Bodhisattva Superior Practices
Bodhisattva Superior Practices
Who Is Bodhisattva Superior Practices?
Nichiren Daishonin was the first to stand alone and dedicate his life to spreading the Mystic Law as the votary of the Lotus Sutra in the Latter Day of the Law .
Through his actions, he demonstrated that his mission and behavior accorded with that of Bodhisattva Superior Practices , whom Shakyamuni entrusted with propagating the Lotus Sutra in the Latter Day of the Law.
The Mission of Superior Practices
The “Supernatural Powers,” Chapter 21 of the Lotus Sutra , explains that Superior Practices and the other Bodhisattvas of the Earth were entrusted with propagating the Lotus Sutra in the Latter Day of the Law.
They are described as functioning like the sun and moon , illuminating and dispelling the darkness and suffering of people living amid the realities of this world.
In the “Emerging from the Earth,” Chapter 15 , the Bodhisattvas of the Earth are compared to lotus flowers that remain unsullied by the impure world and bloom to bring forth the fruit of enlightenment.
Therefore, Superior Practices represents the enlightened teacher of the Latter Day of the Law , who teaches and leads people toward Buddhahood.
Why Did Nichiren Daishonin Call Himself “Nichiren”?
Nichiren Daishonin chose the name “Nichiren,” meaning “Sun Lotus.”
The name expresses his conviction that he was fulfilling the role of Superior Practices , whose function is symbolically compared with the sun, moon and lotus flower in the Lotus Sutra.
As the votary of the Lotus Sutra, the Daishonin dedicated himself to saving people from suffering by propagating Nam-myoho-renge-kyo .
Nichiren Daishonin's Intrinsic Identity
In terms of his behavior , Nichiren Daishonin carried out the function of Superior Practices.
On a deeper level, however, in terms of his intrinsic and enlightened life state , he was the Buddha of limitless joy from time without beginning .
When people believe in the Gohonzon of Nam-myoho-renge-kyo and reveal the Mystic Law inherent within their lives, they can manifest this life state of Buddhahood.
This means that ordinary people can manifest the actions and qualities of Buddhahood in their daily lives and society .
Tatsunokuchi Persecution and “Casting Off the Transient and Revealing the True”
Nichiren Daishonin overcame numerous great difficulties and persecutions as the votary of the Lotus Sutra.
On September 12, 1271 , he emerged victorious from the Tatsunokuchi Persecution .
At this time, he cast off his transient identity as an ordinary person burdened with karma and suffering and revealed his true identity —his original life state as the Buddha of limitless joy from time without beginning.
This profound transformation is known as:
“Casting off the transient and revealing the true.”
The Gohonzon
Nichiren Daishonin expressed this fundamental life state of Buddhahood in the form of a mandala called the Gohonzon .
He modeled it on the Ceremony in the Air described in the Lotus Sutra and established it as the object of devotion that people in the Latter Day of the Law should believe in and uphold in order to attain Buddhahood.
SGI members pray to the Gohonzon as an embodiment or mirror of their innate Buddhahood , chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo with the conviction that they themselves are embodiments of the Mystic Law.
By striving in faith and sharing these teachings with others, they seek to manifest the Mystic Law in their own lives, reveal their Buddhahood and create benefit and good fortune.
Key Points to Remember
Superior Practices is the leading Bodhisattva of the Earth.
Chapter 15 = “Emerging from the Earth.”
Chapter 21 = “Supernatural Powers.”
Shakyamuni entrusted Superior Practices and the Bodhisattvas of the Earth with propagating the Lotus Sutra in the Latter Day of the Law .
Superior Practices is compared with the sun and moon , which illuminate and dispel darkness.
The Bodhisattvas of the Earth are compared to lotus flowers , which remain unsullied by the impure world.
Nichiren Daishonin's mission and behavior accorded with that of Superior Practices .
Nichiren = “Sun Lotus.”
The name expresses the Daishonin's conviction that he was fulfilling the role of Superior Practices.
In terms of behavior, the Daishonin manifested the function of Superior Practices .
In terms of his intrinsic enlightened life state, he was the Buddha of limitless joy from time without beginning .
September 12, 1271 = Tatsunokuchi Persecution.
The Daishonin's victory at Tatsunokuchi is associated with “casting off the transient and revealing the true.”
Gohonzon = the mandala expressing the fundamental life state of Buddhahood and established as the object of devotion.
By believing in the Gohonzon and chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo , ordinary people can manifest their inherent Buddhahood.
Exam takeaway: Nichiren Daishonin fulfilled the mission of Bodhisattva Superior Practices by propagating Nam-myoho-renge-kyo in the Latter Day of the Law and demonstrating the Lotus Sutra's teachings through his own life.