Fred: Hi there, Billy. How are you?

Billy: Fine, thanks. What's up?

Fred: Not much. Hey, Billy, where did your family come here from?

Billy: Arkansas

Fred: And how did you get here from there?

Billy: In a truck. Dad drove.

Fred: How did he find his way here?

Billy: He used a steering wheel and a gas pedal.

Fred: No, I mean did he get lost?

Billy: No, he had a map.

Fred: Oh, of course. Maps are pretty cool. They guide us to the place we want to go and show us the best way to get there. You know, we have another kind of road map.

Billy: Oh, do we?

Fred: Yes, a road map for life itself. Did you know that?

Billy: I knew the questions would get harder. Why no, Fred. I didn't know that. Do tell me about it.

Fred: It's the Gohonzon. It's not quite like a truck driver's map, but it has all the different ways your life could go written right on it.

Billy: Like to Boston or Tijuana?

Fred: Not exactly. It's sort of symbolic. It has the names of people who represent the good and bad aspects of human life, and right down the middle it says "Nam Myoho Renge Kyo." That is the perfect way of life, when you can face all your problems and not let them run over you.

Billy: So why does it have the other stuff on it? Why not just have "Nam Myoho Renge Kyo" and not the rest? People could get confused.

Fred: People are complicated, Billy. They have more than perfection in them. That's why we chant. Besides, if you're going to Boston you don't follow the road to Tijuana. Even if the road is on the map. Don't head in the wrong direction and you won't get too lost.

Billy: And this wonderful thing is called the Gohonzon?

Fred: Yes.

Billy: Like that one over there? (points to the Gohonzon)