The main point of the chapter 17

The life of the Buddha is omnipresent in this way, and the innumerable Bodhisattvas of sixty thousand as many as the sand of the River Ganres, whose heads are the four bodhisattvas, have this omnipresent work. Was revealed. It can be understood by looking at the meaning of the Four Bodhisattvas. When encountering this teaching, people will realize an infinite lifespan due to the various talents of each person (one item, two and a half).　

Believing in this infinite lifespan will give you infinite merit. Even more so if you understand this doctrine, preach it broadly to others, and deeply believe in it (Four faiths). Also, if you listen to this teaching, be happy, read it, preach, and perform the Six Paramitas (Fuse, admonition, humiliation, devotion, meditation, wisdom), its merit is immeasurable (Five ways).

 Nichiren Shu Ishikawa Dojo statement

Reference: The four bodhisattvas

1,Superior-Practice Bodhisattva-Fire Virtue

2,Limitless-Practice Bodhisattva-Wind Virtue

3,Pure-Practice Bodhisattva-Water Virtue

4,Steadily-Established-Practice Bodhisattva-The Virtue of the Earth

① "MUSHOUBOUNIN"(the truth of birthlessness)

 The Buddha preaches to Maitreya Bodhisattva the merit of those who believe in the eternal immortality of the Buddha's life. The first of its merit is to obtain "MUSHOUBOUNIN". When the life of Buddha is found to be immortal, the will to transcend the world of life and death is born. By believing that you are alive in the eternal Buddha, you can feel like you are trying to get away from being obsessed with the world of life and death and change. The emotions of this short life are completely insignificant in terms of eternal life. If you think this way, you will have a mind that is not bound by life or death or changes in life. This is "MUSHOUBOUNIN".

② "MONJIDARANIMON"(the Dharani by which they could memorize all that they had heard)

Next, you can get "MOMJIDARANIMON". "Dharani" is the power to do good and stop evil, and is translated as "Have everything". Believing in the eternal life of the Buddha also means believing in your own eternal life. By doing so, I can clearly understand that I am the result of my past work, and I can have infinite gratitude for the existence of my present self after receiving this life by fate. Become. Furthermore, considering the eternal future, we can see how important and important this life is now. 

③"GYOSETUMUGEBENZAI"(Eloquence without hindrance)

Next, it is said that many bodhisattvas will get "GYOSETUMUGEBENZAI". GYO is not about having fun, but about "wishing." Being pure is not a hindrance. "GYOSETUMUGEBENZAI" is to hope to preach the teachings freely and without hindrance. The condition that can be preached innocently is that it must believe in the eternal life of the Buddha and be firmly convinced of himself being alive in that Buddha.

④ "SENDARANI"　（Around Dharani）

 Next, countless Bodhisattvas were able to obtain the merit of innumerable "SENDARANI". Dharani is the power to do good and stop evil, but it has the word "Around". "Around Dharani" is to preach this teaching from person to person without enjoying the power of Dharani on its own by going around with Dharani.

⑤ "The faculty of turning the irrevocable wheel of the Law"

 In addition, countless bodhisattvas will be able to spread their teachings infinitely with unrelenting determination, just as the wheels of a car turn infinitely.

⑥ "The faculty of turning the wheel of the pure Law"

 The Bodhisattva who became able to preach the immortal Dharmachakra can then roll the clean Dharmachakra. Cleanliness is the promotion of teaching without asking for any reward. The Dharmachakra of Purity can never be carried out unless it is a Bodhisattva. On the contrary, when it becomes possible to preach a clean Falun, a person becomes a bodhisattva.

If you deeply believe that the life of the Buddha is eternal, you can see the Buddha always preaching on Mt. Sacred Eagle(RYOJUSEN), surrounded by bodhisattvas and voices. If you believe in the eternity of the Buddha's life, you will really know that the Buddha is still preaching here. If you know that the Buddha is always present and preaching, you can be aware that you are always with the Buddha. Awareness of being with the Buddha is the greatest joy of human beings, and that is what makes religious life possible. This is called the phase of deep faith.　

The "Four beliefs that the Buddha is in life" is a four-pronged way of believing that when a Buddha is in the world, listening to and believing in the teachings of the Buddha, in order from shallow faith to deep faith.

① ITINENSINGE(One-minded belief)

 To be able to understand and believe even a single phrase or even a little in the "Lotus Sutra".

② RYAKUGEGONSHU(Almost understand the meaning)

 You can almost understand the meaning (meaning that the Buddha preaches). It is to gradually understand the whole purpose of sutras. 

③ KOUITASETU (Widely preach for people)

It is to preach widely for others. Once you know yourself to some extent, it is important to share that joy with others.

④ JINSINKANJOU (Deeply believe and watch correctly)

 Believe deeply and complete the correct view and way of thinking. Even if you read the sutras for a while, you can't understand it very deeply. you read it over and over again, and as your devotion and age deepened, your perspective on sutras gradually became clearer. It is "JINSINKANJOU" that the way of thinking about this sutra becomes solid.

In the last period without Buddha, there is no choice but to practice according to the scriptures left behind. The method was explained in "The Five ways after the disappearance of the Buddha".　

①SHOZUIKI (The first joy)

Reading the sutras made one feel deep joy.

②DOKUJU (Reading)

It is just to read the sutras with all one's heart. The true reading is to return the whole existence of oneself to the sutra and read it.

③ SEPPOU (Sermon)

To preach the teachings to people. It's not just about talking. Preach with a face full of devotion, preach with the whole body, preach with deeds.

④KENGYOROKUDO (Perform the six paramitas)

It is an effort to do as much as possible the teachings of giving, admonition, humiliation, devotion, meditation, and wisdom.

⑤ SHOGYOROKUDO (Correctly perform the six paramitas)

If you gradually carry out and deepen performing the six paramitas, you will be able to carry out these six trainings at any time and in any place.

From "Reading the Lotus Sutra" by Shigeo Kamata