Today I attended the English language service at the Nichiren Buddhist Kannon Temple of Nevada. Prior to the start of the service Rev. Shoda Kanai explained that he doesn’t chant the sutra in English and instead reads the sutra, which he feels makes it more understandable.

I heartily endorse the idea of reading aloud the Lotus Sutra, which I have been doing daily since 2015.

When I explain my daily practice I point to the years when my son was an infant and I would read to him every night as he fell asleep. This is how I read the sutra aloud, imagining myself reading to my son.

English simply does not lend itself to the shindoku style of recitation. And besides, you have some great opportunities to embellish when reading to your child.

This month the Nichiren Buddhist Sangha of the Bay Area is discussing Chapter 3, which includes the Parable of the Burning House. This is my favorite chapter to embellish.

Consider the father’s warning to this children in the gāthās:

Or the children’s pestering of their father to get the promised toys:

And then there is my personal favorite, the Used Car Salesman and The Buddha Vehicle: