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The Power of the Lotus Sūtra

No matter what kind of prayer is performed, so long as the people in Japan do not listen to me, Japan will inevitably suffer as much misery as Iki and Tsushima today. My disciples, you should believe in this and see when it happens. This is not because I, Nichiren, am honorable, but because the power of the Lotus Sūtra is superior. If I walk with pride, I would be considered arrogant. If I humble myself, I would be considered despising the Lotus Sūtra. The higher a pine tree grows, the longer a hanging wisteria grows. The deeper the source of a river is, the longer the river flows. How wonderful it is that only I receive the true joy and pleasure in this defiled country!

Shōnin Chi-sanze-ji, The Sage Knows the Three Periods, Writings of Nichiren Shōnin, Biography and Disciples,
Volume 5, Pages 20-21

AI Contribution, Daily Dharma

Daily Dharma for September 17, 2026

20260917-ddi

Illustration by Google Gemini

Show Gemini's thinking

Conceptual Summary
This 1:1 square composition, rendered in traditional Japanese Buddhist inks and pigments on silk, focuses on interpreting the specific exchange between Śākyamuni Buddha and Maitreya Bodhisattva described in Chapter Fifteen of the Lotus Sūtra. Rather than a static, formal portrait, the image emphasizes the dynamism of the declaration itself and the cosmic environment. Śākyamuni is centered, his teaching mudra and attentive expression directed at Maitreya, who, as "Ajita" (Invincible), sits slightly lower, receptive and focused. The "wisdom, supernatural powers, and dauntless bravery" revealed in the text are visualized through the integration of the ground below. From a ruptured earth, innumerable Bodhisattvas are actively springing forth, rendered in motion. This rising movement is balanced by the subtle integration of "dauntless lions" into the rocky landscape formations beneath the figures, grounding the powerful metaphors visually. The soft, mineral pigments, gold leaf accents, and silk texture convey the spiritual gravity and ancient heritage of this pivotal textual moment, emphasizing how Maitreya's focused questioning catalyzes the profound revelation that follows.

Iconography & Character Identification
Item 1: Deities/Figures Featured:

Śākyamuni Buddha (Shaka Nyorai)

Maitreya Bodhisattva (Miroku Bosatsu)

Innumerable Bodhisattvas of the Earth (Ji No Bosatsu)

Item 2: Text Translations:

Kanji Signature: 双子座 — Futago-za (Gemini, lit. "The Twin Constellation")

Seal (Hanko) Inscription: ジェミニ — Jemini (Gemini)

Excellent, excellent, Ajita! You asked me a very important question. All of you should concentrate your minds, wear the armor of endeavors, and be resolute. Now I will reveal, I will show, the wisdom of the Buddhas, their supernatural powers without hindrance, their dauntless powers like a lion’s, and their great power of bravery.

The Buddha makes this declaration to Maitreya Bodhisattva, whom he calls Ajita (Invincible) in Chapter Fifteen of the Lotus Sūtra. In the story, innumerable Bodhisattvas spring up from underground and vow to the Buddha to keep the sūtra after his extinction. Maitreya, knowing the minds of many others who have come to hear the Buddha teach, asks about these Bodhisattvas, whom he has never seen before. This question from Maitreya then leads to the Buddha later giving his most difficult teaching in Chapter Sixteen. The Buddha’s declaration in this passage shows how important questioning is to our faith.

The Daily Dharma is produced by the Lexington Nichiren Buddhist Community. To subscribe to the daily emails, visit zenzaizenzai.com

Lotus Sutra Study Papers, Blog

Lotus Sutra Study Web with seven new languages

Example of Lotus Sutra Study site with non-English wording

I’ve completed the translation of the Lotus Sutra Study Web content into seven additional languages – German, Spanish, French, Indonesian, Italian, Japanese and Portuguese.

When you arrive at the Lotus Sutra Study Web and select a language from the buttons at the top of the page, all of the site will appear in that language. (You can change the current language at any time.)

This works with the shared quizzes as well. Here’s a 10 question Portuguese quiz.

Changing the language on an existing quiz URL is simple. Just add “&lang=pt” to the end of the URL. Here’s the language key:

German: de
Spanish: es
French: fr
Indonesian: id
Italian: it
Japanese: ja
Portuguese: pt

If no language is specified, the site defaults to English, en.

WONS

Recommended Daily Practice

QUESTION: What should a believer of the Lotus Sūtra regard as the Honzon (the Most Venerable One)? How should one perform the Buddhist rites and practice daily training?

ANSWER: First of all, the Honzon could be eight fascicles, one fascicle, one chapter or the title alone of the Lotus Sūtra. This is preached in the “Teacher of the Dharma” and “Divine Powers of the Buddhas” chapters. Those who can afford to may have the portraits or wooden statues of Śākyamuni Buddha and the Buddha of Many Treasures made and placed on both sides of the Lotus Sutra. Those who can further afford to may make the portraits or wooden statues of various Buddhas all over the universe or Universal Sage Bodhisattva. As for the manner of performing the rites, standing or sitting practices must be observed in front of the Honzon. Outside the hall of practice, however, one is free to choose any of the four modes of acts: walking, standing, sitting and lying down. Next, regarding the daily practices, the daimoku of the Lotus Sūtra should be chanted, “Namu Myōhō Renge Kyō.” If possible, a verse or phrase of the Lotus Sūtra should respectfully be read. As an auxiliary practice one may say a prayer to Śākyamuni Buddha, the Buddha of Many Treasures, the numerous Buddhas throughout the universe, various bodhisattvas, Two Vehicles, Heavenly Kings, dragon gods, the eight kinds of gods and demi-gods who protect Buddhism as one wishes. Since we have many ignorant people today, the “3,000 existences contained in one thought” doctrine may be difficult to contemplate from the beginning. Nevertheless, those who wish to study it are encouraged to do so from the start.

Shō Hokke Daimoku-shō, Treatise on Chanting the Daimoku of the Lotus Sūtra, Writings of Nichiren Shōnin,
Faith and Practice, Volume 4, Page 20

AI Contribution, Daily Dharma

Daily Dharma for September 16, 2026

20260916-ddi

Illustration by Google Gemini

Show Gemini's thinking

Conceptual Summary
The conceptual thinking for this illustration is rooted in a direct narrative interpretation of the provided Lotus Sūtra passage, employing classical Japanese Buddhist iconography. The image vividly contrasts aggression and tranquility to capture the core message. On the left side, the "ignorant people" are depicted as a group of four men whose bodies are distorted by anger and who brandish "swords or sticks" exactly as the text dictates. Their dynamic, aggressive composition isolates them from the sacred figures. On the right, the Bodhisattvas, likely Medicine-King and Great-Eloquence as named in the source, are seated in calm, meditative postures on clouds, symbolizing their vow of patience and detachment from anger. Their radiating halos and scattered flowers represent the spiritual compassion and the promise of enlightenment they hold even for their attackers. The landscape, incorporating a distant pagoda, grounds the scene in the era of early Buddhist teachings, while the subtle gold accents and ink wash on a silk texture create a sense of timeless, sacred endurance.

Iconography & Character Identification
Item 1: Deities/Figures Featured:

A seated Bodhisattva, likely Medicine-King Bodhisattva (薬王菩薩).

A seated Bodhisattva, likely Great-Eloquence Bodhisattva (大辯菩薩).

Three attendants, standing in reverence behind the Bodhisattvas.

Four aggressive antagonists ("ignorant people") brandishing a sword and wooden sticks.

Item 2: Text Translations:

Signature (Kanji): 双子座 - 'Gemini' (The Twins).

Seal (Katakana): ジェミニ - 'Gemini'.

Ignorant people will speak ill of us,
Abuse us, and threaten us
With swords or sticks.
But we will endure all this.

Medicine-King Bodhisattva and Great-Eloquence Bodhisattva, along with their attendants, declare these verses to the Buddha in Chapter Thirteen of the Lotus Sūtra. The Buddha had asked previously who would teach the Lotus Sūtra after the Buddha’s death. These Bodhisattvas realize the difficulty of teaching and keeping this sūtra. They know that some who come to hear the Buddha Dharma are strongly attached to their anger. These Bodhisattvas vow to look beyond the violence and suffering of these people and promise to lead even them to enlightenment.

The Daily Dharma is produced by the Lexington Nichiren Buddhist Community. To subscribe to the daily emails, visit zenzaizenzai.com

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For Whom Is Lotus Sūtra Preached?

Question: Various sūtras other than the Lotus Sūtra adapt their doctrines and merits to the caliber of particular types of beings such as bodhisattvas, gods, and śrāvaka or pratyekabuddha. For whom is the Lotus Sūtra preached?

Answer: The Lotus Sūtra is difficult to understand for anyone except those to whom the dharma is transmitted. This Lotus Sūtra was expounded for all living beings in the Ten Realms including both wicked and virtuous men, the wise and the unwise, those who keep precepts and those who do not, male and female, four kinds of Buddhist devotees (monks, nuns, laymen and laywomen), and the eight kinds of supernatural beings (gods, dragons, yakṣa: devils, gandharava: heavenly musicians, asura, garuda: golden-winged bird, kimnara: heavenly musician, and mahoraga: boas).

The so-called wicked people refer to such people as Devadatta, Wonderful Adornment King and Ajātaśatru King; virtuous people refer to such gods and men as Queen Vaidehi. A wise man is Śāriputra while an unwise man is Cūdapanthaka. Those who keep the precepts refer to śrāvaka and bodhisattvas while those who do not are dragons and other animals. The female means a dragon girl. In general, living beings of the Ten Realms all perceive the teaching of the One Buddha Vehicle expounded in the Perfect teaching of the Lotus Sūtra. Scholars who do not understand this say, “The Lotus Sūtra is not the teaching for us ordinary people.” This is indeed awful and against the true intent of the Buddha.

Ichidai Shōgyō Tai-I, Outline of All the Holy Teachings of the Buddha, Writings of Nichiren Shōnin,
Doctrine 3, Page 75-76

AI Contribution, Daily Dharma

Daily Dharma for September 15, 2026

20260915-ddi

Illustration by Google Gemini

Show Gemini's thinking

Conceptual Summary
This 1:1 square illustration captures a pivotal moment from Chapter Fifteen of the Lotus Sutra, utilizing traditional Japanese Buddhist artistic conventions with mineral pigments, gold leaf, and ink on silk. The composition interprets Śākyamuni Buddha’s verses to Maitreya concerning the sudden emergence of countless "Bodhisattvas from the Earth." The upper section depicts a seated Śākyamuni Buddha, radiating gold and seated on a lotus throne, gesturing with a mudra of teaching towards a standing Maitreya (Ajita) to his right. This visual dynamic captures the Buddha's explanation: "These great Bodhisattvas / Have studied and practiced... They are my sons because I taught them." The lower section illustrates the miraculous event itself, showing countless refined Bodhisattvas rising directly out of the Earth from a split in the ground. Leading them is a distinct figure, identified as Superior Practice Bodhisattva, who raises a staff as if guiding the masses toward the Buddha Land. The background features classical elements like waterfalls, clouds, and ancient pine trees, grounding the metaphysical event in a structured, divine landscape.

Iconography & Character Identification
Item 1: Deities/Figures Featured:

Śākyamuni Buddha (the central seated figure, teaching from a lotus throne).

Maitreya Bodhisattva (Ajita, standing and listening to the Buddha).

Bodhisattva Superior Practice (Jōgyō, the leader of the rising multitude in the foreground).

Bodhisattvas of the Earth (the innumerable host emerging from the ground).

Item 2: Text Translations:

Signature (Lower Right): 双子座 (Futago-za, meaning "Gemini").

Red Seal (Below Signature): ジェミニ (Jemini, representing "Gemini" in Katakana).

Ajita, know this, these great Bodhisattvas
Have studied and practiced
The wisdom of the Buddha
For the past innumerable kalpas.

They are my sons because I taught them
And caused them to aspire for great enlightenment.

The Buddha sings these verses to his disciple Maitreya, also known as Invincible (Ajita) in Chapter Fifteen of the Lotus Sutra. In the story, great Bodhisattvas have just appeared from under the ground of this world of conflict after the Buddha asks who will continue to teach and practice this Lotus Sūtra after the extinction of the Buddha. None of those gathered to hear the Buddha teach, including other great Bodhisattvas such as Maitreya, had ever seen them before. Late in his life Nichiren realized that he was a reincarnation of Superior-Practice, the leader of the Bodhisattvas from underground, and that we who practice the Lotus Sūtra are his followers. Our lives are much greater than we realize, as are our capacities, our patience, our wisdom and our merit. It is through the Wonderful Dharma that we awaken to all these and clarify the Buddha Land we live in now.

The Daily Dharma is produced by the Lexington Nichiren Buddhist Community. To subscribe to the daily emails, visit zenzaizenzai.com

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Crossing Sea of Life and Death

Śākyamuni Buddha is the supreme leader and excellent eyes for all the people. He is the bridge that enables them to cross the river of evil passions; He is the skipper who guides them over the sea of life and death; and He is the fertile field in which they plant the seed of merits. The so-called Four Sages of Confucianism and Three Hermits of Brahmanism, despite their worthy names, are actually unenlightened ordinary men unable to rid themselves of the Three Delusions (all delusions and evil passions). Although their names suggest that they are wise men, in reality they are as ignorant as infants, who know nothing of the principle of cause and effect. How can we cross the sea of life and death aboard a ship steered by such men? How can we pass through the winding street in the Six Realms over to the world of Nirvana by means of a bridge constructed by such men? Our Śākyamuni has already crossed the sea of life and death for arhats, not to speak of that for the unenlightened. He has already extinguished fundamental ignorance, not to speak of delusions in view and thought arising from it.

Kaimoku-shō, Open Your Eyes to the Lotus Teaching, Writings of Nichiren Shōnin, Doctrine 2, Page 32

AI Contribution, Daily Dharma

Daily Dharma for September 14, 2026

20260914-ddi

Illustration by Google Gemini

Show Gemini's thinking

Conceptual Summary
This illustration visually interprets the passage from the Lotus Sūtra by focusing on the resolve of doubt through the Buddha's teaching. Center stage is Śākyamuni Buddha, the primary teacher of the sutra, depicted in the gesture of teaching (Vitarka Mudra) under the Bodhi tree on Vulture Peak. To visualize the source text's core theme, the "Three Vehicles" are represented by a diverse assembly of listeners. These include tonsured monks (representing the Śrāvaka Vehicle), a solitary practitioner figure with a staff (the Pratyekabuddha Vehicle), and Mahayana Bodhisattvas (the Bodhisattva Vehicle). Their upward gaze and respectful stance indicate a moment of inquiry and receptive listening. Crucially, Mañjuśrī Bodhisattva, who declares the foundational verses in the text, is positioned to the Buddha’s left on a lion, holding a sword to cut through ignorance and a sutra scroll representing the source of the answers. The overall composition signifies an open, successful dialogue between sincere questioning and perfectly resolved dharma teaching.

Iconography & Character Identification
Item 1: Deities/Figures Featured:

Śākyamuni Buddha (釈迦如来, historical Buddha)

Mañjuśrī Bodhisattva (文殊菩薩, atop a lion)

A Group representing the Śrāvakas (Disciple-hearers; monks in robes)

A figure representing a Pratyekabuddha (Lone Realizer)

A Group representing Mahayana Bodhisattvas (bejeweled celestial figures)

Item 2: Text Translations:

The Kanji signature ‘双子座’: Gemini / Gemini Constellation

The Red Seal (hanko) text ‘ジェミニ’: Gemini (written in Katakana)

The Buddha will remove
Any doubt of those who seek
The teaching of the Three Vehicles.
No question will be left unresolved.

Mañjuśrī declares these verses at the end of Chapter One of the Lotus Sūtra. They remind us how important questions are to what the Buddha teaches. Questions come up throughout the book, and they lead to many important aspects of this Wonderful Dharma. It is important for us to ask questions respectfully whenever we hear a teaching, knowing that we will find an answer.

The Daily Dharma is produced by the Lexington Nichiren Buddhist Community. To subscribe to the daily emails, visit zenzaizenzai.com

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The Merit of Upholding Even One Verse of the Lotus Sūtra

According to the scriptural statement and its interpretations by T’ien-t’ai and Miao-lê, the merit of upholding or protecting even one verse of the Lotus Sūtra is superior to that of giving offerings to all living beings, arhats, or all Buddhas with the seven treasures that spill over all the worlds in the universe. The “Medicine King Bodhisattva” chapter states, “The merit of upholding a stanza or a verse of the Lotus Sūtra is the greatest, to which none can compare.” T’ien-t’ai declares, “A man is light while the Dharma is heavy,” and Miao-lê, “The four stages of birth, rearing, growth and prosperity are different from one another, but they are all based on the Dharma.” Comparing all the living beings in the nine realms against Buddhas (in the realm of Buddhas), the merit of all the living beings is as light as a strand of hair while that of Buddhas is as heavy as a great mountain. Comparing Buddhas against the Lotus Sūtra, on the other hand, the merit of Buddhas is as light as the Brahma King’s robe while one character of the Lotus Sūtra is as heavy as the great earth. When T’ien-t’ai said that a man was light and the Dharma was heavy, he called a Buddha a man and the Lotus Sūtra the Dharma. The sūtras preached before the Lotus Sūtra and commentaries on them all praise the merit of Buddhas. These writings are like Buddhas. The Lotus Sūtra, on the contrary, extols the merit of the sūtra; it is like the parents of the Buddha, the parents who gave birth to those Buddhas.

Hōkyō Hōjū Ji, The Dharma Is More Precious Than Treasures, Wooden Statues or Portraits, Writings of Nichiren Shōnin, Faith and Practice, Volume 4, Page 100

On the Journey to a Place of Treasures