"The Buddhist teachings may be classified into five categories that correspond to the five flavors of fresh milk, cream, curdled milk, butter, and ghee... But now, after the Buddha has passed away... those earlier heavenly beings, gods, asuras, great dragons, and other beings have grown very old and become feeble in body and weak in mind."

Nichiren uses the metaphor of aging to explain that spiritual teachings and protective forces lose their power over time when they become corrupted or diluted. Just as old horses become weak and can no longer carry heavy loads, the gods and teachings that once protected people have become ineffective because they're no longer practicing the pure, undiluted Buddhism of the Lotus Sutra.

"Now for the past twenty-eight years... I, Nichiren, have done nothing else, but have labored solely to put the five or seven characters of Myoho-renge-kyo into the mouths of all the living beings of the country of Japan. In doing so, I have shown the kind of compassion that a mother does when she labors to put milk into the mouth of her infant child."

Nichiren describes his life's mission with profound tenderness - he has spent nearly three decades trying to teach people the essence of the Lotus Sutra (Nam-myoho-renge-kyo) with the same loving care a mother shows when nursing her baby. This reveals his deep compassion and dedication to saving people from suffering through correct Buddhist practice.

"The Land of the Moon is another name for India, the place where the Buddha made his appearance in the world. The Land of the Sun is another name for Japan. Is there any reason why a sage should not appear here? The moon moves from the west eastward, a sign of how the Buddhism of India spread in an easterly direction. The sun rises in the east, an auspicious sign of how the Buddhism of Japan is destined to return to the Land of the Moon."

In this poetic passage, Nichiren presents his vision that true Buddhism will spread from Japan back to the rest of the world. He uses the imagery of moon and sun to suggest that while Buddhism began in India (the moon), Japan (the sun) will become the source of a brighter, more powerful Buddhism that will illuminate the entire world during the dark age of the Latter Day of the Law.

"If I, Nichiren, were to observe this situation with my own eyes and yet pretend ignorance and refrain from speaking out, then I too ought to join those who have fallen into hell. Though guilty of no such fault myself, I should be condemned to journey through all the great Avīchi hells... Such being the case, how then can I fail to speak out, even though it may cost me life and limb?"

Nichiren explains why he must speak out against religious corruption even when it brings persecution. He believes that remaining silent while people follow teachings that lead to suffering would make him equally guilty. His sense of responsibility is so strong that he's willing to risk his life rather than watch people be misled by false teachings.