Shodai means chanting Daimoku in Japanese. Shodai-Gyo of Nichiren shu was advocated by Rev.Yukawa Nichijun, the head priest of Ikegami Honmon-ji, and became official practice of Nichiren Shu in 1971. That is to say, they have corrected misunderstanding about practice of Nichiren shonin. But their meditation is only common preparation for meditation of Buddhism. They cannot explain what kind of meditation you should do, because Nichiren shu was insisting on only chanting Daimoku as Nichiren's meditation.

Nichiren shonin felt sad since most of Japanese people slandered the Lotus Sutra, and said in Ueno-dono Gohenji, A Reply to Lord Ueno.

This Ueno-dono Gohenji is not authentic. There is only a copy made by Nikko of Tiseki-ji. SGI and Nichiren Shoshu quote this Gosho repeatedly, repeatedly, so this sentence has been stuck in your memory.

The Lotus Sutra and other sutras are no longer efficacious in bringing about enlightenment. Only the Odaimoku can accomplish this. This is not my arbitrary opinion. It was so-arranged by the Buddha, the Buddha of Many Treasures, various Buddhas from all over the universe, and numerous great bodhisattvas from beneath the earth such as Superior Practice Bodhisattva. It is a serious mistake to mix other teachings with the Odaimoku. (NOPPA 4)

Most of ignorant priests didn't know the truth, and established heretical dogma. This Gosho was not authentic writing, which was in Taiseki-ji of Nichiren Shoshu.

But you should refer to the following authentic Gosho, Hokke Shuyo-sho.

Most people in this Saha World commit the sin of slandering the true Dharma. For those people (Gyaku-en), only five characters of Myo, Ho, Ren, Ge, and Kyo will be effective. For instance, it is like the preaching of Never-Despising Bodhisattva. My disciples who believe the Lotus Sutra are in the favorable condition, (Jun-en), but many others in Japan are not.

That is to say, Nichiren shonin said that it is not effective to explain about the doctrine of the Lotus Sutra or other sutras to those who were brainwashed by other wrong schools. And he said that only Daimoku is effective for those blind people, as reverse opportunity. Therefore, disciples of Nichiren shonin have to forcibly plant the seed of Buddhahood, Namu Myoho renge kyo, for those people. Chanting Daimoku continuously is an training by which to declare one's belief in and willingness to follow the teaching of the Hoke-kyo sutra. But, for disciples of Nichiren shonin, practices of the Lotus Sutra are not only to chant Daimoku.

There are many wrong people who insist on that you should only chant Daimoku, saying that you need not practice meditation or others. Many believers of Nichiren shonin have been being influenced by SGI's dogma and ignorant priests of Nichiren school that say Daimoku is a super mystic word to become a Buddha.

See important Kanjin Honzon Sho,

Question (12): Now I would like to know the meaning of spiritual contemplation (Kanjin) of the "3000 existences contained in one thought."

Answer: Spiritual contemplation (Kanjin) means for one to meditate on his own mind, observing through it ten realms, from the hells up to the realm of Buddhas, all of which are by nature contained in every mind.

Above is the explanation about Tendai's Kanjin.

Nichiren's Kanjin Honzon sho is the explanation to meditate Honzon on your own mind.

See important Kanjin Honzon sho,

The Honzon is the most venerable scene that the Eternal Buddha is transmitting "Namu Myo-ho ren-ge kyo" to His original disciples. Suspended in the sky above the Eternal Buddha Shakyamuni’s Saha world is a stupa of treasures, in which Shakaymuni Buddha and the Buddha of Many Treasures sit to the left and right of “Myo-ho ren-ge kyo.” They are waited on by four Bodhisattvas such as Jogyo representing the original disciples of the Eternal Buddha called out from underground. Four more bodhisattvas including Manjusri and Maitreya, take lower seats as followers, other great and minor bodhisattvas ~

After writing this Gosho, Nichiren shonin showed Gohonzon (Mandara Honzon). Mandara is used as an aid in meditation. Therefore, Nichi-ju shonin transmitted "The way to attend a lecture in the sky above Eagle Peak."

First, the most important practice is to chant Daimoku. It is to plant the seed in your mind. Namu means "devoting." You have to vow to keep and spread the Lotus sutra which is Buddha Shakyamuni's will.

While you chanting Daimoku, please practice meditation of the scene of Eagle Peak where the Buddha Shakaymuni gives the Lotus Sutra for us. Nichiren shonin says that the Honzon (Gohonzon) is the most venerable scene that the Eternal Buddha is transmitting "Namu Myo-ho ren-ge kyo" to His original disciples.

Please practice meditation of the five character of Myo Ho Ren Ge Kyo which includes all of wisdom of the Buddha Shakyamuni, thinking what kind of advice He gives you.

Please practice meditation of the repentance, thinking the cause of your suffering. Meditation of the repentance is important practice which expounded by the Lotus Sutra. If you realize those causes are delusions and illusions, your sufferings will disappear.

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