Modern Buddhist Healing: A Spiritual Strategy for Transforming Pain, Dis-Ease, and Death

by Charles Atkins

In 1987 Charles Atkins was struck with Hodgkin's disease and underwent the ravages of chemotherapy. Throughout his illness he used his Buddhist training and the power of the mantra nam-myoho-renge-kyo to carry him through the cancer treatments and allay his fears of death and doubts for recovery. During his stays in the hospital, he took every possible opportunity to comfort other cancer patients. His survival inspired him to share the healing techniques he has learned with others.

In this book, Atkins introduces us to the Buddhist master Nichiren (1222-1281) and the healing teachings of Shakyamuni Buddha as laid out in the Lotus Sutra. Nam-myoho-renge-kyo is an old mantra that has accumulated a great deal of power from centuries of countless individuals focusing their highest intents while chanting it. He explains how nam-myoho-renge-kyo can be used to "undo" karma that has damaged our health. Methods for chanting while visualizing abound in this book. His example, along with that of many others struggling with diseases as diverse as fibromyalgia, diabetic ulcers, high blood pressure, and mental illness, provides a beacon of hope for those facing illness. Atkins's book shows that with hope, faith, and prayer nothing is impossible.

192 pages, Paperback

First published May 1, 2002

Reviews

[Tami · Rating 5 out of 5]

In 1987, Charles Atkins was diagnosed with cancer. As with many cancer patients he underwent chemo and radiation therapy, a process that kills cell growth (both cancerous and healthy cells). To say the least, it can be a horrible process.

Years earlier, Atkins had been introduced to the work of Buddhist master Nichiren Daishonin. These teachings focused on the Lotus Sutra, repetition of the words “Nam-myoho-renge-kyo”. For Atkins, this became a mantra of healing, to release karmic blockages and reverse dis-ease within the body system.

With nothing to lose, Atkins used this mantra during his illness. Before and during each therapy session, he chanted the phrase. This made the experience tolerable. He also regularly practiced the mantra with imagery techniques to speed his recovery. Atkins now uses the method to help others.

[Jade Lauron · Rating 2 out of 5]

It's one chant (Nam Myoho Renge Kyo), a couple of variations of how to perform this chant (from dragging out the meditation so that each syllable matches a chakra, to simply chanting it over and over, to the use of guided imagery while chanting to help fight disease), followed by anecdote after anecdote (after anecdote after anecdote, ad nauseam) of instances in which this simple chant supposedly performed miraculous cures.

I don't even know why (or how) anyone bothered to make this book length. This is a drawn out pamphlet, if anything. Is it helpful? Who knows. But as far as it's book-worthy-ness, I've pretty much covered the entirety of it right here.

[Lori · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good info on nmrk. Mantra powered visualization.

[Joseph · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked this book. what I also liked is that it did not knock western medicine and treatments. it was very readable and I felt that the author had many good points to make.

[John T · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good display of examples of how to combine prayer, visualization and modern medicine to overcome various illnesses. Worth the read.

[Erica Lyn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Solid practice with clear plan for application. Could use more grounding in the context of Nichiren Buddhism and fewer personal anecdotes.