Retainers of the Eternal Śākyamuni Buddha

The honzon of the Tendai (T’ien-t’ai) Sect is Śākyamuni Buddha, who had actually practiced the Bodhisattva way and attained Buddhahood in the eternal past. The Buddhas such as Vairocana Buddha, Lord Preacher of the Flower Garland School, and the Great Sun Buddha, Lord Preacher of the True Word School, are retainers of this Eternal Śākyamuni Buddha.

Ichidai Goji Keizu, Genealogical Chart of the Buddha’s Lifetime Teachings in Five Periods, Writings of Nichiren Shōnin, Doctrine 3, Page 250