Compared to Pure Land Buddhism and Zen Buddhism, Nichiren Buddhism focuses solely on the teachings and doctrines of the Lotus Sutra. Nichiren, the founder of Nichiren Buddhism, believed that the Lotus Sutra is the only true and direct teaching of the Buddha (Earhart 138). Nichiren also criticized other forms of Buddhism while promoting his own. Nichiren believed that “Nenbutsu leads to…Hell, Zen is a devil, Shingon will destroy the nation, and Ritsu is a traitor” (Earhart 138). Nichiren criticized the other forms of Buddhism because they did not have the Lotus Sutra as the central doctrine. Unlike Pure Land and Zen Buddhism, Nichiren believed that Amidism was not a way to reach enlightenment. Instead, Nichiren advocated for the repetition of
