asamkhya See nayuta.
benefit (Skt guna or punya; Jpn kudoku) Also, merit, virtue or blessing. In Buddhism, (1) meritorious acts or Buddhist practice that produce beneficial reward in this or future existences; and (2) benefit gained as a result of such good deeds or Buddhist practice. The Buddhist view of the law of causality holds that benefits accompany meritorious deeds.
bodhisattva (Skt; Jpn bosatsu) One who aspires to enlightenment, or Buddhahood. Bodhi means enlightenment, and sattva, a living being. A person who aspires to enlightenment and carries out altruistic practice. The predominant characteristic of a bodhisattva is therefore compassion. Bodhisattvas make four universal vows: (1) to save innumerable living beings, (2) to eradicate countless earthly desires, (3) to master immeasurable Buddhist teachings, and (4) to attain the supreme enlightenment.
Bodhisattvas of the Earth (Jpn jiyu-no-bosatsu) An innumerable host of bodhisattvas who emerge from beneath the earth and to whom Shakyamuni Buddha entrusts the propagation of the Mystic Law, or the essence of the Lotus Sutra, in the Latter Day of the Law. They are described in the “Emerging from the Earth” (fifteenth) chapter of the Lotus Sutra. They are led by four bodhisattvas — Superior Practices, Boundless Practices, Pure Practices, Firmly Established Practices — and Superior Practices is the leader of them all. In the “Supernatural Powers” (twenty-first) chapter, Shakyamuni transfers the essence of the Lotus Sutra to the Bodhisattvas of the Earth, entrusting them with the mission of propagating it in the Latter Day of the Law.
Buddhahood (Jpn bukkai) The state that a Buddha has attained. The ultimate goal of Buddhist practice and the highest of the Ten Worlds. The word enlightenment is often used synonymously with Buddhahood. Buddhahood is regarded as a state of perfect freedom, in which one is awakened to the eternal and ultimate truth that is the reality of all things. This supreme state of life is characterized by boundless wisdom and infinite compassion. The Lotus Sutra reveals that Buddhahood is a potential in the lives of all beings.
casting off the transient and revealing the true The revealing of a Buddha’s true status as a Buddha, and the setting aside of the Buddha’s provisional or transient identity.
cause and effect (1) Buddhism expounds the law of cause and effect that operates in life, ranging over past, present and future existences. This causality underlies the doctrine of karma. From this viewpoint, causes formed in the past are manifested as effects in the present. Causes formed in the present will be manifested as effects in the future. (2) From the viewpoint of Buddhist practice, cause represents the bodhisattva practice for attaining Buddhahood, and effect represents the benefit of Buddhahood. (3) From the viewpoint that, among the Ten Worlds, cause represents the nine worlds and effect represents Buddhahood, Nichiren Daishonin refers to two kinds of teachings: those that view things from the standpoint of “cause to effect” and those that approach things from the standpoint of “effect to cause.” The former indicates Shakyamuni’s teaching, while the latter indicates Nichiren Daishonin’s teaching.
cause-awakened ones One who perceives the twelve-link chain of causation or who awakens to the truth of impermanence by observing natural phenomena. In Buddhism, cause-awakened ones generally meant those who lived in a time when there was no Buddha but who awakened to the truth through their own efforts.
Consciousness-Only school (Skt Vijnanvada; Jpn Yuishiki-gakuha) Also known as the Yogachara school, one of the two major Mahayana schools in India, the other being the Madhyamika school. This school upholds the concept that all phenomena arise from the vijnana, or consciousness, and that the basis of all functions of consciousness is the alaya-consciousness.
consistency from beginning to end The last of the ten factors mentioned in the “Expedient Means” chapter of the Lotus Sutra. It is the integrating factor that unifies the other nine in every moment of life.
conspicuous benefit Benefit that appears in clearly recognisable form.
daimoku (Jpn) (1) The title of a sutra, in particular the title of the Lotus Sutra of the Wonderful Law (Chin Miao-fa-lien-hua-ching; Jpn Myoho-renge-kyo). The title of a sutra represents the essence of the sutra. (2) The invocation of Nam-myoho-renge-kyo in Nichiren’s teachings. One of his Three Great Secret Laws.
Daishonin (Jpn) Literally, “great sage.” When this honorific title is applied to Nichiren, it shows reverence for him as the Buddha who appeared in the Latter Day of the Law to save all humankind.
dependent organisation (Skt pratitya-samutpada; Pali paticcha-samuppada; Jpn engi or innen) Also, dependent causation or conditioned co-arising. A Buddhist doctrine expressing the interdependence of all things. It teaches that no being or phenomenon exists on its own but exists or occurs because of its relationship with other beings or phenomena. Everything in the world comes into existence in response to causes and conditions. In other words, nothing can exist independent of other things or arise in isolation.
Devadatta A disciple of Shakyamuni Buddha who later turned against him.
devil king of the sixth heaven (Jpn dairokuten-nomao) Also, devil king or heavenly devil. The king of devils who dwells in the highest or the sixth heaven of the world of desire. He is also named Freely Enjoying Things Conjured by Others, the king who makes free use of the fruits of others’ efforts for his own pleasure. Served by innumerable minions, he obstructs Buddhist practice and delights in sapping the life force of other beings.
dharma (Skt; Pali dhamma; Jpn ho) A term fundamental to Buddhism that derives from a verbal root dhri, which means to preserve, maintain, keep, or uphold. Dharma has a wide variety of meanings, such as law, truth, doctrine, the Buddha’s teaching, decree, observance, conduct, duty, virtue, morality, religion, justice, nature, quality, character, characteristic, essence, elements of existence, and phenomena. Some of the more common usages are: (I) (Often capitalized) The Law, or ultimate truth. For example, Kumarajiva translated saddharma, the Sanskrit word that literally means correct Law, as Wonderful Law or Mystic Law, indicating the unfathomable truth or Law that governs all phenomena. (2) The teaching of the Buddha that reveals the Law. The Dharma of abhidharma means the Buddha’s doctrine, or the sutras. (3) (Often plural) Manifestations of the Law, i.e., phenomena, things, facts or existences. The word phenomena in “the true aspect of all phenomena” is the translation of dharmas. (4) The elements of existence, which, according to the Hinayana schools, are the most basic constituents of the individual and his or her reality. (5) Norms of conduct leading to the accumulation of good karma.
Eagle Peak (Skt Gridhrakuta) Also known as Vulture Peak, Holy Eagle Peak or Sacred Eagle Peak, and simply Holy Mountain, Sacred Mountain or Holy Peak. A small mountain located northeast of Rajagriha, the capital of Magadha in ancient India. Eagle Peak is known as a place frequented by Shakyamuni, where he is said to have expounded the Lotus Sutra and other teachings. According to The Treatise on the Great Perfection of Wisdom, Eagle Peak was so named due to its eagle-shaped summit and many eagles or vultures inhabiting it. “Eagle Peak” also symbolizes the Buddha land or the state of Buddhahood, as in the expression “the pure land of Eagle Peak.”
earthly desires (Skt klesha; Pali kilesa; Jpn bonno) Also, illusions, defilements, impurities, earthly passions or simply desires. A generic term for all the workings of life, including desires and illusions in the general sense, that cause one psychological and physical suffering and impede the quest for enlightenment.
earthly desires are enlightenment Mahayana principle based on the view that earthly desires cannot exist independently on their own; therefore one can attain enlightenment without eliminating earthly desires. This is in contrast with the Hinayana view that extinguishing earthly desires is a prerequisite for enlightenment. Mahayana teachings reveal that earthly desires are one with and inseparable from enlightenment.
essential teachings (Jpn hommon) Also original teaching. (1) The teaching expounded by Shakyamuni from the perspective of his true identity as the Buddha who attained enlightenment countless kalpas ago. It consists of the latter fourteen chapters of the Lotus Sutra, from the “Emerging from the Earth” through the “Universal Worthy” chapters. (2) In his writings, Nichiren Daishonin sometimes uses the term essential teaching to indicate the essential teaching of the Latter Day of the Law; that is, the teaching of Nam-myoho-renge-kyo.
expedient means The methods adopted to instruct people and lead them to enlightenment. The concept of expedient means is highly regarded in Mahayana Buddhism, especially in the Lotus Sutra, as represented by its second chapter titled “Expedient Means.” This is because expedient means are skillfully devised and employed by Buddhas and bodhisattvas to lead the people to salvation.
five components Also, five components of life, five aggregates, or five skandhas. The five components are form, perception, conception, volition and consciousness. Buddhism holds that these constituent elements unite temporarily to form an individual living being. Together they also constitute one of the three realms of existence, the other two being the realm of living beings and the realm of the environment. (I) Form means the physical aspect of life and includes the five sense organs — eyes, ears, nose, tongue and body — with which one perceives the external world. (2) Perception is the function of receiving external information through the six sense organs the five sense organs plus the mind, which integrates the impressions of the five senses). (3) Conception is the function of creating mental images and concepts out of what has been perceived. (4) Volition is the will that acts on the conception and motivates action. (5) Consciousness is the cognitive function of discernment that integrates the components of perception, conception and volition. Form represents the physical aspect of life, while perception, conception, volition and consciousness represent the spiritual aspect. Because the physical and spiritual aspects of life are inseparable, there can be no form without consciousness and no consciousness without form.
five elements The five constituents of all things in the universe, according to ancient Indian belief. They are earth, water, fire, wind and space. The first four correspond respectively to the physical states of solid, liquid, heat and gas. Space is interpreted as integrating the other four elements.
four great voice-hearers Maudgalyayana, Mahakashyapa, Katyayana and Subhuti. See also voice-hearers.
four heavenly kings Lords of the four quarters who serve Shakra as his generals and protect the four continents.
four noble truths A fundamental doctrine of early Buddhism, it teaches that (1) all existence is marked by suffering; (2) suffering is caused by craving; (3) by doing away with craving one can gain release from suffering; (4) there is a method for achieving this goal. The method is known as the eight-fold path, which enjoins one to cultivate right views, right thinking, right speech, right action, right way of life, right endeavor, right mindfulness and right meditation.
Four Peaceful Practices A work by Nanyüeh. The formal title is On the Peaceful Practices of the Lotus Sutra. It explains practices set forth in the Lotus Sutra, particularly those mentioned in the “Peaceful Practices” chapter. The four peaceful practices are those of deeds, words, thoughts, and vows set forth in that chapter.
four sufferings The four universal sufferings of birth, old age, sickness and death. Shakyamuni’s quest for enlightenment is said to have been motivated by a desire to find a solution to these four sufferings.
fundamental darkness (Jpn gampon-no-mumyo) Also, fundamental ignorance or primal ignorance. The most deeply rooted illusion inherent in life, said to give rise to all other illusions. “Darkness” in this sense means inability to see or recognize the truth, particularly, the true nature of one’s life. The term fundamental darkness is contrasted with the fundamental nature of enlightenment, which is the Buddha nature inherent in life.
Gohonzon (Jpn) The object of devotion. The word go is an honorific prefix, and honzon means object of fundamental respect or devotion. In Nichiren Daishonin’s teaching, the object of devotion has two aspects: the object of devotion in terms of the Law and the object of devotion in terms of the Person. It takes the form of a mandala inscribed on paper or on wood with characters representing the Mystic Law as well as the Ten Worlds. Nichiren Daishonin’s Buddhism holds that all people possess the Buddha nature and can attain Buddhahood through faith in the Gohonzon.
gongyo (Jpn) Literally, to “exert oneself in practice.” Generally speaking, gongyo refers to the practice of reciting Buddhist sutras in front of an object of devotion. The content and method of gongyo differ according to the school of Buddhism. In Nichiren Daishonin’s teaching, gongyo means to chant the daimoku of Nam-myoho-renge-kyo and recite the “Expedient Means” chapter and the “Life Span” chapter of the Lotus Sutra with faith in the object of devotion called the Gohonzon. In this practice, chanting the daimoku constitutes the fundamental practice, and therefore it is called the primary practice. Recitation of the “Expedient Means” and “Life Span” chapters helps bring forth the benefits of the primary practice and is hence called the supporting practice.
Gosho (Jpn) The individual and collected writings of Nichiren Daishonin. Gosho literally means honorable writings; go is an honorific prefix, and sho means writings. In general the word is used in Japanese as an honorific for certain books and writings, particularly for those of the founders and patriarchs of some Buddhist schools. Nikko Shonin, Nichiren’s immediate successor, used the word gosho to refer to Nichiren’s works and made efforts to collect, copy and preserve them as sacred texts. As a result, a remarkable number of Nichiren Daishonin’s works have been passed down to the present, and many are extant in his own hand.
Hinayana The teaching that aims at attaining the state of arhat. Hinayana, literally “lesser vehicle,” was originally a pejorative term used by Mahayana Buddhists, who regarded the practitioners of these teachings as preoccupied solely with achieving personal emancipation and indifferent to the salvation of others. Hinayana teachings are represented by the doctrines of the four noble truths and the twelve-linked chain of causation. They regard earthly desires as the cause of suffering and assert that suffering is eliminated only by eradicating earthly desires.
Hinayana Buddhism (Jpn shojo-bukkyo) One of the two major streams of Buddhism, the other being Mahayana. Teachings that aim at attaining the state of arhat. After Shakyamuni Buddha’s death, the Buddhist Order experienced several schisms and eventually split into eighteen or twenty schools. Practitioners called themselves bodhisattvas, and their teachings Mahayana (great vehicle), indicating that their teaching was the vehicle to transport a great many people to enlightenment. In contrast, they referred to the earlier schools as Hinayana (lesser vehicle), implying that these teachings could only address a selected few but could not lead to the ultimate goal of enlightenment. This designation “Hinayana” was derogatory, and these schools naturally did not apply the name to themselves. The Sanskrit word hinayana is composed of hina, meaning lesser, and yana, meaning vehicle or teaching.
human revolution A concept coined by the Soka Gakkai’s second president, Josei Toda, to indicate the self-reformation of an individual — the strengthening of life force and the establishment of Buddhahood — that is the goal of Buddhist practice.
inconspicuous benefit Benefit deriving from Buddhist practice that accumulates over a period of time and is not immediately recognizable. The term is contrasted with conspicuous benefit, or benefit that appears in clearly recognizable form.
Jainism An Indian religion that stresses nonviolence and not killing any forms of life, it teaches the liberation of the soul by right knowledge, right faith and right conduct.
Jataka Also Jataka Tales or “Birth Stories.” The stories of the previous lives of Shakyamuni Buddha. One of the traditional twelve divisions of the Buddhist canon. These stories depict the good acts carried out by Shakyamuni in previous lifetimes that enabled him to be reborn as the Buddha in India.
Jambudvipa One of the four continents situated in the four directions around Mount Sumeru, according to the ancient Indian worldview: Jambudvipa is the southern continent.
Jambunada Gold Gold found in the river running through the forest of the Jambu trees in Jambudvipa.
Jataka Also Jataka Tales or “Birth Stories” The stories of the previous lives of Shakyamuni Buddha. One of the traditional twelve divisions of the Buddhist canon. These stories depict the good acts carried out by Shakyamuni in previous lifetimes that enabled him to be reborn as the Buddha in India.
Jetavana Monastery A monastery in Shravasti where Shakyamuni is said to have lived and taught during the rainy season for the last twenty-five years of his life. It was built as an offering by Sudatta on land provided by Prince Jetri. Along with the Bamboo Grove Monastery in Rajagriha, it was once one of the two main centers of the Buddha’s propagation activities.
jiyu Literally “emerging from the earth”.
kalpa (Skt) An extremely long time. Sutras and treatises differ in their definitions, but kalpas fall into two major categories, those of measurable and immeasurable duration. There are three kinds of measurable kalpas: small, medium and major. One explanation sets the length of a small kalpa at approximately sixteen million years. According to Buddhist cosmology, a world repeatedly undergoes four states: formation, continuance, decline and disintegration. Each of these four stages lasts for twenty small kalpas and is equal to one medium kalpa. Finally, one complete cycle forms a major kalpa.
karma Potential energies residing in the inner realm of life, which manifest themselves as various results in the future. In Buddhism, karma is interpreted as meaning mental, verbal and physical action; that is, thoughts, words and deeds.
kosen-rufu Literally, to “widely declare and spread [Buddhism].’ Nichiren Daishonin defines Nam-myoho-renge-kyo of the Three Great Secret Laws as the law to be widely declared and spread during the Latter Day. There are two aspects of kosen-rufu: the kosen-rufu of the entity of the Law, or the establishment of the Dai-Gohonzon, which is the basis of the Three Great Secret Laws; and the kosen-rufu of substantiation, the widespread acceptance of faith in the Dai-Gohonzon among the people.
ku (Jpn) A fundamental Buddhist concept, variously translated as non-substantiality, emptiness, void, latency, relativity, etc. The concept that entities have no fixed or independent nature.
Kumarajiva (344-413 C.E.) Translator of the Lotus Sutra into Chinese.
Latter Day of the Law Also, the Latter Day. The last of the three periods following Shakyamuni Buddha’s death when Buddhism falls into confusion and Shakyamuni’s teachings lose the power to lead people to enlightenment. A time when the essence of the Lotus Sutra will be propagated to save all humankind.
Lotus Sutra The highest teaching of Shakyamuni Buddha, it reveals that all people can attain enlightenment and declares that his former teachings should be regarded as preparatory.
mahasattva (Skt) A ‘great being’. Another term for bodhisattva.
Mahayana Buddhism The teachings that expound the bodhisattva practice as the means toward the enlightenment of both oneself and others, in contrast to Hinayana Buddhism, or the teaching of the Agon period, which aims only at personal salvation. Mahayana literally means “greater vehicle.”
Many Treasures Also referred to as Taho Buddha. A Buddha who appears, seated within the treasure tower at the Ceremony in the Air to bear witness to the truth of Shakyamuni’s teachings in the Lotus Sutra. mentor-and-disciple relationship See oneness of mentor and disciple.
mentor-and-disciple relationship See oneness of mentor-and-disciple.
Miao-lo The sixth patriarch in the lineage of the T’ien-t’ai school in China, counting from the Great Teacher Tien-t’ai. Miao-lo reasserted the supremacy of the Lotus Sutra and wrote commentaries on Tien-t’ai’s three major works, thus bringing about a revival of interest in Tien-t’ai Buddhism. He is revered as the restorer of the school.
Middle Day of the Law Also, the period of the Counterfeit Law. The second of the three periods following a Buddha’s death. During this time, the Buddha’s teaching gradually becomes formalized, the people’s connection to it weakens, and progressively fewer people are able to gain enlightenment through its practice. Some sources define the Middle Day of the Law of Shakyamuni as lasting a thousand years, while others define it as five hundred years.
Mother of Demon Children (Jpn Kishimojin) A demoness said to have hundreds, maybe thousands of children and who took the lives of other children in order to feed her own. Shakyamuni rebuked her for her cruel and evil conduct and made her vow never to kill another child. In the Lotus Sutra, she pledges to safeguard the votaries of the sutra.
mutual possession of the Ten Worlds The principle that each of the Ten Worlds contains all the other nine as potential within itself. This is taken to mean that an individual’s state of life can be changed and that all beings of the nine worlds possess the potential for Buddhahood. See also Ten Worlds.
Mystic Law The ultimate Law of life and the universe. The Law of Nam-myoho-renge-kyo.
Nam-myoho-renge-kyo The ultimate Law of the true aspect of life permeating all phenomena in the universe. The invocation established by Nichiren Daishonin on April 28, 1253. Nichiren Daishonin teaches that this phrase encompasses all laws and teachings within itself, and that the benefit of chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo includes the benefit of conducting all virtuous practices. Nam means “devotion to”; mycho means “Mystic Law”; renge refers to the lotus flower, which simultaneously blooms and seeds, indicating the simultaneity of cause and effect; kyo means “sutra,” the teaching of a Buddha.
nayuta and asamkhya (Skt) Ancient Indian numerical units, whose explanations differ according to the source. One source defines them respectively as 10¹¹ and 10⁵⁹.
Nichiren Daishonin The thirteenth-century Japanese Buddhist teacher and reformer who taught that all people have the potential for enlightenment. He defined the universal Law as Nam-myoho-renge-kyo and established the Gohonzon as the object of devotion for all people to attain Buddhahood. See also Daishonin.
ninth consciousness One of nine kinds of discernment. The ninth consciousness, or amala-consciousness, is defined as the basis of all spiritual functions and is identified with the true entity of life.
nirvana Enlightenment, the ultimate goal of Buddhist practice.
nonsubstantiality One of the three truths. The truth of nonsubstantiality means that all phenomena are nonsubstantial and in a state transcending the concepts of existence and nonexistence.
oneness of body and mind The principle explaining that the two seemingly distinct phenomena of body, or the physical aspect of life, and mind, or its spiritual aspect, are two integral phases of the same entity.
oneness of life and environment The principle stating that the self and its environment are two integral phases of the same entity.
oneness of mentor and disciple This is a philosophical as well as a practical concept, Disciples reach the same state of Buddhahood as their mentor by practicing the teachings of the latter. In Nichiren Daishonin’s Buddhism, this is the direct way to enlightenment, that is, to believe in the Gohonzon and practice according to the Daishonin’s teachings.
poison-drum relationship Another term for reverse relationship, i.e., a bond formed with the Lotus Sutra by opposing or slandering it. The expression “poison drum” comes from the Nirvana Sutra, volume 9, which states, “Once the poison drum is beaten, all the people who hear it will die, regardless of whether or not they have a mind to listen to it.” Similarly, when one preaches the Lotus Sutra, both those who embrace it and those who oppose it will equally receive the seed of Buddhahood.
presentation and mastery In The Record of the Orally Transmitted Teachings, the Daishonin states: “The word ‘presentation’ pertains to Mahakashyapa [to whom the teachings were presented]. The word ‘mastery’ or completion pertains to Shakyamuni Buddha [who acknowledges Mahakashyapa’s mastery of them]. Thus the two words ‘presentation’ and ‘mastery’ signify the fact that Mahakashyapa and Shakyamuni Buddha have attained an identical level of understanding” (OTT, 63).
Purna One of Shakyamuni’s ten major disciples who was known as the foremost in preaching the Law. Purna belongs to the last of the three groups of voice-hearers who understood the Buddha’s teaching by hearing “The Parable of the Phantom City” chapter about their past relationship with Shakyamuni major world system dust particle kalpas.
reciting the sutra In Nichiren Buddhism, it means to chant Nam-myoho-renge-kyo and portions of the “Expedient Means” and “Life Span” chapters of the Lotus Sutra. It is performed morning and evening.
Revelation The second of the three divisions of a sutra (preparation, revelation and transmission), a format often used in interpreting sutras thought to have been formulated by T’ien-t’ai. Preparation indicates the introductory section, revelation the part containing the main teaching, and transmission the concluding part. In the case of the Lotus Sutra, in addition to the entire sutra having these divisions, each half may be further analysed into three sections.
Saddharamapundarika Sutra The earliest Chinese translation of the Lotus Sutra, consisting of twenty-seven chapters in ten volumes. This translation (dated 286 CE) corresponds with the Myoho-renge-kyo (406 CE) by Kumarajiva in most respects, expect that it contains several parables that the later omits.
saha world A world full of suffering, or endurance. It refers to a land in which people must endure suffering and confront the reality of a world filled with earthly desires and illusions. It is in this world that Shakyamuni chooses to preach the Law, noting that the Buddha land, where the Buddha dwells, is in fact the saha world.
seven kinds of treasures Also, the seven treasures. Seven precious substances. The list differs among the Buddhist scriptures. In the Lotus Sutra, the seven are gold, silver, lapis lazuli, seashell, agate, pearl, and carnelian.
shakubuku A method of propagating Buddhism by refuting another’s attachment to heretical views and thus leading him to the correct Buddhist teaching.
Shakyamuni Also, Siddhartha Gautama. Born in India (present-day southern Nepal) about three thousand years ago, he is the first recorded Buddha and founder of Buddhism. For fifty years, he expounded various sutras (teachings), culminating in the Lotus Sutra.
six difficult and nine easy acts Comparisons expounded in the “Treasure Tower” chapter of the Lotus Sutra to teach people how difficult it would be to embrace and propagate the sutra in the Latter Day of the Law. The six difficult acts are to propagate the Lotus Sutra widely, to copy it or cause someone else to copy it, to recite it even for a short while, to teach it even to one person, to hear of and accept the Lotus Sutra and inquire about its meaning, and to maintain faith in it. The nine easy acts include such feats as teaching innumerable sutras other than the Lotus Sutra, walking across a burning prairie carrying a bundle of hay on one’s back without being burned, and kicking a major world system into a different quarter.
six paths The six lower worlds of hell, hunger, animality, anger, humanity and heaven. See Ten Worlds.
Soka (Jpn) Literally, “value creating”.
Soka Gakkai International A worldwide Buddhist association that promotes peace and individual happiness based on the teachings of the Nichiren school of Buddhism, with more than twelve million members in 185 countries. Its headquarters is in Tokyo, Japan.
Tamala leaf The leaf of the tamala, which is a kind of sandalwood tree.
Tatsunokuchi Persecution An unsuccessful attempt to execute Nichiren Daishonin at Tatsunokuchi on the western outskirts of Kamakura on the night of September I2, 1271.
ten kinds of offerings Presenting various offerings of flowers, incense, necklaces, powdered incense, paste incense, incense for burning, silken canopies, streamers and banners, clothing and music, and pressing their palms together in reverence.
Ten Worlds Ten life-conditions that a single entity of life manifests. Originally the Ten Worlds were viewed as distinct physical places, each with its own particular inhabitants. In light of the Lotus Sutra, they are interpreted as potential conditions of life inherent in each individual. The ten are: (1) Hell, (2) Hunger, (3) Animality, (4) Anger, (5) Humanity or Tranquility, (6) Rapture, (7) Learning, (8) Realization, (9) Bodhisattva and (10) Buddhahood.
theoretical teaching Tien-t’ai refers to the first fourteen chapters of the Lotus Sutra as the “theoretical teaching” where the historical Shakyamuni, the “provisional Buddha,” preaches that he first attained enlightenment during his lifetime in India. The latter fourteen chapters are referred to as the “essential teaching” where Shakyamuni discards his provisional identity and confirms that he has attained enlightenment in the remote past. See also essential teaching.
Theravada “Teaching of the Elders.” One of two main branches of Buddhism, together with Mahayana. It teaches that since Buddhahood is almost impossible to attain, one should aim for the lesser goal of arhat, or worthy. Emphasises a strict adherence to discipline and a literal interpretation of doctrine.
thirty-two features and eighty characteristics The remarkable physical characteristics and extraordinary features possessed by Buddhas and bodhisattvas.
three assemblies in two places A division of the Lotus Sutra according to the location and sequence of the events described in it. The three assemblies are the first assembly on Eagle Peak, the Ceremony in the Air and the second assembly on Eagle Peak. The two places are on Eagle Peak and in the air.
three cycles of preaching The cycles of preaching, understanding and prediction of enlightenment that Shakyamuni employed in the Lotus Sutra. The cycle is repeated in accord with the different capacities of each of the three groups of voice-hearer disciples.
three existences Past, present and future. The dimension of time. The three aspects of the eternity of life, linked inseparably by the law of cause and effect. “Throughout the three existences” means throughout eternity.
Three Great Secret Laws The object of worship of Buddhism, the invocation or daimoku of Buddhism and the high sanctuary of Buddhism. These three constitute the core of Nichiren Daishonin’s Buddhism.
three obstacles and four devils Various obstacles and hindrances to the practice of Buddhism. The three obstacles are: (1) the obstacle of earthly desires; (2) the obstacle of karma, which may also refer to opposition from one’s spouse or children; and (3) the obstacle of retribution, also obstacles caused by one’s superiors, such as rulers or parents. The four devils are: (1) the hindrance of the five components; (2) the hindrance of earthly desires; (3) the hindrance of death, because untimely death obstructs one’s practice of Buddhism or because the premature death of another practitioner causes doubts; and (4) the hindrance of the devil king.
three poisons Greed, anger and foolishness. The fundamental evils inherent in life that give rise to human suffering.
three powerful enemies Also, the three types of enemies. Three types of people who persecute those who propagate the Lotus Sutra after the Buddha’s passing, as described in the “Encouraging Devotion” chapter of the sutra. They are: (1) lay people ignorant of Buddhism who denounce the votaries of the Lotus Sutra and attack them with swords
three thousand realms in a single moment of life A philosophical system set forth by T’ien-t’ai in his Great Concentration and Insight, clarifying the mutually inclusive relationship of the ultimate truth and the phenomenal world. This means that the life of Buddhahood is universally inherent in all beings, and the distinction between a common person and a Buddha is a phenomenal one.
Thus Come One One of the ten honorable titles for a Buddha, meaning on e who has arrived from the world of truth. That is, the Buddha appears from the world of enlightenment and, as a person who embodies wisdom and compassion, leads other beings to enlightenment.
T’ien-t’ai Also called Chih-I. The founder of the T’ien-t’ai school, commonly referred to as the Great Teacher T’ien-t’ai.
time without beginning (Jpn kuon ganjo) Literally, kuon means the remote past, and ganjo, beginning or foundation. This refers to the remote past when Shakyamuni is said to have originally attained enlightenment. For Nichiren Daishonin, it means the eternal Law of Nam-myoho-renge-kyo and the original state of life that embodies Buddhahood, existing in time without beginning or end.
treasure tower A tower adorned with treasures. A treasure tower often appears in Buddhist scriptures. In Nichiren Daishonin’s writings, the treasure tower primarily indicates the tower of the Buddha Many Treasures that appears from beneath the earth in the “Treasure Tower” chapter of the Lotus Sutra. He also equated this with the Gohonzon and human life.
true cause Also, the mystic principle of the true cause. One of the ten mystic principles of the essential teaching (latter half) of the Lotus Sutra formulated by Tien-t’ai (538-597). It refers to the practice that Shakyamuni carried out countless kalpas in the past in order to attain his original enlightenment. See also true effect.
true effect Also, the mystic principle of the true effect. The original enlightenment that Shakyamuni attained countless kalpas before his enlightenment in India. One of the ten mystic principles of the essential teaching (latter half) of the Lotus Sutra formulated by Tien-t’ai (538-597). See also true cause.
twelve-linked chain of causation Also called the doctrine of dependent origination, an important part of the teaching of early Buddhism. It illustrates step by step the causal relationship between ignorance and suffering. It is described in the seventh chapter of the Lotus Sutra.
twenty-four-character Lotus Sutra Words that Bodhisattva Never Disparaging spoke to all people; in Chinese, they comprise twenty-four characters, hence the name. According to “The Bodhisattva Never Disparaging” chapter of the Lotus Sutra, he said, “I have profound reverence for you, I would never dare treat you with disparagement or arrogance. Why? Because you are all practicing the bodhisattva way and are certain to attain Buddhahood.”
voice-hearers Shakyamuni Buddha’s disciples. Those who listen to his preaching and strive to attain enlightenment. In this sense, voice-hearers are also called voice-hearer disciples. Voice-hearers also denote those who hear the teaching of the four noble truths and aim at attaining the state of arhat.
votary of the Lotus Sutra A person who practices and propagates the teachings of the Lotus Sutra, staying true to its intent. In particular, Nichiren Daishonin refers to votaries such as T’ien-t’ai in China and Dengyo in Japan in the Middle Day of the Law, and in the Latter Day of the Law, the term applies to Nichiren himself as well as his followers who uphold the spirit through their behavior.
wonderful enlightenment Myogaku, the last of the fifty-two stages of bodhisattva practice, indicating the state of Buddhahood.
yojana (Skt) A unit of measurement used in ancient India, equal to the distance that the royal army was thought to be able to march in a day. Approximations vary as widely as six miles, ten miles and fifteen miles.