Pre "Gohonzon" mandala, thousands of years of history used the "Eye Opening Ceremony" to imbue images and sculptures of Shakyamuni Buddha with the power to invoke the practitioner with invocation of one's Buddha nature or awakening. This was a practice not supported by Shakyamuni Buddha or any Bodhisattvas. Nichiren deals with the history of this practice by centering directly on teachings and Lotus Sutra text to show the correct attitude and understanding of the Eye Opening Ceremony.