The Sūtra of Transmission of the Buddhist Teaching relates the story of how a boy who had donated a rice cake made of sand to the Buddha in the past was reborn a hundred years later as the ruler governing one-fourth of the Jambudvīpa. This story refers to Emperor Aśoka. It is stated in the Lotus Sūtra, “The Teacher of the Dharma” chapter, that if we compare the merit received through making various offerings to Śākyamuni Buddha for as long as one kalpa (aeon) with that of helping a practicer of the Lotus Sūtra for a short while in the Latter Age of Degeneration, the merit of helping a practicer of the Lotus Sūtra is superior. Grand Master Miao-lê explains this in his Annotations on the Words and Phrases of the Lotus Sūtra, “Donors to the upholder of the Lotus Sūtra are superior to those who make donations to the Buddha with the ten epithets.” Therefore, the merit of your donation to me is superior to the merit of making a donation to the Buddha. Accordingly, there is no doubt that you will attain Buddhahood.

Takahashī-dono Gohenji, A Reply to Lord Takahashi, Writings of Nichiren Shōnin, Volume 7, Followers II, Pages 82-83