One studies Buddhism in order to repay what one owes to one’s country even at the cost of one’s life; it is not at all for one’s own sake. Grand Master T’ien-t’ai declares in his Words and Phrases of the Lotus Sūtra: “Looking at heavy rainfall, one can tell the size of the dragon which causes it; looking at the abundance of lotus flowers, one can tell the depth of the pond.” Likewise, we should realize the seriousness of the coming event by looking at unusual omens. National disaster seems imminent, so I have written to you repeatedly. No one listens to me; yet I keep warning.

Yadoya Nyūdō Sai-gojō, Second Letter to Lay Priest Yadoya, Writings of Nichiren Shōnin, Doctrine 1, Page 152-153