Among the Kamakura Buddhist leaders Nichiren stands alone in his interpretation and understanding of the Age of the Last Law.¹⁴ The Age of the Last Law was in part the basis upon which he established his school. Honen and Shinran also based their schools upon the idea of the Age of the Last Law, but both held that it could not be overcome or conquered. By contrast, Nichiren thought that the Age of the Last Law could be overcome and conquered. Nichiren regarded the Age of the Last Law as the period best suited for the teaching of the Lotus Sutra , and as the best possible period in which to attain salvation. His practice consisted in repeating the words “Namu Myoho Renge Kyo” or “Homage to the Lotus of the Wonderful Law.” This practice, for Nichiren, was the sole means to achieve salvation in the Age of the Last Law.¹⁷

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I have translated the three ages of the Buddha’s teaching as follows: 1 . Shōbō (Skt. saddharma), Age Of the Perfect Law; 2. zōbō (Skt. saddharma pratirūpaka), Age of the Counterfeit Law; and 3. mappō (Skt. saddharma vipralopa) Age of the Last Law.return

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He states in the Kyōgyōshō Gosho (Essay on the Teaching, Practice and Proof), “This age is evil and corrupt and many people slander [the Lotus Sūtra]: I am making an effort to sow the seeds of Buddhahood [in their minds] by causing them [to chant] “Namu Myōhō Renge Kyō” which is the essence of the Lotus Sutra.return