Besides the Three Pronouncements made in the “Appearance of the Stupa of Treasures” (11th) chapter of the Lotus Sūtra, the Buddha issued two more proclamations in the following twelfth chapter, “Devadatta,” of the same sūtra with the intention of having it spread after His death. Devadatta had been regarded as a man of the icchantika who did not have any possibility of attaining Buddhahood. He, nevertheless, was assured by the Buddha of becoming Tennō (Heavenly King) Buddha in the future. The forty-fascicled Nirvana Sūtra has stated the existence of the Buddha-nature in all, which is realized in this “Devadatta” chapter. Numerous offenders such as Zenshōbiku (Sunakṣatra) and King Ajātaśatru committed the Five Rebellious Sins or slandered the True Dharma. Since the worst of them, Devadatta, was assured of becoming a Buddha in the future, all others would naturally be assured just as people follow the leader and twigs and leaves join a tree. That is to say the example of Devadatta assured of being the future Heavenly King Buddha has made it unmistakable that all offenders of the Five Rebellious Sins or Seven Rebellious Sins, slanderers of the True Dharma, and men of icchantika – all of them will attain Buddhahood someday. This is somewhat like deadly poison turning into “nectar,” the best of all flavors.

Kaimoku-shō, Open Your Eyes to the Lotus Teaching, Writings of Nichiren Shōnin, Doctrine 2, Page 90