In "The True Aspect of All Phenomena," Nichiren writes: "Though it is thought that Shakyamuni Buddha possesses the three virtues of sovereign, teacher, and parent for the sake of all of us living beings, that is not so. On the contrary, it is common mortals who endow him with the three virtues" (WND-1, 384). This passage describes a shift from an authoritarian to a humanistic, people-centered religion. -SGI President Ikeda (Lectures On Attaining Buddhahood in This Lifetime, pp. 11-12)