Chapter 11_Bodhisattva Superior Practices
Daishonin, Bodhisattva Superior Practices & Buddhism of True Cause
1. Nichiren Daishonin = Bodhisattva Superior Practices
Nichiren Daishonin states:
“Whether or not Bodhisattva Superior Practices has appeared in this world, Nichiren has already made a start in propagating this teaching.”
Meaning
The Daishonin is affirming that he himself is fulfilling the role of Bodhisattva Superior Practices by:
Appearing in the Latter Day of the Law
Propagating Nam-myoho-renge-kyo
Facing great persecution
Striving for the enlightenment of all people
Exam keyword:
Nichiren = Bodhisattva Superior Practices = Votary of the Lotus Sutra in the Latter Day
2. Buddha of True Effect
Meaning
True Effect = Buddhahood as the ultimate result/effect of Buddhist practice.
It refers to:
The enlightened state of Buddhahood.
The Buddha and teachings that reveal the ultimate effect of attaining Buddhahood.
Shakyamuni Buddha and Many Treasures Buddha symbolize this True Effect .
Important point
For ordinary people, this Buddhahood can appear distant and difficult to comprehend.
So remember:
True Effect = Goal / Result
3. Buddha of True Cause
Meaning
True Cause = The fundamental practice/cause for attaining Buddhahood.
It focuses on:
The actual practice of ordinary people.
The causes necessary to attain Buddhahood.
Embodying the Mystic Law as one is , in one's present life.
Therefore:
True Cause = Practice / Cause
Key difference
Buddhahood as the resultPractice that creates BuddhahoodFocus on effectFocus on causeShakyamuni & Many TreasuresBodhisattva Superior PracticesGoal appears distantPractice accessible to ordinary people
4. Daishonin = Teacher of True Cause
The Daishonin demonstrated that an ordinary human being in the saha world can embody the Mystic Law and manifest Buddhahood.
He:
Practiced Nam-myoho-renge-kyo.
Faced persecution.
Overcame the Three Powerful Enemies and Three Obstacles and Four Devils.
Demonstrated Buddhahood through his own life.
Taught others how to do the same.
Thus:
Nichiren Daishonin is the teacher of True Cause.
5. Casting Off the Transient and Revealing the True
At the Tatsunokuchi Persecution on September 12, 1271 , the Daishonin revealed his true identity as the Buddha of the Latter Day of the Law.
This is called:
Casting off the transient and revealing the true.
It means revealing his fundamental enlightened life state while living and struggling as an ordinary human being.
Exam connection
Tatsunokuchi → Casting off the transient → Revealing the true → Buddha of the Latter Day
6. From True Effect → True Cause
This is one of the most important concepts in this chapter.
The entrustment of the Lotus Sutra to Bodhisattva Superior Practices represents a major shift:
Buddhism of True Effect → Buddhism of True Cause
True Effect
Shakyamuni and Many Treasures represent the Buddhas of True Effect .
True Cause
Bodhisattva Superior Practices embodies the Mystic Law and propagates it in the saha world.
Therefore, the Lotus Sutra's entrustment signifies a shift toward a Buddhism that emphasizes:
The cause/practice through which ordinary people can attain Buddhahood.
7. Mystic Law of Simultaneity of Cause and Effect
The Buddhism of True Cause teaches:
The Mystic Law of simultaneity of cause and effect.
This makes Buddhahood accessible to ordinary people.
Instead of thinking:
“Buddhahood is some distant state that I may achieve someday.”
The focus becomes:
“I can manifest Buddhahood by creating the cause for Buddhahood right now.”
8. Seed of Buddhahood
The Mystic Law of simultaneity of cause and effect is the:
True seed of Buddhahood.
Shakyamuni originally became Buddha by awakening to this seed and embodying the cause and effect for attaining enlightenment.
Remember:
Seed = Cause of Buddhahood
9. Gohonzon = True Cause + True Effect
Nichiren Daishonin inscribed the Gohonzon as a mandala embodying:
True Cause + True Effect
It represents the enlightened state and the cause/practice through which ordinary people can manifest that state.
Therefore:
Practice as the Daishonin teaches → Manifest the Mystic Law in one's own life.
10. Heritage of the Ultimate Law
The heritage of the ultimate Law of life and death flows in the lives of those who:
Practice Nam-myoho-renge-kyo.
Follow the Daishonin's teachings.
Maintain the same commitment to kosen-rufu.
Important principle
We cannot deeply inspire others merely through theory.
We inspire others through:
Our own victorious life + our own actions + our own human transformation.
11. Following the Path of Mentor and Disciple
The Bodhisattvas of the Earth emerge to carry out the mission of kosen-rufu, led by Bodhisattva Superior Practices .
Nichiren Buddhism emphasizes:
Mentor → Disciple → Same spirit → Same vow → Actual proof
The disciple strives with the same strength and determination as the mentor.
When people encounter the victorious life of the mentor, they can awaken to their own limitless potential .
12. Soka Gakkai — Carrying Forward the Practice
The Daishonin distilled the essence of the Lotus Sutra into:
Nam-myoho-renge-kyo
and established it as a teaching accessible to all people.
The material presents the Soka Gakkai as carrying this humanistic movement throughout the world through:
Mentor and disciple + Stand-alone spirit + Kosen-rufu
13. Legacy of the First Three Presidents
Tsunesaburo Makiguchi
Stood up alone as a genuine practitioner.
Practiced during a time when Japan was moving toward war.
Described his struggle as being like “making a landing in the face of the enemy.”
Demonstrated the spirit of not begrudging one's life for the Law.
Josei Toda
Inherited Makiguchi's legacy.
Awakened to his mission while imprisoned.
After release, stood up alone to rebuild the Soka Gakkai in war-torn Japan.
His self-reliant practice began a full-fledged movement for people's victory.
Daisaku Ikeda
Inherited the Soka spirit.
Embarked on the path of worldwide kosen-rufu .
Opened a global path for a humanistic, people-centered religion.
Worked to enrich and elevate people's lives.
⭐ KEY POINTS TO REMEMBER
1. Daishonin's Identity
Nichiren Daishonin = Bodhisattva Superior Practices
2. True Effect
Buddhahood as the result/effect
Shakyamuni + Many Treasures
3. True Cause
Practice/cause for attaining Buddhahood
Bodhisattva Superior Practices + Nichiren Daishonin
4. Major Shift
True Effect → True Cause
5. True Cause teaches
Mystic Law of simultaneity of cause and effect
6. Seed of Buddhahood
Mystic Law of simultaneity of cause and effect
7. Gohonzon
Embodies True Cause + True Effect
8. Tatsunokuchi
Casting off the transient and revealing the true
9. Heritage
Practice as the Daishonin teaches + Same commitment to kosen-rufu
10. Mentor and Disciple
The disciple inherits the mentor's spirit and carries forward the same vow.
11. Three Presidents
Makiguchi → Toda → Ikeda
Makiguchi: Stand alone and protect the Law
Toda: Rebuild the Soka Gakkai
Ikeda: Advance worldwide kosen-rufu
🧠 One-minute revision
Shakyamuni represents True Effect—the attainment of Buddhahood. Bodhisattva Superior Practices represents True Cause—the practice of propagating the Mystic Law so ordinary people can attain Buddhahood. Nichiren Daishonin, fulfilling the role of Bodhisattva Superior Practices, established Nam-myoho-renge-kyo and demonstrated through his own life the Buddhism of True Cause. The Gohonzon embodies both True Cause and True Effect. The heritage flows to those who practice as the Daishonin teaches, following the path of mentor and disciple and dedicating themselves to kosen-rufu.