The Four Stages of Faith:
1). Stage of believing in and understanding the sutra even for a moment.
2). Stage of generally understanding the intention of the words of the sutra.
3). Stage of expounding the sutra widely for others.
4). Stage of deep faith in the truth of the Buddha's Mystic Law.
The Five Stages of Practice:
1). Stage of first hearing the name of the Law (myoji-soku) – where one first hears the true Law and understands that all phenomena are the Mystic Law.
2). Stage of observation and practice (kangyo-soku) – perceiving the truth within and having no contradiction between perception and action
3). Stage of having purified the six sense organs (soji-soku) – outwardly resembling a Buddha)
4). Stage of eradicating fundamental darkness (funjin-soku) – partial awakening to the truth
5). Stage of perfect enlightenment (kukyo-soku, or the ultimate level).
Nichiren stated that he was at the stage of first hearing the name of the Law (myoji-soku) from the Eternal Buddha in the remote past... The stage where one first hears the true Law and understands that all phenomena are the Mystic Law. Having heard the Law in the remote past, Nichiren is in perfect position as "Teacher" for the Latter Day.
The Four Stages of Faith and Five Stages of Practice
Jump to
- Welcome
- ↳ TERMS OF SERVICE (including Reporting Procedures)
- ↳ Announcements
- ↳ Introductions
- ↳ Suggestion Box
- Bodhisattvacarya
- ↳ Mahāyāna Buddhism
- ↳ Tibetan Buddhism
- ↳ Dzogchen
- ↳ Nyingma
- ↳ Mahamudra
- ↳ Kagyu
- ↳ Sakya
- ↳ Gelug
- ↳ Jonang
- ↳ Chod
- ↳ Bön
- ↳ Buddhist Tantra Talk
- ↳ East Asian Buddhism
- ↳ Zen
- ↳ Chan
- ↳ Seon
- ↳ Rinzai
- ↳ Soto
- ↳ Thien
- ↳ Pure Land
- ↳ Jodo Shin Shu
- ↳ Tendai
- ↳ Nichiren
- ↳ Soka Gakkai/SGI
- ↳ Nichiren Shu
- ↳ Nichiren Shoshu
- ↳ Shingon
- ↳ Sūtra Studies
- ↳ Academic Discussion
- General Dharma
- ↳ Discovering Mahayana Buddhism
- ↳ Abhidharmakosabhasyam Book Club
- ↳ Dharma in Everyday Life
- ↳ Help Required
- ↳ Dharma Events
- ↳ North America (USA & Canada)
- ↳ Central & South America
- ↳ Europe
- ↳ Asia/Pacific
- ↳ Australia/NZ
- ↳ Africa
- ↳ Dharma Stories
- ↳ Shrine Room
- Upāya
- ↳ Meditation
- ↳ Ethical Conduct
- ↳ Engaged Buddhism
- ↳ Prayers and Aspirations
- ↳ Dāna for Dharma
- ↳ Wellness, Diet and Fitness
- ↳ Alternative Health
- ↳ Tibetan Medicine
- ↳ Dying and Death
- Teahouse of the Compassionate One
- ↳ Lounge
- ↳ Creative Writing
- ↳ Games & Humour
- ↳ Media
- ↳ Book Reviews
- ↳ Language
- ↳ Links to Other DW sites
- ↳ LINK TO: Dhamma Wheel Theravada Buddhism Forum
- ↳ LINK TO: Dharma Paths—Comparative Religion Forum
- ↳ LINK TO: Dhamma/Dharma Wiki - Buddhist encyclopedia