Within Nichiren Buddhism, chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo is regarded as a direct means of awakening the Buddha nature—qualities such as compassion, wisdom, courage, and a deep sense of interconnectedness with all life. This inner transformation is not viewed as an isolated, private experience, but as the very foundation for broad social and environmental change. As tendencies rooted in greed, anger, and ignorance are lessened, attitudes and behaviors naturally shift toward non-violence, respect for life, and concern for long-term consequences. In this way, the practice is understood as purifying negative karma and creating positive causes that can manifest as more peaceful and sustainable conditions in the world.

Central to this perspective is the principle of esho funi, the oneness of the individual and the environment. According to this teaching, the inner life-condition and the outer world are inseparable aspects of a single reality, so that elevating one’s life through chanting is believed to exert a positive influence on one’s surroundings and, by extension, on society and the natural world. When chanting is directed toward global peace and environmental sustainability, it is seen as aligning the practitioner with the rhythm of universal life and fostering a worldview in which harming the environment or other beings is ultimately understood as self-destructive. This naturally encourages a stance of environmental stewardship and peaceful coexistence.

Chanting is also regarded as a source of empowerment and responsibility, encouraging individuals to see themselves as agents of change rather than passive observers. As inner clarity and courage grow, practitioners are moved to take concrete actions—such as community service, peace work, and environmental initiatives—that embody the values cultivated through practice. Group chanting is further believed to generate a shared field of positive influence, a kind of collective spiritual momentum that can help shift the consciousness of families, communities, and even entire societies toward harmony and sustainability. In this vision, the transformation of the world begins with the “human revolution” in a single life, radiating outward through thought, word, and deed.