The Lotus Sutra is the holy scripture of Nichiren Buddhism. It is primarily associated with which tradition?

• A. Zen Buddhism
• B. Nichiren Buddhism
• C. Shinto
• D. Sufism

Answer: (B)

The main idea here is recognizing which tradition treats the Lotus Sutra as its defining scripture. The Lotus Sutra, or Saddharma Puṇḍarīka Sūtra, holds a place of highest authority in Nichiren Buddhism; Nichiren Daishonin taught that this sutra contains the ultimate teaching and should be the focal point of practice. Practitioners chant Nam Myoho Renge Kyo as a direct expression of devotion to the Lotus Sutra, aiming for enlightenment in this lifetime. Zen Buddhism, while it may study many sutras, centers on meditation and direct realization rather than making one scripture primary. Shinto is a native Japanese tradition focusing on kami, not Buddhist texts, and Sufism centers on the Qur’an and Islamic mysticism rather than Buddhist scriptures. Therefore, the tradition most closely associated with the Lotus Sutra is Nichiren Buddhism.