Scholars today … are confused with the time and capacity of people to understand and believe the teaching. As a result, some scholars spread the Hinayāna teaching, others preach the provisional Mahāyāna doctrines, while still others expound the One Vehicle doctrine of the Lotus Sūtra. They do not seem to understand the reason why the seed of Buddhahood should be planted with the five characters of the daimoku.
Soya Nyūdō-dono-gari Gosho, A Letter to Lay Priest Lord Soya
QUESTION: Is there any scriptural proof that we gain merits through the exclusive chanting of the daimoku?
ANSWER: The Lotus Sūtra says in chapter 26, “Dhārāṇi,” of the 8th fascicle that the merits obtained will be immeasurable when one keeps only the name of the Lotus Sūtra.
Hokke Daimoku Shō, Treatise on the Daimoku of the Lotus Sūtra
This five-character daimoku is not just a title of the Lotus Sūtra; it contains the five profound meanings of the name, entity, quality, function and teaching.
Sandai Hiho Honjo-ji, The Transmission of the Three Great Secret Dharmas
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.
Ueno-dono Gohenji, A Reply to Lord Ueno
The daimoku which I, Nichiren, recite today in the Latter Age of Degeneration is the daimoku of Namu Myōhō Renge Kyō, which, unlike that of the previous ages, is not merely the practice for personal enlightenment but it is the practice also for benefitting others.
Sandai Hiho Honjo-ji, The Transmission of the Three Great Secret Dharmas
Faith is nothing special. A wife loves her husband, the husband devotes his life to her, parents do not give away their children, and children do not desert their mother. Likewise, believe in the Lotus Sutra, the Buddha Sakyamuni, the Buddha Taho, all Buddhas, Bodhisattvas, and deities. Then chant “Namu Myoho Renge Kyo.” This is faith.
Myoichi Ama Gozen Gohenji, Letter to the Nun Myoichi
It is preached in the Lotus Sūtra … that the merits of all the sūtras preached during the period of 40 years or so are all stored in the one Lotus Sūtra and the threefold bodied Buddhas in all the worlds throughout the universe are all Buddhas in manifestation of the one Śākyamuni Buddha. Therefore, “one Buddha equals all Buddhas,” and the two characters of myō and hō include all Buddhas. Accordingly, the merit of chanting the five-character daimoku of the Sūtra of the Lotus Flower of the Wonderful Dharma is enormous indeed.
Shō Hokke Daimoku-shō, Treastise on Chanting the Daimoku of the Lotus Sūtra
Therefore, you should realize that being able to chant the daimoku of this sūtra is an experience more wonderful than a blind person gaining his eyesight and seeing his parents for the first time and rarer than a man being captured by a mighty enemy and being released by a special pardon to be reunited with his wife and children.
Hokke Daimoku Shō, Treatise on the Daimoku of the Lotus Sūtra
Muddy water has no mind but it still catches the moon’s reflection and naturally becomes lucid. Plants and trees catch the rain in order to blossom, but can we say they do this deliberately? The five characters of Myō, Hō, Ren, Ge, and Kyō are not the text of the sūtra nor a mere explanation; rather, they are the sole intent of the whole sūtra. Beginners may practice this without knowing the heart (of the Lotus Sūtra), but their practice will naturally harmonize with its intention.
Shishin Gohon-shō, The Four Depths of Faith and Five Stages of Practice
All the good deeds and virtues of the Buddha Sakyamuni are manifested in the title of the Lotus Sutra, that is, in the five letters: “Myo Ho Ren Ge Kyo.” However sinful we may be, we shall be naturally endowed with all the deeds and virtues of the Buddha if we adhere to these five letters.
Kanjin Honzon Sho, Keeping Odaimoku