Nichiren on his disciples celebrating the birth of Shakyamuni Buddha with commentary

"Moreover, now when everyone else in Japan has abandoned Shakyamuni Buddha, what roots of goodness from the past, I wonder, account for your believing in the Lotus Sutra and Shakyamuni Buddha, and for all of you not only gathering on the eighth day* and making offerings, but sending flowers and incense to Nichiren deep in the mountains? How truly praiseworthy!" -- Nichiren

*This is known as Vesak day and in Japan, during the time of Nichiren, it was celebrated on the eighth day of the fourth month of the Chinese lunar calendar. Even today, it is widely celebrated by the Nichiren sects and the disciples and believers of Nichiren, SGI and Nichiren Shoshu excluded.