What religious group views New Year’s Day as the most sacred day of the year?
Nichiren Buddhists.
I wrote a column on their New Year’s celebration in my weekend Pulpit column at gazette.com. The Colorado Springs chapter of the faith practices at
Below is a bit about their practice taken for “The Liturgy of Nichiren Buddhism.”
“Nichiren Daishonin (the 13th-century Japanese founder) never gave specific instructions on the format for the sutra recitation. But he did recommend reciting the “Expedient Means” (second) and “Life Span of the Thus Come One (sixteenth) chapters of the Lotus Sutra, which are the heart of all Buddhist teachings.
“He taught that our existence is identical to the universe as a whole and the universe as a whole is identical to our existence. Each individual human life is a microcosm of the life of the universe. We recite the sutra and chant “Nam myoho renge kyo, the universal Law, so that our lives perfectly harmonize with the universe. Carrying out these practices activates the infinite power that the microcosm inherently possesses. It transforms our fate,
helping us to break through apparent deadlocks and convert sufferings into happiness. It creates a transformation of our inner realm, leaving us invigorated, refreshed and positive. Through our primary and supporting practices we develop wisdom and compassion to lead both ourselves and others to happiness.
Our twice daily prayers establish a rhythm in our lives, moving us toward happiness and harmony. By making this consistent effort, we will attain perfect unity with the universal Law and experience the state of Buddhahood.”
Little-known local Buddhist group celebrates the new year is a post from: The Pulpit