The Buddha is said to have passed away about two thousand five hundred years ago, but really He lives here as the Eternal Buddha, and is saving people everywhere in different forms. This story is expounded for the first time in the final teaching, the Lotus Sutra.

“Since I became the Buddha, I have been expounding the teachings to hundreds of millions of living beings for many hundreds of innumerable aeons to lead them into the Way to Buddhahood. In order to save the people, I expediently showed them my passing away. In reality I shall never be extinct. I always live here, and expound the teaching according to people’s capacities. I am always thinking: ‘How shall I cause all living beings to enter into the unsurpassed Way and quickly become Buddhas?’ ”
– The Lotus Sutra, Chapter XVI

With devoted faith to the Eternal Buddha, we will naturally be endowed with Buddha’s wisdom, be lead to approach Buddhahood and have a good life.

Nichiren Shonin said, “Chant Odaimoku obstinately.” It is best to chant Odaimoku loudly, with a positive mind, as many times as possible, because the power of Odaimoku is relative to one’s mind. It is difficult to explain with words how Odaimoku works. The proof of its effectiveness is found by chanting it.

Chanting Odaimoku, Namu Myoho Renge Kyo, is our primary practice. This is the essence of the Lotus Sutra and includes all the wisdom and compassion of the Buddha.

Nichiren Shonin said, “All the good deeds and virtues of the Buddha are manifested in the title of the Lotus Sutra, that is, in the five characters, Myo, Ho, Ren, Ge, and Kyo. However sinful we may be, we shall be naturally endowed with all the deeds and virtues of the Buddha, if we adhere to these five characters.”
– Kanjin Honzon-sho

The Lotus Sutra teaches us that all living beings are originally born with a Buddha seed. It is possible for everyone to attain enlightenment, just as the Buddha did. In order to do so, it is essential to make efforts and have faith by oneself. From another perspective, it can be said that everyone is a Buddha. But in reality, we tend to frequently make mistakes. Therefore, we need practice and training. So even if we have the seed of Buddha, the seed has not sprouted or blossomed yet. To sprout and grow, the seed needs the Lotus Sutra as the sun, and Odaimoku as fertilizer. Keep this in your mind. It is very important that in order to become a Buddha, one must make the effort, and learn in daily life, based on the teaching of the Lotus Sutra. By obtaining good practice, we will find solutions for any troubles in our life.

[F]aith is the property of the heart, and one of life’s treasures. Faith saves us from suffering or darkness with compassion, teaches us self-control, carries with it a secure mind that will never be defiled by evil or crime, and shows us the answer of life through enlightenment. Having faith gives our life vitality, and rejuvenates our minds. How do we transmit this treasure to our children and others? It is an essential thing to have in the world and in life. The transmission of faith is not so difficult. As Nichiren Shonin said, “At the beginning of Odaimoku, ‘Namu’ means respecting and following gently.” Faith begins with respecting the Buddha and following his teaching gently. Please keep this in your mind and heart, and make efforts to transmit the teachings and Buddhist faith.

Transmitting faith is confirming your own faith by yourself, and continuing to practice makes your faith deeper. It is based entirely on “the way of the Bodhisattva,” which means you should be severe on yourself and gentle with others. For example, a grandfather might chant and pray every day with his grandchildren and take them to the temple on certain occasions. Those are actions that plant the seed of faith, and are the transmitting of faith. Even though children may not understand the meaning of each action, they receive a Buddha-nature and a peaceful mind unconsciously by copying their grandfather’s behavior. The Lotus Sutra, Chapter II says, “The children who made the stupa (tower) of the Buddha with heaps of sand while playing, were able to accumulate merits and attain the enlightenment of the Buddha.” If the grandfather takes a rest from his daily routine because he is tired, the children will also learn to take a rest due to personal reasons. However, if the grandfather always keeps the same routine, without taking a rest, then the children will learn patience, perseverance and the gratification which comes from effort.

Transmitting Buddhist faith is just like telling your children the experiences you’ve had throughout your life, along with your idea of faith. It is a natural thing, just as one usually teaches one’s children at home. On the other hand your faith will be tested, because any discipline you give your children does not carry good fruits without action. Teaching faith without action does not communicate any emotion, and others will not adopt a new faith. In order to transmit your faith to your children or others, you must show a good example for them through your actions if they are to have faith.

The faith of religion is based on the awe of religious mystery, and a reverence for the greatness of the founder’s teaching. Everyone can be honest and have a pure mind before the Buddha, just like a child, by opening their minds and allowing the teachings to become a spiritual anchor.

[T]he Nirvana Sutra says it is not enough to just have faith in Buddhism by believing the teachings on an emotional level, because emotional belief will bring confusion and doubt in the future. Right faith requires understanding as well as a willingness to believe. It is not enough to just have faith in Buddhism by understanding the teachings without a willingness to believe, because without it, your understanding will emphasize a self-seeking view. Therefore, both a willingness to believe and a willingness to understand combine and dissolve into one, which will be an essential foundation for the faith of Buddhism.

In order to understand Buddhism more deeply, please open your mind. If you wish to have faith, please try to both understand and believe the teachings willingly. These are good practices to help you understand Buddhism, and to promote your understanding of the Lotus Sutra, which is the highest teaching of Buddhism.

The teachings of Buddhism seem difficult, but really it is easy. The faith of Buddhism seems complicated, but truly it’s simple. When you think that Buddhism is difficult or complicated, your mind is not yet open to Buddhism, and so it is difficult to receive the teaching properly. The reason for this is because you still remain cautious in your mind. Please do not feel uneasy or worried. Since Buddhism began, over 2500 years ago, it has a history of distributing peace and hope without conflict to others. Please open your mind if you want to study Buddhism. A mind willing to believe, and willing to understand, is very important in establishing faith in Buddhism. The Lotus Sutra, Chapter IV, “Understanding by Faith”, indicates how to have faith.