Why does HBS respect particular eight chapters of the Lotus Sutra?

Recently, I received the question "Why does HBS respect particular eight chapters of the Lotus Sutra?".

This question is related to the widespread of Nichiren Buddhism.

Presently a large number of people have become aware of Nichiren Buddhism.

However, most sources of this awareness are from Nichiren Shoshu and SGI.

And, when such people come into contact with HBS they question me, after noticing contradictions.

Especially, wise people know that there is a powerful doctrine which respects Honmon Happon (8 Chapters: From 15th chapters to 22nd chapters of the Lotus Sutra) in Nichiren Buddhism.

They seem to compare the doctrine of Nichiren Shoshu and SGI with the above, and keep questioning me.

We are also similarly respecting Jyuryo hon(16th chapter).

However, we respect eight chapters even more.

Why is it?

The answer is extremely simple.

It is because only these particular eight chapters are "primordial". The Odaimoku appears only in these eight Chapter. And, if these particular eight chapters are not correctly respected, the primordial teaching of the Lord Buddha will be neglected.

It has been historically proven.

The Eternal Buddha, Jyogyo bodhisattva, and the Odaimoku come out only when primordial chapters of Honmon (8 Chapters) is correctly respected.

However, you might still be unable to understand. I explain a little more for you.

Nichiren Shonin described in the Kaimoku Sho as follows;

"Ichinen sanzen, which is a principle of law, is sunk in the depths of sentences of Nyorai Jyuryo hon of the Lotus Sutra."

The Fuji faction misunderstands these sentences to be the origin of the Odaimoku.

They added following sentences extracted from the Kanjin Honzon Sho to this.

"Namu Myoho Renge Kyo was derived from Myo / Tai / Shu / Yu / Kyo which is pivot of Jyuryo hon"

However, it is important to consider the content written before and after these sentences of Kanjin Honzon Sho.

Nichiren Shonin was explaining the reason as below.

Nyorai Jyuryo hon (Ippon nihan) crystallized entire teachings of Buddhism to one.

The foundation of this doctrine is a principle of law known as the "Ichinen sanzen".

This is not a dualism. This is an ultimate doctrine.

In a sense, "Ichinen sanzen" and "Ippon nihan" are conclusions on "Kyoso (theoretical teaching)".

However, we proceed from this answer to the next step.

Next, we should learn the conclusion on the side of "Kanjin (practical teachings)".

Nichiren Shonin had written Kanjin Honzon Sho in order to explain this conclusion.

Nichiren Shonin provided that "Kanjin (practical teachings)" was "Shu (seed : cause)" and "Kyoso (theoretical teaching)" was "Datsu (result)".

Nichiren Shonin's mission was to adjust "Kyoso (theoretical teaching)" and "Kanjin (practical teachings)", and to transmit the Odaimoku as an ultimate Dharma.

Only the Mappo era is related for Jyogyo bodhisattva.

Buddha sent Jyogyo bodhisattva in order to initiate propagating this Odaimoku into people of Mappo era.

This was the mission entrusted by Lord Buddha to Jyogyo bodhisattva who had been shown in Honmon Happon of the Lotus Sutra.

However, Jyogyo bodhisattva had to arrange and unite complete combination of "Parent", "Child", and "Dharma" for this mission.

A great scholar Zhi-yi pointed it out like that.

Nichiren Shonin who had been studying under Zhi-yi strongly considered this.

"Parent", "Child" and "Dharma" are called "3 Myo (San-Myo)".

"Ichinen sanzen" and "Dharma" unite into one for the first time based on this San-Myo.

Nichiren Shonin taught "Kanjin (practical teachings)" as follows at the conclusion of Kanjin Honzon Sho.

"Buddha who caused great compassion wrapped a Gem into (Myoho) Goji for the people who do not understand Ichinen sanzen, and he hung it to necks of childish people in Mappo era."

Therefore, the gem wrapped by Myoho Goji is Ichinen sanzen.

Why did I wrap it?

Please think about this.

"Ichinen sanzen" is not an Odaimoku.

"Ichinen sanzen (gem)" is "A principle of law" given in "Ippon nihan".

However it becomes "Odaimoku" through "wrapping" and "giving".

This "wrapping" and "giving" are "Jyogyo Shoden (It is given by Jyogyo)."

The person who gives the "Gem (gem of Jyuryo montei)" to the human race in Mappo era is Jyogyo bodhisattva.

Buddha recalled Jyogyo in Chapter 15 from primordial existence.

Jyogyo bodhisattva kept the gem in Chapter 16.

And, he kept hearing the pious act, the guidance method, and the method of the practice etc. from Buddha up to Chapter 22.

Odaimoku was generated in this period of time.

This fact was precisely shown by Nichiren Shonin in the Kanjin Honzon Sho.

"Such a Gohonzon had never been revealed by the Buddha Sakyamuni during the his life as a preacher for more than 50 years, before the teaching of the Lotus Sutra, and even during the eight years when he taught the Lotus Sutra, it was only in the primordial eight chapters of the Lotus Sutra that this was revealed."

This is Nichiren Shonin's ultimate true intention and teaching.

The Odaimoku was generated by the Lotus Sutra, by integrating the principle of law, and Primordial eight Chapters.

In shortly, it is the unification of "Kyoso (teach)" and "Kanjin (practice)".

Same "Namu Myoho Renge Kyo" deviates from Nichiren Shonin's true intention when this idea is removed and it leads to mistakes and understandings.

By that, they neglect the Buddha, and become aggressive.

This is because that, they are not obtaining Namu Myoho Renge Kyo from Honmon Happon.

We should understand correctly, and recite Namu Myoho Renge Kyo.

It is the reason why we respect those particular Chapter 8.

If we make it like that, we correctly respect Buddha and correctly follow Nichiren Shonin's teaching.

The present state of many people who are chanting "Namu Myoho Ren Ge Kyo" is wonderful.

However, it is one side, and they have a wrong doctrine such as "Nichiren Eternal Buddha theory".

Our Gohonzon harmonizes perfectly and completely. It has never been biased.

Then, we recite the phrase as follows before chanting the Odaimoku.

“Honmon Happon Shoken Jyogyo Shoden Honnin Gesyu no Namu Myoho Ren Ge Kyo,,,”

I explain the meaning of this easily.

"Namu Myoho Ren Ge Kyo,,,"

Why do we chant that expression ahead of the Odaimoku?

It explains by the exercise "Nara pickle of Nara".

"Nara pickle" is a famous pickle in Japan.

It was originally produced in the prefecture named Nara.

In other words, it is "A pickle made in Nara."

It was called "Nara pickle" from ancient times.

Later on, Nara pickle became famous too much, and a lot of people started producing the same in Tokyo and Kyoto as well.

Therefore, it was necessary to add "Nara" in front of "Nara pickle" as "Nara pickle of Nara" to explain that which is the original

Similarly, the explanation was needed in front of the extremely honorable "Namu Myoho Ren Ge Kyo" to specify the accurate teaching.

Originally, this explanation was not necessary.

"Nara pickle of Nara""Nara pickle of Nara". However, presently it is needed.

"Namu Myoho Ren Ge Kyo" should be the true intention of Nichiren Shonin and Primordial Buddhism.

We shall steadily state the true intention of the Nichiren Shonin.

If these particular eight chapters are not correctly respected, the primordial teaching of the Lord Buddha will be neglected.

The Eternal Buddha, Jyogyo bodhisattva, and the Odaimoku come out only when primordial chapters of Honmon (8 Chapters) is correctly respected.

Same "Namu Myoho Renge Kyo" deviates from Nichiren Shonin's true intention when this idea is removed and it leads to mistakes and understandings.

Then, we respect particular eight chapters of the Lotus Sutra.

(written by Seijun Nagamatsu)