On Prayer

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PrayerFaithLotus SutraCorrect TeachingProtection

Background

Written To

Sairen-bō, a disciple of Nichiren and former priest of the Tendai school who was also living in exile on Sado Island

When

1272, during Nichiren's exile on Sado Island in the 9th year of Bun'ei era

Why It Was Written

Written during a time when the imperial court and shogunate relied heavily on prayers from True Word, Tendai, Zen, and Nembutsu schools, yet these prayers proved ineffective during the Jōkyū Disturbance of 1221 when imperial forces were defeated despite extensive ritual ceremonies

Significance

This writing establishes the fundamental principle that prayers based on the Lotus Sutra are always answered because of the gratitude felt by all beings who attained Buddhahood through it, while prayers based on incorrect teachings actually create misfortune

Key Passages

"Prayer that is based upon the Lotus Sutra is a prayer that is certain to be fulfilled. The persons of the two vehicles, though they spent kalpas numerous as the dust particles of the land practicing the sutras that correspond to the four flavors, could never attain Buddhahood. But, by listening to the Lotus Sutra for just an instant, they became Buddhas."

Nichiren explains that prayers based on the Lotus Sutra work because this teaching alone enables all beings to become Buddhas. Those who achieved enlightenment through the Lotus Sutra feel such profound gratitude that they will always protect and respond to practitioners of this teaching. It's like having the most powerful allies in the universe backing you up because you helped them achieve their greatest dream.

"Therefore, we know that the prayers offered by a practitioner of the Lotus Sutra will be answered just as an echo answers a sound, as a shadow follows a form, as the reflection of the moon appears in clear water, as a mirror collects dewdrops, as a magnet attracts iron, as amber attracts particles of dust, or as a clear mirror reflects the color of an object."

Using beautiful natural metaphors, Nichiren describes how reliable the response to correct prayer is. Just as these natural phenomena happen automatically and without fail, prayers based on the Lotus Sutra receive responses from the protective forces of the universe. There's no uncertainty or randomness—it's as dependable as the laws of physics.

"It makes no difference if the practitioner himself is lacking in worth, defective in wisdom, impure in his person, and lacking in virtue derived from observing the precepts. So long as he chants Nam-myoho-renge-kyo, they will invariably protect him. One does not throw away gold because the bag that holds it is dirty."

This passage offers tremendous hope and encouragement. Nichiren teaches that you don't need to be perfect, wise, or pure to receive protection and have your prayers answered. The power comes from the practice itself, not from your personal worthiness. It's like finding a precious jewel—its value doesn't depend on whether you're wearing fancy clothes when you pick it up.

"The debt of gratitude one owes to a white crow may be repaid to a black crow, and the debt one owes to a sage priest may be repaid to an ordinary priest. So, if you earnestly pray that blessings be given to you without delay, how can your prayers fail to be answered?"

Nichiren uses the metaphor of repaying kindness to show how the Buddhist protective forces work. Even if you can't repay a favor to the exact person who helped you, you can repay it to someone else who represents them. Similarly, when you practice the Lotus Sutra sincerely, all the Buddhas and protective forces will respond because you represent the teaching that enabled them to achieve enlightenment.

"It is a rare thing to be born as a human being. And if, having been born as such, you do not do your best to distinguish between the correct doctrine and the incorrect so that in the future you may attain Buddhahood, then you are certainly not fulfilling your true worth as a human being."

This passage emphasizes the preciousness of human life and our responsibility to seek truth. Nichiren argues that being human gives us the unique opportunity to discern wisdom from folly and to develop our highest potential. If we waste this opportunity by following incorrect teachings or remaining passive, we're not living up to our human potential—like having a supercomputer and only using it as a paperweight.

What This Writing Is Really Saying

Nichiren's central teaching in this writing is that prayer works, but only when it's based on the correct teaching—the Lotus Sutra. He argues that most prayers fail not because prayer itself is ineffective, but because they're based on incomplete or mistaken teachings. Think of it like trying to call someone with the wrong phone number—you can dial as earnestly as you want, but you won't reach them.

The reason Lotus Sutra-based prayer always works is gratitude. Nichiren explains that countless Buddhas, bodhisattvas, and protective forces throughout the universe attained their enlightenment through the Lotus Sutra. Because of their profound gratitude for this teaching, they are bound by honor and compassion to protect and respond to anyone who practices it. It's like having helped someone achieve their greatest dream—they'll never forget that kindness and will always come to your aid when you need it.

Importantly, Nichiren emphasizes that you don't need to be perfect to receive this protection. Your personal flaws, mistakes, or lack of wisdom don't disqualify you. The power comes from the teaching itself, not from your worthiness. He uses the analogy that you don't throw away gold just because the bag holding it is dirty—the value lies in the gold (the correct practice), not the bag (your imperfect personality).

Nichiren also addresses why prayers based on other Buddhist schools often fail or even create problems. He argues that teachings which deny certain people the possibility of enlightenment (like saying women can't become Buddhas) or rank the Lotus Sutra as inferior to other sutras contradict the Buddha's true intention. When you base prayers on these limited teachings, you're essentially asking for help from a position of error, which cannot produce correct results.

How This Applies to Your Life Today

In practical terms, this teaching suggests that when you face challenges in life—whether in career, relationships, health, or personal growth—your prayers and efforts will be most effective when based on the understanding that you have unlimited potential for wisdom, courage, and compassion. Instead of praying from a position of limitation ('I'm not smart enough for this promotion' or 'I'm too damaged to have a healthy relationship'), you pray from the recognition of your inherent Buddha nature and your connection to the protective forces of life itself.

For example, if you're struggling with a difficult boss, instead of just hoping the situation will change, you would chant Nam-myoho-renge-kyo while developing the wisdom to handle the situation skillfully and the courage to take appropriate action. If you're dealing with illness, rather than just pleading for recovery, you would pray for the strength to face your condition with dignity, the wisdom to make good medical decisions, and the life force to support your healing. The key is that your prayer becomes a source of empowerment rather than helpless pleading, because you're tapping into the fundamental creative force of life itself.

The teaching also suggests being discerning about where you seek guidance and support. Just as Nichiren warned against following teachers who promote limiting beliefs about human potential, today this might mean being cautious about advice, philosophies, or even therapeutic approaches that tell you there are permanent limitations on what you can achieve or become. While being realistic about circumstances, you maintain faith in your capacity for growth, transformation, and positive impact on your environment.

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