Oneness of Mentor & Disciple

We studied Oneness of Mentor & Disciple last night with Soka Talent Group. One of the questions we posted to the youth division was "Can we have a mentor in life other than Ikeda Sensei??" Lots of them say yes. I did not agree, but I was not able to answer to them convincingly on the meeting. Spoken to Region chief and a few YMD leaders, and come home to continue another hour of daimoku...

"A blacksmith’s apprentice is a blacksmith; a fishmonger’s trainee is a fishmonger. In the same way the Buddha’s disciple is a Buddha. It all works out very neatly..."

Toda Sensei said.

Nichiren Daishonin inherited the oneness of mentor and disciple relationship with the Law of Myoho-renge-kyo, the Buddha. He endured all the persecutions befalling him with utmost conviction and determination. And in 1930s, Makiguchi Sensei personalized the Daishonin's spirit and become one with the Daishonin, and summoned the courage to retain the pure spirit of Daishonin lineage in the face of government persecution. Toda Sensei was one with his mentor, Makiguchi, and with his ailing body, his spirit was high and achieved 750,000 households conversion in his lifetime. With his severe tuberculosis in his youth who were diagnosed not able to live beyond 30s, Ikeda Sensei is one with his mentor and spread this seed of humanistic Buddhism to 192 countries and territories. Where did all this wonderful and magnificent power come from? They are all ONE with their mentor, who inherited the lineage of a Buddha, the Law.
So, can we have a mentor in life other than Ikeda Sensei?? The answer is "yes" if our ultimate goal in life is NOT attaining Buddhahood in this Lifetime. A Buddha disciple will definitely become a Buddha!