The Reason Why the Lotus Sūtra Is Called ‘Myō’

Generally speaking, there are 4 kinds of people who cannot attain Buddhahood or enter the Buddha land. The first is the Two Vehicles with fixed natures namely pratyekabuddha and śrāvaka. Next is the icchantika, who did not listen to the teaching of the Buddha and spoiled the seed of Buddhahood. The third is those with empty mind who do not believe in the doctrine of cause and effect expounded by the Buddha. And finally those who slander the True Dharma. These people, who have long been denied the attainment of Buddhahood in the various pre-Lotus sūtras, were allowed to become Buddhas for the first time in the Lotus Sūtra. This is the reason why the Lotus Sūtra is called “myō.”

Hokke Daimoku Shō, Treatise on the Daimoku of the Lotus Sūtra, Writings of Nichiren Shōnin, Faith and Practice, Volume 4, Page 42-43