Selected Quotes from

Nichiren’s Writings
We ordinary people can see neither our own eyelashes, which are so
close, nor the heavens in the distance. Likewise, we do not see that
the Buddha exists in our own hearts.
“New Year’s Gosho” (The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, 1137)

When a tree has been transplanted, though fierce winds may blow, it
will not topple if it has a firm stake to hold it up. But even a tree that
has grown up in place may fall over if its roots are weak. Even a
feeble person will not stumble if those supporting him are strong, but
a person of considerable strength, when alone, may fall down on an
uneven path.
“Three Tripitaka Masters Pray for Rain” (WND, 598)

Life is the most precious of all treasures. Even one extra day of life is
worth more than ten million ryo of gold.
“On Prolonging One’s Life Span” (WND, 955)

What does Bodhisattva Never Disparaging’s profound respect for

people signify? The purpose of the appearance in this world of
Shakyamuni Buddha, the lord of teachings, lies in his behavior as a
human being.
“The Three Kinds of Treasure” (WND, 852)

More valuable than treasures in a storehouse are the treasures of the

body, and the treasures of the heart are the most valuable of all. From
the time you read this letter on, strive to accumulate the treasures of
the heart!
“The Three Kinds of Treasure” (WND, 851)

The heart of the Lotus Sutra is the revelation that one may attain
supreme enlightenment in one’s present form without altering one’s
status as an ordinary person. This means that without casting aside
one’s karmic impediments one can still attain the Buddha way.
“Reply to Hakiri Saburo” (WND, 410)
If you wish to free yourself from the sufferings of birth and death you
have endured since time without beginning and to attain without fail
unsurpassed enlightenment in this lifetime, you must perceive the
mystic truth that is originally inherent in all living beings. This truth is
Myoho-renge-kyo. Chanting Myoho-renge-kyo will therefore enable
you to grasp the mystic truth innate in all life.
“On Attaining Buddhahood in This Lifetime” (WND, 3)

Your practice of the Buddhist teachings will not relieve you of the
sufferings of birth and death in the least unless you perceive the true
nature of your life. If you seek enlightenment outside yourself, then
your performing even ten thousand practices and ten thousand good
deeds will be in vain.
“On Attaining Buddhahood in This Lifetime” (WND, 3)
A mind now clouded by the illusions of the innate darkness of life is
like a tarnished mirror, but when polished, it is sure to become like a
clear mirror, reflecting the essential nature of phenomena and the true
aspect of reality. Arouse deep faith, and diligently polish your mirror
day and night. How should you polish it? Only by chanting Nam-
myoho-renge-kyo.
“On Attaining Buddhahood in This Lifetime” (WND, 4)

“Single-mindedly desiring to see the Buddha” may be read as follows:

single-mindedly observing the Buddha, concentrating one’s mind on
seeing the Buddha, and when looking at one’s own mind, perceiving
that it is the Buddha.
“Letter to Gijo-bo” (WND, 389)
One may be letter-perfect in reciting the Lotus Sutra, but it is far more
difficult to act as it teaches.
“Lessening One’s Karmic Retribution” (WND, 200)

Those who believe in the Lotus Sutra are as if in winter, but winter
always turns to spring. Never, from ancient times on, has anyone
heard or seen of winter turning back to autumn.
“Winter Always Turns to Spring” (WND, 536)

If the minds of living beings are impure, their land is also impure, but
if their minds are pure, so is their land. There are not two lands, pure
or impure in themselves. The difference lies solely in the good or evil
of our minds.
“On Attaining Buddhahood in This Lifetime” (WND, 4)
If you care anything about your personal security, you should first of
all pray for order and tranquility throughout the four quarters of the
land . . .
“On Establishing the Correct Teaching for the Peace of the Land”
(WND, 24)

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.
“The Heritage of the Ultimate Law of Life” (WND, 216)
Shakyamuni taught that the shallow is easy to embrace, but the
profound is difficult. To discard the shallow and seek the profound is
the way of a person of courage.
“The Selection of the Time” (WND, 558)

Suffer what there is to suffer, enjoy what there is to enjoy. Regard

both suffering and joy as facts of life, and continue chanting Nam-
myoho-renge-kyo, no matter what happens. How could this be
anything other than the boundless joy of the Law?
“Happiness in This World” (WND, 681)

Worthy persons deserve to be called so because they are not carried

away by the eight winds: prosperity, decline, disgrace, honor, praise,
censure, suffering, and pleasure. They are neither elated by prosperity
nor grieved by decline. The heavenly gods will surely protect one
who is unbending before the eight winds.
“The Eight Winds” (WND, 794)
In accordance with their status, some have wives and children,
relatives, fiefs, and gold and silver, while others have no treasure.
Whether one has wealth or not, no treasure exceeds the one called life.
“The Gift of Rice” (WND, 1125)

Life in this world is limited. Never be in the least bit afraid!

“The Proof of the Lotus Sutra” (WND, 1109)

A person of wisdom is not one who practices Buddhism apart from

worldly affairs but, rather, one who thoroughly understands the
principles by which the world is governed.
“The Kalpa of Decrease” (WND, 1121)
Life is the foremost of all treasures. It is expounded that even the
treasures of the entire major world system cannot equal the value of
one’s body and life. Even the treasures that fill the major world
system are no substitute for life.
“The Gift of Rice” (WND, 1125)

First of all, as to the question of where exactly hell and the Buddha
exist, one sutra states that hell exists underground, and another sutra
says that the Buddha is in the west. Closer examination, however,
reveals that both exist in our five-foot body. This must be true
because hell is in the heart of a person who inwardly despises his
father and disregards his mother. It is like the lotus seed, which
contains both blossom and fruit. In the same way, the Buddha dwells
within our hearts.
“New Year’s Gosho” (WND, 1137)