The Differences between Hinayana and Mahayana
Background
Written To
Toki Jōnin, a leading lay believer in Shimōsa Province who was one of Nichiren's most trusted disciples
When
1273, during Nichiren's exile on Sado Island - one of the most difficult periods of his life
Why It Was Written
Written during harsh exile when Nichiren was reflecting deeply on Buddhist doctrine and clarifying the superiority of the Lotus Sutra over other teachings. This was a time when various Buddhist schools in Japan were claiming their teachings were equal to or superior to the Lotus Sutra
Significance
This writing establishes the doctrinal foundation for Nichiren Buddhism by clearly demonstrating why the Lotus Sutra is the supreme teaching, capable of enabling all people to achieve enlightenment
Key Passages
"There is no hard and fast distinction between Hinayana, or lesser vehicle, and Mahayana, or great vehicle. An object measuring an inch we call 'small' when we compare it with one measuring a foot; a man measuring six or seven feet we call 'large' when we compare him to a man measuring five feet."
Nichiren is explaining that 'great' and 'small' teachings are relative terms - what seems advanced compared to one thing might seem basic compared to something even greater. This sets up his argument that even teachings considered 'great vehicle' Buddhism become 'lesser vehicle' when compared to the Lotus Sutra's ultimate truth.
"Since none of the other sutras state that persons of the two vehicles can attain Buddhahood, this means that the Buddha's ten major disciples... would in the end have perished in both body and mind without ever being able to attain Buddhahood if they had not had the good fortune to encounter the Lotus Sutra."
Only the Lotus Sutra teaches that all people, regardless of their capacity or spiritual level, can become Buddhas. Without this teaching, even the Buddha's greatest disciples would have been forever stuck in lesser states of enlightenment, unable to reach their full potential as human beings.
"If beings in the worlds of the two vehicles cannot attain Buddhahood, then that would mean that the two vehicle worlds that are inherent in the beings of the other worlds would likewise be unable to manifest Buddhahood... Suppose, for example, that a father and a mother have nine children. If two of the children are judged to be of low social rank, then all the other seven children must likewise be regarded as of low social rank."
Nichiren explains that all people contain all spiritual states within them (the Ten Worlds principle). If any state of life is deemed incapable of enlightenment, then no one can truly become enlightened because we all have that state within us. It's like saying some parts of our humanity are hopeless - this would make complete human fulfillment impossible.
"To speak the truth, however, it is invariably through the power of the Lotus Sutra alone that all living beings are able to attain Buddhahood and that they are able to leave the six paths and be reborn in the pure lands of the ten directions."
Even when people seem to gain enlightenment through other teachings, it's actually the power of the Lotus Sutra working through them from connections made in past lifetimes. The Lotus Sutra is like the ultimate source of all spiritual breakthrough, even when it appears to come from elsewhere.
"Those persons who gain rebirth in the pure lands... may all be said to be the offspring of royal seed, because all are capable of attaining Buddhahood. But persons who rely on the Āgama sutras are like the daughters of commoners who have taken commoners for their husbands... bodhisattvas who rely on the perfect teaching of... other sutras are like daughters of a king who have taken men of lowly birth for their husbands."
Nichiren uses the metaphor of royal bloodline to explain spiritual potential. The Lotus Sutra gives us 'royal seed' - the highest spiritual DNA that guarantees we can achieve the ultimate state of Buddhahood. Other teachings, even advanced ones, are like settling for less than our true inheritance as human beings.
How This Applies to Your Life Today
This teaching speaks directly to anyone who's been told they're 'not good enough' or 'don't have what it takes.' In our achievement-oriented society, we constantly encounter messages that some people are destined for greatness while others should settle for less. Nichiren's message is the opposite: everyone possesses the same fundamental potential for greatness, wisdom, and fulfillment. Whether you're struggling in your career, feeling inadequate in relationships, or battling personal challenges, this teaching says your circumstances don't define your ultimate potential.
Practically, this means approaching your problems with absolute confidence in your ability to overcome them and grow from them. Instead of thinking 'I'm just not smart enough for this job' or 'I'm too damaged for a healthy relationship,' you can tap into what Nichiren calls your 'Buddha nature' - that core of wisdom, courage, and compassion that exists in every person. This doesn't mean ignoring real challenges or pretending problems don't exist, but rather approaching them from a foundation of self-respect and unlimited potential rather than self-doubt and limitation.
Read the Full Writing
This is a simplified explanation. For the complete text, visit the Nichiren Library.
Read Full Text on Nichiren Library →