No. 8226
Thursday, April 28, 2011
SGI President Ikeda’s Message
Nationwide Executive Conference—Part 2 [of 2]
A Grand Vision for the Future of Kosen-rufu
(The following is the text of SGI President Ikeda’s message to a Nationwide Executive Conference held on December 23, 2010, at the Soka Gakkai Mentors Hall near the Soka Gakkai Headquarters in Shinanomachi, Tokyo.)
In “The Entity of the Mystic Law,” a writing I once studied under my mentor, second Soka Gakkai president Josei Toda, Nichiren Daishonin states:
In essence, the entity of Myoho-renge-kyo is the physical body that the disciples and followers of Nichiren who believe in the Lotus Sutra received from their fathers and mothers at birth. Such persons, who honestly discard expedient means, put faith in the Lotus Sutra alone, and chant Nam-myoho-renge-kyo, will transform the three paths of earthly desires, karma, and suffering[1] into the three virtues of the Dharma body, wisdom, and emancipation.[2] The threefold contemplation and the three truths[3] will immediately become manifest in their minds, and the place where they live will become the Land of Eternally Tranquil Light.[4] (WND-1, 420)
This passage contains profound principles that are the essence of Nichiren Daishonin’s Buddhism.
Though we may dwell in a world filled with suffering arising from deluded impulses or earthly desires, the Daishonin assures us that those who chant Nam-myoho-renge-kyo and dedicate themselves to kosen-rufu can cause their lives to shine as entities of the Mystic Law and manifest the state of absolute happiness. By practicing in accord with these words of the Daishonin, we of the Soka Gakkai have been able to triumph in our struggles to transform our karma and show actual proof of the beneficial power of the Mystic Law.
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No matter how tough the challenges we face, we can definitely overcome them and transform poison into medicine. This is what the Soka Gakkai has demonstrated with incontrovertible proof over the last 80 years.
The Daishonin’s Buddhism places importance on the three aspects of teaching, practice, and proof. In other words, the particular Buddhist teaching, the practice that it sets forth, and the benefit one receives from that practice (i.e., enlightenment). In the Latter Day of the Law, the Daishonin’s Buddhism alone contains all three aspects. It thus follows that today they are found only in the Soka Gakkai, which is directly connected to the Daishonin. This is borne out by the joyful experiences in faith shared by members at discussion meetings across Japan and around the world.
We are living in troubled times and many people are suffering. That is why we need to reach out to others and talk to them about the great teachings of the Daishonin’s Buddhism and enable them to share the wonderful benefits of faith in the Mystic Law.
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Mr. Toda said: “It is the Soka Gakkai’s mission to repay the debt of gratitude to Nichiren Daishonin and to pave the way for the lasting happiness of humanity by drawing up a grand 100-year plan, no, a grand plan for peace encompassing several millennia.”
The Soka Gakkai was founded in 1930, in the period between World War I and World War II. During that time, the Nichiren Shoshu priesthood completely lost the spirit of “establishing the correct teaching for the peace of the land”—a goal to which the Daishonin had given his whole life—and allied itself with the forces of Japanese nationalism. It was at such a moment in history that the Soka Gakkai, an organization in complete accord with the Daishonin’s intent and decree, emerged from the great earth of the people.
Soka Gakkai founding president Tsunesaburo Makiguchi personally embodied the spirit of “establishing the correct teaching for the peace of the land” and died in prison for his beliefs. Steadfastly upholding the highest truth is the most noble path as a human being. This is the eternal starting point of the Soka Gakkai’s activities.
Returning to the original teaching of Nichiren Daishonin, the Soka Gakkai made the foundation of all its efforts human revolution, or inner transformation, based on the Mystic Law. One after another, our members began to speak out. These fearless Bodhisattvas of the Earth set in motion a groundswell of dialogue for the sake of human happiness, social prosperity, and world peace.
Mr. Toda cherished a grand 100-year vision for kosen-rufu. The Soka Gakkai’s centennial (in 2030) will most certainly be the time when we see the completion of a solid, unshakable foundation for “establishing the correct teaching for the peace of the land,” built through the efforts of our gathering of awakened ordinary people who have emerged around the world. From there, a great current of kosen-rufu, of happiness for all humankind, will flow even more vibrantly, continuing “for ten thousand years and more, for all eternity” (WND-1, 736).
That is why each year of the next two decades to 2030 is so crucial. And 2011 is the first year in that journey. Now more than ever, let us focus our energies on expanding our network of friendship and trust in our communities to further solidify the foundation for “establishing the correct teaching for the peace of the land.”
Nichiren Daishonin writes:
I entrust you with the propagation of Buddhism in your province. It is stated [in the second chapter of the Lotus Sutra] that “the seeds of Buddhahood sprout [through causation], and for this reason they [the Buddhas] preach the single vehicle” [the Mystic Law] [LSOC2, 75]. (cf. WND-1, 1117)
The Daishonin has directly entrusted each of us with the mission of working for the happiness of our community. Through joyfully and expertly engaging others in dialogue and helping them forge connections with the Daishonin’s Buddhism, let us continue to transform the place we live into a realm of peace and prosperity.
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I am delighted to report that the Tokyo Fuji Art Museum’s “Treasures of Poland: Rembrandt and the Precious Royal Collection” exhibition has been a great success, drawing enthusiastic responses from those who have viewed the showings to date in Tokyo, Osaka, and Kitakyushu City in Fukuoka Prefecture, as well as at its present venue in Hiroshima. [The exhibition was shown at the Hiroshima Prefectural Art Museum through to January 12, 2011.] The idea for such an exhibition was conceived at a meeting I had in 1994 with former Polish president Lech Walesa, who was visiting Japan at the time.
Allow me to share with you some words of Mr. Walesa, who was a key figure in a pro-democracy movement that later inspired those in other parts of Eastern Europe. He said:
Truth and justice are the most important things there are.[5]
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If you are convinced that you are in the right, you must fight for it.[6]
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I will fight like a lion.[7]
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I recognize the individual’s ability to change things.[8]
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“We’ll win!”[9]
Mr. Walesa stood up to lead a nonviolent grassroots pro-democracy movement to bring about fundamental change to Polish society. He fought with lionlike courage and won. This is the spirit that we, and especially our youth division leaders, must keep alive in our hearts.
Mr. Walesa also said: “What we have achieved was only possible because we stood together in solidarity,” and “If we forget this solidarity, we will fall.”[10]
Our strength as Soka Gakkai members also lies in solidarity. Nichiren Daishonin writes:
All disciples and lay supporters of Nichiren should chant Nam-myoho-renge-kyo with the spirit of many in body but one in mind, transcending all differences among themselves to become as inseparable as fish and the water in which they swim. (WND-1, 217)
I hope all of you will take the Daishonin’s words to heart and, working together in solid unity with your fellow members in your local areas and regions, make 2011—the Year of Capable People and Dynamic Development—one of complete triumph.
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During World War II, under Hitler’s command to destroy the capital Warsaw, Nazi forces brutally invaded Poland. The works of art currently on display in the “Treasures of Poland” exhibition are truly precious jewels that survived the devastation, thanks to courageous individuals who risked their lives to protect them.
After the war, through the staunch efforts of the Polish people, the royal castle and Warsaw’s Old Town were completely restored. Due to this miraculous reconstruction of Old Town, it was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO (in 1980).
In her book, A Village Wedding and Other Stories, Polish author Maria Dabrowska (1889–1965) chronicles the lives of those who, refusing to be daunted by hardships, encouraged each other and united to rebuild their city to its former glory. She herself declared that she had no intention of leaving Warsaw, that she wished to continue living and working there; it was not her style to take the easy path, but the path of greatest challenge.[11] And speaking of her love for the capital, she said: “Warsaw is life itself. The most alive city in the world!”[12] Dabrowska observed that “unfathomable patience and doggedness in effort” would be necessary for the work of reconstruction that lay ahead.[13]
Striving with perseverance and resolving to make one’s community an oasis of prosperity—this resonates deeply with the spirit of the women of Soka.
Today, in Poland, a country that has surmounted the horrific destruction of war, seeds of peace and happiness of the Mystic Law have been planted and the Daishonin’s Buddhism is steadily growing and spreading there. I am overjoyed to hear that this year (2010), SGI-Poland has expanded from one chapter and three districts to one headquarters and three chapters, and has achieved a sixfold increase in new members over the previous year.
Next year (2011) marks the 50th anniversary of kosen-rufu in Europe. I sincerely pray that our noble European members, in their respective countries and regions, will continue contributing to society as good citizens and experience more and more victories in their lives.
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In a letter to a follower whose husband had fallen ill, the Daishonin writes:
[The] Buddha expounded the medicine of immortality. This is the five characters of Myoho-renge-kyo we have today. Moreover, he specifically taught that these five characters are “good medicine for the ills of the people of Jambudvipa [the entire world]” [LSOC23, 330]. (WND-1, 937)
The Mystic Law is the best medicine for curing the sufferings arising from the human condition, described in Buddhism as birth, aging, sickness, and death.
As human beings, we all on occasion experience ill health or sickness. We are living in a tumultuous economic climate and many of us may also face financial difficulties at some time or another. But with the great beneficial medicine of the Mystic Law, we have nothing to fear. No matter what happens, if we summon forth even stronger faith, we will be able to elevate our life-condition, bringing forth the indestructible state of Buddhahood from within.
During World War II, Mr. Makiguchi attended a discussion meeting at my wife’s family home. Next year, incidentally, will mark the 70th anniversary of the year my wife’s family started practicing the Daishonin’s Buddhism. That meeting during the war took place under the surveillance of the Special Higher Police or so-called thought police, but Mr. Makiguchi, refusing to be intimidated, spoke confidently about Nichiren Daishonin’s philosophy, explaining the four noble virtues of eternity, happiness, true self, and purity. He described these four characteristics of Buddhahood in an extremely accessible manner, saying that they expressed a state of life in which one is “always joyful, one’s heart true and pure.”
We of the Soka Gakkai are pioneers in transforming the fundamental sufferings of the human condition—birth, aging, sickness, and death—into the four noble virtues of eternity, happiness, true self, and purity.
I hope that all of you—in rhythm with the Mystic Law, in unity with your fellow members, and in a spirit of oneness with the first three presidents—will overcome every challenge and live out your lives “always joyful, one’s heart true and pure.”
Please cause the uplifting, hope-filled music of life—the music of eternity, happiness, true self, and purity—to resound vibrantly throughout the world.
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In closing, allow me to share with you some words of Mr. Toda: “No matter what situation you find yourself in, when you base yourself on deep and powerful faith, you’ll be able to overcome everything. When you yourself change, grow, and take responsibility, you can win in all things. It all comes down to you.” He also said: “Together let’s lead lives of unending victory.”
I would like to thank all our members once again for their valiant efforts this year (2010). The Soka Gakkai has won. Your benefits are immeasurable. I, too, will continue my efforts for kosen-rufu with even greater energy and vigor. Let’s continue to work together! Let’s win together!
When you return to your respective areas, please give my best regards to your precious fellow members. Together let’s build a magnificent citadel of capable people, a towering monument of dynamic development. Let’s strive with unflagging energy—like the sun of time without beginning rising in the sky—and win joyous victories.
Have a wonderful New Year!
Thank you so much for all your efforts!
(Translated from the December 26, 2010, issue of the Seikyo Shimbun, the Soka Gakkai daily newspaper)
[1] Three paths of earthly desires, karma, and suffering: They are called “paths” because one leads to the other. Earthly desires, which include greed, anger, foolishness, arrogance, and doubt, give rise to actions that create evil karma. The effect of this evil karma then manifests itself as suffering. Suffering aggravates earthly desires, leading to further misguided action, which in turn brings on more evil karma and suffering. In this way, the three paths function to prevent a person from attaining Buddhahood.
[2] Three virtues of the Dharma body, wisdom, and emancipation: Three attributes of a Buddha. The Dharma body means the truth that the Buddha has realized, or the true aspect of all phenomena; wisdom is the capacity to realize this truth; and emancipation means the state of being free from the sufferings of birth and death.
[3] The “threefold contemplation” and the “three truths” here mean subjective wisdom and objective reality, respectively, and the expression that these “will immediately become manifest in their minds” represents the fusion of wisdom and reality.
[4] Land of Eternally Tranquil Light: Also, Land of Tranquil Light. The Buddha land, which is free from impermanence and impurity. In many sutras, the actual saha world in which human beings dwell is described as an impure land filled with delusions and sufferings, while the Buddha land is described as a pure land free from these and far removed from this saha world. In contrast, the Lotus Sutra reveals the saha world to be the Buddha land, or the Land of Eternally Tranquil Light, and explains that the nature of a land is determined by the minds of its inhabitants.
[5] Translated from the German. Jule Gatter-Klenk, Vielleicht auf Knien, aber vorwärts!: Gespräche mit Lech Walesa (Perhaps on Knees, but Forward!— Conversations with Lech Walesa), (Königstein: Athenäum, 1981), p. 153.
[7] Ibid., p. 66.
[8] Lech Walesa, A Way of Hope (New York: Henry Holt and Company, 1987), p. 1.
[9] Ibid., p. 243.
[11] Maria Dąbrowska, A Village Wedding and Other Stories (Warsaw: Polonia Publishing House, 1957), p. 20.
[12] Ibid., p. 24.
[13] Ibid.
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