February 8, 1951
February 29, 2008
Thursday - Fine weather
A youth division meeting was held at I.’s in Koiwa. At 7:00, fourteen young religious revolutionaries gathered boldly under the leadership of our teacher, Mr. Toda. Solemn and vibrant, tonight’s meeting lasted more than three hours. All participants were serious. Finally, Mr. Toda’s superb Gosho lecture on The Three Great Secret Laws filled my heart with furious resolve. Mr. Toda defined for us the ‘kosen-rufu of substantiation’ during the Latter day of the Law.
Next, the participants discussed the book The Eternal City. I asserted that revolutions can be divided into three major categories - political, economic and religious. I said I thought his book describes a political revolution similar to Japan’s Meiji Restoration. Communist revolutions are economic in nature. The revolution w e are solemnly striving to achieve is more fundamental - a religious revolution. In other words, it is a truly peaceful, bloodless revolution.
How will we fourteen youths gathered today living ten years from now, on February 8, 1961? I prayed that not one will have fallen wayside, that all will be healthy and working vigorously.
Returned with U. and others, through the cold streets in a cold train car
February 7, 1951
February 28, 2008
Wednesday - Fair and pleasant
Up at 7:30. Finished three prayers of gongyo, then left for work in high spirits. Made little progress at work. What is the cause? I can attribute it only to my own lack of progress or growth.
treated N. and some others to dinner in the evening. Ended up paying ¥600. It really hurt my finances. Home at 11:20. It’s cold.
February 6, 1951
February 27, 2008
Tuesday - Clear
Felt terrible all day long. Could it be from lack of sleep? Worked inefficiently. It was a bad day.
Held a discussion meeting at my place in the evening, but no one new person came. The only participants were K., T., H. and myself. A truly lonesome gathering.
Some are violently passionate, while others appear more reasonable. Which are happiness?
Promised myself I would try my best during the next ten years. To bed. 12:30.
February 5, 1951
February 26, 2008
Monday - Clear and pleasant
Ate two portions of breakfast this morning at a restaurant that honours food coupons. Continuing to live immoderately. It seems I’m always doing something to make my health worse.
Bad causes bring bad effects, while good causes bring good effects. No one knows the reasons for my situation better than I do. In the end, no one is to blame. It is no one’s responsibility but my own.
Went to Mr. Toda’s in the evening. He finished lecturing on the comparison of provisional Mahayana with the true Mahayana teachings (the Lotus Sutra), as expounded in the Gosho, On the Teaching Affirmed By All Buddhas Throughout Time (GZ, 558). A truly difficult concept. After the lecture, he reprimanded me about several things. Strongly reflected that ultimately, I was being admonished for my own conceit and arrogance.
Home at 11:00. Finished reading the book Yoritomo. Mr. Toda never leaves my mind.
Faith, human revolution, kosen-rufu: I must stand up!
February 4, 1951
February 25, 2008
Sunday - Clear and fair
It’s almost miraculous that such fine weather has continued for so long.
The monthly youth division meeting was held today. Feel miserable because I did not attend.
Visited N., the schoolteacher. We discussed education until 10:00.
Decided to drink a small glass of whiskey from now on before I go to bed each night, for my health.
Feeling tired.
But disgrace in this life is nothing. Of far greater concern is the disgrace that appears in the next life. Proceed to the place of practice of the Lotus Sutra, bearing in mind the time when you must face the wardens of hell, and the garment-suspending demon will strip off you clothes on the bank of the river of three crossings, The Lotus Sutra is the robe that will keep you from disgrace after this life. The sutra reads, “It is like a robe to one who is naked.”
-Letter to Jakunichi-bo (WND, pg 994)
Returned home, 12:00. To bed, 1:30.
