Chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo doesn’t hinge on having memorized or fully grasped every line of the Lotus Sutra. Think of your practice like planting a seed: even without knowing the soil’s chemical makeup, watering it faithfully will still bring forth new shoots. In Nichiren Buddhism, faith, practice, and study form a three-legged stool—practice (chanting) holds it steady from day one, while study (reading the Sutra) deepens the roots over time.

Putting the daimoku first taps into that universal life force right away. It’s like learning to ride a bike by jumping on rather than reading a manual. As momentum builds, curiosity naturally grows—maybe inspiring a dive into the Sutra’s chapters when a snag arises, like grappling with inner doubts or seeking fresh insights for today’s global challenges. Seeing the news about climate protests or mental-health crises, the Sutra’s message of innate Buddhahood and compassion can shine a new light on one’s own role in helping the world.

No top-down exam awaits; benefits appear in everyday moments—sleepless nights give way to calm, interpersonal conflicts ease, and creativity or courage surfaces just when they’re needed most. Over time, reading passages here and there—the Parable of the Medicinal Herbs, say, or the Burning House chapter—brings “aha” moments that reinforce the chanting practice. It’s very much a “learn by doing” path: the transformation felt internally mirrors its ripple effect outward, from family ties to community action.

So go ahead and chant with an open heart. Let the actual experience guide you toward the Sutra’s wisdom, rather than waiting until every verse makes perfect sense. That lived connection will ultimately make the teachings come alive—and fuel both personal growth and global harmony.