Day 19 concludes Chapter 14, Peaceful Practices, and begins Chapter 15, The Appearance of Bodhisattvas from Underground.

Last month covered the gathas of the Parable of the Priceless Gem in the Top-Knot. And before I get to the dream that concludes this chapter, I pause to consider this promise:

Anyone who seeks
The enlightenment of the Buddha
And wishes to expound this sutra
In peaceful ways after my extinction,
Should practice
These four sets of things.

Anyone who reads this sutra
Will be free from grief,
Sorrow, disease or pain.
His complexion will be fair.
He will not be poor,
Humble or ugly.

All living beings
Will wish to see him
Just as they wish to see sages and saints.
Celestial pages will serve him.

He will not be struck with swords or sticks.
He will not be poisoned.
If anyone speaks ill of him,
The speaker’s mouth will be shut.
He will be able to go anywhere
As fearless as the lion king.
The light of his wisdom will be
As bright as that of the sun.

I find this brief section contradictory to the sutra’s warning of dangers for expounders of this sutra and certainly contrary to Nichiren’s experience, which was validation of his preaching the true teaching. Still, the Sept. 20, 2016, Daily Dharma touches on this section:

Anyone who reads this sūtra
Will be free from grief,
Sorrow, disease or pain.
His complexion will be fair.
He will not be poor,
Humble or ugly.
All living beings
Will wish to see him
Just as they wish to see sages and saints.
Celestial pages will serve him.