Now you may again have some questions about the second group because you may have learned that once we take faith, we will not commit any slanders against the True Law. As a matter of course, there are great differences between the slanders of non-believers and believers. One great difference is that non-believers cannot attain Buddhahood in this lifetime under any circumstances. But believers can, without fail, through their sincere faith in and correct practice of the true teaching. Non-believers are not aware of their slander or its seriousness.
Believers can become aware and attain enlightenment.
But to do so they must be aware of the many opportunities to commit slander. We have been warned that if we commit slander against the True Teaching, we will fall into the hell of incessant sufferings in spite of Buddhism's promise of Buddhahood. Thus everything depends upon whether our slander is minor or serious and what we do about it. Basically, we can attain Buddhahood through expiating our slander, even if it is serious, if we practice in exact accordance with the Daishonin's teachings. Sincerely and consistently doing morning and evening gongyo is Buddhist apology and expiates our minor offenses.