The Three Proofs

B
uddhism is rooted in a tradition of report or the possession of currency can prove
dialogue about the true nature of life a person’s ability to pay for goods and services.
and how to live the most meaningful, And written content gives us the ability to
happy and fulfilling existence. Shakyamuni understand and assess the validity of popular
Buddha persistently engaged in dialogue to ideas, theories or assertions.
open people’s hearts and minds to the best way Nichiren rigorously applied the standard
to live. He helped them recognize the limita- of documentary proof in assessing Buddhist
tions of assumptions and beliefs that fell short schools and teachings, frequently quoting
of creating happiness. established Buddhist sutras and commen-
Nichiren Daishonin re-established this taries. He strictly challenged interpretations
tradition in 13th-century Japan by fighting to not supported by the body of sutras, interpre-
awaken people to Buddhism’s essential message tations that distorted the intent of Buddhism.
and to cut through the confusion that clouded For example, he criticized the Pure Land
the Buddhist world of his day. He employed school for classifying the Buddhist teach-
three criteria for testing and evaluating the ings—without documentary proof—into two
validity and effectiveness of any Buddhist categories: the Sacred Way teachings and the
teaching. These are called the “three kinds of Pure Land teachings. He wrote: “Ask them if,
proof” or the “three proofs”—documentary, from among the three Pure Land sutras, they
theoretical and actual proof. can point out any passage verifying the above-
mentioned assertions . . . ask your opponents as
before if there exists any teaching that affords
Documentary Proof a solid basis for this” (“The Teaching, Practice,
and Proof,” WND-1, 477).

D ocumentary proof requires that the

teaching be backed by the sutras. In this
regard, Nichiren Daishonin writes, “One should
He was also strict toward those who claimed
to possess secret teachings outside the sutras.
Quoting the Great Teacher Dengyo, he writes,
accept what is clearly stated in the text of the “Depend upon the preachings of the Buddha,
sutras, but discard anything that cannot be and do not put faith in traditions handed down
supported by the text” (“Conversation between orally” (“Conversation between a Sage and an
a Sage and an Unenlightened Man,” The Writings Unenlightened Man,” WND-1, 109). Nichiren
of Nichiren Daishonin, vol. 1, p. 109). directly questioned the trustworthiness of
In life, documentation plays a crucial role. Buddhist teachings handed down in a manner
To practice medicine as a doctor requires shrouded in mystery, teachings that did not
a medical license. A bank statement, credit accord with the Buddha’s recorded teachings.

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 In the same writing, he says: “In matters of society as a whole. A particular religion’s actual
Buddhist doctrines one cannot jump to conclu- effect on people’s lives and society forms a
sions simply on the basis of the eminence of crucial standard for determining its value.
the person involved. The words of the sutras In the “Three Tripitaka Masters Pray for
are what must come first” (WND-1, 109). Rain,” Nichiren Daishonin writes: “In judging
This standard still applies today. Our discus- the relative merit of Buddhist doctrines, I,
sion and understanding of Nichiren Buddhism Nichiren, believe that the best standards are
should be solidly grounded on Nichiren’s those of reason and documentary proof. And
writings. Any claims to exclusive teachings or even more valuable than reason and documen-
authority not supported by Nichiren’s writ- tary proof is the proof of actual fact” (WND-1,
ings must be rejected. Guidance and writings 599). Buddhism exists to relieve people’s
in the SGI have always been solidly based on suffering. Actual proof backed by documentary
Nichiren’s writings. proof and reason, Nichiren explains, is there-
fore most important.

Theoretical Proof
Applying the Three Proofs

N ichiren Daishonin writes, “Buddhism

is reason” (“The Hero of the World,”
WND-1, 839). One should not rely on a teaching N ichiren Daishonin diligently applies
these three standards of evaluation to
that claims to be Buddhist yet defies reason all the Buddhist teachings he discusses in his
and logic or is not grounded in the essential writings. Based on Buddhism’s fundamental
spirit of Buddhism to respect and nurture the principles and sense of reason, and on his
enlightened potential of all people. This is the and many other people’s actual experiences,
basis of theoretical proof. In “The Opening of Nichiren concluded that Nam-myoho-
the Eyes,” Nichiren quotes the Great Teacher renge-kyo constitutes the valid and effective
T’ien-t’ai’s1 words: “That which accords with Buddhist teaching for relieving the people’s
the sutras is to be written down and made sufferings in this age. Nichiren Buddhism
available. But put no faith in anything that in encourages Buddhist practitioners to evaluate
word or meaning fails to do so” (WND-1, 264). any teaching in terms of the Buddhist writ-
Here, Nichiren teaches that a Buddhist practi- ings, reason and reality—what is objectively
tioner should not follow a teaching that lacks demonstrable to all people.
documentary proof (“word”) or theoretical SGI President Ikeda writes: “Ultimately,
proof (“meaning”). Buddhism is about winning. It is important,
therefore, that you win in your struggles. A
steady stream of capable youth is sure to be
Actual Proof inspired by your admirable example and follow
your lead. Please demonstrate to your children

A ctual proof refers to practicing a specific

teaching as it was intended and the
results promised by that teaching becoming
and the youth the great actual proof of faith
gained by those who serve as golden pillars of
kosen-rufu. The youth are looking up to you
evident in people’s lives and in their environ- with pride and are counting on your continued
ment. Religion affects more than the spiritual valiant efforts” (July 9, 2010, World Tribune
aspect of life. It has a significant impact—posi- Special Insert, p. F).
tive or negative—on people’s behavior, on In Buddhism, actual proof refers ultimately
their quality of life, on what they accomplish to the attainment of Buddhahood, or absolute
and contribute to their communities, and on happiness, in this lifetime. Today, millions of

20 ESSENTIALS EXAM, PART 1

EExam_pp.06-64_091113.indd 20 9/13/13 11:58 AM

 SGI members around the world are demon- 1. T’ien-t’ai (538–97): The founder of the T’ien-t’ai school
in China. Commonly referred to as the Great Teacher
strating the power—the actual proof—of T’ien-t’ai. His lectures were compiled in such works as
Nichiren Buddhism by leading lives of genuine The Profound Meaning of the Lotus Sutra, The Words and
Phrases of the Lotus Sutra, and Great Concentration and
happiness, compassion, integrity and value. Insight. He spread the Lotus Sutra in China and estab-
This is what Nichiren calls the most valuable lished the doctrine of “three thousand realms in a single
moment of life.”
proof of all.

Dan Graham

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