Over the next week I chanted often specifically for Jason. Somehow in the midst of this I realized that I was chanting constanly (though not alwyas outloud or with conscious intention). I was chanting with my every breath day and night for Jason - so great was my desire (ichinen?) to nurture and support his life. 

Another week passed and suddenly I became aware I was no longer chanting for Jason. As quickly as I could I got to a phone and anxiously called my mother to ask how the baby was doing. She said, "Oh fine, he's doing very well and is home from the hospital with the family. Didn't I tell you?" I was relieved and elated. That evening (and a number of times since) I chanted with great appreciation to realize what an incredible joy it is to chant Nam Myoho Renge Kyo.

Through this experience I understood what the Daishonin was saying when he wrote, "Since I heard from you about Kyo'o I have been praying to the gods of the sun and moon for her every moment of the day. Always cherish the Gohonzon that I gave you some time ago for her protection. The Gohonzon was never known, let alone inscribed, by anyone in the Former or Middle Day of the Law. The lion king is said to advance three steps, then gather himself to spring, unleashing the same power whether he traps a tiny ant or attacks a fierce animal."

This is the strength and effects always possible through one's efforts.  I cherish the Gohonzon and try to practice, chant each daimoku, with the same power and determination.

Jason, my nephew, is a healthy, sensitive, intelligent jewel. His life is precious as are the lives of each of you reading this. Thanks for listening.

Marilyn Mendes
Santa Maria, California, US

Tokom sledeće sedmice često sam recitovala naročito za Džejsona. Nekako na pola puta shvatila sam da sam recitovala neprekidno (mada ne uvek naglas ili bez svesne namere). Recitovala sam svakim svojim dahom danju i noću za Džejsona - tako je velika bila moja želja (ičinen?) da okrepim i podržim njegov život. 

Prošla je još jedna sedmica i iznenada sam postala svesna da više ne recitujem za Džejsona. Brzo sam se dokopala telefona i strepeći pozvala svoju majku da je pitam kako je bilo bebi. Rekla je: "O fino, veoma dobro se oseća i kod kuće je sa porodicom. Zar ti nisam rekla?" Osetila sam olakšanje i bila ushićena. Te večeri (i mnogih drugih od tada) recitovala sam sa velikom zahvalnošću da bih shvatila kakva je neverovatna radost recitovati Nam Mjoho Renge Kjo. 

Kroz ovo iskustvo shvatila sam šta je Dajšonin hteo da kaže kada je napisao: "Otkako sam čuo od tebe za Kjo'o, molio sam se bogovima sunca i meseca za nju svakog trenutka tokom dana. Uvek bdi nad Gohonzonom koji sam ti dao pre nekog vremena za njenu zaštitu. Gohonzon nikada nije bio poznat, a kamoli ispisan, nikome u Ranijem ili Srednjem Danu Zakona. Za kralja lavova se kaže da napravi tri koraka napred, zatim se prikupi za skok, oslobađajući istu snagu bez obzira da li lovi sitnog mrava ili napada besnu životinju". 

Takvu snagu i ishod je uvek moguće postići ulažući trud i napor. Negujem Gohonzon i trudim se da praktikujem, recitujući svaki dajmoku istom snagom i odlučnošću. 

Džejson, moj nećak, je jedan zdrav, osećajan, inteligentan dragulj. Njegov život je dragocen kao i život svakog od vas koji ovo čitate. Hvala što ste me saslušali. 

Merlin Mendes 
Santa Marija, Kalifornija, SD