The Oneness of Mentor and Disciple
The 'oneness of mentor and disciple' is a principle which has profound significance in Buddhism. Nichiren Daishonin reconfirmed Shakyamuni's plea to his followers to: 'Rely on the Law and not upon persons'(4). Therefore, we do not worship or pray to statues of the Daishonin or Shakyamuni. Rather we have an object of devotion - the Gohonzon - which is a representation of Nichiren Daishonin's enlightened life state. However, the Daishonin also stated that we should 'seek out the votary of the Lotus Sutra and make him our teacher.'