兼兼申せしが如く日蓮が弟子等は臆病にては叶うべからず、
Bear in mind, as I have always said, that Nichiren’s disciples cannot accomplish anything if they are cowardly.
彼れ彼れの経経と法華経と勝劣・浅深・成仏・不成仏を判ぜん時・爾前迹門の釈尊なりとも物の数ならず、何に況や其の以下の等覚の菩薩をや、
As you debate the relative superiority and depth of the Lotus Sutra and other sutras, and whether or not they lead to enlightenment, remember that even the Shakyamuni Buddha described in the pre-Lotus Sutra teachings or in the theoretical teaching of the Lotus Sutra is no one to be in awe of; even less so are bodhisattvas at the stage of near-perfect enlightenment.
まして権宗の者どもをや、
Followers of schools based on the provisional teachings are of still less account.
法華経と申す大梵王の位にて民とも下し鬼畜なんどと下しても其の過有らんやと意を得て宗論すべし。
As you debate, bear in mind that because we embrace the Lotus Sutra our position is like that of the great heavenly king Brahmā, and it is not at all wrong to regard those who hold to lesser teachings as our subjects or even as barbarians.
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