What kinds of doctrines are expounded in such a precious sūtra entitled the Lotus Sūtra? Beginning with the “Expedients” chapter in the first fascicle, the sūtra expounds that bodhisattvas, Two Vehicles (Śrāvaka and Pratyekabuddha) and ordinary people are all able to attain Buddhahood, though there is no actual proof yet. Suppose a guest visits you for the first time. He looks fine, speaks politely, and there is nothing dubious about his words, but until you confirm the truth about him, it would be difficult to believe him from merely his words. In such a case, if something important happens one after another to confirm his words, you can trust him thereafter without hesitation.

Although we believed the doctrine of attainment of Buddhahood by all living bewings because it was preached by the Buddha, it was difficult for some to fully accept it because of the lack of actual proof. However, it all became clear when the most important doctrine of becoming a Buddha with one’s present body was expounded in the “Devadatta” chapter in the fifth fascicle of the Lotus Sūtra. It is like turning black lacquer into white or purifying dirty water by putting a wish-fulfilling gem in it. The Buddha helped a small snake, who was actually a daughter of the dragon king, attain Buddhahood with her present body. From that moment, no one could have the slightest doubt about all men attaining Buddhahood. Therefore, the Lotus Sūtra expounds attainment of Buddhahood by all people after the model of enlightenment of women. Grand Master Dengyō of Mt. Hiei, who first spread the true meaning of the Lotus Sūtra in Japan, annotated in his Outstanding Principles of the Lotus Sūtra, “Neither the dragon girl, who became a Buddha to preach the dharma, nor the people who heard her preach the dharma needed a roundabout way to Buddhahood. They immediately attained Buddhahood with their present bodies by the power of the Wonderful Dharma.”

Sennichi-ama Gozen Gohenji, A Reply to My Lady Nun Sennici, Writings of Nichiren Shōnin, Faith and Practice, Volume 4, Pages 146-147

The story of the attainment of enlightenment by the 8-year-old daughter of Dragon King Sagara is often held up as an example of the promise that women can become Buddhas. The fact that the Dragon King’s daughter goes through an instant metamorphosis to become an adult man before instantly becoming a Buddha disappoints those who wish to see a female human become a Buddha. The real lesson here is made manifest when she is described as “a small snake, who was actually a daughter of the dragon king.” Viewed from this perspective, the small female snake’s transformation into an adult man who becomes a Buddha is a clear message – even animals can attain Buddhahood, thus showing that all nine realms contain the door to the 10th realm, Buddhahood.

The declaration that women can become Buddhas comes in the following chapter, Encouragement for Keeping this Sūtra, when Maha-Prajapati Bhikṣunī and Yasodhara Bhikṣunī and six thousand other bhikṣunīs in the congregation are assured of their future Buddhahood.