The Lotus Sūtra can be viewed differently, depending on the recipient’s ability, on the era and country in which it is preached, and on the people who spread it. However, even bodhisattvas at the highest rank almost equal to the Buddha do not seem to understand this, much less ordinary people in the Latter Age of Degeneration. When I think about it, there are three kinds of messengers. One is extremely wise, another is neither simple-minded nor wise, and the last is very simple-minded but honest and dependable.

Of these three, the first one has wisdom so that mistakes are not made. Although the second one is not as wise as the first, wisdom is present. This messenger might add arbitrary words to the master’s; making this messenger the most dangerous of all. The third one lacks any wisdom and thus does not think about adding words. Also, since this messenger is extremely honest, the words of the master are transmitted accurately; therefore, this messenger may be a superior to the second type. In fact, in some cases the third one is better than the first messenger. The first messenger is compared to the four ranks of bodhisattva leaders after the death of the Buddha in India, the second messenger is compared to Buddhist masters in China, and the third messenger is compared to ordinary people in the Latter Age of Degeneration who are simple-minded but honest.

Zui-jii Gosho, The Sūtra Preached in Accordance to [the Buddha’s] Own Mind, Writings of Nichiren Shōnin, Faith and Practice, Volume 4, Page 155