It is stated in the “Parable” chapter of the Lotus Sūtra, “Seeing those who read, recite, copy, and uphold this sūtra, some will despise, hate, envy, and bear grudges against them; in the “Teacher of the Dharma” chapter, “Many will feel resentment and envy even during the lifetime of the Buddha, even more so after His death;” in the “Encouragement for Upholding This Sūtra” chapter, “(Such a person) will be killed by a sword, beaten by a stick, or exiled often;” in the “Peaceful Practices” chapter, “All the people throughout the world will feel resentment at the Lotus Sūtra and not believe in it.” These scriptural statements are the prediction of the Buddha, but they do not specify in what ages such difficulties will take place. We can say that such sages as Never Despising Bodhisattva and Monk Virtue Consciousness in the past actually practiced what is stated in these scriptural passages. However, when we limit the scope of consideration to the present Sahā World, putting aside the 2,000 year Ages of the True and Semblance Dharmas for now, I, Nichiren, am the only person who has proven the prediction of the Buddha now in the Latter Age of Degeneration, isn’t it so?

Tenjū Kyōju Hōmon, Lightening the Karmic Retribution, Writings of Nichiren Shōnin, Followers I, Volume 6, Page 30