[I]n the 20th chapter on the “Never-Despising Bodhisattva” of the Lotus Sūtra, the Buddha describes Himself in His previous lives: “Once upon a time, there was a bodhisattva named Never-Despising. … He propagated the Lotus Sūtra fervently despite persecutions.” The sūtra describes how evil people spoke ill of him, abused him or struck him with a stick or a piece of wood, and threw pieces of tile or stones at him. By showing such ascetic practices in His previous lives, the Buddha encouraged those who propagate in the beginning of the Latter Age of Degeneration. Propagating the Lotus Sūtra, Never-Despising Bodhisattva was persecuted, and was struck with a stick or a piece of wood but attained the rank of the Buddha instantly. As I propagated the Lotus Sūtra, my house was set on fire at Matsubagayatsu, and I was attacked by Tōjō Kagenobu at Komatsubara, exiled to Izu, and banished to Sado Island. Therefore, I will reach Buddhahood in the future without a doubt.

Hakii Saburō-dono Go-henji, A Response to Lord Hakii Saburō, Writings of Nichiren Shōnin, Doctrine 2, Page 185