Awoke at 6:50. Did gongyo, feeling refreshed both in body and spirit. Not to be filled with vitality and burning passion during the precious years of youth would be a waste. Advancement – what a youthful word, filled with possibilities for the future. I will, throughout my life, use and practise this word both in name and in reality. Advancement – this word implies growth, hope, courage, youth and justice.

1. Finish copy for the article to be used for propagation by the 15th.
2. Exert myself to make my district prosper.

Discussed various matters with Miss M. at Y.’s.

Recolutionaries, poets, thinkers, politicians, educators – aren’t their endeavours all included within Buddhism’s essence? Alone, thinking deeply about Mr Toda. Read a book.

The greater the man, the deeper his love. To bed, 3:00.

May is over. The greater the hardship we encounter, the more courageous and passionate we must become.

Youth who live to propagate the Great Pure Law, this is your destiny, your mission. Advancing towards kosen-rufu, determined youth. How many true comrades in faith are there? My true friends, who are they? Does my heart know them? My faith is only in the Gohonzon. Aren’t those who fully believe in Gohonzon truly reliable? And truly reliable comrades – aren’t they the ones who truly believe in the Gohonzon?

To bed, 1:30.

India is called the land of the moon because it was there that the Buddha made his appearance. Japan is called the land of the sun; now could a sage fail to appear there? Just as the moon moves from west to east, the Buddhism of India has spread towards the east. The sun rises in the east. This is a sign that Buddhism of Japan will one day return to India. The feeble light of the moon [of Sakyamuni's Lotus Sutra] will illuminate the long darkness of the fifth five-hundred years. The Buddha did not cure those who slandered the Lotus Sutra, for the did not appear in his lifetime. But in the Latter Day of the Law, powerful enemies of the one vehicle will abound. The blessings [which result from propagation in such an age] will be the same as those of Bodhisattva Fukyo. You who are my disciples must exert yourself thoroughly. – (GZ, pg 576)

More and more like summer every day.

First, believe in the Gohonzon.

First, never doubt the Gohonzon.

First, continue to pray to the Gohonzon.

First, never leave the Gohonzon.

First, proclaim the greatness of the Gohonzon.

Home at 11:00.

In the evening, Mr Toda gave a Gosho lecture at the headquarters. Tomorrow, I will accompany the youth division chief, T., and three other youths to the Tochigi area for propagation, staying overnight. Delighted, as it will be my first expedition to campaign in an outlying area.

My district has many points that need improvement. U. and T. came by late in the evening. Inwardly, I feel some Gakkai members could use little more common sense. Spontaneity deserves respect. Nonetheless, it should be appropriate. actions that cause trouble for others can in no way be called spontaneity. Rather, we could conclude that those who act in such a way are taking advantage of Buddhism.

Qualities like courtesy and common sense should serve to enhance spontaneity. They should not exist merely for their own sake. When each individual understands the True Law, and it becomes the driving force, the fundamental principle for that age, how deep the nation’s foundation will be! How reasonable and splendid a society will be established! People will then lead lives free from contradictions and deadlocks.

The True Law: Understand it deeply!
The True Law: Spread it widely!
The True Law: Apply it powerfully to your daily life!
The True Law: Praise it highly!
The True Law: Let it flow, purely, to the depths of your life!

Returned home, 11:30. To bed, 2:00

In the evening – fourteen eager youths gathered for a lecture from Mr Toda. It was on Letter from Sado. Must try my best.

Regret that I cannot make progress as I desire. Some days I feel so miserable I want to cry. I keep worrying about Omori District. Will pray to Gohonzon for it to become a perfect district.

Why are youths’ mind always changing? Inspiration, despair, joy, suffering, the desire for improvement, dejection, high spirits, worry, optimism, caution … In any event, I must be youthful. Must live as befits a young man. To bed 3:00.

A great day.

Spoke with M. about various matters for about two hours in the afternoon. He is really trying hard. I appreciate him from the bottom of my heart.

Lectured in the evening t a dozen or so members at I’s house on The Opening of the Eyes and Reply to Hakiri Saburo. Everyone looked delighted. Nothing makes me happier than to see members’ spirits raised even a little.

Return home at 8:50. Tried working on copy for The Daibyakurenge but could make no progress. Felt discouraged. When will the day come that I can satisfactorily express my thoughts in writing? Prayed to the Gohonzon to convince U. and T. to take faith this month so that they may be saved from unhappiness. To bed, 12:00.

A warm day. Things are not going smoothly at work. Troubled. There is an expression, “Advance one step and retreat two.” Faith is absolutely the only way to a solution.

This year, we conducted the first Omori District discussion meeting. Only four guests attended. Shocked, as this truly was not what I had expected. Why do so few people seek this faith, this True Law? Felt alone, dejected. All I can do is fight with all my might until the end. The motion of a single wave yields two, then a thousand and ten thousand waves. Through the power of the Mystic Law, the day will definitely arrive when people beg us to be allowed to take faith. Until then, I will try my best. I must do my best. If i try my best, this is enough. The members are all fighting hard. They are truly admirable. Fellow members, I congratulate you! Let the flower of happiness blossom – for this, I feel like praying.

Truly fine weather.

My head aches. Fatigued.

Could this exhaustion be caused by last night’s nightmare? Felt empty all day. Defeated in battle.

Visited M.’s in the afternoon. Though weak, they are a good family. One the way home, visited Y.’s. Engaged him in dialogue, taking a dauntless attitude. He seems to have felt something.

Characters determines destiny. The stout-hearted may be strong but may still suffer greatly.

Questions and Answers on Embracing the Lotus Sutra reads:

Now, if you wish to attain Buddhahood, you have only to lower the banner of arrogance, cast aside the staff of your anger, and devote yourself exclusively to the one vehicle of the Lotus Sutra. Worldly fame and profit are mere baubles of your present existence, and arrogance and prejudice are ties that will fetter you in the next one. Ah, you should be ashamed of them! And you should fear them, too!

- (WND, pg 58-59)

M. and S. came by. As soon as they left, Y. came over. Together, we went to Omori for propagation activities. Really troubled over my own inability to introduce others.

Returned to my room early in the evening. Spent the day feeling vaguely lonely. What a miserable day it was.

Rested and read a magazine. To bed, 11:00.

A Gohonzon-enshrining ceremony for Miss Y. of Kamata Chapter at 7:00. Mr. Toda attended, and I accompanied him.

The S. family is bright and happy. It is easy to see that Mr. Toda cares for them dearly. Even  among those who practice faith, there are people or families who give us good feelings, as well as those who make us uncomfortable. It seems to me that the people or families who leave us with a good impression are those with pure faith, who are sincere and happy.

Read until midnight. Had many thoughts.

I would like, someday, to write a long poem titled “Religious Revolution”.