Although Shakyamuni passed away nearly 3,000 years ago, he still remains alive today through his words which have been written and passed down to us through the sutras. Therefore, if we wish to encounter the Buddha today, all we need to do is read, study and embrace the Lotus Sutra and its heart and essence, the Odaimoku of Namu Myoho Renge Kyo. Nichiren Shonin explains this specific point in the Kanjin Honzon Sho: People can attain Buddhahood in two ways: by meeting the Buddha and listening to the Lotus Sutra, or by believing in the Sutra, even if they are unable to (physically) see the Buddha.”