Getting started with chanting the Lotus Sutra in Nichiren Buddhism is exciting, but a few missteps can trip up even the most enthusiastic beginner.

1. Skipping the Basics
   Jumping straight into “Nam-myoho-renge-kyo” without understanding its meaning is like driving a car without knowing how to steer. Spending a little time on the context—why the Lotus Sutra is called the “king of teachings,” and how the title mantra encapsulates wisdom, compassion and life force—lays a solid foundation.

2. Expecting Instant Results
   Modern life is all about quick fixes, but chanting practice unfolds more like a marathon than a sprint. Patience is key. Treat chanting like tending a garden: daily care brings blooms over time. Celebrating small shifts—a calmer mind, an unexpected solution—keeps motivation alive.

3. Neglecting Consistency
   Once in a blue moon chanting won’t cut it. Setting up a simple daily routine—perhaps right after waking or before sleep—makes practice stick. Even five minutes a day beats an hour once in a while.

4. Overthinking or Distracting the Mind
   It’s easy to get tangled in thoughts—“Am I doing this right?” or “Did my pronunciation slip?” Learning to bring attention gently back to the rhythm of the chant, without self-criticism, turns every misstep into a lesson.

5. Treating Chanting as Commodity
   Sometimes chanting becomes just another task to tick off. Remember, it’s a connection to inner potential and the collective aspiration for a peaceful world. Approaching each session with sincerity blossoms real transformation.

6. Ignoring Community Wisdom
   Watching online videos is handy, but skipping guidance from experienced practitioners is like trying to bake a soufflé without a recipe. Local gatherings or virtual discussion forums offer invaluable tips on posture, breath and attitude.

7. Forgetting Gratitude and Joy
   Letting chanting become too serious can zap its spirit. A light touch—smiling inwardly, appreciating each syllable—opens the heart. Recent stories of people finding hope through chanting during last year’s pandemic stress remind that joy is the secret sauce.

Embracing these points helps chanting become not just a ritual, but a springboard for personal growth and global harmony.