QUESTION: What merits exist for us, the uneducated, in listening to such an important teaching?

ANSWER: With this we can say that we have really heard the Lotus
Sūtra for the first time. Grand Master Miao-lê claims in his Annotations on the Great Concentration and Insight: “If indeed the three evil ways can readily become the three merits, then it becomes possible to cross both kinds of rivers separating life and death—that experienced by men who are lost in rebirth and that of bodhisattvas who have managed to free themselves from delusions, not to speak of the rebirth in the triple world and six lower realms.” When we, the unenlightened of the latter age, hear this teaching, we are not the only ones to gain enlightenment, but our parents would so benefit as well. Without a doubt, this truly exemplifies filial piety.

Shimon Butsujō-gi, Listening to the Once Buddha Vehicle Teachings for the First Time, Writings of Nichiren Shōnin, Doctrine 2, Page 249-250