Spreading
Our Harmonious Network throughout the World
The
Year of Victory for a Youthful SGI has begun with bright hope, as we vibrantly
continue to expand our network of peace and happiness.
I wish all of you, my dedicated
fellow members and precious friends around the world, the best of health in the
coming year, praying that you will open the door to fresh victories and
brilliant achievements in your life.
The Mystic Law, the ultimate law of
the universe, gives us the power to make our lives shine their brightest and
also to bring forth the most wonderful potential of the lands in which we
dwell. As such, you, our SGI members in 192 countries and territories, are
truly irreplaceable treasures of your respective communities. I fervently pray
that the lands in which you are spreading friendship and trust will be blessed
with peace and prosperity.
*
Both
Tsunesaburo Makiguchi and Josei Toda, the Soka Gakkai’s founding presidents,
deeply took to heart the following passage from the “Supernatural Powers”
chapter of the Lotus Sutra, which describes the mission of a Bodhisattva of the
Earth:
As
the light of the sun and moon
can
banish all obscurity and gloom,
so
this person as he advances through the world
can wipe out the darkness of living
beings. (LSOC21, 318)
Genuine bodhisattvas do not shun the
real world, which is filled with suffering and hardships, nor do they content
themselves only with attaining their own enlightenment in quiet solitude. They
do not seek some far-off utopia divorced from the harsh realities of society,
but are committed to striving for the happiness of the people, alongside the
people, in this troubled saha realm. Through their efforts, they illuminate the
lives of those around them, and dispel the darkness and confusion that
prevails.
We of the SGI are putting this
Mahayana bodhisattva spirit into practice, and our activities are gaining wide
support and understanding from many respected thinkers throughout the globe
today.
Observing secular humanism’s
emphasis on the intellect at the expense of spirituality, Dr. Lou Marinoff,
founding president of the American Philosophical Practitioners Association with
whom I have published a dialogue, has remarked: “How do we
feel compassion for others if we are only guided by our head? I think that is
not enough. There has to be a practice of the heart, too.”
Action is the essence of Nichiren
Daishonin’s Buddhism. As its practitioners, we turn our problems and suffering
into a source of compassion and wisdom with which to encourage others. We
change karma into mission. We pursue the path of human revolution—the most
difficult and fundamental challenge of inner transformation—and seek to inspire
others to do the same.
Based on this spirit, we respect and
value each person. We place importance on one-on-one dialogue and on small
group meetings where we study Buddhism and encourage one another. By doing so,
we are building an egalitarian community that transcends differences of race,
ethnicity, gender, and age.
Engaging in dialogue in small
groups, Dr. Marinoff notes, is “the philosophical way.” He adds that this kind
of dialogue, by permitting meaningful interchange to take place, can help forge
mutual trust and foster greater awareness.
Let’s take renewed pride in our
daily efforts to promote our movement for peace, culture, and education based
on the life-affirming philosophy of Nichiren Buddhism, for they embody a new
humanism that shines as a guiding light for all the world. Let’s joyfully
continue to reach out to others in dialogue to further our noble cause of
kosen-rufu.
*
Six
decades ago (in 1953), at the First Youth Division General Meeting, President
Toda delivered a lecture that he referred to as being his “first message to the
world.” On that occasion, he said:
“The ardor and energy of youth have the power to change the course of world
history.” He further stated: “We
possess the unparalleled life philosophy of Nichiren Daishonin’s Buddhism,
which elucidates the means for helping all people become happy. And through
faith in the Gohonzon, we are able to apply this philosophy in our lives and in
our efforts to overcome our negative karma.” Mr. Toda also declared
that Soka youth who embrace this life philosophy are “leaders of the world.”
This lecture can be regarded as the
starting point of our youthful SGI, which today has spread around the globe.
Back in those early days, however, the Soka Gakkai was still a very small
organization. It thus was imperative for us to make dynamic strides forward to
realize President Toda’s cherished goal of a membership of 750,000 households.
In 1953, I was 25 years old. In
order to actualize my mentor’s grand vision of worldwide kosen-rufu, I embarked
on a fresh challenge on the front lines of our movement as the young men’s
division 1st Corps leader and as the acting chapter leader of Bunkyo Chapter.
While struggling with poor health, I earnestly took the lead to expand and
advance a youthful Soka Gakkai.
I chanted and exerted myself
tirelessly to meet with, talk to, and encourage our sincere members, wishing to
give them greater confidence, energy, and joy. I also resolved to treasure my
juniors and foster them to become even more capable than myself. And I
encouraged those who were facing various struggles, telling them: “Don’t be
disheartened if things seem like they couldn’t get worse! What matters is that
you win in the end. You can definitely turn things around. Let’s do our best
together!”
Leaders in our organization exist to
sincerely encourage each member. Both leaders and seniors in faith are there to
help others confidently face hardships, break through their personal
limitations, and achieve a life of victory.
I reached out to one member after
another, steadily increasing the ranks of fellow Bodhisattvas of the Earth who
were actively committed to realizing Mr. Toda’s great aspiration for
kosen-rufu. I also read and studied the Gosho with them.
Taking to heart the Daishonin’s
words, “The more one praises the blessings of the Lotus Sutra, the more one’s
own blessings will increase” (WND-1, 673), we also joyfully shared our personal
experiences in faith, applauded each other’s efforts, and strengthened our
unity and oneness of purpose.
As joy spread from one person to
another, the young men’s division 1st Corps tripled its membership in the space
of a year. In addition, Bunkyo Chapter, which had been experiencing stagnant
growth, also achieved a phenomenal increase in membership and became a model
for the rest of Japan. Mr. Toda was overjoyed by both these
achievements—breakthroughs that gave fresh momentum to our organization as a
whole.
*
Nichiren
Daishonin writes: “Although Nichiren and his followers are few, because they
are different in body, but united in mind [i.e., many in body, one in mind],
they will definitely accomplish their great mission of widely propagating the
Lotus Sutra. Though evils may be numerous, they cannot prevail over a single
great truth” (WND-1, 618). These words constitute the SGI’s eternal guideline.
The spirited chorus of the youthful leaders of Africa whom I met in September
last year, as representatives of the entire SGI, still resounds in heart: “Itai
doshin! (Many in Body, One in Mind!)” “Victoire! (Victory!)”
Let us bring the great light of hope
to shine even more brightly in our local communities and in the world by
strengthening and expanding our network of supreme human harmony, the epitome
of unity in diversity.
In the coming Year of Victory for a
Youthful SGI, let’s resolve together to raise high the banner of victory in
both our lives and in our endeavors for kosen-rufu as we continue to forge
ahead bravely and vigorously with ever-youthful hearts!
Daisaku
Ikeda
President
Soka
Gakkai International
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