If you’re looking for a conception of Buddhism free from faith, a philosophy based on empirical evidence, then Nichirin Buddhism isn’t for you. Plenty of hokum but I admire any religion that frees itself from clergy and suggests that anyone can achieve Buddha-hood.
“ ... “It is the heart that is important” (“The Strategy of the Lotus Sutra,” WND-1, 1000).” p. 90
“... the Buddha is essentially life itself... “ p. 92
“The source of this transformation is the practice of chanting Nam-myogo-renge-kyo. When we so so, “then the host of sins, like frost or dew, can be wiped out by the sun of wisdom” (The Lotus Sutra and Its Opening and Closing Sutras, p. 390). p. 42
“Our actions of thought, speech and behavior are like seeds that become implanted in our lives. These causes can remain dormant as “latent effects” in the current and future lifetimes. At certain times under certain consitions, however, these reveal themselves as “manifest effects” — results, or karmic rewards, we experience in a tangible way. Karma, then, is the accumulation of actions from previous existences that remain dormant within us until they appear as effects in this lifetime.” p. 40
Enlightening or not, it was definitely a mind opening book. It makes you dream big and shows you how you can go ahead fearlessly with optimism to pursue them.
I read this book for the purpose of getting an overview of the Practice of Nichiren Buddhism and instead was presented with an insightful, unique, and powerful presentation that leaves me eager to read the next offering. Highly suggested reading for anyone, Buddhist or not, who has an Appreciation for Knowledge, Wisdom, and Truth.