On the Four Stages of Faith and the Five Stages of Practice

Daily Wisdom


From the Writings of Nichiren Daishonin
Monday, September 24, 2012:

Though muddy water has no mind, it can catch the moon's reflection and so naturally become clear. When plants and trees receive the rainfall, they can hardly be aware of what they are doing, and yet do they not proceed to put forth blossoms? The five characters of Myoho-renge-kyo do not represent the sutra text, nor are they its meaning. They are nothing other than the intent of the entire sutra. So, even though the beginners in Buddhist practice may not understand their significance, by practicing these five characters, they will naturally conform to the sutra's intent.

On the Four Stages of Faith and the Five Stages of Practice
Written to Toki Jonin on April 10, 1277