800 Years: Only Through Faith

The Lotus Sūtra is incomparable to any other sūtras preached by Śākyamuni Buddha during His lifetime. As stated in it, it is the sūtra understood only by Buddhas. This means that all those between the bodhisattva of the highest stage and the unenlightened are unable to understand it. Therefore, it is stated in the Great Wisdom Discourse attributed to Bodhisattva Nāgārjuna of India: “Those below Buddhas can attain Buddhahood only through faith.”

Ueno-dono Haha-ama Gozen Gohenji, A Response to My Lady the Nun, Mother of Lord Ueno, Writings of Nichiren Shōnin, Faith and Practice, Volume 4, Page 178