When we thoroughly consider about Ichinen Sanzen of Ri deeply, we come to understand that everything in the Universe depends on each other, relates with each other, and does not exist independently. Everything exists as one. In the cycle of nature, everything in the Universe has its own role by making others active with each other and supporting each other. In other words, this Universe is one great being. Nothing has an independent existence. We human beings also have our own role as a part of the great life of the Universe.

As Column B indicates, we merge with the Odaimoku. It is “Namu” or devotion. Then the Odaimoku merges with us. It is Jinen Jōyo, or transferring naturally. It is not awakening to Ichinen Sanzen with one’s own wisdom, but the Buddha’s Ichinen Sanzen is transferred naturally by one’s faith of Namu, devoting oneself to the Buddha’s teaching.

Nichiren Shōnin stated in Kanjin Honzon Shō,

… Śākyamuni Buddha’s merit of practicing the bodhisattva way leading to Buddhahood, as well as that of preaching and saving all living beings since His attainment of Buddhahood are altogether contained in the five words of Myo, Ho, Ren, Ge and Kyo and that consequently, when we uphold the five words, the merits which He accumulated before and after His attainment of Buddhahood are naturally transferred to us.”
(WNS2, p. 146)

He also stated in Kanjin Honzon Shō,

“For those who are incapable of understanding the truth of the ‘3,000 existences contained in one thought,’ Lord Śākyamuni Buddha, with his great compassion, wraps this jewel with the five characters of Myo, Ho, Ren, Ge, and Kyo and hangs it around the neck of the ignorant in the Latter Age of Degeneration.”
(WNS2, p. 164)

Buddha Seed: Understanding the Odaimoku

What does the Lotus Sutra teach? According to Nichiren Shōnin,

“Twenty important doctrines are in this Lotus Sūtra … The ‘3,000 existences in one thought’ doctrine is hidden between the lines of the sixteenth chapter on ‘The Life Span of the Buddha’ in the essential (honmon) section of the Lotus Sutra.” (Kaimoku Shö, WNS2, p. 34)

Among these doctrines, the most important one is Ichinen Sanzen. Nichiren Shōnin said,

“The doctrine of Ichinen-Sanzen, or the ‘Three Thousand Existences in One Thought,’ is the rarest and the most miraculous.” (Shōjō Daijō Funbetsu Shō, WNS2, p. 193)

In the Kaimoku-Shō, Nichiren Shōnin further stated,

“Considering these testimonies of Buddhas and Bodhisattvas in various sutras with those in the Lotus Sutra, they are like yellow rocks against gold nuggets, white clouds against white mountains, white pieces of ice against mirrors of silver, and black color against blue color.” (Kaimoku shō, WNS2, p. 44)

The doctrine of cause and effect or Ichinen Sanzen teaches us to acknowledge favors received from others and to repay favors to others. It is a totally a incorrect view to relate cause and effect to feelings of guilt or fear because it cannot improve our minds and lives.

As an example, when we hold memorial services for the deceased, we should hold them from the heart of compassion and to repay favors. This is how our heart gets connected to the deceased. According to the doctrines of Ichinen Sanzen and cause and effect, we share the fortune and misfortune of our own relatives, including the deceased, as our own. Thus, when we wish to help relatives or others having difficulty, such as an illness, we accumulate and dedicate merits for all beings including our ancestors.

To accept the theory that the realm of Buddha exists and that Śākyamuni Buddha exists in oneself are quite different in meaning. Here the world of “Ri” changes to the world of “Ji” and the theoretical and philosophical doctrine becomes the warm hearted religious doctrine. Nichiren Shōnin said,

“Śākyamuni Buddha within our minds,” (Kanjin Honan
Shō, WNS2, page 146)

and,

“the World Honored One is in my (Nichiren’s) head” (Oto Gozen Goshōsoku).

Ichinen Sanzen of Ji and the Essential Section are based on these words.

Theoretically Ichinen Sanzen of Ri tells us that we can attain Buddhahood and that all realms of existence, including Buddhahood, can be recognized in every moment of conscious awareness. However, Ichinen Sanzen of Ji tells us that we are in the process of becoming Buddhas and that Buddhahood is a reality already at work in our lives. Even a single moment of taking faith in and rejoicing in this teaching allows us to understand the reality of the Buddha’s presence in our lives.

By living our lives as messengers of the Buddha, we are involved in the Eternal Buddha’s life. Although each body cell is dying one after another through the process of metabolism, the cell is involved in one’s life and plays its own part to support that life. Similarly, while living in the world of life and death, we are involved in the Buddha’s eternal life which transcends life and death. This is a resolution of the four sufferings of birth, aging, illness and death. The beginning of Buddhism is to resolve the four sufferings of birth, aging, illness and death, and its resolution is Ichinen Sanzen.

The world of the Buddha’s great salvation is spread before us. Unfortunately, many do not realize this great gift. We should recognize it and also help others to do so. To realize and practice, transmitting the Buddha’s salvation is practicing the Odaimoku and Ichinen Sanzen.

You do not need to become a minister to do this. What you need to do is to have faith in the Lotus Sutra; honor the Buddha and Nichiren Shōnin; remain grateful for everything of this world, and appreciate and love it. Pray for everyone’s happiness and chant the Odaimoku with mindfulness. When we do this we fulfill the Buddha’s wish. The Lotus Sutra requests that those who are able to should help the Buddha’s mission. Every single one of us is the Buddha’s messenger who carries the Buddha’s mission in our hearts.