In the early days of the Kosen Rufu movement in Washington DC, there was a member named Pat. He couldn't keep time to save his life. When he clapped his hands, he was a danger to himself and others. 

One night, just before dropping him off, Mr. Osaki asked Pat to start the first ever Washington DC Buddhist Brass Band. Pat, without thinking, said "Hai!" 

Everyone thought that Mr. Osaki was kidding, but not Pat. 

Pat had never played a musical instrument. He rented a trombone. He hired a music instructor. He chanted tons of Daimoku, studied, and practiced his trombone. After two months of intense effort, he was still lousy. 

His music instructor was underwhelmed by Pat's musical ability, but curious about why a person with no natural ability was willing to try so hard. 

Pat explained that he was a Buddhist and that he believed that if he studied, had faith, and practiced enough, he could accomplish anything. This was the kind of conviction that Pat's instructor longed for. 

His instructor came to a Buddhist discussion meeting and met Mr. Osaki. 

It seemed as if Mr. Osaki expected him to be there. Pat's instructor joined the Gakkai and began introducing his friends to the practice. 

Many of his friends were in military brass bands. 

In a short time, Pat had accumulated the best musicians in the Washington DC area, including a virtuoso tuba player (John Fake) and a great composer (David Brink). 

Some of these young men went on to become great leaders and great musicians. 

Mr. Osaki had shown (again) that the impossible is made possible by practicing the Buddhism of Nichiren Daishonin. 

The Washington DC Brass Band went on to win national awards. 

Though my musical ability is mediocre at best, I had the honor of being part of that band. 

[Most of this remembrance is that of Mr. Jerry Hicks at Mr. Osaki's memorial service at the D.C. Community Center, Dec. 22, 1999.]