If the perfect bodhisattva seeks to save all sentient beings by whatever means necessary, then World-Voice-Perceiver is the exemplar. But for Nikkyō Niwano, writing in Buddhism for Today, none of the chapters in the Lotus Sutra is as badly misunderstood as Chapter 25.
The Introduction to the Lotus Sutra summarizes The Universal Gate of World-Voice-Perceiver with this:
Introduction to the Lotus Sutra“In this world, we have many problems and sorrows, and since we are not able to overcome them ourselves, we complain about them loudly. When World-Voice-Perceiver hears our voices, he immediately discerns what our problem is, solves it, and leads us towards enlightenment. That is the reason for his name. In Asia, millions of people chant his name sincerely for delivery from their troubles.”
Nikkyō Niwano sees such a practice as superficial and insufficient:
Buddhism for Today, p351“[I]t is stated in chapter 25 … that anyone who keeps in mind the Bodhisattva Regarder of the Cries of the World will be delivered from various sufferings. If we interpret this statement literally, it seems to mean that we do not have to work hard at practicing the Buddha’s teachings; but with such an attitude, none of the teachings of the Lotus Sutra will bear fruit. Anyone can easily understand that in the last six chapters the Buddha cannot have been so illogical and contradictory as to deny fundamentally all of the teachings preached up through chapter 22. It is surprising to find that for centuries many people have put a shallow interpretation on something that should be so easily understood and have turned to an easy, lazy faith that they thought would allow them to become free of suffering merely by keeping in mind the Bodhisattva Regarder of the Cries of the World.
“When we read chapter 25 carefully and in depth, we understand that the supernatural powers of this bodhisattva are essentially identical with the power of the Law preached by the Tathāgata Sakyamuni. We also realize that we must depend spiritually upon the Law to the last, but that in cultivating and practicing it we should take the model of the Bodhisattva Regarder of the Cries of the World as our immediate goal.”
As Nikkyō Niwano points out, we do not find salvation outside ourselves. We find salvation in the Eternal Śākyamuni Buddha, who, because we all possess the 10 realms, is both within and outside us. Realization of this – faith in the teaching of the Lotus Sutra – brings salvation.
Buddhism for Today, p377-378“Such a firm realization leads us to true peace of mind,” explains Niwano in Buddhism for Today. “At the same time, our speech and conduct come naturally to be in accord with the Buddha and will produce harmony in our surroundings. The Land of Eternally Tranquil Light, namely, an ideal society, will be formed when a harmonious world gradually spreads in all directions. True salvation comes about in this way.”
Or as Nichiren wrote in his Essay on Gratitude, chanting “Namu Myō hōRenge Kyō” swallows up the functions of “Namu Kanzeon bosatsu.”
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