SGI President Ikeda’s Message for May 3, 2013

I would like to congratulate all of you, my dear friends of SGI-UK, on this glorious May 3—which is not only Soka Gakkai Day, but also Soka Gakkai Mothers Day, an occasion when we express our appreciation to all our wonderful women’s division members, the mothers of kosen-rufu.

I am delighted to be celebrating this May 3 in great victory with all of you, the members of our Soka family around the world, and I would like to sincerely praise and thank you for your noble, dedicated efforts.

Inheriting the spirit of Nichiren Daishonin, the three founding presidents of the Soka Gakkai have each made a vow to accomplish kosen-rufu and devoted their lives to realizing that goal. And May 3 is the eternal prime point of this shared vow of mentor and disciple.

With the dawn of each May 3, let us - as SGI members joined by the bonds of mentor and disciple - make the original and inherent brilliance of our lives shine forth even more strongly to illuminate the world and those around us.

On November 18 of this year, the long-awaited new citadel of worldwide kosen-rufu, the Soka Gakkai’s central headquarters, will be completed. This will mark a new phase for the SGI as a world religious movement that offers hope to all humanity.

While in exile on Sado Island, Nichiren Daishonin declared:

There should be no discrimination among those who propagate the five characters of Myoho-renge-kyo in the Latter Day of the Law, be they men or women. Were they not Bodhisattvas of the Earth, they could not chant the daimoku. At first only Nichiren chanted Nam-myoho-renge-kyo, but then two, three, and a hundred followed, chanting and teaching others. Propagation will unfold this way in the future as well. Does this not signify “emerging from the earth”? (WND-1, 385)

It is the presence of our towering network of members in 192 countries and territories - Bodhisattvas of the Earth who have appeared just as the Daishonin predicted - that will make our new central headquarters shine with incomparable brilliance. 

Please remember that all of you here today are people of great mission who share profound and wondrous karmic ties and have a direct connection to Nichiren Daishonin.

With confidence in our mission as Bodhisattvas of the Earth, let’s set forth afresh on the great adventure of kosen-rufu, promoting our movement with pride, joy, energy and a youthful spirit!

The SGI is a “pillar” of peace - imparting hope and reassurance to the world. It is a “great ship” of culture - fostering a rich spirit of peace in the hearts of people everywhere. And it is the “eyes” of education - nurturing humanistic values centered on respect for the dignity of life.

When we chant and take action for kosen-rufu, we can manifest the same life-state as the Buddha. We can tap the same wisdom and strength as the Buddha. We can carry out the same work as the Buddha. There is no life more victorious or noble than this.

Please continue to advance together with me and all our members around the world, brimming with courage and hope! As good citizens, please be active in your communities and societies and continue to forge bonds of trust and friendship with those around you.

I offer this message with sincere prayers for the health, long life, happiness, and victory of all of you, my most dear and precious fellow members.

May 3, 2013
Daisaku Ikeda
President, Soka Gakkai International