The six stages in the practice of the Lotus Sūtra established by the Lotus School can be divided into two categories: (1) first four stages of ri-soku, my ōji-soku, kangy ō-soku and sōji-soku practiced by the ignorant (ordinary) people in the Impure Land; and (2) last two stages of bunshin-soku and kukyo-soku practiced by bodhisattvas in the Actual Reward Land.
- Risoku is the stage at which one has not yet heard the True Dharma and is ignorant of Buddhism although in theory he possesses the Buddha-nature and his momentary thought is equipped with the principle of Triple Truth.
- Myōji-soku is the stage at which one hears the name of the truth and perceives it. This is the initial state in which one is awakened for aspiration for Buddhahood upon encountering Buddhism and listening to the name of the Triple Truth.
- Kangyō-soku is the stage at which one practices the principle of the Triple Truth. This corresponds to the five progressive stages of practice for believers of the Lotus Sūtra after the death of Śākyamuni Buddha. Illusions of view and thought are not yet eradicated in this stage.
- Sōji-soku: a practicer at this stage manifests the principle of the triple truth and is automatically in accordance with the Dharma-nature; having eliminated 88 kinds of delusions in view, 81 kinds of delusions in thought, and 9 kinds of delusions as numerous as particles of dust and sand (namely the first two of the three illusions), he outwardly resembles a Buddha.
- Bunshin-soku: a practicer at this stage partially awakens to the truth of Middle Way by eliminating the 41 kinds of illusions of darkness (ignorance), that is to say all illusions except the fundamental darkness.
- Kukyō-soku, is the highest stage of practice, at which one completely eradicates all illusions and fully realizes the Buddha-nature.
Hokke Jōdo Mondō-shō, Questions and Answers on the Lotus and Pure Land Sects, Writings of Nichiren Shōnin, Doctrine 3, Pages 189.