As a tiger roars, wind blows hard; as a dragon howls, clouds surge up. However, winds do not blow nor do clouds appear if it is only a rabbit crying or a donkey braying. Likewise, if only the foolish read the Lotus Sūtra, and the wise merely lecture about it, nobody makes noise and nothing happens in the country. It is believed, however, when a sage appears and preaches the Lotus Sūtra as the Buddha did, the country will be excited and persecutions more severe than those in the Buddha’s lifetime will occur.

Ueno-dono Gohenji, A Reply to Lord Ueno, Writings of Nichiren Shōnin, Faith and Practice, Volume 4, Page 112