Nichiren Buddhism approaches issues of social justice and human rights from the standpoint that every person possesses inherent Buddha nature and, therefore, unassailable dignity. The Lotus Sutra’s affirmation that all beings can attain Buddhahood undermines hierarchies based on gender, class, race, or social status, and frames discrimination and oppression as violations of the true nature of life. This vision of equality is not merely abstract doctrine; it becomes the ethical foundation for respecting the dignity of every individual and rejecting any ideology or structure that denies that dignity. In this way, human rights are understood as flowing from the deepest spiritual reality rather than from convention or social contract alone.

At the heart of this tradition lies the practice of chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo, which is regarded as the engine of “human revolution,” or profound inner transformation. By confronting suffering, fear, and resignation through this practice, individuals are said to develop wisdom, compassion, and courage—the very qualities needed to challenge injustice in daily life. Personal awakening and social engagement are thus seen as inseparable: as people awaken to their own Buddha nature, they naturally come to recognize and protect it in others. Social change, in this perspective, begins with the reformation of the inner life and radiates outward into families, communities, and institutions.

This inner transformation is oriented toward kosen-rufu, the widespread propagation of the Lotus Sutra’s spirit so that society as a whole may be grounded in respect for life. Kosen-rufu is understood as the creation of a world in which all people can live with dignity and realize their potential, a vision that inherently includes peace, justice, and the alleviation of suffering. Dialogue and nonviolence are emphasized as the primary means of resolving conflict, since authentic peace cannot be built on coercion or dehumanization. Speaking out against injustice and working to reform social structures are therefore regarded as compassionate responsibilities, not optional add-ons to religious practice.

Modern Nichiren Buddhist movements, particularly those inspired by this vision, have translated these principles into concrete forms of engagement. They promote peace education, nuclear abolition, human rights education, and interfaith dialogue as expressions of the vow to protect life. Efforts in areas such as women’s empowerment, educational initiatives, environmental protection, cultural exchange, and various forms of social and economic uplift are framed as natural outgrowths of the bodhisattva ideal—working for the happiness and welfare of others. In this way, the chanting of the Lotus Sutra is seen not as a retreat from the world’s problems, but as the spiritual wellspring for sustained, compassionate action to transform both personal destiny and the broader social fabric.