Faith is emphasized throughout the Lotus Sutra. The Sanskrit terms used for it are shraddha (faith) and adhimukti (faith and understanding). In addition, prasada (pure faith) is used once or twice. None of these words means the kind of absolute devotion to an absolute person indicated by the term bhakti. They signify entering the Buddha way, reforming oneself, setting one’s resolve, and purifying one’s heart. With this kind of preparation one can devote oneself to the discipline, grow in wisdom, and become awakened.

This conception of faith has consistently underlain Buddhism. There is a place in the first chapter of Nagarjuna’s Great Wisdom Discourse, that says, “Entering the great sea of Buddha-dharma is accomplished with the power of faith and attained by the power of wisdom.” The Lotus Sutra also keeps this basic principle. Chapter 17, for example, while emphasizing a single moment of faith (shraddha) or faith and understanding (adhimukti) says that they go beyond five of the six transcendental practices, but adds “except the perfection of wisdom.” That is, among the six practices for becoming awakened, only the last one, wisdom, or prajña, is put above faith.