A Youthful Diary

Sunday - Light rain

Stayed in bed until 10:00. Feel as if this fatigue has been building up daily in my exhausted body. Could this be the accumulated fatigue of the past several years? Visited by N. and B. Strongly debated with them.

Went to the barber for the first time in a while. Stopped by the baths on the way home. A hot and humid day - my physical condition is not good at all. For our district’s progress, I visited the home of W. of Magome District, a place that brings back fond memories. Lost two precious hours, since he was not home. Will visit M.’s on the fifth of next month, to introduce him to the Daishonin’s teachings. Returned home dispirited. Sensei, please forgive me, for I will definitely make our district advance next month.

Read before going to bed, after 2:00.

Saturday - Cloudy

A sultry wind blew all day. Not feeling quite well. An empty day.

A meeting with T. Construction Company lasted through the morning.

Attended an evening discussion meeting at S.’s. No guests came. A spiritless meeting.

In the same way, the renegade disciples say, “Though the priest Nichiren is our teacher, he is too forceful. We will spread the Lotus Sutra in a more peaceful way.” In so asserting, they are being as ridiculous as fireflies laughing at the sun and moon, an anthill belittling Mount Hua, wells and brooks despising the river and the ocean, or a magpie mocking a phoenix.

-Letter from Sado (WND, pg 306)

Read for a while. To bed, after 3:00.

Friday - Clear

Could observe, for the first time, the behavior of a  court bailiff. Clearly withnessed the strictness of the legal system, or rather, the miserable state of the weak. Can only pity them - is this reality? Feel that I now know a bit more about society’s harshness and complexity . Aware that I have been too innocent and idealistic until today.

The Soka Gakkai is advancing faster and faster. Our district must also try its best. Must make the propagation spirit and our organization’s solidification the fundamental causes for our development. In any case, I myself must strive, I must be responsible.

The wind blew all day. Read a little from the complete works of Kyoson Tsuchida (1891-1935).

The Letter from Sado states, “When an evil ruler in consort with priests of erroneous teachings tries to destroy the correct teaching and do away with a man of wisdom, those with the heart of a lion king are sure to attain Buddhahood. Like Nichiren, for example.” (WND, pg 302)

To bed, after 2:00.

Thursday - Clear

Say these things mildly but firmly in a quiet voice with a calm gaze and an even expression.

- The Teaching, Practice and Proof (WND, pg 47

The five characters of Myoho-rengo-kyo, the heart of the essential teaching of the Lotus Sutra, contain the benefit amassed through the countless practices and meritorious deeds of all Buddhas throughout the three existences.

- The Teaching, Practice and Proof (WND, pg 481)

My physical condition is quite bad. Pondered deeply whether this is caused by some slander I may have committed.

Visited T. in Tachikawa. An evil man. Regret having maintained faithful friendship with him, not realising him to be such a schemer. I was misled by his status as a senior graduate from the same school.

An evening youth division meeting. Discussed On the Four Stages of Faith and Five Stages of Practice. given an assignment on the ‘three assemblies in two places’ by Mr. Toda. Must deeply ponder the Daishonin’s teachings and study them systematically. Must undertake my study based upon faith.

Ashamed of my shallow Buddhist study. I can only forge ahead.

Encouraged U., whom I met looking downcast at Koiwa Station. The image oh hos joyous expression lingers in my mind.

Home at 11:30.

Tuesday - Clear

Growing wamer, day by day.

My apartment is now also a scene of activity of much commotion.

Left home at 7:30, stopped for breakfast, then on to the office.

Read from The Complete Works of Torahiko Terada while on the train.

Because I was tired and it was quite late. I spent the night at Y.’s. My first night away from home in a while. Read and discussed The Opening of the Eyes with the other youths half way through the night. Although this Gosho is difficult to comprehend, the Daishonin’s conviction resounds in my heart. In these troubled times, how worthy of respect it is for youths in such stained circumstances to meet in such a shabby house to study Nichiren Daishonin’s philosophy.

All are serious. All pure-hearted The Daishonin’s great mercy will strongly and deeply penetrate the unsullied hearts of these youths.

After the discussion, we went out onto the balcony, which was bathed in moonlight. One young man talked about the future, while another related his hopes and still another proclaimed his resolution with a poem. Youths of poverty, destitute sons of revolution! You are to be congratulated on the path that lies ahead of you ! A few slices of pickled red radish, served in large bowls, became our evening meal. Ten years from now, this chance encounter will be our previous memory.