In Mahayana Buddhism, Dharma means the Buddha’s teachings, and also indicates the fundamental cosmic or universal law. This law, however, does not mean a law established by legislative and social duties, but indicates a natural law of life, just as in the law of gravity or other natural phenomena. It is the pulse of life that permeates the entire universe and, in turn, is identical to the truth: the doctrine and the essence of all the Buddha’s wisdom, insight and subsequent teachings.

The syllable Ho of Myoho is the translation of the Sanskrit word “Dharma” and is written with the Chinese character that expresses the concept of “law.” In the ancient teachings of the Hindu Vedas and Upanishads that all came before the advent of the Buddha, Dharma is defined as a religious duty in the life of every person. According to these pre-Buddhist traditions, through the observance of one’s religious duty or Dharma, life throughout the universe is maintained and can continue to flourish.

By embracing the faith and practice of Myoho Renge Kyo, we can revitalize our lives. In other words, regardless of the state of life in which we find ourselves at any given moment, through faith and practice we can transform any life condition (no matter how negative) into enlightenment. In this way, we can develop wisdom and a life that is no longer a slave to pain, delusion and suffering.

What does the character Myo “open”? … Myo is a key of great hope. It is the key that opens up for anyone who embraces and practices it, the entire warehouse of treasures contained within the Lotus Sutra, the perfect and the original enlightenment of the Buddha from the infinite past. Myo awakens the Buddha nature hidden deep within the recesses of our lives.

Nichiren Shonin explained in the Daimoku of the Lotus Sutra (1266), Kaimoku Sho (1272) and Kanjin Honzon Sho (1273) that the single character of Myo is extremely powerful. Myo, in fact, possesses the three meanings of:

1. to open, reveal
2. to be endowed and perfect,
3. to bring back to life, revive, resurrect, have the capacity to transform poison into medicine (and negative into positive).

In 593 CE, the Great Master of the Dharma, T’ien-t’ai, stated in his Fahua Ichi (Jp. Hokke Gengi, The Profound Meanings of the Lotus Sutra), that the word Myo has two meanings. The first results from a comparative analysis that illustrates the superiority of the Lotus Sutra over the other teachings of the Buddha. The second meaning of Myo is in regards to the all-inclusiveness of the Lotus Sutra, as it includes simultaneously each of the many doctrines of Shakyamuni Buddha preached throughout his 50 years of teaching.

The Lotus Sutra is the completion of over 50 years of Shakyamuni Buddha’s teaching the Dharma which extended over five periods. The Lotus Sutra was preceded by many varied and important propaedeutic sutras which were taught to the monks and laity in order to create and foster a Buddhist culture and practice, nurture and facilitate growth while finally leading them and all humankind towards enlightenment. These five important periods, also called The Five Periods and Eight Teachings, are as follows:

1. Kegon Period: (21 days), resulting in the Kegon Sutra
2. Agon or Deer Park Period: (12 years), resulting in the Agama Sutra or also known as the Pali canon.
3. Hoto Period: (8 years), resulting in the Shrimala, Gejimatsu, Vimalakirti, Muryoju, Amitayus, Amida, Oainichi, Kongocho and Soshitsuji Sutras
4. Hannya Period: (21 years), resulting in the Hannya, Makahannya Haramitsu and Hannya Shin-Kyo (Heart Sutra) Sutras.
5. Hokke-Nehan: (8 years), resulting in the Threefold Lotus (Muryogi Sutra, the Lotus Sutra and the Bodhisattva Fugen Sutra) and Nirvana Sutras.

Myoho is the translation of the Sanskrit term Saddharma. … Sad or sat of Saddharma corresponds to the first syllable Myo of Myoho and indicates truth. Saddharma, therefore, signifies the true or correct Dharma. Sad also denotes completeness, being perfectly endowed and comprehensive. Myo further possesses the meaning of unparalleled, mystical, impossible to perceive (with our six senses), as well as impossible to fathom (by ordinary human beings), marvelous and wonderful. Nichiren Shonin pointed out that while Myoho Renge Kyo is the heart and essence of the Lotus Sutra, the word Myo in itself is extremely rich and profound in meaning.
Odaimoku: The Significance Of Chanting Namu Myoho Renge Kyo

Myoho is the translation of the Sanskrit term Saddharma. Myoho is often translated as “Wonderful Dharma” or sometimes as “Mystic Law”. As suggested by the translation itself, its meaning is broad and profound.

In the prose section of the Juryo (16th) chapter of the Lotus Sutra we find the phrase “lsshin Yok-ken butsu, Fuji Shaku Shin’myo” which means “sincerely wishing to see the Buddha, one does not hold back his life.” These final passages clearly show that our determination, understanding, devotion and refuge must all rise in a sincere and non-selfish manner, and through earnest faith and practice.