To become a Buddha is more difficult than trying to thread a needle by casting a thread from the top of one Mt. Sumeru to the needle on the top of another Mt. Sumeru. How much more difficult it will be if a strong head wind is blowing the other way! It is preached in the “Never Despising Bodhisattva” chapter of the Lotus Sūtra, “For the first time in an innumerable number of kalpa (aeons) since the eternal past we can now hear the Lotus Sūtra. For the first time in an innumerable number of kalpa (aeons) since the eternal past the Buddhas, World-honored Ones, now preach this Lotus Sūtra. Therefore, those who practice the Lotus Sūtra after the passing of the Buddha should have no doubts upon hearing this sutra.”

This scriptural statement is especially precious among the 28 chapters of the Lotus Sūtra. From chapters one to ten (“Introductory” to “Teacher of the Dharma”) of the Lotus Sūtra, many listeners were gathered beginning with bodhisattvas of the highest stage, human beings, heavenly beings, the four categories of Buddhists, and the eight kinds of gods and demi-gods. As for the Buddhas, however, there was only one – Śākyamuni Buddha. Therefore, we can say that these chapters are somewhat “light” in a sense though they preach some important doctrines. The following 12 chapters, from chapter 11 to 22 (“Beholding the Stupa of Treasures” to “Transmission”) preach the more important doctrines. The reason why this is so is that the stupa of treasures with the Buddha of Many Treasures in it emerged from the earth in the presence of Śākyamuni Buddha. It was as if the sun appeared in front of the moon. The scene of numerous Buddhas gathered from all the worlds in the universe sitting under the Bodhi trees was as if all the plants in all the worlds throughout the universe were spectacularly lit. The teaching of the “Never Despising Bodhisattva” chapter was preached under such circumstances.

Hyōesakan-dono Gohenji, Answer to Lord Ikegami Munenaga, Writings of Nichiren Shōnin, Volume 6, Followers I, Page 93-94