The Wisdom of the Lotus Sutra Volume V Section 1 Key Concepts and Discussion Questions
The Wisdom of the Lotus Sutra Volume V
PART I: “Distinctions in Benefits” Chapter
Section 1: Those Who Spread the Mystic Law Accumulate Great Life Force
Key terms & concepts in this section:

Benefit or kudoku (WLS-5, 4-9)

Oneness of life and environment (WLS-5, 4-5)

Transmission (WLS-5, 5-6)

Subjective and Objective Views of Life (WLS-5, 7-8)

Earthly Desires are Enlightenment (WLS-5, 8-9)

Non-regression (WLS-5, 11)

“acquire dharanis” (WLS-5, 11-12)

“speak pleasingly and without hindrance” (WLS-5, 12)

“…immeasurable repetitions of the teaching” (WLS-5, 13)

“turn the unregressing wheel of the Law” (WLS-5, 13)

“lion” referring to mentor and disciple (WLS-5, 19)

Importance of belief (WLS-5, 22)

Fighting optimism (WLS-5, 23)
Discussion Questions for Section 1:
1. In light of Nichiren Buddhism, what is the meaning of benefit? What are some quotes from The Record
of the Orally Transmitted Teachings that clarify this? (WLS-5, 3-7)
2. The term benefit derives from ku-doku. What is the meaning and how can we understand this with our
lives? (WLS-5, 5-6)
3. The Record of the Orally Transmitted Teachings says: “As to the benefits, the distinction is here made
clear that earthly desires associated with the three poisons of greed, anger, and foolishness that are a
part of each and every one of the living beings of the Ten Worlds will now, just as they are, become the
benefits of the Wonderful Law” (OTT, 234). What does this mean and how can we apply this to our
lives? (WLS-5, 8-9)
4. What are some of the benefits listed at the beginning of the “Distinctions in Benefits” chapter and
what does each of them mean? (WLS-5, 10-13)
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The Wisdom of the Lotus Sutra Volume V Section 1 Key Concepts and Discussion Questions
5. On page 14 President Ikeda says, “At that moment, they make the transition from the stage of
common mortals who have simply embraced the Lotus Sutra to that of the Buddha” (WLS-5, 14). What
happened at this moment and how does this apply to our lives?
6. On page 17 President Ikeda says, “The benefit of Nam-myoho-renge-kyo is literally the benefit of the
entire universe” (WLS-5, 17). What does this mean and how can we come to fully understand this?
7. In the “Benefits in Distinctions” chapter, the disciples state a pledge. What is the content of this pledge
and what does it mean? (WLS-5, 18-19)
8. What is the “distinction” in “distinctions in benefit”? (WLS-5, 19-20)
9. What is Buddhist optimism? (WLS-5, 23-24)
Highlighted in this section from The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin:
The Wisdom of the Lotus Sutra vol. V, p. 4
The word ‘benefits’ (kudoku) means the reward that is represented by the purification of the six sense organs.
. . . Thus the word kudoku means to attain Buddhahood in one’s present form. It also means the purification of
the six sense organs (The Record of the Orally Transmitted Teachings, 147–48).
The Wisdom of the Lotus Sutra vol. V, p. 5
gather fortune from ten thousand miles away (“New Year’s Gosho,” The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, Vol. 1,
1137).
The Wisdom of the Lotus Sutra vol. V, p. 5
The element ku in the word kudoku means good fortune or happiness. It also refers to the merit achieved by
wiping out evil, while the element toku or doku refers to the virtue one acquires by bringing about good (The
Record of the Orally Transmitted Teachings, 148)
The Wisdom of the Lotus Sutra vol. V, p. 5
Both teacher and followers will surely fall into the hell of incessant suffering if they see enemies of the Lotus
Sutra but disregard them and fail to reproach them (“The Essentials for Attaining Buddhahood,” The Writings
of Nichiren Daishonin, Vol. 1, 747).
The Wisdom of the Lotus Sutra vol. V, p. 8
As to the benefits, the distinction is here made clear that earthly desires associated with the three poisons of
greed, anger, and foolishness that are a part of each and every one of the living beings of the Ten Worlds will
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The Wisdom of the Lotus Sutra Volume V Section 1 Key Concepts and Discussion Questions
now, just as they are, become the benefits of the Wonderful Law (The Record of the Orally Transmitted
Teachings, 234).
The Wisdom of the Lotus Sutra vol. V, p. 10
But it is not for me to describe the blessings deriving from the verse section of the “Life Span” chapter. Rather
I refer to the subsequent “Distinctions in Benefits” chapter, which elaborates on them. It says that those
people who became Buddhas after hearing the above verse section are equal in number to the particles of
dust in a minor world system or a major world system (“Letter to Horen,” The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin,
Vol. 1, 516).
The Wisdom of the Lotus Sutra vol. V, p. 12
When great obstacles arise, just as they were told would happen, few remember it and bear it firmly in mind
(“The Difficulty of Sustaining Faith,” The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, Vol. 1, 471).
The Wisdom of the Lotus Sutra vol. IV, p. 12
Foolish men are likely to forget the promises they have made when the crucial moment comes (“The Opening
of the Eyes,” The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, Vol. 1, 283).
The Wisdom of the Lotus Sutra vol. V, p. 12
The voice carries out the work of the Buddha (The Record of the Orally Transmitted Teachings, 4).
The Wisdom of the Lotus Sutra vol. V, p. 20
without a moment’s delay (“The Unanimous Declaration by the Buddhas,” The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin,
Vol.2, 859).
The Wisdom of the Lotus Sutra vol. V, p. 20
Even if you are killed by a mad elephant, you will not fall into the three evil paths. But if you are killed by an
evil friend, you are certain to fall into them (“The Problem to Be Pondered Night and Day,” The Writings of
Nichiren Daishonin, Vol. 1, 620).
The Wisdom of the Lotus Sutra vol. V, p. 24
There is no true happiness for human beings other than chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo (“Happiness in This
World,” The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, Vol. 1, 681).
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