By Shingyo Imai

Last Sunday, we began our journey into the second chapter of the Lotus Sutra, "Expedients" (Hoben-pon), by exploring the profound teaching of the “Ten Suchnesses". We saw that every single moment of our lives— from its appearances, natures and entities to its primary causes, environmental causes, and final rewards and retributions—is a complete and perfect whole. We learned that the potential for Buddhahood is present in every single one of us, right here and right now.

Today, we take the second step in our two-part exploration of this chapter. We will look at the very heart of the Buddha's purpose. Why did the Buddha appear in this world? The answer is found in a passage that our founder, “Nichiren Shonin", held in the highest esteem. It is a passage so vital that it is chanted daily in Nichiren Shu as the “Yokuryoshu”.

The Buddha declares in Chapter 2 of the Lotus Sutra:

"The Buddhas, the World-Honored Ones, appear in the worlds in order to cause all living beings to open the gate to the insight of the Buddha, and to cause them to purify themselves. They appear in the worlds in order to show the insight of the Buddha to all living beings. They appear in the worlds in order to cause all living beings to obtain the insight of the Buddha. They appear in the worlds in order to cause all living beings to enter the Way to the insight of the Buddha. Shariputra! This is the one great purpose for which the Buddhas appear in the worlds.”

This is what we call the ‘One Great Purpose.” It is the reason for the Buddha's coming. And what is that reason? It is not to build a great temple. It is not to gain followers. It is not even to teach a philosophy. The Buddha appears in this world “solely to enable all people to attain the same enlightenment that he himself has achieved”. That is the only reason. That is the One Great Purpose.

The Buddha is like a parent who has found a great treasure and, seeing their children suffering in poverty, wants nothing more than to give that treasure to them. This is the depth of the Buddha's compassion.

The Buddha then describes this One Great Purpose through four phases of awakening: “Open, Show, Obtain, and Enter”. These are not just words. They are a map of the spiritual journey.

  1. “To Open (開):” The Buddha opens the door of our innate Buddha wisdom. We all have this wisdom, but it is covered by the dust of delusion and the distractions of daily life. The Buddha's teaching opens that door, helping us see that our true nature is pure and luminous. Nichiren Shonin explained that "to open" is another name for “faith.” It is the moment we open our hearts to the Buddha's wisdom and say, "Yes, this is true, and it is already within me."

  2. “To Show (示):” Once the door is open, the Buddha reveals what is inside. He shows us that our true self is not the small, limited self that worries and suffers. Our true self is the “Buddha nature”, the “Buddha wisdom”. This is a revelation of who we really are.

  3. “To Obtain (Awaken) (悟):” Seeing is not enough. We must wake up to it. We must “realize” this truth for ourselves. It is like looking at a map and then suddenly understanding where you are. The Buddha shows us the treasure, and we come to realize and obtain, "This treasure is mine. I am already a Buddha in essence.

  4. “To Enter (入):” The final step is to enter the path. To not just know, but to “live” it. To walk the path of the Bodhisattva, to act with compassion, to make the Buddha's wisdom happen in every moment of our lives.

Now I would like to talk about our Founder Nichiren Shonin and the One Great Purpose.

This teaching was central to the life and mission of Nichiren Shonin. In his writings, he tells us that the scholars of his time, despite all their study, failed to understand this "one great purpose." They wasted their whole lives, passing through it as if in a dream, because they did not grasp the true purpose of the Buddha's coming.

Nichiren Shonin then reveals the deepest meaning of this passage. He states that this "One Great Purpose"is none other than the Dharma of Namu-myoho-renge- kyo. For Nichiren Shonin, the ‘Lotus Sutra’ is not just a scripture to be studied; it is a living reality, and the title of the sutra, “Myoho-renge-kyo”, is the heart of the Buddha's enlightenment. To chant “Namu-myoho-renge-kyo” with faith in this Dhamra is to fulfill the Buddha's One Great Purpose.

This brings us to the most emotional part of this teaching. The Buddha's One Great Purpose is not a cold, philosophical proposition or thesis. It is a vow, a promise born of tremendous compassion. The sutra says, "I have made a great vow... I wish to cause all living beings to become equal to me, without any difference."

Stop for a moment and feel the weight of those words. "To become equal to me.” The Buddha, the Fully Enlightened One, the World-Honored One, does not look down upon us from a higher place. He does not seek disciples who will remain lesser than him. He seeks equals. He wants every single one of us to become a Buddha, to taste the same freedom and peace that he has found.

We often feel not enough. We compare ourselves to others, or to an ideal image of what a "good Buddhist" should be. We think, "I am too busy. I am not spiritual enough. My problems are too big." The Buddha's One Great Purpose is the antidote to that doubt. It tells us, "You are not a failure. You are not separate. You are meant to be a Buddha.” The very reason the Buddha came to this world was to give you your inheritance, succession.

So, how do we live this teaching today in Penang?

We live it by reciting the “Yokuryoshu”. Every time we chant this passage, we are not just reading ancient words. We are reminding ourselves of the Buddha's vow, and we are making it our own. We are saying, "Yes, I, too, want to open the gate of Buddha wisdom in my life. I, too, want to show it to my family, my friends, and my community. I, too, want to obtain, awaken to my true nature. And I, too, want to enter the path of the Buddha."

We live it by having faith in our own Buddha nature. When you face a difficulty at work, or a conflict at home, try to see the situation through the eyes of the Buddha's wisdom. See it not as a curse, but as a chance to reveal the “Myoho- renge-kyo” in your life. See the other person as someone who is also meant to become a Buddha.

We live it by chanting “Namu-myoho-renge-kyo” with a heart that seeks to make this vow really happen. We chant to open our own wisdom, to reveal it to others, to awaken to our true potential, and to enter the path of the Bodhisattva who does not rest until all beings are free from suffering.

The Buddha's One Great Purpose is the greatest love story ever told. It is the story of a parent who will never give up on their children. It is the story of a treasure that has been waiting for you since the beginningless past. It is the story of your own certain Buddhahood.

Let us bow our heads in gratitude for this incredible gift. Let us carry this vow in our hearts this week. And let us remember that we are the reason the Buddha appeared in this world.

Thank you for sharing. Namu Myoho Renge Kyo.