One of the objections of Nichiren’s contemporaries was the Lotus Sutra was too difficult for people and so some other teaching should be presented. Nichiren’s response was that yes, it was hard; the Buddha said it would be hard; and that is all the more reason why it is the most appropriate teaching for the ages after the death of the Buddha. We should not be surprised that it is difficult to practice and teach the Lotus Sutra. Yet I have met many who are either forgetful of the message from the Buddha, or who did not believe him when he says it will be hard to practice the Lotus Sutra.