Chapter 5_Embracing Myoho Renge Kyo
From Delusion to Enlightenment
1. From Delusion to Enlightenment
The transition from the sufferings of birth and death to enlightenment depends on realizing that life and death are inherent functions of Myoho Renge Kyo .
Myoho Renge Kyo is the Mystic Law that pervades the entire universe.
When we realize that:
Our life itself is Nam-myoho-renge-kyo
We possess all Ten Worlds
The simultaneity of cause and effect operates within our lives
we can transform the sufferings of birth and death into joy and absolute happiness .
2. What Delusion Is Nichiren Daishonin Referring To?
The delusion being discussed is the delusion concerning life and death .
There are two extreme views:
View of Annihilation — life ends completely with death.
View of Permanence — the present form or material existence continues permanently.
When we are confused about the true nature of life and death, we become attached to our body, possessions and external circumstances. Since all these things change, this attachment produces anxiety, suffering and delusion.
The purpose of the Buddha's appearance is to awaken people to their true inherent nature and break this delusion.
Shakyamuni Buddha's teaching that he attained Buddhahood in the remote past demonstrates that Buddhahood is inherent in life and is not something obtained from outside.
3. Change Is Constant — Nam-myoho-renge-kyo Is the Rhythm of Change
Change is the constant nature of the universe.
This change is not random; it follows an underlying rhythm.
That rhythm is Nam-myoho-renge-kyo .
When we align our lives with this Mystic Law, we can bring forth the qualities of Buddhahood, including:
Courage
Compassion
Wisdom
Life force
Absolute happiness
Good fortune
Through practice for oneself and practice for others , we can align our lives with this rhythm.
When we remain in delusion, we continue to suffer through the cycle of birth and death.
When we awaken to and align with the Mystic Law, our sufferings and challenges themselves can become sources of joy .
This is the essential meaning of:
"Earthly desires are enlightenment."
4. Myo = Going to Sleep; Ho = Waking Up
The two phases can be understood through the analogy of sleep and waking .
Ho — Manifested Life
In the manifested phase:
The life force of Buddhahood wells forth.
We challenge hardships.
We develop wisdom and courage.
We carry out our mission as Bodhisattvas of the Earth.
Myo — Unmanifested Life
In the unmanifested phase:
Life fuses with the vast universe.
We enter a state of limitless joy and freedom.
We revive and revitalize.
We connect with the compassion of the universe.
We again manifest life to lead people toward enlightenment.
Therefore:
Death can be compared to sleep, while birth can be compared to waking.
Just as our life state before sleep affects how we feel when we wake, the life state at the time of death is important .
This is why we must continue striving in faith throughout our lives.
5. Moving from Delusion to Buddhahood
The cycle of birth and death will continue as part of the rhythm of the universe.
Therefore, the goal is not merely to escape birth and death, but to transform the cycle itself into a source of joy .
The key to transforming our life state is:
FAITH
Faith means believing with profound conviction that Buddhahood is our original and inherent life state .
Although this life state may have become dormant through delusion and the sufferings of birth and death, chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo with this conviction activates it.
6. Buddhahood as Our Original Life State
We possess all Ten Worlds , including Buddhahood.
The life state of Buddhahood is not something that comes from outside. It is an inherent and dormant life state within us.
When we:
Believe that Buddhahood is our original life state.
Chant Nam-myoho-renge-kyo with that conviction.
Continue morning and evening practice.
Live the Bodhisattva way .
the life state of Buddhahood becomes increasingly manifest and can become our dominant life state .
Important distinction
The numerical probabilities in the original material are presented as an illustration of how our dominant life states may shift. They should therefore be remembered as the illustrative model given in the material , rather than as fixed Buddhist percentages.
7. Why Shakyamuni Attained Enlightenment in the Remote Past
Shakyamuni's statement that he attained enlightenment in the remote past demonstrates that Buddhahood is not something obtained externally in one lifetime.
It shows that:
Buddhahood is inherent in life.
Shakyamuni also demonstrated the true meaning of life and death in Buddhahood by showing that although he entered nirvana, he was always present through the Mystic Law.
8. Faith Equation
A key point of faith is:
Me = Lotus Sutra = Shakyamuni Buddha
There is no fundamental separation between:
Our life
The Lotus Sutra
Shakyamuni Buddha
The material states:
"Shakyamuni Buddha who attained enlightenment countless kalpas ago, the Lotus Sutra that leads all people to Buddhahood, and we ordinary human beings are in no way different or separate from one another."
Therefore, when we chant Nam-myoho-renge-kyo with profound conviction that we are not separate from the Buddha or the Law, we can actualize birth and death in the realm of Buddhahood .
This must be realized not merely intellectually, but through:
Heartfelt acceptance and profound inner conviction.
9. Lotus Sutra — The Teaching That Leads All People to Buddhahood
The Lotus Sutra emphasizes the universality of Buddhahood .
Key points
Universal enlightenment
All people have the potential to attain Buddhahood.
Equality of people
The Lotus Sutra teaches the possibility of Buddhahood for all, including women.
Vow
Bodhisattvas vow to strive alongside the Buddha in the Latter Day of the Law.
Our noble vow
Forgetting this vow and failing to seek the ultimate truth is presented as a fundamental cause of delusion.
Bodhisattva way
The Lotus Sutra not only teaches that all people can attain Buddhahood, but also shows the way to do so.
10. How to Forge Profound Faith
Profound conviction is developed through:
1. Practicing the Bodhisattva Way
Making sincere efforts to guide people toward enlightenment.
2. Not begrudging one's life
Striving wholeheartedly for the Mystic Law.
3. Working with the Mentor
Advancing together with Sensei Ikeda and the Soka Gakkai .
The essential flow is:
Bodhisattva practice → Practice for oneself and others → Mentor-disciple + Many in Body, One in Mind → Compassion + Life Force → Joy in Life and Death → Realm of Buddhahood
11. President Toda's View of Buddhahood
President Toda described the life state of Buddhahood as being:
"always being reborn brimming with powerful life force and working to your heart's content for the mission you were born for..."
The key idea is that Buddhahood means repeatedly living with:
Powerful life force
Mission
Achievement
Indestructible benefits
Joy in life and death
12. Three Vehicles and One Vehicle
Persons of the Three Vehicles
The three vehicles refer to teachings for:
Voice-hearers
Cause-awakened ones
Bodhisattvas
Voice-Hearers
Those who hear the Buddha's teachings and strive for their own enlightenment.
Cause-Awakened Ones
Those who gain partial awakening through their own observations and efforts.
The two vehicles are regarded as pursuing a limited or partial form of enlightenment.
Bodhisattvas
Those who strive for Buddhahood while also working for the enlightenment and happiness of others.
One Vehicle
The Lotus Sutra teaches that all people, including those of the two vehicles, can ultimately attain Buddhahood.
Therefore:
One Vehicle = The teaching that enables all people to attain Buddhahood.
⭐ KEY POINTS TO REMEMBER
Delusion
Delusion concerning the true nature of life and death .
Two extreme views
Annihilation
Permanence
Myoho Renge Kyo
The fundamental Law underlying the rhythm of life and death.
Myo
Death / unmanifested / opening / revival.
Ho
Life / manifested phase.
Life State
The life state we establish through faith is central to transforming our experience of life and death.
Faith
Believe with profound conviction that Buddhahood is our original and inherent life state .
Renge
Simultaneity of cause and effect.
Faith Equation
Me = Lotus Sutra = Shakyamuni Buddha
There is no fundamental separation between the person, the Law and the Buddha.
How to strengthen faith
Bodhisattva practice + Practice for oneself and others + Mentor-disciple + Many in Body, One in Mind
Lotus Sutra
Universal enlightenment
Equality of people
Bodhisattva vow
Way to Buddhahood
Three Vehicles
Voice-hearers + Cause-awakened ones + Bodhisattvas
One Vehicle
The teaching that all people can attain Buddhahood .
Central message
Awakening to the Mystic Law transforms the sufferings of birth and death into a life state of Buddhahood, characterized by wisdom, courage, compassion, life force and joy.