I’m prompted to write this after publishing yesterday’s quote from from The Beginnings of Buddhism, which said in part regarding Nichiren and the other Kamakura period sects:

The ordinary man is not required to perform such research for himself: he need only follow the directions of his religious leader. Indeed, in these sects, theoretical study and speculation are forbidden as hindrances to practical faith. (Page 159-160)

To say “theoretical study and speculation are forbidden” overstates the guidelines of faith set down by Nichiren Shōnin.

Each day, during both my morning and evening services, I recite these words from Nichiren’s Shohō Jissō Shō (Writings of Nichiren Shōnin, Volume 4 p.79):

“Strive to carry out the two ways of practice and learning. Without practice and learning, Buddhism will cease to exist.”

And in Hōon-jō, Essay on Gratitude, Writings of Nichiren Shōnin, Doctrine 3 , Page 2, Nichiren writes:

What is the best way for Buddhists to express their gratitude for the unfathomable kindness that they have received? Mastering Buddhism completely and to be sagacious is the way. How can anyone guide blind persons across a bridge, if he himself is blind? How can a captain, who does not know the direction of the wind, sail his ship to transport many merchants to a mountain of treasure?

But it is true that theoretical study and speculation can be hindrances to practical faith.

In Ueno-dono Gohenji, A Reply to Lord Ueno, Writings of Nichiren Shōnin, Faith and Practice, Volume 4, Page 119, Nichiren writes:

Some of my disciples pretend to know the details of doctrines. They are mistaken. The odaimoku, Namu Myōhō Renge Kyō, is the essence of the Lotus Sūtra. It is like a human being’s spirit. If any other teachings were to be added to the odaimoku, it would be the cause of great trouble. It would be like the Empress marrying two Emperors, or committing adultery. The teachings of the Lotus Sūtra did not spread far enough during the Ages of the True Dharma and the Semblance Dharma. This was because these periods were intended for other sūtras.

We are presently living in the Latter Age of Degeneration. The Lotus Sūtra and other sūtras are no longer efficacious in bringing about enlightenment. Only the odaimoku can accomplish this. This is not my arbitrary opinion. It was so-arranged by the Buddha, the Buddha of Many Treasures, various Buddhas from all over the universe, and numerous great bodhisattvas from beneath the earth such as Superior Practice Bodhisattva.

It is a serious mistake to mix other teachings with the odaimoku. For example, when the sun rises, we no longer need to use lamps. When it rains, the dew is of no use. A baby does not need any nourishment except for milk. We do not need to add supplements to effective medicine.

Focusing on the odaimoku, Namu Myōhō Renge Kyō, as the essence of the Lotus Sūtra does not require that followers remain ignorant of the basic tenets of Buddhism any more than using a magnifying glass to focus the sun’s rays in order to start a fire requires that we know nothing of the sun and the nature of its light.