Nichiren promoted the single seven-character phrase of Na Mu Myo Ho Ren Ge Kyo as a way of reading, reciting, and keeping the Lotus Sutra. This single phrase is easy to memorize and easy to chant. Nichiren, however, did not invent this phrase, since it had been used before, primarily as a deathbed practice. What Nichiren did that was unique was to advocate it as a universal practice and as a single abbreviated way to practice the Lotus Sutra, accessible to anyone at any time.
Lecture on the Lotus SutraMonthly Archives: May 2021
The Wonderful Dharma Revealed in the Essential Section
Since Grand Master T’ien-t’ai was among the audience who heard Śākyamuni Buddha expound the Lotus Sūtra on Mt. Sacred Eagle, he propagated the teaching of the Lotus Sūtra, which shows the sole purpose of the Buddha appearing in this world. However, as the time was not right for the spread of the sūtra, he propagated the teaching of the daimoku of the Lotus Sūtra in the name of the Great Concentration and Insight. Since Grand Master T’ien-t’ai was not a disciple of the Eternal Śākyamuni Buddha but of Śākyamuni as a manifestation of the Buddha, he did not propagate what was entrusted directly to such disciples of the Eternal Buddha as Superior Practice Bodhisattva, who had been trained ever since the eternal past. T’ien-t’ai propagated the teaching of the Lotus Sūtra, which directly states the truth by explaining it as the Great Concentration and Insight. In this sense, his teaching can be said to have been expedient rather than the Wonderful Dharma as unvarnished truth. Therefore, those who received the teaching of the Great Concentration and Insight from Grand Master T’ien-t’ai in the Age of the Semblance Dharma are, like those who heard the preaching of the pre-Lotus teaching in the lifetime of Śākyamuni Buddha, “people who received the perfect teaching taking on the expedients (provisional teaching).” People who receive the teaching from the Eternal Śākyamuni Buddha are those who receive the teaching of the Wonderful Dharma revealed in the essential section of the Lotus Sūtra and go their way correctly to enlightenment.
Risshō Kanjō, A Treatise on Establishing the Right Way of Meditation, Writings of Nichiren Shōnin, Doctrine 2, Page 225
Daily Dharma – May 1, 2021
Medicine-King Bodhisattva and Medicine-Superior Bodhisattva have already obtained those great merits. Because they planted the roots of virtue under many hundreds of thousands of billions of Buddhas [in their previous existence], they obtained those inconceivable merits. All gods and men in the world should bow to those who know the names of these two Bodhisattvas.
The Buddha gives this explanation to the great multitude gathered to hear him in Chapter Twenty-Seven of the Lotus Sūtra. These two Bodhisattvas had been brothers under a great King in their previous life. They used wonders to lead their parents to a Buddha who was teaching the Wonderful Dharma in that world. By knowing the story of these two Bodhisattvas, we also know about the Wonderful Dharma and the Ever-Present Buddha who leads us through all our lives to his enlightenment. When we realize that through our practice we are worthy of respect from all beings, including ourselves, there is no need to demand respect from anyone. We are secure in our assurance of enlightenment.
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