Midwinter Recitation Practice

At Rissho Kosei-kai, there is an annual practice called the midwinter recitation practice. It's a midwinter ascetic or discipline practice of reciting the whole three-fold Lotus Sutra within 14 to 15 days, aiming at spiritual growth and purification.

This practice usually starts on January 20th and ends on February 3rd. These dates coincide with the day before the coldest season of the year to the day before the start of spring. The dates are according to the traditional Chinese solar term calendar to mark the changing seasons.

In the past, Japanese monks, nuns, laymen, and laywomen have practiced various midwinter austerities. One such example is cold water ablution, a purification practice in which one pours cold water over oneself or under a waterfall.

But in today's day and age, Rissho Kosei-kai's mid-winter training for lay Buddhists has become the recitation of the whole three-fold Lotus Sutra. Members commit to the 15-day practice and gather at the dojo, or place of practice, usually early in the morning to recite the three-fold Lotus Sutra together with sincerity and hearts united.

This practice helps us, one, to maintain a firm belief in the teachings through reciting the Sutra. We receive and keep the teachings with our whole being by using our body, mouth, and mind. Two, to make a vow for the new year. This is a commitment to what kind of a person we want to become and the kind of practice we want to do this year. And three, to offer prayers for the people who are suffering worldwide.

If you practice this wholeheartedly, you will grasp the true spirit of the Lotus Sutra, and the teachings will sink in deeper to the bottom of your heart and will appear through your conduct in daily life, opening up a new life.

The Three Main Purposes of the Practice

1. Deepening Belief: Reciting the Lotus Sutra helps practitioners fully internalize and keep the teachings with their entire being—body, mouth, and mind.

2. Making a New Year's Vow: It serves as a commitment to the kind of person they want to become and the practice they want to focus on for the year ahead.

3. Offering Prayers: Dedicated prayers are sent out for people who are suffering worldwide.