A District I Had Never Visited — Why Do We Chant, and What Happens When We Do? (Morning Daimoku #1,160)

Good morning. This is Yukihiro Shima of Oubaitori.com. Morning Daimoku — 10,000 Chants, entry #1,160.

A district I had never visited — you do get nervous

Yesterday began early. I worked first, and then in the morning I was responsible for a discussion meeting in a district I had never been to before. Somewhere new — you do get nervous.

The district leaders know their own members, but I do not know the people who come, the ones who walk through the door.

As it happened, the family of the former district leader came. But I did not really know their situation.

An introduction, the September Gosho, and a recent experience

Looking around at the faces of everyone there, I was asked to speak. I gave a brief introduction of myself, spoke on the September Gosho study passage, and shared a recent experience in faith.

The experience, of course, was this one: chanting used to be hard for me, and I have become able to chant every single day without a break.

Why do we chant daimoku?

And what happens when we do?

Everyone seemed genuinely interested. As they left, each of them greeted me with a smile.

The discussion meeting is the most important gathering there is

Afterwards I talked a little with those who had stayed behind. The conversation turned to injuries and illness.

A few words exchanged in passing can become a new bond with that person.

The discussion meeting, I believe, is the most important gathering the Soka Gakkai has.

In the afternoon, the 2026 Youth Division General Meeting

Then I went home, had lunch, and in the afternoon my wife and I went to watch the simultaneous broadcast of the 2026 Youth Division General Meeting.

Listening to the speakers and their extraordinary experiences in faith — this practice really is something. We have to carry the propagation of Buddhism to the whole world. That is what I felt.

Let’s Daimoku!