In the final analysis, the reason why Venerable Maudgalyāyana could not save his suffering mother was that he was a believer of Hinayāna Buddhism, observing the Hinayāna precepts. Accordingly it is preached in the Vimalakirti Sūtra that a man named Vimalakirti criticized Maudgalyāyana saying, “Anyone who gives offerings to you will fall into the three evil realms (hell, realm of hungry spirits, and that of beasts).” This scriptural statement means that those who revere and give offerings to Venerable Maudgalyāyana, upholder of the 250 precepts, will fall into the three evil realms. This should be heeded by not only Maudgalyāyana but also all śrāvaka disciples and upholders of the Hinayāna precepts in the Latter Age of Degeneration.

Compared to the Lotus Sūtra, the Vimalakirti Sūtra is like a retainer several scores of ranks below. After all it was because Venerable Maudgalyāyana had not become a Buddha. Without being a Buddha himself, how can he save even his own parents, not to speak of other people?

Nevertheless, coming to the Lotus Sūtra, which enjoins listeners to “abandon the expedient teachings,” Maudgalyāyana immediately cast away the 250 precepts of Hinayāna Buddhism and chanted “Namu Myōhō Renge Kyō” to become a Buddha called Tamālapatracandana Fragrance. This is the very moment when his parents, too, became Buddhas. Therefore, it is stated in the Lotus Sūtra, “Our wishes have already been fulfilled, and desires of the multitude are also satisfied.” Maudgalyāyana’s body and mind are the legacy of his parents. When his body and mind became a Buddha, those of his parents also attained Buddhahood.

Urabon Gosho, On theUllambana Service, Writings of Nichiren Shōnin, Faith and Practice, Volume 4, Page 174