The Dharma is the invisible entity that sustains us, guides us, and improves us, in a word, the source at the root of our being. But since it is invisible and intangible, we ordinary people cannot perceive it clearly. Therefore, the Dharma should be expressed in some concrete form or image.

Shakyamuni Buddha was the first human being who was awakened to the Dharma. Although we ordinary people can hardly grasp it, when we think of it in the form of the Buddha who communicates to us and regards all of us with compassion, we can form an image clearly in our minds. Through the image of the Buddha, we can be aware of the loving power of the Dharma, which is the life-force sustaining all of us.

For Buddhists, it is most natural to symbolize the Dharma through an image of Shakyamuni Buddha who appeared in the world and not only preached what became Buddhism but was a living example of it. He is called the Eternal Buddha Shakyamuni, Great Benevolent Teacher, the World-honored One. Rissho Kosei-kai members express reverence before his image.

The Eternal Buddha is omnipresent in the universe and is the life-force that sustains and guides everything--human beings, animals, plants, and all other living and nonliving beings. To support and guide them, the Buddha appears in various forms appropriate to the particular time and place for their salvation by means suited to their capacity to understand his teachings.

Thus, the Eternal Buddha exists permanently everywhere from the infinite past to the infinite future, ready to help and relieve all living beings in the universe. He saves them in the way that all can fully develop and manifest all the good potential they have within themselves. Since the Eternal Buddha is one with the truth of the universe, we have only to adjust the wavelength of our minds to that of the Buddha, and the Buddha will then appear to us. In other words, we become aware of the Buddha's calling us and working for us.