Regarding pure faith while holding distorted views

One can not develop the requisite faith necessary to attain Buddhahood failing to acknowledge that the identity of the Eternal Original Buddha is the Master of Teachings Lord Shakya of the Juryo-hon Chapter of the Lotus Sutra. The reason is that the identity of the Eternal Original Buddha is clearly stated in the Lotus Sutra and in the authentic writings of Nichiren. For example, one assiduously studies the writings of Nichiren and you read that the Eternal Original Buddha is Shakyamuni Buddha of the Lifespan Chapter of the Lotus Sutra. Then you go to an SGI study meeting or a Nichiren Shoshu priest's lecture and they tell you that in fact, the identity of the Original Eternal Buddha, is Nichiren Daishonin (they tell you that Nichiren taught that but meant this). Then, you would be of two minds should you accept what the leaders or priests and Nichiren teach. Nichiren cautions, "If you should be of two minds... then even though you identify yourself as Nichiren’s disciple, they* will never accept your word."

*Brahmā, Shakra, the four heavenly kings, and King Yama (at the moment of death).

Nichiren teaches in the concluding paragraph of Letter to Soya:

"The blind cannot see the characters of this sutra. To the eyes of ordinary people, they look like characters. Persons of the two vehicles perceive them as the void. Bodhisattvas look on them as innumerable doctrines. Buddhas recognize each character as a golden Shakyamuni. This is what is meant by the passage that says, “[If one can uphold this sutra], one will be upholding the Buddha’s body.” Those who practice with distorted views, however, are destroying this most precious sutra. You should simply be careful that, without differing thoughts, you single-mindedly aspire to the pure land of Eagle Peak. A passage in the Six Pāramitās Sutra says to become the master of your mind rather than let your mind master you. I will explain in detail when I see you.

SGI member Kitt: If your faith is pure...it wouldn't matter what the piece of paper is inside the Butsudan or who you believe to be the Eternal Buddha. As long as you continue to chant with a heart that is pure and a seeking spirit, you will continue to enlighten your life.

Mark: This is a common delusion of those who do not have a correct object of worship and a correct view of the Eternal Buddha. However, for arguments sake, let's say this is true, at least until the practitioner becomes aware of the truth. At the stage of practice (not yet aware of the truth) your faith may remain pure regardless of the object of worship or even believing that Nichiren Daishonin is the Original Eternal Buddha. The moment that you are made aware of the truth through the Lotus Sutra, the writings of Nichiren Daishonin, through a friend, or through one's own awakening [the moment that you learn the truth that the object of worship is not a representation of Nichiren but rather a representation of the Master of Teachings Lord Shakyamuni of the Original Doctrine], should you persist in your mistaken belief, it then becomes impossible to maintain a pure faith by the principle of "two differing thoughts".

So yes, until you know the truth, you may continue to accrue merit and virtue (benefit) even with a mistaken belief or a mistaken object of worship but once you know the truth, if you persist in embracing a lie, your merits and virtue will wither and die.