Point One, concerning the Universal Worthy Sutra
The full title is Sutra on How to Practice Meditation on Bodhisattva Universal Worthy, as Spoken by the Buddha.
The Record of the Orally Transmitted Teachings says: The Lotus Sutra represents the substance of the doctrine as seen in the 204mutual possession of the Ten Worlds and the possession of the three thousand realms. Hence we may say that all the three thousand realms and the Ten Worlds are “universally worthy.” Not an element of the Dharma-realm is missing; therefore it is “universally worthy.”
The Ten Worlds of myōhō, the Wonderful Law, and the Ten Worlds of renge, the lotus flower, represent the two phenomena of life or the self and environment, respectively. The Universal Worthy Sutra concludes that these phenomena are none other than the Lotus Sutra. Hence it is called the concluding sutra to the Lotus. This being the case, we may conclude that the Ten Worlds are all Myoho-renge-kyo, combining Buddhahood and the nine worlds.
Point Two, regarding the passage “How, without cutting off earthly desires or separating themselves from the five desires, can they purify their senses and wipe away their sins?”
The Record of the Orally Transmitted Teachings says: This passage states that earthly desires are enlightenment, and that the sufferings of birth and death are nirvana.
For the votaries of the Lotus Sutra, greed is greed and remains just as it is; anger is anger and remains just as it is; foolishness is foolishness and remains just as it is. And yet they are carrying out Bodhisattva Universal Worthy’s practice of the Law. One should understand this clearly.
Point Three, regarding the six things to keep in mind
Keeping in mind the Buddha, keeping in mind the Law, keeping in mind the Order, keeping in mind the precepts, keeping in mind almsgiving, keeping in mind heavenly beings
The Record of the Orally Transmitted Teachings says: Keeping in mind the Buddha means keeping in mind the guide and teacher who said, “I am the only person / who can rescue and protect 205others” (Lotus Sutra, chapter three, Simile and Parable).
Keeping in mind the Law means keeping in mind the five characters of the daimoku in the age after the passing of the Buddha.
Keeping in mind the Order means keeping in mind the practitioners who are ordinary mortals in the Latter Day of the Law.
Keeping in mind the precepts means keeping in mind the passage in the Lotus Sutra that says, “This is what is called observing the precepts” (chapter eleven, Treasure Tower).
Keeping in mind almsgiving means keeping in mind that one should bestow the daimoku on all living beings.
Keeping in mind heavenly beings means keeping in mind the fact that, as the Lotus Sutra says, “The heavenly beings day and night will for the sake of the Law constantly guard and protect them” (chapter fourteen, Peaceful Practices).
These six practices described above should be carried out by practitioners of the Lotus Sutra in this, the Latter Day of the Law. One should think about this.
Point Four, regarding the passage “All the entire sea of karmic impediments / is born from deluded thoughts. / If one wishes to carry out repentance, / sit upright and ponder the true aspect. / Then the host of sins, like frost or dew, / can be wiped out by the sun of wisdom.”
The Record of the Orally Transmitted Teachings says: The “host of sins” are karmic impediments that come from the six sense organs, and these are like frost or dew. Thus, although they exist, they can be wiped out by the sun of wisdom. The “sun of wisdom” is Nam-myoho-renge-kyo, which Nichiren is propagating now in the Latter Day of the Law.
The words “sun of wisdom” refer both to the Buddha and to the Law. Shakyamuni Buddha is referred to in the Lotus Sutra as the “sun of wisdom, great sage and venerable one” (chapter two, Expedient Means). And the Lotus Sutra explains that “just as the sun, a god’s son, can banish all darkness, so too this sutra is capable of destroying the darkness of all that is not good” (chapter 206twenty-three, Medicine King). Referring to the guide and teacher of the Latter Day of the Law, it also states that “as the light of the sun and moon / can banish all obscurity and gloom, / so this person as he passes through the world / can wipe out the darkness of living beings” (chapter twenty-one, Supernatural Powers).
Point Five, regarding the passage “The third act of repentance is to use the correct Law to order the country and not to lead the people astray with erroneous views.”
The Record of the Orally Transmitted Teachings says: The “correct Law” in the Latter Day of the Law is Nam-myoho-renge-kyo. These five characters are a secret Law that does not deceive any living being. If all those under heaven join together in believing in it, then this country will be peaceful and calm. Thus [volume eight of] Profound Meaning says, “If one relies upon this Law, then all under heaven will be at peace.” The words “this Law” refer to the Lotus Sutra. So there can be no doubt that, if one believes in the Lotus Sutra, then all under heaven will be peaceful and secure.
This concludes the 231 important points.