In Nichiren’s teachings, the four powers are known as the four powers of the Mystic Law, whose interaction enables one to have one’s prayers answered and attain Buddhahood.
- the power of faith
- the power of practice
- the power of the Buddha and
- the power of the Law.
The power of the Buddha is the Buddha’s compassion in saving all people.
The power of the Law indicates the boundless capacity of the Mystic Law which leads all people to enlightenment.
The power of faith is to believe single-mindedly in the Gohonzon, the object of devotion that embodies the power of the Buddha and the power of the Law. It means the strong belief that nothing other than this Gohonzon can lead one to enlightenment
and
The power of practice is to chant Nam-myoho-renge-kyo oneself and teach others to do the same.
Even though the boundless powers of the Buddha and the Law are embodied in the Gohonzon, they will not set to work to benefit us of their own accord. Rather, these powers of the Buddha and the Law are manifested through our own powers of faith and practice.
To the extent that one brings forth one’s powers of faith and practice, one can manifest the powers of the Buddha and the Law within one’s own life.
On The Power of Four, excerpt from Toda Josei Zenshu (collected writings of Josei Toda; Tokyo; Seikyo Shimbunsha, 1989, vol. 4, p.42 )
“The power of the Buddha and the power of the Law increase in proportion to the strength of the power of faith and the power of practice. Therefore, bringing forth the powers of the Buddha and the Mystic Law in your life depends on the powers of your own faith and practice. The latter merge to become the powers of the Buddha and the Law, resulting in benefits that seem miraculous, defying comprehension”