In regard to upholding Odaimoku, Nichiren Shōnin expounded three elements based on the essential section of the Lotus Sutra: “Honzon”, object of worship; “Odaimoku,” sacred title of Odaimoku; and “Kaidan,” sanctuary for worshippers. They are called the “Three Great Hidden Treasures” because they were hoarded in the essential section of the Lotus Sutra. When we uphold these three great hidden treasures, we will attain the highest state of mind and obtain Anjin (the supreme relief).

Honzon means having faith in the Eternal Buddha which is expounded in the second half of the Lotus Sūtra and upholding the Mandara of the Eternal Buddha as an object of worship. The historical Buddha reveals His origin as the Eternal Buddha by Himself in the second half of the Lotus Sutra (Chapter 16). He always lives in this world in order to save us eternally and lead us to enlightenment. The Mandara represents the Buddha world on a rectangular cloth or paper with a brush pen: placed in the center are the seven characters of the Odaimoku as a symbol of the Buddha’s enlightenment, and Bodhisattvas, deities, gods, goddesses and great masters are placed around the Odaimoku. This represents the world and that all is united based on “Myōhō: The wonderful law”, preached by the Eternal Buddha.

Odaimoku is the sacred title “Namu-Myo-Ho-Ren-Ge-Kyō,” which integrates all the enlightenment of the Buddha, especially the theory of Ichinen Sanzen. When we uphold the Odaimoku, we will obtain ultimate relief. There are three precepts to uphold: Chanting Odaimoku by body, chanting Odaimoku by mouth, and chanting Odaimoku in the mind. When these three actions unite into one, Juji becomes the true upholding Odaimoku.

Kaidan means sanctuary or place to uphold the Honzon and Odaimoku. Originally Kaidan meant sanctuary to give precepts, rules, and manners to new priests, but Nichiren Shōnin said that any place to uphold the Odaimoku becomes the Kaidan. Therefore, any place where we uphold the Honzon and Odaimoku will become the Kaidan, even if it is on a mountain, in a forest or under a tree. When all people in the world chant Odaimoku together, Kaidan will be constructed naturally on the earth, which is called the Buddha Land.