Despite being a layman and despised by everyone, you have been devoted to me though we do not see each other. Why is this? It must be due to the merit accumulated in your past lives. As the time has come for you to inevitably become a Buddha in the next life, you are inspired with the Bodhi-mind. Besides, it is preached in the Lotus Sūtra, “He whose body is taken over by evil gods does not believe in this sūtra while he whose mind is replaced by the soul of Śākyamuni Buddha has faith in it.” Therefore, I feel most confident that just as the ray of the moonlight enters a body of water and makes it clear, the soul of Lord Preacher Śākyamuni Buddha entered your mind to eliminate impurity.

Matsuno-dono Goshōsoku, Letter to Lord Matsuno, Writings of Nichiren Shōnin, Volume 7, Followers II, Page 66