An evil man who speaks ill of me in my presence with evil intent for as long as a kalpa is not as sinful as the person who reproaches laymen or monks with even a single word of abuse for their reading and reciting the Sūtra of the Lotus Flower of the Wonderful Dharma.

The Buddha is supreme among men and gods. To hate and “curse” him is but cursing the man, not cursing the Dharma. However, if a man who receives the Dharma Blossom “curses” it, this is tantamount to “cursing” the man and disgracing the Dharma as well. To “curse” men and disgrace the Dharma is identical with “slandering” the Dharma-body. The guilt of those who “slander” the Dharma-body is extremely “grave.” [This injunction by the Buddha] is designed to strengthen the learner’s drive, certainly with great effect.