Chapter 13_Heritage of Faith
The Question of Life and Death & The Heritage of Faith
1. Why is Life and Death the Fundamental Question?
Life and death are a fundamental source of human suffering.
Buddhism must provide a way to overcome the sufferings of birth and death .
The Heritage of the Ultimate Law of Life and Death provides the means to resolve this fundamental suffering.
Through faith, we develop powerful life force, wisdom and courage to lead valuable lives.
Key idea
The Heritage of Faith = The means to inherit the Law of Myoho Renge Kyo and overcome the sufferings of life and death.
2. Faith Is the Key
The Law cannot be transmitted merely through:
Priestly authority
Rituals
Ceremonies
It is transmitted through faith .
Why?
Faith breaks through fundamental darkness and enables us to tap the infinite power of the Mystic Law inherent within our lives.
3. Three Aspects of Faith
This is probably the most important exam framework in this chapter.
① Substance of Faith
Realize that:
Shakyamuni Buddha + Lotus Sutra + Ordinary People are fundamentally not separate.
In other words, Buddhahood is inherent in our own lives.
Therefore:
Chant Nam-myoho-renge-kyo with this conviction.
② Depth of Faith
Strive in faith without regret.
Key concepts:
“Now is the last moment of one's life.”
Maintain a correct and steadfast mind at the moment of death .
Continue practicing throughout one's life.
The point is not merely to have faith occasionally, but to deepen and strengthen it continuously .
③ Harmonious Community / Kosen-rufu
Faith is not only for personal benefit.
We must:
Unite in faith.
Work for kosen-rufu .
Practice “Many in body, one in mind.”
Share the Mystic Law with others.
Therefore:
Substance + Depth + Harmonious Community = Three Aspects of Faith
4. What Happens When We Attain Buddhahood?
When we attain Buddhahood in this lifetime:
Life and death throughout past, present and future become “life and death as functions of Myoho Renge Kyo.”
We become able to experience the rhythm of life and death within the realm of Buddhahood.
Remember
Attaining Buddhahood transforms the way we experience the entire cycle of life and death.
5. Who Embodies These Three Aspects?
Bodhisattva Superior Practices
Bodhisattva Superior Practices embodies:
Substance of Faith
Depth of Faith
Harmonious Community / Kosen-rufu
Nichiren Daishonin's life corresponds to the appearance and mission of Bodhisattva Superior Practices described in the Lotus Sutra.
Therefore:
Nichiren Daishonin = Bodhisattva Superior Practices + Votary of the Lotus Sutra + Teacher who awakens people to the Heritage of Faith
6. Striving With the Same Commitment as the Mentor
This is another major exam point .
The heritage of faith is not something inherited merely through association with a teacher.
It is inherited by:
Striving in faith with the same commitment as the mentor.
When mentor and disciple unite in spirit:
They can overcome sufferings of life and death.
They can manifest Buddhahood.
They can experience the boundless joy of the Mystic Law.
Simple formula
Mentor's vow + Disciple's same commitment = Heritage of Faith
7. Example: Abutsu-bo
Abutsu-bo is presented as an exemplary disciple who inherited the heritage of faith.
During Nichiren Daishonin's Sado exile:
He repeatedly visited the Daishonin despite the danger.
He brought food and support.
He continued supporting the Daishonin despite his advanced age.
Even after the Daishonin moved to Mount Minobu, Abutsu-bo made the difficult journey from Sado to visit him multiple times.
The Daishonin later expressed his conviction that Abutsu-bo was present at Eagle Peak , seated within the Treasure Tower.
Exam takeaway
Abutsu-bo = Example of seeking spirit + faithful support of mentor + steadfast practice
8. Nanjo Hyoe Shichiro
Nanjo Hyoe Shichiro was the father of Nanjo Tokimitsu .
The Daishonin encouraged him to maintain unwavering faith and not be of “two minds.”
The essential message was:
Remain firmly committed to the Lotus Sutra and to the path of the votary.
Shichiro eventually passed away with a:
“correct and steadfast mind at the last moment.”
Exam takeaway
Nanjo Hyoe Shichiro = Example of overcoming doubt and maintaining steadfast faith until death.
9. Mentor-Disciple in the Soka Gakkai
The same principle continues through the Soka Gakkai.
The lineage presented in this material is:
Nichiren Daishonin → Makiguchi Sensei → Toda Sensei → Ikeda Sensei → disciples
Each mentor inherits the spirit and passes it forward through actual practice.
The essential point is:
Shared commitment to kosen-rufu.
When disciples strive with the same commitment as the mentor, they can bring forth tremendous life force and potential.
10. First Meeting of Young Daisaku Ikeda & Toda Sensei
August 14, 1947
Daisaku Ikeda was 19 years old .
He attended a meeting where Josei Toda was lecturing on Rissho Ankoku Ron .
Toda Sensei declared:
“I want to rid the world of all suffering and misery. Won’t you join me?”
Young Ikeda asked Toda about:
“The true way of life for a human being.”
This meeting marked the beginning of Ikeda Sensei's journey of shared commitment with his mentor, Josei Toda .
Exam connection
August 14, 1947 → First meeting → 19-year-old Ikeda → Toda's Rissho Ankoku Ron lecture → Mentor-disciple journey begins
⭐ KEY POINTS TO REMEMBER
1. Fundamental Question
Life and death are fundamental sources of human suffering.
2. Heritage
Heritage of Faith = means to inherit Myoho Renge Kyo, the Ultimate Law of Life and Death.
3. How is the Law transmitted?
Through faith—not priestly authority, rituals or ceremonies.
4. Three Aspects of Faith
Substance → Depth → Harmonious Community
Substance: Buddha, Lotus Sutra and ordinary people are fundamentally not separate.
Depth: Practice with no regret and maintain correct, steadfast faith until the moment of death.
Harmonious Community: Many in body, one in mind + kosen-rufu.
5. Who embodies these three aspects?
Bodhisattva Superior Practices / Nichiren Daishonin
6. How do disciples inherit the heritage?
Strive with the same commitment as the mentor.
7. Abutsu-bo
Seeking spirit + unwavering support of the Daishonin + steadfast faith
8. Nanjo Hyoe Shichiro
Overcame doubts and maintained correct and steadfast faith at the moment of death.
9. Soka Gakkai lineage
Nichiren → Makiguchi → Toda → Ikeda
10. August 14, 1947
First meeting of young Daisaku Ikeda and Josei Toda.
🧠 30-Second Exam Revision
Life and death are the fundamental question of Buddhism. The Heritage of Faith enables people to inherit Myoho Renge Kyo and overcome the sufferings of birth and death. Faith has three aspects: Substance, Depth and Harmonious Community. Nichiren Daishonin, embodying Bodhisattva Superior Practices, demonstrated these through his life. The heritage is inherited by disciples who strive with the same commitment as the mentor. Abutsu-bo and Nanjo Hyoe Shichiro demonstrate steadfast faith, while the Soka Gakkai carries this mentor-disciple spirit through Makiguchi, Toda and Ikeda.