I established Myokakuji Betsuin Temple, a Nichiren Buddhist temple, in San Jose, California, U.S.A. five years ago. At that time, I made several trips to the U.S.A. visiting various Buddhist temples in America, including non-Nichiren temples, in order to grasp the real situation of their activities. I was greatly impressed to see generally beautiful temple buildings in Los Angeles, San Francisco, and other cities with ministers engaged in active missionary work. I learned, however, that they had one problem in common: a generation change in membership. Young members hardly understand Japanese. Consequently, more and more of them stay away from Buddhist temples, where Japanese is the means of communication and propagation. Aged, non-English speaking ministers are incapable of attracting young members. As the first- and second-generation members die, there are hardly any young members ready to take their place.

Confronted by such a serious problem, while thinking about our Founder Nichiren Daishonin’s slogan to “spread Odaimoku throughout the world,” I felt that we had not an inch to lose. Nichiren ministers stationed in North America agreed with me that we had to move, even one or two steps, forward. We all realized the need of active propagation in the English language. However, there hardly existed any English translations of writings of Nichiren Daishonin, which could form the basis for English language propagation.

I, therefore, was almost overjoyed to hear about the plan of Nichiren ministers in North America to translate “A Saying A Day” compiled by Dr. Hoyo Watanabe as an English language teaching material. So I proposed that our Overseas Propagation Promotion Association help them to implement the plan. It was agreed that the English translation be made by ministers in North America, that it be scrutinized by experts in Nichiren Buddhism, and that it be published and distributed by the association.

I hope in this way Nichiren Daishonin’s letters and tracts will gradually be translated and introduced to followers of Nichiren Buddhism in America, so that they will be able to deepen their correct understanding of Nichiren Daishonin’s true faith and salvation.

In accordance with the importance in aim and significance, the draft of the English translation made by ministers in America was sent to Japan, where it was strictly scrutinized by the English Translation Committee established by the Nichiren Shu Overseas Propagation Promotion Association. The committee meetings, attended by Dr. Hoyo Watanabe and other experts in Nichiren Buddhism as well as Reverends Ryusho Matsuda and Shokai Kanai from America, tried hard to polish up the draft. I believe that the finished product in the form of this booklet is solid in content, readable for English speaking people, and correct in interpretation. My special thanks go to ministers abroad and members of the English Translation Committee for their time to make this publication possible.
Last but not least I would like to express my gratitude to Nichiren Shu Shumuin (Administrative Office) and its Sogozaidan (General Foundation) for their generous donations. Without their help this publication would not have been possible.

Reverend Shingaku Oikawa
President, Nichiren Shu Overseas Propagation Promotion Association

“A PHRASE A DAY” is aimed for the Nichiren Buddhists to understand Nichiren Daishonin’s words and practice them in their daily life. The original phrases of “A PHRASE A DAY” or “Ichinichi Ichikun” was published in Japan in 1981 at the time of the Septicentennial (700th) Memorial Anniversary of the death of Nichiren Daishonin. Later an explanatory book on the “Ichinichi Ichikun” was written by Dr. Hoyo Watanabe, President of Rissho University.

A few years later, the ministers of the Nichiren Order of North America decided to translate the explanatory book. After a long struggle with difficult translation work, we were finally able to publish it in this booklet form. The translation into English was based on Dr. Watanabe’s explanatory book; however, some ministers translated Nichiren’s words more freely for English speaking people to better understand Nichiren.

Please note the “Background” of each day. First, as for the date of the letter written by Nichiren Daishonin, who sometimes wrote only the month and year. Second, Nichiren Daishonin’s age is counted in the American way breaking off the traditional Oriental way of counting age. Third, the place where Nichiren Daishonin wrote is very important because his belief in the Lotus Sutra became intense after he was exiled to Sado Island. Lastly, the page number is shown on the Showa Teihon. The Showa Teihon is the most reliable and official source for Nichiren Daishonin’s writings.

Finally, I, who have been placed in charge of collating together this booklet, thank Dr. James Ward, a retired eye surgeon. He is not a Buddhist but thinks in Buddhistic ways on many occasions. I hope this English translation is understandable even to non-Buddhists. Therefore, I am glad to have accepted suggestions from such an appropriate person.

1986

Reverend Shokai Kanai,
Seattle Nichiren Buddhist Church

Translator, Commentator in English (1986)
Rev. Ryusho Matsuda, San Jose Myokakuji Betsuin
Rev. Shokai Kanai, Seattle Nichiren Buddhist Church
Rev. Nippo Shyaku, San Francisco
Rev. Kanshu Ikuta, Gardena Honpoji Betsuin
Rev. Zuigaku Kodachi, Portland Guhoji Betsuin
Rev. Joyo Ogawa, Sacramento Nichiren Buddhist Church
Rev. Kenjo Igarashi, San Francisco Nichiren Buddhist Church
Rev. Kyoryo Okuno, Toronto Nichiren Buddhist Church
Rev. Ryuken Akahoshi, San Jose Myokakuji Betsuin
Rev. Kyotsu Hori, Professor, Tokyo Rissho Junior College for Women

Japanese-English Edition (1986)
Overseas Propagation Promotion Association, English Translation Committee:
Rev. Kyotsu Hori, Professor, Tokyo Rissho Junior College for Women
Rev. Zencho Kitagawa, Assistant Professor, Rissho University
Rev. Taikyo Yajima, Kokokuji Temple
Rev. Keiryu Shima, Jikoji Temple
Rev. Chiko Ichikawa, Myoanji Temple
Rev. Ryoko Mochizuki, Daikyoji Temple

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