While Odaimoku consists of only seven Chinese characters, when you chant Odaimoku with all your faith, you will receive many of the Buddha’s rewards. Tradition says that when you chant Odaimoku faithfully, all gods and goddesses gather around you, tempted by the sound of the universal teaching. They will listen to your chanting and protect you from any harm. This tradition comes from a story about when the Buddha achieved perfect enlightenment – a god, the creator of the universe, appeared in front of the Buddha and requested the Buddha teach him about enlightenment. Gods might be almighty, but they are thirsty for universal enlightenment.