Gohonzon as compass

Take two travelers starting from the same location and heading for the same destination. Each one has a compass but one of the compass needles is manufactured poorly and is one degree off. Initially, after traveling a short distance, it appears that the two travelers are heading in the same direction. After having traveled a long distance, however, the deviations of their two paths and their different final destinations become obvious. The Lotus Sutra Buddhism of Nichiren Daishonin too is like this. Even a small error in one's faith and practice [ability to follow the compass direction] and more importantly, the nature of the object of worship [compass intact or damaged] determines the final destination of the traveler. The mistaken object of worship of the Soka Gakkai and Nichiren Shoshu leads the believer to a destination other than Buddhahood. The mistaken gentle practices in this latter age [the practices of the theoretical section of the Lotus Sutra and of Tientai] of the Nichiren Shu and Soka Gakkai also lead to a destination other than Buddhahood. The correct faith, practice, and most importantly, the correct object of worship always lead directly to Buddhahood.