The Lotus Sūtra pulls out all the stops to insist that every single being—even the most downtrodden, the so-called “hopeless cases”—carries the seed of Buddhahood. Picture a roaring drumbeat underlining one big truth: no creature is left behind. Through its famous parable of the burning house, an up-and-at-’em father lures his children to safety with three carts, only to reveal there’s really just one vehicle—the Great Vehicle, or Mahāyāna—welcoming everyone aboard. It’s a real game-changer, smashing the old divide between ordinary folks and enlightened ones.

Blind faith in some rigid hierarchy? The Lotus sheds that like last season’s fashion. It champions skilful means (upāya), adapting the teaching so that each person, regardless of background or past missteps, is invited to buddahood. Even the so-called icchantikas—long thought incapable of awakening—earn a comeback in this narrative. The sutra boldly proclaims that their potential flickers eternally, waiting for the right spark.

Modern Buddhist communities keep that spirit alive. Whether it’s the morning huddle of Soka Gakkai chanting circles streaming live to tens of thousands, or Nichiren-inspired climate activists at this year’s UN forum, the call is the same: “Sky’s the limit.” Beyond temples and incense, digital-age believers share clips of Nam-myoho-renge-kyo mantras on TikTok—proof that universal salvation isn’t stuck in the past.

This message resonates in today’s world, where inclusion and social justice are more than buzzwords. The Lotus Sūtra’s heart is a rising tide that lifts all boats, insisting that compassion and wisdom belong to everyone. It’s a living reminder: enlightenment isn’t some elite club—it’s an open house, and the key sits in the palm of every sentient being.