife. More importantly, it cultivates an inner peace and stability that transcends external circumstances.

Or this…

Nichiren Buddhism: Study Guide

Short-Answer Questions

1. Explain Nichiren’s central criticism of other Buddhist schools prevalent in Japan during his time.
2. What are the five characters of the daimoku, and what is their significance in Nichiren Buddhism?
3. How does Nichiren’s concept of “slander of the Dharma” differ from a simple misunderstanding or misinterpretation of Buddhist teachings?
4. Describe the relationship between the concepts of “mutual inclusion of the ten realms” (jikkai gogu) and “three thousand realms in a single moment of thought” (ichinen sanzen).
5. How does Nichiren Buddhism understand the concept of “buddhahood with this very body” (sokushin jōbutsu)?
6. What role does the gohonzon, or “revered object of worship,” play in Nichiren Buddhist practice?
7. What is the significance of Nichiren’s two exiles in the context of his understanding of the Lotus Sutra?
8. How does Nichiren’s concept of the “pure land of Eagle Peak” (Ryōzen jōdō) differ from the Pure Land Buddhism’s
   understanding of Pure Lands?
9. Why did Nichiren advocate for the confrontational approach of shakubuku over the more gradual approach of shōju in propagating his teachings?
10. What does it mean to say that Nichiren saw the practice of the Lotus Sutra as a means to transform not only individual lives but also the outer world?

Short-Answer Key

1. Nichiren believed that while other Buddhist schools and practices, like nenbutsu or Zen, held validity in previous eras, they were inadequate for achieving salvation in the degenerate age of mappō, the Final Dharma Age. Only the Lotus Sutra, in his view, held the profound power needed to liberate people during this time.
2. The five characters of the daimoku are “Myōhō-renge-kyō,” the Japanese pronunciation of the Lotus Sutra’s title. Chanting the daimoku is central to Nichiren Buddhism, seen as encapsulating the entire truth of the Lotus Sutra and thus capable of directly transferring the Buddha’s enlightenment to the practitioner.
3. For Nichiren, “slander of the Dharma” goes beyond intellectual disagreement. It refers to the active rejection or dismissal of the Lotus Sutra as the ultimate Buddhist teaching, particularly in favor of provisional teachings deemed insufficient for the Final Dharma Age.
4. “Mutual inclusion of the ten realms” means that all ten realms of existence—from hell to buddhahood—coexist interdependently within each individual being. This concept expands into the principle of “three thousand realms in a single moment of thought,” suggesting the vastness and interconnectedness of all phenomena within each thought moment.
5. “Buddhahood with this very body” is the core belief that enlightenment is not a distant goal but an inherent potential within each person, achievable in this lifetime through dedicated practice of the Lotus Sutra, primarily through chanting the daimoku.
6. The gohonzon serves as a visual representation of the enlightened state, embodying the interconnectedness of all beings and the ultimate reality revealed in the Lotus Sutra. It acts as a focal point for chanting the daimoku and contemplating the principles of Nichiren Buddhism.
7. Nichiren’s exiles were interpreted by him and his followers as a fulfillment of the Lotus Sutra’s prophecies, which predicted that those who propagated its teachings would face persecution. This “bodily reading” of the sutra reinforced their faith and Nichiren’s self-identification as a true votary of the Lotus Sutra.
8. Unlike Pure Land Buddhism, which envisions a separate realm of bliss after death, Nichiren’s “pure land of Eagle Peak” is not spatially or temporally distinct. It represents the enlightened state itself, accessible in this lifetime through faith in the Lotus Sutra and manifest wherever it is practiced.
9. Nichiren believed that the urgency of the Final Dharma Age called for a forceful approach. He saw shakubuku as a compassionate act, as it aimed to awaken people to the truth of the Lotus Sutra even if it meant challenging their existing beliefs and potentially facing resistance.
10. Nichiren’s teaching emphasizes the non-duality of the individual and their environment. By transforming one’s own life condition through faith in the Lotus Sutra, individuals could positively influence their surroundings and contribute to the creation of a peaceful and enlightened society.

Essay Questions

• Analyze the role of the Lotus Sutra in Nichiren’s teachings. How does his interpretation of this sutra differ from those of other Buddhist schools in Japan during his time?
• Discuss the significance of the concept of mappō, the Final Dharma Age, in Nichiren Buddhism. How does this concept inform Nichiren’s understanding of the urgency and importance of spreading the Lotus Sutra?
• Explore the relationship between faith, practice, and the achievement of buddhahood in Nichiren’s thought. How do the concepts of “mutual inclusion of the ten realms” and “three thousand realms in a single moment of thought” contribute to this understanding?
• Compare and contrast the concepts of shōju (gradual propagation) and shakubuku (confrontational propagation) in the context of Nichiren Buddhism. Why did Nichiren advocate for the use of shakubuku, and what implications did this have for his interactions with other Buddhist schools and authorities?
• Nichiren believed that the widespread practice of the Lotus Sutra could lead to the realization of an ideal society. Discuss Nichiren’s vision of this ideal society and the role of individual practice in achieving it. What implications does this have for the social and political engagement of Nichiren Buddhists?

Glossary of Key Terms

Term

Definition

Daimoku

The Japanese pronunciation of the title of the Lotus Sutra, “Myōhō-renge-kyō,” chanted as a central practice in Nichiren Buddhism. It is believed to embody the essence of the Lotus Sutra and lead to enlightenment.

Gohonzon

The revered object of worship in Nichiren Buddhism, often a calligraphic mandala inscribed by Nichiren or his successors. It represents the assembly of the Lotus Sutra and serves as a focal point for chanting the daimoku.

Honzon

A general term for an object of worship in Buddhism, including statues, paintings, mandalas, etc. In Nichiren Buddhism, the gohonzon is considered the primary honzon.

Ichinen Sanzen

“Three thousand realms in a single moment of thought,” a core Tiantai/Tendai principle adopted by Nichiren, expressing the interconnectedness and interpenetration of all phenomena within each thought moment.

Jikkai Gogu

“Mutual inclusion of the ten realms,” a Tiantai/Tendai doctrine embraced by Nichiren, explaining that all ten realms of existence—from hell to buddhahood—are interconnected and contained within each other and every being.

Kaidan

The ordination platform in Buddhism, traditionally a place for receiving precepts and becoming a monk or nun. In Nichiren Buddhism, the meaning and realization of the kaidan have been subject to debate.

Kanjin

“Mind contemplation,” a term used by Nichiren to describe the practice of chanting the daimoku as a means of aligning one’s mind with the Buddha’s enlightenment.

Lotus Sutra

A highly revered Mahayana Buddhist scripture believed by Nichiren to be the ultimate teaching of the Buddha, capable of leading all beings to enlightenment.

Mappō

The “Final Dharma Age,” a period of Buddhist decline when traditional practices are believed to be less effective. Nichiren saw the Lotus Sutra as the only true path to salvation during this time.

Namu Myōhō-renge-kyō

The full phrase chanted in Nichiren Buddhism. “Namu” signifies devotion and taking refuge, while “Myōhō-renge-kyō” is the title of the Lotus Sutra.

Shakubuku

A confrontational approach to propagating Buddhist teachings, often involving direct refutation of other views. Nichiren advocated for this approach as necessary for the Final Dharma Age.

Shōju

A more gradual and accommodating approach to Dharma teaching, emphasizing respect for diverse viewpoints.

Slander of the Dharma (Hōbō)

The act of rejecting or dismissing the Lotus Sutra, particularly in favor of teachings considered provisional by Nichiren.

Sokushin Jōbutsu

“Buddhahood with this very body,” the belief that enlightenment can be achieved in this lifetime and with this physical body through the practice of the Lotus Sutra.

The problem, of course, is that you can’t get a PDF copy of every piece of source material that might be useful. The use of URLs as source material at NotebookLM is problematic, as I explained the other day, because only the content of a single page is used – related pages, links to other material, all of that is ignored.

Still, this is really promising. Maybe I can get a PDF copy of the Writings of Nichiren as published by Nichiren Shu. That would be fun.

I’ve been having fun applying AI tools to my Buddhist exploration. There’s been “A Little AI Magic” and last year’s “Compare and Contrast Tendai Teachings and Nichiren Doctrine” and even back in 2020, AI and Buddhism.

Today I ran across the ZD Net article Google’s hidden AI tool turns your text into stunningly lifelike podcasts – for free. Listen for yourself

Google’s NotebookLM allows you unload a document and have the NotebookLM work it’s magic on that material. But it also allows you to specify the website you want to use for the source material. This, unfortunately, is not as thorough as I’d like. For example, if I give NotebookLM my root URL – 500yojanas.org – NotebookLM only looks at the content displayed on that page, it does not follow the links to subsequent pages or include the content found under each of the menus. To get around that limitation, you need to focus on content that is self-contained. That’s why I chose the URL 500yojanas.org/lotus-sutra/full-text/sutra-of-innumerable-meanings/ for my Podcast example above.

As for the podcast product produced, I am quite impressed with the presentation and general quality of the discussion. We are a long way away from the days when computer generated talking was easily identifiable.

However, this is not a perfect system. As an example of the limitations listen to this NotebookLM podcast discussing “Daimoku.” For source material I gave the URL 500yojanas.org/blog/?s=Daimoku This brings up the 10 most recent blog posts in which I’ve discussed Daimoku.

(Listen on NotebookLM)

The failure to pronounce “ren ge” – Lotus Flower – is a killer for me. But much of the remainder of the discussion is equally off. It just feels fake. That’s probably a product of NotebookLM failing to use the full articles and instead summarizing the 10 summaries.

I plan to experiment more, but obviously this is a very new world we live in today.

See The Output Really Depends on the Input