Parable of Jewel in the TopKnot

The jewel in his topknot, meanwhile, represents the "difficult to believe" Lotus Sutra—a revolutionary teaching that enables all people to live truly empowered and peaceful lives. The Lotus Sutra teaches that making a vow to help others become truly happy is in fact the key to attaining a peaceful state of life free of worry and anxiety. While one may think it makes sense to help others only after one has mastered all one's own problems, rather, as Daisaku Ikeda points out, it is by setting aside our own worries and concerns to help those who are suffering that we are able to develop a powerful, expansive state of life. And in developing such a vast life condition, we are also able to overcome our own challenges. Nichiren further states: "If one lights a fire for others, one will brighten one's own way." When blinded by fear and unable to see the greater purpose of our lives, we may easily lose our way and fall into greater suffering. However, Nichiren Buddhism teaches that we can always find the path of happiness by fearlessly confronting our problems head-on while helping others do the same. As President Ikeda confidently states: "It's not a matter of leading a timid and weak existence, seeking to avoid obstacles and difficulties. Rather, we should have the spirit: 'Come what may, I will survive! I will climb another mountain! And the more I climb, the more I can enjoy my life, and the more people I can help become happy.'" Nichiren Buddhism and the Lotus Sutra aim to impart to all people the art of revolutionizing their inner state of life