"When you cast your eyes on the written words of the Lotus Sutra you are beholding the living body of Shakyamuni Buddha."

PURE AND FAR-REACHING VOICE

"That which brings order to this small kingdom of Japan, which enables the deity Daibonten to command the inhab- itants of the threefold world, and which enables the Buddha to command Daibonten, Taishaku and the other deities is none other than this pure and far-reaching voice. The Buddha's utterances have become the works that compose the body of sutras and bring benefit to all living beings. And among the sutras, the Lotus Sutra is a manifestation in writing of Shakyamuni Buddha's intent; it is his voice set down in written words. Thus the Buddha's mind is embodied in these written words. To illustrate, it is like seeds that sprout, grow into plants and produce rice. Though the form of the rice changes, its essence remains the same."

"Shakyamuni Buddha and the written words of the Lotus Sutra are two different things, but their heart is one. There- fore when you cast your eyes upon the words of the Lotus Sutra, you should consider that you are beholding the living body of Shakyamuni Buddha." -- MW, V:147 "Pure and Far-Reaching Voice"