To begin with, what virtuous acts did you commit in the past existences to cause you to visit me, Nichiren, in this life? Contemplate your past lives, when you accumulated merits to encounter the practicer of the Lotus Sūtra. By all means you should endeavor to get rid of the delusion of life and death in this existence. Cūḍapanthaka, who was unable to memorize even 14 characters in three years, was able to attain Buddhahood. Devadatta, who was able to memorize as many as 60,000 Buddhist teachings, fell into the Hell of Incessant Suffering. This solely represents the world today in the Latter Age of Degeneration. Do not think that it is not a matter of your concern.
San Sanzō Kiu no Koto, Concerning the Prayer Services for Rain by Three Tripiṭaka Masters, Writings of Nichiren Shōnin, Doctrine 3, Pages 209.