Buddha-nature and Buddhahood

Buddha-nature is the field of Buddhahood. We are all fertile fields but without the seed of Buddhahood, the field of Buddha-nature lay barren and without the continuous water of the Law (practice and faith in the Gohonzon) the seed fails to germinate. 

Nichiren Daishonin states:

"In fact Sakyamuni began to preach, planting the seed of Buddhahood in the eternal past... Sakyamuni Buddha continued to guide His disciples until they were all sure to attain Buddhahood during the preaching of the Lotus Sutra in His present life, completing the series of His preaching which began in the eternal past." -- Kanjin Honzon-Sho (NOPPA) page 56:

and

"Demonstrating ten great mystic powers the Buddha (Shakyamuni) transferred Namu Myoho renge Kyo to the four great bodhisattvas" (Ibid Kanjin Honzon Sho)

There are dozens more such passages. SGI confuses Buddha-nature [which even men of the Two Vehicles and those of incorrigible disbelief possess] with Buddhahood. It is thanks to the Law and the Eternal Buddha (Gohonzon) that we can obtain Buddhahood. Nichiren's is not a new age philosophy, "we are Buddha's as we are." Through a correct faith and practice, the seed of Buddhahood develops into the great tree of Buddhahood. To deny the centrality and ever present reality of the Law and Shakyamuni Buddha of the Juryo Chapter is to be an unfilial child.