Buddha, as he is represented as declaring himself in the chapter on Eternity, is the Tathagata from all eternity and has ever been working to lead all sentient beings to maturity in Buddhahood. He is the Lord of Truth and Father of all, and we are his disciples and children. Religion is nothing but the way to enlightenment in this eternal relationship, and morality, nothing but the method of realizing the same truth in our life.
Nichiren, The Buddhist ProphetQuotes
The Sun of the Lotus Sutra; the Fertilizer of Odaimoku
The Lotus Sutra teaches us that all living beings are originally born with a Buddha seed. It is possible for everyone to attain enlightenment, just as the Buddha did. In order to do so, it is essential to make efforts and have faith by oneself. From another perspective, it can be said that everyone is a Buddha. But in reality, we tend to frequently make mistakes. Therefore, we need practice and training. So even if we have the seed of Buddha, the seed has not sprouted or blossomed yet. To sprout and grow, the seed needs the Lotus Sutra as the sun, and Odaimoku as fertilizer. Keep this in your mind. It is very important that in order to become a Buddha, one must make the effort, and learn in daily life, based on the teaching of the Lotus Sutra. By obtaining good practice, we will find solutions for any troubles in our life.
Spring WritingsEliminating Suffering
Buddhism is not about prosperity practice. Our goal should be to eliminate suffering, and attachment to material gain is an attachment and bound to eventually lead to more suffering. No thing is immune to decay, even wealth and if not the wealth then certainly the body. The goal of our practice is to become enlightened, to manifest our inherent Buddha potential, and thereby convert our lands into the Buddha’s pure land.
Lecture on the Lotus SutraPerfection of Patience with the Buddha’s Teachings
Of the Six Perfections – generosity, discipline, patience, energy, meditation, and wisdom – the perfection of patience also applies to our attitude toward the Buddha’s teachings. The teaching that all things are empty and selfless, for instance, can sound quite confusing and intimidating; but if we are patient and persistent in our practice we will come to a deeper understanding that will lead to our liberation from suffering and ultimately to Buddhahood.
Lotus SeedsEstablishing the Lotus Sutra in Japan
To accommodate the increasing number of visitors to the hermitage [at Minobu], a lovely temple – the Myo-hokke-in Ku-on-ji – was finally erected; and, on November 21, 1281, Nichiren lectured for the first time in the newly-completed edifice.
“I, Nichiren, am not the founder of any particular Sect, nor do I belong to any subordinate denomination. This earth has only one sun, and man has only one Buddha. I believe Buddha intended for me to establish The Lotus Sutra here in Japan, and I feel that I am fulfilling that task in this Age of the Latter Law.”
Nichiren, Leader of Buddhist Reformation in JapanOur Guide
With the Lotus Sutra as our guide we can leave the places of trouble in our lives and gradually change our lives to become ones in which joy and happiness are the predominant experiences.
The Magic City: Studying the Lotus SutraOur Connection to the Past and the Future
In the Lotus Sutra, we have a distant connection to the past as well as the infinite future. In this instance the connection and the history depend upon our actions in the present to manifest the reality of the historical event. The Lotus Sutra depends not on the actual physical presence of some thing that existed before us, but on the connection we create with the past and the future.
Lotus Path: Practicing the Lotus Sutra Volume 1The ‘Original’ and the ‘Subordinate’
The [Lotus Sutra] it must be understood, consists of two parts, the “original” and the “subordinate” respectively. The former treats of the original Buddha and the original reality of all living beings, while the latter deals with the subordinate Buddha and the derived or temporary condition of all living beings. Thus the Buddha is conceived of under a twofold aspect; one, as originally or self enlightened, the other as having attained enlightenment only after study and meditation. Again, the real state of living beings connotes the reality of things as perceived by the Buddha intellect – that is, their natural and true condition.
Doctrines of Nichiren (1893)Proving the Truth of the Lotus Sutra
By living and being an example for the real possibility of attaining enlightenment, we are proving the truth of the Lotus Sutra, the truth that all beings regardless of their capacity or capability are capable of attaining enlightenment.
Physician's Good MedicineThe Union of the Truth and the Person
The basic truth of existence and its everlasting laws are inherent in every being, while the personal manifestations of Buddhahood are working to bring all beings to full consciousness of their own real nature. In other words, all beings, participating in the primeval wisdom of the universe, are developing their proper nature in conjunction with the educative activity of the Buddhas. Taking this view of the cosmic movement, the Supreme Being is nothing but the union of the Truth and the Person, as realized in the person of Buddha and to be realized in each of us.
Nichiren, The Buddhist Prophet