As the sun rose over the Pacific Ocean on this day in 1253, Nichiren stood on Mt. Kiyosumi and proclaimed Namu Myoho Renge Kyo -- devotion to the Lotus Sutra -- as the primary practice and vehicle for all beings to realize their Buddha nature.

This was not the first time the phrase had been spoken as a religious practice, of course. The Chinese used the phrase as a deathbed prayer (in Chinese: Namo Miao Fa Lien Hua Ching). And it wasn't unheard of in India: Namas Sad Dharma Pundarika Sutra.

But Nichiren was the first to proclaim the mantra as a universal prayer or meditation for awakening to Buddha awareness in one's present lifetime. Chant on, baby.