Chapter 2_True Heritage_Gosho Lecture_The Heritage of the Ultimate Law of Life
Chapter 2 — The True Heritage
Exam-Focused Short Notes
1. Central Theme
The ultimate law of life and death is Nam-myoho-renge-kyo .
The key question of this chapter is: How is this Law transmitted from Buddha to ordinary people in the Latter Day of the Law?
The answer is:
Through the heritage of faith.
The heritage ultimately flows through faith based on the oneness of mentor and disciple .
2. Sufferings of Birth and Death
“Sufferings of birth and death” does not mean only suffering at the moment of birth or death.
It refers to the suffering experienced:
Between birth and death
Through the cycle of life and death
Buddhist practice does not mean that problems disappear.
Rather, through chanting and faith, we develop the life state to:
Transform suffering into joy and overcome difficulties.
This is the meaning of “Earthly Desires Are Enlightenment.”
3. Ceremony in the Air — The Passing of the Heritage
The Ceremony in the Air in the Lotus Sutra represents the entrustment of the Mystic Law for the enlightenment of all people.
Buddha's Great Wish
Universal enlightenment → Latter Day of the Law → Entrustment to Bodhisattvas of the Earth → Propagation of Nam-myoho-renge-kyo
Three key figures play important roles:
Shakyamuni Buddha Entrusts the fundamental Law Many Treasures Buddha Attests to the truth and universality of the Law Bodhisattva Superior Practices Receives the entrustment and propagates the Law
4. Shakyamuni Buddha
Shakyamuni is the one who entrusts the Law .
Important points:
He is described as the eternal Buddha who attained enlightenment in the remote past.
He entrusts the fundamental Law: Nam-myoho-renge-kyo .
The entrustment demonstrates that this is the Law capable of liberating people from the sufferings of birth and death.
Remember:
Shakyamuni = Entrusts
5. Many Treasures Buddha
Many Treasures Buddha appears wherever the Lotus Sutra is preached .
His role is to:
Attest to the truth of the Lotus Sutra
Confirm the universality of the Law
Serve as a witness to the entrustment
Remember:
Many Treasures = Certifies / Attests
6. Bodhisattva Superior Practices
Superior Practices is the leader of the Bodhisattvas of the Earth .
He is entrusted with propagating the Mystic Law because:
He had been directly trained by Shakyamuni from the remote past.
He possesses the wisdom and ability necessary to propagate the Law in the Latter Day of the Law .
He understands the principle that Buddhahood is inherent in every life .
He and the Bodhisattvas of the Earth are equipped to awaken people who are deluded by fundamental darkness.
Remember:
Superior Practices = Receives the entrustment and propagates
7. Where Are the Bodhisattvas of the Earth?
Chapter 15 of the Lotus Sutra describes them as dwelling in the space beneath the saha world .
In this material, this represents:
The Mystic Law exists within the depths of each person's life.
The Bodhisattvas of the Earth emerge when the appropriate time comes.
8. Three Qualities of Bodhisattvas of the Earth
① Power of Wisdom
They possess the wisdom to:
Manifest the Mystic Law
Lead people toward happiness
Respond appropriately to the circumstances of the Latter Day of the Law
② Power of Faith / Power of Heart
Faith enables us to bring forth:
Courage
Compassion
Wisdom
Love
Gratitude
Important principle:
Wisdom without faith is ineffective; faith gives rise to wisdom.
Faith enables us to break through fundamental darkness .
③ Power of Practice
They:
Take the vow for kosen-rufu
Propagate the Law
Conduct dialogue
Persevere despite obstacles
Challenge their own human revolution
They possess a spirit of:
“Firm in their intent and thought” and “great perseverance.”
9. Heritage of Faith
The most important point:
The entrustment of the Law to the Bodhisattvas of the Earth is essentially the entrustment of the heritage of faith.
Without faith, the heritage does not flow.
Therefore:
Faith → Power of Heart → Power of Practice → Propagation → Kosen-rufu
10. Toda Sensei — Awakening to His Mission
Toda Sensei awakened to his identity as a Bodhisattva of the Earth during his imprisonment.
After the war, he:
Stood up alone
Rebuilt the Soka Gakkai
Encouraged members through heart-to-heart dialogue
Worked tirelessly despite poor health
Achieved the seemingly impossible goal of 750,000 households
His purpose was not merely numbers.
It was to awaken each person to:
“I am a Bodhisattva of the Earth.”
11. What Does Awakening to Our Mission Mean?
When we awaken to our mission as Bodhisattvas of the Earth:
We stop merely seeking help.
We become people who help others .
We bring forth compassion.
We challenge our own destiny.
We create a chain reaction of human revolution.
Individual transformation → Family → Community → Society → Humanity
12. Soka Gakkai as Torchbearer
According to the material, Soka Gakkai functions as the gathering of Bodhisattvas of the Earth who are propagating the Mystic Law.
Its purpose is to:
Advance kosen-rufu
Awaken people to their mission
Help people overcome suffering
Enable people to attain Buddhahood
Pass the heritage of faith to the next generation
The three founding presidents played a crucial role in propagating the Mystic Law worldwide.
13. Volunteer Karma
A key point from this chapter's material is the concept of “volunteer karma.”
Instead of viewing difficult circumstances simply as punishment for negative causes in the past, the material presents them as circumstances that Bodhisattvas of the Earth voluntarily assume in order to demonstrate the power of the Mystic Law .
Therefore:
Difficult circumstances become opportunities to demonstrate actual proof and awaken others to the power of Buddhism.
The focus is not:
“I did something bad, therefore I deserve this.”
It is:
“I can transform this situation and demonstrate the power of Nam-myoho-renge-kyo.”
⭐ Key Points to Remember for Exam
The 3 Stakeholders
Shakyamuni → Many Treasures → Superior Practices
Shakyamuni: Entrusts
Many Treasures: Attests
Superior Practices: Receives and propagates
The 3 Powers
Wisdom → Faith/Heart → Practice
Wisdom: Ability to lead people toward happiness
Faith/Heart: Courage, compassion, wisdom and ability to break fundamental darkness
Practice: Perseverance, dialogue and propagation for kosen-rufu
The Core Formula
Heritage of the Law = Heritage of Faith
Faith + Mentor & Disciple + Many in Body, One in Mind → Kosen-rufu
Most Important Exam Point
The heritage of the ultimate Law of life and death does not flow through intellectual knowledge alone. It flows through faith, expressed through the oneness of mentor and disciple and dedicated practice for kosen-rufu.