Mindfulness in Nichiren Buddhism

​Hence, ND made this argument already 750 years ago when he stated that the doctrine of Zen has limited benefits and would pale in the face of Shakyamuni’s original intention – the promotion of mindfulness practices and action based on NMHRGK (a chant).

​It is of course plain to see that this approach borders on ‘religious practices’ as it entails an entire belief system based on philosophical ideas rather than a simplistic focus on the here and now from an observer’s perspective.
Yet, is the philosophical groundwork of Shakyamuni’s belief system really removed from true scientific evidence if we consider the ‘energy conservation principle’ (explaining eternally transforming  life), the butterfly effect or the ‘concept of sensitive dependence on initial conditions in chaos theory’ (i.e. evidence for interconnection of all things and the law of cause and effect)?

As such, Shakyamuni’s enlightenment is based on scientific endeavour and corresponding evidence that can be found in the phenomenal world around us rather than ideas springing from illusions of an overactive imagination.
Yet, when we take the time to assess the various psychologically based mindfulness therapies that are currently practiced, much of the richness in deeper level understanding of existence is missing.

Even though there is no doubt that there is much to be gained from practicing mindfulness the way it is currently practiced in its various psychological approaches shows results the question needs to be asked of how we can improve on current therapy techniques to get better outcomes.
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Hence, taking the strong points of each therapy outlined earlier into consideration, a new approach to mindfulness based on ND Buddhism is proposed with the aim to expanding a practitioner’s human experience in the here and now.