Slower Gongyo...?

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Permalink Reply by Free Hawaii on February 2, 2008 at 7:29pm

Thank you Jeanne for your reply to this discussion! I will try, what you suggested.
Malama Pono-Aukai

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Permalink Reply by Martin on February 2, 2008 at 2:59pm

Its a double edged sword in a way. What is too fast or too slow. I used to do a gongyo class at my house and we used to do it painfully slow. It was difficult but I used to feel somehow cleansed afterwards and I used to look forward to the monthly activity.
However at home I do it quite fast which is great for doing 'fighting gongyos' or if you overslept and of course we all have to compromise a bit when at meetings. But for me fast or slow, it's about rythm and connecting with the rythm of the universe. Sensai did say we should do it like a galloping horse and thats great to aspire to, Each of us is at different stages of practice. In our district we do gongyo together at a brisk pace, but its amazing how quickly new members pick it up and proggress. Interesting topic

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Permalink Reply by Free Hawaii on February 2, 2008 at 7:25pm

Aloha Martin!
Thank you for replying to my post I appreciate your input! I agree the way you say it is a double-edged sword, the idea of that I'm trying to put across to everyone is that perhaps Gongyo on Kofu Gongyo be done twice. I myself was a huge fan of rip roaring or what you call fighting Gongyo. I was actually quite proud that I could do it at such speeds. But it loses something in the translation. I found that when I go at a slower pace, not achingly slow, just making sure to enunciate every syllable of Gongyo. You reach the same sort of calm and peacefulness and heightened sense of awareness. As long as you have the correct mind state. I'm just saying you know it's once a month we get to get together and you Gongyo together. Would it be so painful, to extend Gongyo just that little longer? And then of course you have slower Gongyo and fast Gongyo at different meetings. Just when were all together we should chant together! :-) ;-) :-) don't you think?
Mahalo for your reply
Aloha-Aukai

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Permalink Reply by Chris Tinney on February 11, 2008 at 12:20am

It was intimidating when I first started. Still is to tell the truth.
I found the recorded version (once I found it) tb so helpful.
That's why I posted it on the home page :)

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Permalink Reply by Free Hawaii on February 11, 2008 at 5:23pm

I remember though when I was in the intensive care part of the hospital and they told me that I was going to die... and never walk... complete new brainwashing, I remember what I thought when they said that. I thought, you don't know me, some fool Dr. I'll show you and everyone else. I'd did Diamoku for the rest of the day, in fact pretty much the entire time that I couldn't speak. I think I've done somewhere in the millions... who knows, maybe more. 87 days, no water. I did all sorts of things they said were impossible like speaking over the tracheostomy. Which they said was impossible.... Anyway to get back to the point, I really couldn't hold a prayer book. But my mother brought in a CD player with the slow Gongyo and regular Gongyo. I left it on repeat, till the battery died and would ask the first nurse I saw, please replace the batteries.... I absolutely love to do Gongyo! And I've found that enunciation is the key.
Malama Pono-Aukai

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Permalink Reply by Free Hawaii on February 11, 2008 at 6:29pm

You are very welcome! Experiences on men to be shared and learn from. Who would I be helping, just holding inside, must share! I try and tell you other members something new that I remember, doing Diamoku for and having it be done for me. I couldn't speak for seven months maybe longer. Finally at the rehab hospital, they started to cap the tracheostomy. I remember my first McDonald's double cheeseburger. Mahalo for your post.
Malama Pono-Aukai

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Permalink Reply by Dia on February 20, 2008 at 4:31am

Wonderful to read this discussion. I love to do gongyo slow and I love to do it fast, I love to do it without looking at the book but just at the Gohonzon and I love to just read the words.
When we are at a meeting in the Dutch Cultural Centre gongyo goes really fast, I love that, all those voices in unison.
When I just started I also listened a lot to the CD with slow gongyo, just to get the feelings, the pronunciation and the rythme.
One time I was keibi in the center and a leader from another country was leading gongyo and it was so fast that I could not keep up at all so I just listened.
For new members we have special slowgongyo meetings.

I thought that gongyo was to make your voice and being ready for daimoku.

I also think it doesn't really matter if it takes us 5 minutes, 10 minutes or 15, the most important is that we do it.
And Free Hawaii, what miracles you are telling us! Thanks.

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Permalink Reply by Free Hawaii on February 20, 2008 at 9:07pm

E Mahalo Nui Loa! Thank you very much!
Aloha Dia!
Thank you so much for your input! I really do appreciate it! The challenges I have been through are proof of the Mystic Law! I am a living testament, I asked Gohonzon to change my life. And it totally happened. I know that one day I'll be able to pick up the Ukulele and pluck something. They also said I'd never be ever to sing again, just one more thing ;-).

Be careful what you ask for, you will get it.
Malama Pono-Aukai

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Permalink Reply by Jeanne on February 20, 2008 at 9:21pm

How Myoho is that?!

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Permalink Reply by Free Hawaii on February 22, 2008 at 10:09pm

E Aloha Kakou! E Mahalo Nui Loa ame Mahalo Pono!!!!!!!
hello everyone! Thank you so very very much you have no idea how much it means to me to have had all of your input! So many different points of view so many different aspects, all correct, right?

So I guess there's really no set guidelines for doing Gongyo. Out loud or in your head, fast or slow... everyone seems to have a different way, which is what makes this practice so special.

At the same time, we should set a regulated speed for Kofu Gongyo. A nice soothing pace. To be done at 10 o'clock sharp. This way those who prefer rip roaring or fast Gongyo could go to Kofu a little earlier. Then they can stay for service after the regulated Gongyo, portion of service. I know regulated doesn't really sound right, perhaps one of you can now help me in my quest.

Malama Pono-Always Big Love-Aukai

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Permalink Reply by Dia on February 23, 2008 at 5:37am

Hallo Sweet Hawaii

Can you please explain to me what is Kofu?
Also what is: E Aloha Kakou! E Mahalo Nui Loa ame Mahalo Pono!!!!!!!

Wat het ook betekent het is vast mooi.

Veel groeten uit Nederland.

(what ever it means, it must be beautiful
Many greetings from the Netherlands)

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Permalink Reply by Free Hawaii on February 23, 2008 at 12:33pm

Aloha Dia!

Of course I will explain! 'Aole Pilikia or in English no problem!
The word for word explanation of E Aloha Kakou! E Mahalo Nui Loa ame Mahalo Pono! (E is the attention getter) it sounds like A pronounced as a vowel. Aloha means welcome or hello or greetings, Kakou means everyone, Mahalo means thanks, Nui means of all, Loa means most or a lot, ame is and, Pono is righteously, Bodhisattva like...
the Netherlands must be beautiful.
I hope that the helped. :-)
Malama Pono-Aukai

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