"My hero"

The following are direct quotes from Daisaku Ikeda's autobiographical account, The Human Revolution as collected by Clark Chilson, University of Pittsburgh in Cultivating Charisma Ikeda Daisaku’s Self Presentations and Transformational Leadership:

http://www.globalbuddhism.org/15/chilson14.pdf

Half a year has passed since I went to work for Mr. Toda’s company. Stormy and eventful days. All I can do is steel myself to meet hardships cheerfully. Must advance toward the dawn, never wavering in my conviction, following my lifelong—no, my eternal mentor. (May 31, 1949)

I am a disciple of Mr. Toda. All my activities, my mission and my practice center around Mr. Toda. (February 13, 1951) 

For me, President Toda is my sovereign, teacher and parent in life. Since I was nineteen, I have been by his side, serving him as he guides and trains me directly. Pondering deeply our mystic bond. My true wish is to be with him for life. This way, I can fulfill my mission for this lifetime. (September 27, 1955) 

Place all my hope in Sensei’s life. He gives meaning to my life, he is my whole existence.” (August 29, 1956) My only life is to fight, advance and survive alongside my mentor. I know I owe my life to my mentor. (December 4, 1957) 

Bitter criticism leveled at Mr. Toda. I will fight resolutely. I am confident I understand Mr. Toda’s great mission better than anyone else. I alone truly understand what is in his mind. Blazing with righteous anger, I will fight with all my life. (December 27, 1950) 

No one knows how much I have been quietly protecting him. (March 11, 1951) 

Will protect President Toda to the best of my ability—as long as I live. I have but one reason. That is, to protect President Toda is to protect the spread of faith in the Gohonzon. In the way of mentor and disciple, the two must be of one mind. I have only to advance straight ahead along this highest path. Mr. Toda’s majestic image never leaves my mind, not even for a moment. (December 18, 1952) 

Deepening my determination to strictly protect my only mentor. (March 18, 1954)

Did not see Sensei all day. Lonesome. Day and night, the image of his face is often at the center of my thoughts. Is it all right for the relationship between mentor and disciple to be like that of parent and child? There is no one I can ask about this. (July 21, 1956) 

Sensei made a pilgrimage to the head temple. His image never leaves my mind. (October 15, 1955) 

Can’t stop thinking about Sensei, even for a moment. Actually, my lifelong destiny was determined when I met him and will continue to be guided by him until the end. How fortunate! Though I began poor and sick, nothing could be more glorious than to have Sensei watch over me throughout my life. (October 5, 1955)

On the days I meet Sensei, I am happy; on days I cannot meet him, I am melancholy. This is a function of my life. (January 7, 1957)