When people first begin chanting in the Nichiren tradition, a very common difficulty is an excessive concern with outward form while neglecting inner engagement. There can be a tendency to rush through Nam-myoho-renge-kyo, mispronouncing syllables or pushing the pace, as though speed or sheer quantity alone would bring results. At the same time, chanting may become mechanical: the lips move, but the heart and mind are elsewhere, wandering through worries and plans. This turns a living practice into a kind of empty repetition, disconnected from one’s real struggles, aspirations, and gratitude. A more grounded approach emphasizes clear articulation, a steady rhythm, and, above all, sincere intention rather than technical perfection.

Another frequent pitfall lies in expectations and motivation. Many newcomers hope for immediate, dramatic changes and may treat the practice as a kind of magical solution or wish-granting spell. When circumstances do not shift quickly, discouragement can set in, or doubts about the value of chanting may arise. In addition, the focus of prayer can narrow to purely material desires—money, status, or specific outcomes—without attention to the deeper aim of transforming one’s life-condition and cultivating compassion for others. This can also lead to using chanting as an escape from necessary action, instead of as a source of wisdom and courage to address problems directly.

The rhythm of practice itself is another area where beginners often stumble. Some chant only in times of crisis or when “in the mood,” making the practice sporadic and unstable. Others swing to the opposite extreme, forcing themselves into very long sessions at the outset and then burning out, associating chanting with strain rather than stability and joy. Establishing a simple, regular daily rhythm—however modest—tends to be more sustainable than dramatic but short-lived efforts. Consistency allows the practice to permeate daily life, rather than remaining an emergency measure.

Finally, beginners sometimes neglect the broader context that supports chanting. Without study of Nichiren’s writings and the principles of the Lotus Sutra, practice can drift into personal interpretation or superstition, cut off from its doctrinal roots. Similarly, practicing in isolation and avoiding experienced practitioners or community means missing out on guidance, encouragement, and clarification. Misunderstanding the nature of obstacles is also common: when challenges arise after beginning to chant, they may be taken as signs that the practice is ineffective, rather than as part of the process through which inner change is tested and strengthened. A mature approach sees faith, practice, study, and action as mutually reinforcing dimensions of the same path.