Grand Master T’ien-t’ai states in his Words and Phrases of the Lotus Sūtra, ‘Buddhist sūtras other than the Lotus Sūtra recognize the attainment of Buddhahood only by men but not by women.” This means that women can attain Buddhahood only through the Lotus Sūtra, doesn’t it? The Emitting Ten-million Rays of Light Buddha appearing in the Lotus Sūtra (chapter 13) is Mahā-Prajāpatī, foster mother of Śākyamuni Buddha. Reasoning from these accounts, isn’t it so that the attainment of Buddhahood by women is possible only through the Lotus Sūtra?
“Without fail I will expound the truth.” These are the golden words of Lord Śākyamuni Buddha (chapter 2). The truth of his words was attested to by the Buddha of Many Treasures (chapter 11) by saying, “This is entirely true.” Furthermore, it was upheld by various Buddhas by “Stretching their wide long tongues touching the Brahma Heaven” (chapter 21). Will the sun and moon ever fall on the ground? Will Mt. Sumeru ever collapse? Will the ebb and flow of the ocean stop? Will the earth ever be overturned? As long as these events do not occur, the attainment of Buddhahood by women through the Lotus Sūtra is certain.
Hōe Sho, Writing on Vestments, Writings of Nichiren Shōnin, Volume 7, Followers II,
Page 186
You can never overemphasize the importance of the Lotus Sūtra concerning the enlightenment of women.
This concludes the seventh volume of the Writings of Nichiren Shōnin.
100 Days of Study