Six Stages of Practice

Something Phil Wilder talked about at the men's division meeting stuck with me for some reason. He discussed something called the six stages of practice, referring to Burton Watson's translation of the Ongi Kuden, the Record of the Orally Transmitted Teachings.

According to Phil, the six stages are (paraphrased):
1. Possessing the Buddha nature. This is true of everyone.
2. Hearing about Nam Myoho Renge Kyo.
3. Chanting Nam Myoho Renge Kyo.
4. Receiving benefit.
5. Doing shakubuku.
6. Realizing that one is a Buddha. As Phil put it, realizing that stage 1 is really true.

I decided to find out what Phil was talking about. I found the answer on page 124 of the Ongi Kuden translation.

1. Being a Buddha in theory. Ordinary mortals are in this stage.
2. Hearing the name and words of the truth. One has, for the first time, heard the daimoku.
3. Perception and action. One proceeds to practice.
4. Resemblance to enlightenment. One succeeds in overcoming various obstacles of illusions.
5. Progressive awakening. One sets out to convert others.
6. Enlightement. One comes to the realization that one is a Buddha.

Why is this important. Not sure. I think it has to do with the Daishonin's use of the Lotus Sutra to validate his philosophy. In his lectures on the sutra, Sokagakkai President Josei Toda said that the Daishonin used the Juryo chapter to elucidate its true meaning while repudiating its superficial meaning in the light of Nichiren Daishonin's Buddhism.

He also said that you need not read the Hokkekyo for learning but for practice. Study the Gosho, not the Hokekyo or its interpretations.