Regarding the faith and understanding of Buddhist teachings, there are four types of people: (1) those who believe without understanding, (2) those who understand without having faith, (3) those with both faith and understanding, and (4) those who have neither faith nor understanding.

QUESTION: Do those who believe the teaching without understanding slander it?

ANSWER: The Lotus Sūtra, “A Parable,” preaches that even Śāriputra “was able to gain entrance (to Buddhahood) through faith alone.” The Nirvana Sūtra, fascicle 9, preaches to the same effect, “Upon hearing this sūtra (with faith) everything without exception will be the cause of enlightenment.” With faith one can attain Buddhahood even if one does not possess the knowledge to understand the dharma. How can such a person be a slanderer of the True Dharma?

Ken Hōbō-shō, A Clarificaton of Slandering the True Dharma, Writings of Nichiren Shōnin, Doctrine 3, Pages 134-135.