The Five Guides for Propagation of Buddhism was established by Nichiren Daishonin. They perfectly reflect the sequence of propagation of the Buddhism of Japan.
(1) The teaching, (2) The people’s capacity, (3) the time, (4) the country, and (5) the sequence of propagation.
(1) Having a correct understanding of Buddhism
(2) The teaching that accords with the capacity of individuals and society.
(3) The proper time to propagate the various teachings of the Buddha. Now is the time for the propagation of the Lotus Sutra (Myoho renge kyo). Nichiren teaches that the time is the most important of the Five Guides.
(4) Those who propagate the Lotus Sutra must have an understanding of the country (world) in which they reside.
(5) The sequence of propagation of the various teachings of the Buddha. The introduction of inferior teachings always precede the introduction of the superior teachings.
I would like to briefly discuss the sequence of propagation of Buddhism in America. The provisional teachings of Buddhism came to the United States with Chinese immigrants in the early 1800's and especially after the gold rush in 1848. The Theravada arrived in 1893, Zen in 1893, and Pure Land in 1898.
Regarding "Nichiren Lotus Sutra Buddhism in America"; the Nichiren Shu teachings first appeared in America in the early 1900's; the Soka Gakkai and the Nichiren Shoshu appeared around 1960; original (orthodox) Nichiren Lotus Sutra Buddhism appeared in the 1990's. The orthodox teachings were superior (in doctrine but not practice) to the Nichiren Shu, Soka Gakkai, and Nichiren Shoshu teachings. Presently, a handful of adepts have appeared, largely independents, to practice and clarify the Lotus Sutra Buddhist teachings of Nichiren. Our teachings are superior both in doctrine and practice to the "Nichiren" Lotus Sutra teachings that came before. This sequence of propagation of Buddhism in the United States has perfectly followed the Five Guides for Propagation of Buddhism established by Nichiren.
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