Accept suffering as suffering, joy as joy; life consists of suffering and joy; therefore recite “Namu Myoho Renge-kyo” for either case. Isn’t this religious ecstasy? Please strive to keep firm faith.
Shijō Kingo-dono Gohenji, Response to Lord Shijō Kingo
With Nichiren’s boundless compassion, “Namu Myōhōrengekyō” will be heard forever even beyond the ten thousand year-period. It has the merit of curing the “blindness” of all the people in Japan, blocking the way to hell. This merit is superior to those of Dengyō, T’ien-t’ai, Nāgārjuna, and Kāśyapa. Practice for a hundred years in the Pure Land is not worth the merit of chanting the daimoku for one day in this defiled world. Propagation of the daimoku in a two thousand year-period following the death of the Buddha is not worth as much as spreading the daimoku for even a short while in the Latter Age of Degeneration.
Hōon-jō, Essay on Gratitude
QUESTION: If someone chanted Namu Myōhō Renge Kyō without understanding its meaning will the benefit of understanding still be received?
ANSWER: When a baby nurses, it does not comprehend the taste; nevertheless, it receives the benefits of the milk naturally.
Shō Hokke Daimoku-shō, Treastise on Chanting the Daimoku of the Lotus Sūtra
[T]he titles of various Buddhas and sūtras are expedient teachings, which were opened to reveal the true one by the Lotus Sūtra. The five-character daimoku of the Lotus Sūtra is the one that opened them to reveal the true teaching, and therefore we should chant the daimoku of the Lotus Sūtra.
Shō Hokke Daimoku-shō, Treastise on Chanting the Daimoku of the Lotus Sūtra
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