The “Teacher of the Dharma” chapter in the 4th fascicle of the Lotus Sūtra states: “If there is one who, in the quest for the Buddha Way, honors me in countless verses with palms pressed together in my presence throughout one kalpa (aeon), such a person will gain immeasurable benefits because of this praise. But one who extols the upholders of this sūtra will accrue blessings that surpass even those.” This means that the merits received for making offerings to a practicer of the Lotus Sūtra in the Latter Age of Degeneration surpass the benefits received for serving with sincerity a Buddha as noble as Śākyamuni with one’s body; mouth, and mind for an entire medium kalpa (aeon). Although this may seem implausible, there should be no doubt about it because such are the Buddha’s golden words.

Grand Master Miao-lê further clarifies this passage from the sūtra by saying: “Those who slander them (practicers of the Lotus Sūtra), will have their heads split into seven pieces. However, those who make offerings to them (practicers of the Lotus Sūtra) will find that their merits exceed those of a Buddha endowed with the ten honorable titles.” This means that the merit of making offerings to a practicer of the Lotus Sūtra in the Latter Age of Degeneration exceeds that of making offerings to a Buddha with ten honorable titles. It also means that those who persecute a practicer of the Lotus Sūtra in the impure age will have their heads split into seven pieces.

Kō no Ama Gozen Gosho, A Letter to My lady, the Nun Kō, the Nun Myōichi, Writings of Nichiren Shōnin, Volume 7, Followers II, Pages 165-166