Both practices of meditation and chanting aim for the same goal:
Revealing one`s Buddha-nature.

The Process of Contemplation and Meditation has been going on for a long time (+2500yr), spanning Christianity to Shamanism, Judaism to Taoism, Buddhism to Psychology and The Kabbalah to Science. "Benefits acquired through meditation are undeniably valuable. In the same time, widely proven also are the benefits acquired through the practice of chanting. In fact, there are some limitations in the practice of meditation, which only chanting can successfully overcome.

"Nichiren practiced meditation during the 20 years of his study in various Buddhist temples (13th century Japan) after which he arrived to the conclusion that the practice of chanting the Dharma of the Lotus Sutra, considered as the final teaching of the Buddha, is a straightforward and more efficient way in the process of revealing one`s Buddhanature.

Personally I love meditation, it has many fantastic benefits for happiness and well being - Mindfulness is becoming mainstream with Health professionals too.
Whether our work life is enjoyable and meaningful or tiring and unrewarding depends entirely upon the state of mind we carry into it, our perception.
Buddhist teachings help transform your working life becoming more patient, positive, happier and productive in the workplace. It can be quite addictive, to the point that you Do Nothing and become parked in the habit of just meditating.

There is something very cosy and hygge about meditation, as comfortable as cake, coffee and candle light.
Why would you not want to meditate!

In contrast, the practice Chanting Daimoku to the Gohonzon as Meditation is fundamentally solitary, its about you and your mind, its about you finding buddhahood, it is passive.
Both Shakyamuni and Nicherin both were aware that buddhahood was already inherent is humanity otherwise how could Shakyamuni have discovered it if it was not already somewhere there. Chanting, is about change and transformation, typically changing your karma and how your karmic baggage affects your life now.
An excessive exaggeration would be that One Buddhist would meditate for the roof to be fix where as another would chant to take the best course of action to fix the roof.

How does chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo differ from other things like positive thinking, meditation, etc?

Chanting differs from positive thinking because it is not about trying to control thoughts or replacing negative thoughts with positive ones.
In Nichiren Buddhism, we don’t aim to “fix” the surface mind — we work at the level of life-force.

Meditation may bring tranquillity, but it does not necessarily activate the simultaneity of cause and effect, nor does it directly call forth the enlightened life-state that Nichiren Daishonin describes.

Chanting Nam-myōhō-renge-kyō taps into a deeper, universal rhythm that exists beyond emotion and thought.

When we chant, we unite sound, mind, determination, and action. We use the power of kyo — vibration — to interconnect our life with the rhythm of the universe. This makes chanting an active, dynamic practice. Rather than withdrawing from life, chanting empowers us to dive into the “muddy swamp” of real, everyday living and transform it from within, just as the lotus blooms beautifully in muddy water.

People often report that even when they begin chanting full of doubt, fear, or frustration, their life-condition still rises. This is a crucial difference: chanting doesn’t require us to “feel positive”; it generates inner transformation even in the midst of negativity.

Compared to meditation, chanting is active rather than passive. Meditation often focuses on calming the mind or observing thoughts, which can bring peace but may not necessarily lead to concrete action or external change.

Chanting is both a spiritual and actionable practice — it awakens wisdom, courage, and compassion that translate into decisive behaviour in daily life. SGI describes it as the engine of “human revolution”: a dynamic process where internal awakening and external action work together. In short, positive thinking affects attitude, meditation affects awareness, but chanting affects the core of life itself — enabling real, lasting change in both ourselves and our environment.

In essence:

• Positive thinking changes mood.
• Meditation changes awareness.
• Chanting changes life-condition — which changes reality.

What of Karma?

This is covered in more detail in the FAQs.
Karma is an issue if you believe in Rebirth, which many do as do Buddhist. Karma can be seen is many ways, but something can be done about it.

What of Buddhahood?

This is where some Buddhist divide. If buddhahood was already inherent is humanity then it is possible to achieve in this life time. If it is not then it is unlikely to be found in any life time, be it the next or after countless Kalpas (aeons). What would buddhahood look like anyway?

What of God?

God is non-issue to both Chanting or Meditation, as its about your life state in THIS existence.
A Buddhist would have rationalized away God long ago with something like:

• "I will wait till I die before I face He, She, Them, Rebirth or Oblivion"
• "How can there be so many gods? Which God is the one true God? If my God is better than your God, then 'God' is Mans invention to explain that which as yet we dont understand. "

• These are all heady questions that are outside the scope of this CFoD App.
• The focus of this CFoD is to create a ceaseless wave or flow of daimoku, if you are already changing then you would have seen actual proof in your life. If you have not chanted yet, then you will want to see some or see others.

Meditation does not lead to Enlightenment in this lifetime.
If one’s Buddhanature is inherent within one’s current life - then why would one practice many lifetimes to reveal it?

The second of the three assemblies described in the Lotus Sutra, in which the entire gathering is suspended in space above the ground. The two other assemblies take place on Eagle Peak. The Ceremony in the Air is depicted from the latter half of the "Treasure Tower" (eleventh) chapter through the "Entrustment" (twentysecond) chapter of the sutra. In the "Treasure Tower" chapter, the treasure tower of the Buddha Many Treasures emerges from beneath the earth and is suspended in mid-air. Shakyamuni, after summoning the Buddhas who are his emanations from the ten directions, stations himself in mid-air, opens the treasure tower, and enters it, taking a seat beside the Buddha Many Treasures. Then, using his transcendental powers, he lifts the entire assembly into space so that they are at the same level. This begins the Ceremony in the Air. The "Treasure Tower" chapter ends with Shakyamuni urging the audience to propagate the sutra in the evil age after his death. In the "Encouraging Devotion" (thirteenth) chapter, the innumerable bodhisattvas attending vow to fulfill the Buddha's will even if they must endure persecution by the so-called three powerful enemies. In the "Emerging from the Earth" (fifteenth) chapter, the bodhisattvas of the other worlds make the same vow, but the Buddha refuses to entrust the mission to them. At that moment the Bodhisattvas of the Earth make their appearance; this marks the beginning of the essential teaching of the sutra. In the "Life Span" (sixteenth) chapter, Shakyamuni reveals his original enlightenment - the enlightenment that he attained numberless major world system dust particle kalpas in the past. In the "Supernatural Powers" (twenty-first) chapter, Shakyamuni transfers the essence of the sutra specifically to the Bodhisattvas of the Earth led by Bodhisattva Superior Practices, entrusting them with its propagation in the Latter Day of the Law. In the "Entrustment" chapter, he transfers the sutra to all the bodhisattvas present. Then Shakyamuni's emanations return to their lands, the treasure tower reverts to its former position, and the Ceremony in the Air comes to an end.

The heart of this ceremony consists of the revelation of Shakyamuni Buddha's original enlightenment and the transfer of the essence of the sutra to the Bodhisattvas of the Earth.Nichiren (1222-1282) states that the object of devotion he revealed as the Gohonzon is the perfect embodiment of the Law, which is the essence of the Lotus Sutra, and that it is also a representation of the Ceremony in the Air. The Real Aspect of the Gohonzon reads, "This Gohonzon was revealed... in eight chapters [of the Lotus Sutra], from the 'Emerging from the Earth' chapter through the 'Entrustment' chapter". It also reads, "Without exception, all these Buddhas, bodhisattvas, great sages [attending the Ceremony in the Air]... dwell in this Gohonzon".

"Many in body, One in mind (itai doshin)". Is a type of unity that is not a mechanical uniformity, imposed or coerced from without. Rather, it is unity that has at its heart respect for the diverse and unique qualities of each individual ("many in body"). Such unity arises, when people "treasure each other as unique and irreplaceable individuals, and try to bring out the best in each other." In the past, Many Treasures Buddha, living in a world called Treasure Purity in the eastern part of the universe, heard the doctrine of Myoho-Renge (termed the White Lotus in sandscrit)attained Buddhahood. When he was about toenter extinction, Many Treasures entrusted people with the building of an immence treasure tower for the enshirement of the 'Body ofthe Tush Come One. Because of the strength of he vow, this treasure towner appears wherever and whenever the doctrine of Myoho-Renge is taught. The fact that the ceremony takes place in the air signifies that it transcends the framework of time and space.

The Short Answer

You meditate to feel good, to escape the world to call it nothing but an illusion. Sure you can get blissed-out meditating, you can get addicted to that reality, to the point you get nothing done in this real mundane world. Whilst Shakyamuni Buddha attained enlightenment in his first/single lifetime this is not eligible for you, you have to wait till tomorrow, and the countless Kalpas after that. If all you want to be is happy in your own little world, then meditate.

By way of contrast, Nichiren Buddhahood is less about being a god-like being levitating on a cloud, but more about the gritty reality of this world and getting things done.
To me Meditation is like hiding in a cave but chanting is an pro-active empowering activity - at its core is Doing, it is Taking Action

Why Actual Poof

Actual Proof - was showing that this practice actually work, we wanted Actual Proof to encourage others.
On 18th November 2013 Buddhists in the UK embarked on an Actual Proof Campaign, (if chanting is so good, then we want PROOF) and winning (this practice is all about victories in ones life) towards 18th November 2030. This project is part of that, if you use this App, I hope you will share your actual proof that chanting worked for you.
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In this way, by linking our daily prayers, determinations and actions to realize true happiness for ourselves and others with the completion of the new headquarters on 18th November 2013, President Ikeda is encouraging us to realize great victories in our lives that can stand out as "actual proof" of faith that is as grand and impressive as the new seven-story headquarters building.

So beginning with Nichiren it is our sense of Mission and Purpose that drives us forward. It is not by chance that the Nichiren Buddhists chose the name 'Value Creation' society. This tool helps you Create Value, both on an individual level and on a world wide level.

So now is the time for us to ask ourselves:

• What is the challenge facing me that I really want to break through?
• What is my grand vision for my life or my family?
• What positive advance could I make in my home life, place of work or study?
• Is there a secret dream locked in my heart that I have not yet dared to really pray to realise?
• What will be my great actual proof that I will proudly share with others?

This all matters because, chanting for a Car Parking space is an easy victory, getting a great job is another victory, world peace in such turbulent times, is a bigger, but achievable goal...
Making the Impossible Possible!

Your Daimoku matters!

Join The Ceremony in the Air

Sure you could be the only person on the planet that is chanting Daimoku, but thats not likely. I find that chanting Daimoku together with 'Like minded' Bodhisattvas to be quite potent, it is equally quite awesome when there are a few hundred of you and it amplifies and multiplies your daimoku.