Born in the Latter Age of Degeneration, I, Nichiren, was the first to spread the outline of the Wonderful Dharma reserved for Bodhisattva Superior Practice. I was also the first to inscribe the Great Mandala with Śākyamuni Buddha appearing in the “Life Span of the Buddha” chapter of the essential section of the Lotus Sūtra, the Buddha of Many Treasures who emerged in the “Stupa of Treasures” chapter of the theoretical section, and bodhisattvas from the earth in the “Emerging from the Earth” chapter. These are very meaningful to me. And those who hate me cannot affect my enlightenment no matter what power they hold. Therefore, the transgression of exiling me to this remote island will never disappear for incalculable kalpa (aeons).

Referring to this the Buddha preaches in “A Parable” chapter, “If I were to describe its sin, I would exhaust a kalpa without fully explaining its magnitude.” The merit of your offerings to me and becoming my follower, on the other hand, cannot be fully comprehended even with the Buddha’s wisdom. Therefore, it is preached in the “Medicine King Bodhisattva” chapter, “Even the wisdom of the Buddha cannot measure the extent of such merit.”

Shohō Jisso-shō, Treatise on All Phenomena as Ultimate Reality, Writings of Nichiren Shōnin, Faith and Practice, Volume 4, Page 77