During the 2,000 years following the death of Śākyamuni Buddha, besides the three sages of Śākyamuni Buddha, T’ien-t’ai, and Dengyō, the only true practicers of Buddhism are I, Nichiren, my disciples, and lay followers in the Latter Age of Degeneration. If you do not call us true pracicers of Buddhism, you cannot call the three sages of Śākyamuni Buddha, T’ien-t’ai, and Dengyō true practicers, either!

Nyosetsu Shugyō-shō, True Way of Practicing the Teaching of the Buddha, Writings of Nichiren Shōnin, Faith and Practice, Volume 4, Page 87