Dear Raymond,

Vitality is the capacity to grow. It is also the power to survive. Please always be humble and recognize the need of continual growth. It is only in the constant struggle to grow that you can demonstrate physical and intellectual vigor and energy. As a disciple of a great mentor, you have to do him justice by cultivating 大将之风！You have to become a general of generals, king of kings.

You must be foremost in prayer. Sensei said:

People instinctively wish for protection for themselves and their loved ones when faced with sudden natural disaster or threat, and at the most desperate and dire of times. When such a wish is powerfully concentrated, it becomes a prayer. It is not of the realm of logic or intellect. It transcends such things. Prayer is an act in which we give expression to the pressing and powerful wishes and hopes in the depths of our being and yearn for their fulfillment.

Human beings possess an innate and undeniable instinct for prayer. Religion first came into being in response to this. Prayer did not come into existence because of religion; it was the other way round. Prayer in Nichiren Daishonin’s Buddhism – chanting daimoku to the Gohonzon – directly fuses all of our diverse prayers with reality, based on the universal law of life. In short, religion came into being out of the human desire for happiness.

Never forget to pray. It is an indication of your commitment to human revolution.

Conduct dialogues! For dialogues are the bridges to attaining peace and security of our communities through understanding and harmony.

Reach out! Be proactive! There are people everywhere who seek a philosophy as a guiding star for their lives. If you are truly compassionate, reach out to them.

And always appreciate your mentor. For gratitude is the wellspring of humanity.

Sincerely,
Your Inner Voice