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