NO matter how difficult or how fortunate the circumstances in which you may presently live, this is only one aspect of your life. Viewing things as they truly are, Buddhism focuses on one’s life as a whole and, in particular, on the outcome of its final chapter in determining its success or failure.
IT is you yourself who will determine the kind of person you will be. In the final analysis, no one but you can build the person that you become. Being weak-willed as to be swayed by the opinions of others is itself tantamount to defeat.
THERE is not a single person who is free of problems or worries. Nor are there any “trouble-free” families or communities. What matters is what action we can take to resolve such problems and worries. The important thing is to exercise one’s wisdom to the fullest and make persistent efforts, while aiming towards the victory that lies beyond one’s present problems.
SIMPLY deciding from the outset that you are just not good enough, without making any effort, is nothing but escapism. Each of us is different but we are all alike in that we possess tremendous potential. The truth is, you can do almost anything if you set your mind to it. The worst thing is to lose confidence in yourself and limit your own potential.
HEART-TO-HEART bonds between people are the very essence of our Buddhist organisation, our organisation for kosen-rufu. If these are lost, the SGI will be reduced to a cold and heartless bureaucracy; it will no longer be a realm of Buddhism.
THE challenge is transforming our lives so that we are no longer swept along by force of habit or at the mercy of the whims of destiny. The incredible power to do that already exists inside you.
DIFFICULTIES impede the progress of those who are weak. For the strong, however, they are an opportunity to open wide the doors to a bright future. Everything is determined by our resolve. Our heart is what matters most.
IT is in one’s behaviour as a human being that Buddhism comes to life and where one’s faith is actually demonstrated. One might say that refined and respectworthy behaviour is an expression of correct faith.
NO doubt there are times when, at the crucial juncture, you feel completely worthless and incompetent. Such times in fact represent opportunities for you to manifest new potential. Whether you can use such opportunities positively determines your victory or defeat in life and happiness or misfortune.
THERE is no other way to build an eternal condition of true happiness that spans the three existences of past, present and future than to embrace the Gohonzon and chant daimoku wholeheartedly, as we devote ourselves to practise for ourselves and for others.
KNOWLEDGE alone cannot guarantee happiness. We need to have wisdom if we are to live wisely. Knowledge is like a pump that draws up the water of wisdom. Cultivating wisdom is a shortcut to happiness.
WHEN people speak of wanting to be a success, they generally mean gaining status and prestige in society. But doing our human revolution is a much more profound aspiration, for it involves changing and elevating our lives from within. The transformation achieved as a result is everlasting and far, far more valuable and precious than social status or prestige.
THE Daishonin taught that one should not lament in times of adversity but instead polish oneself and grow as a human being – for this the true way in which a human being should live, the path which a Buddhist follows.
BUDDHISM, of course, is the great and merciful Law that exists for the salvation of all things. I believed that, based on this major premise, we must deeply understand the strict spirit that the Daishonin taught us to have in combating evil. Unless one has the courage and strict mercy to fight against evil, he will not be able to protect the true teaching. Nor will he be able to truly save others.
A strong person stops practising because he is controlled by his own narrow-mindedness, shallow attachment, arrogance, ill feelings towards other believers or selfish desire. No matter how strong your faith may appear to be now, if you discard it at some point in your life, your faith cannot be said to have been true.
YOU who exert yourselves in the daily practice of shakubuku, struggle amid many obstacles and difficulties and extend yourselves for the sake of kosen-rufu, truly possess a profound mission and must certainly be called emissaries of the Buddha.
THE Daishonin stated, “There can be no discontinuity between past, present and future.” Those whose karma destines them to become enemies of and seek to destroy the True Law will sometimes be born as followers of non-Buddhist teachings, sometimes as priests of the Buddhist sects, and may sometimes even appear within Nichiren Shoshu or the Soka Gakkai. The function of their evil is the same in any case.
BECOMING a person who is trusted, respected and liked by all – an indispensable person whom others cannot do without – at home, at work and in your community, is to show validity of your faith in the True Law and to advance our movement for kosen-rufu.
IN the rapidly moving and changing society we live today, acts of minor and medium good are all too easily swept away and obliterated, leaving no lasting or appreciable impact. It is vital, therefore, to undertake acts of “great good” – the most fundamental and important kind of good.
OUT in society, there are many different kinds of people: malicious people who seek to undermine and deceive others; arrogant people who scorn and despise others. We study so that we can prevail over such people, succeed in all our endeavours and leading fulfilling lives.
CHERRY trees blossom beautifully, adorning themselves with colour and fragrance in the spring. Likewise, human beings must allow their lives to blossom, expressing their true potential to the fullest extent. What makes this possible on a most fundamental level is nothing other than a profound sense of mission and responsibility for kosen-rufu.
NOW is the time when you should cultivate strong intellectual ability. It is for this reason that in my speeches I try to discuss things from a wide range of angles. This is a point that I would like to strongly emphasize for the sake of the future of kosen-rufu.
TO take the nonchalant attitude that things will somehow work out all right simply because you are practising faith is an erroneous way of thinking. Faith means earnestly praying and making efforts to find the best solutions to the problems confronting you. The highest wisdom emerges from this ichinen, or determination, to challenge things.
A beautiful sunset colouring the western sky in brilliant hues of pink and crimson is supposed to indicate that there will be clear skies the following day. Similarly, a person whose life glows brilliantly in the final years will go on to a future existence that is bright and sunny. That is why it is so important that we strive to accumulate enduring good fortune and benefit while we are alive.
IT is scaling life’s mountains, crossing life’s valleys and traversing life’s precipitous peaks, ever advancing with integrity and fortitude, that happiness is found. A magnificent palace can only be built when we work unceasingly on its construction day after day with all our might, until it is finally completed. The same is true of life.
IN one’s reading as well as in one’s encounters with people, unless you can clearly discern and judge what a fact is and what is true, you will end up on the wrong path. The higher one’s standing in the organisation, the greater his responsibility in this regard.
WE must use our faith to tap the great wisdom and life force within us to brilliantly triumph over difficulties and adversity. Those who can do this are practising Nichiren Daishonin’s Buddhism correctly. They are, in other words, people who “understand the meaning of all worldly affairs.”
NICHIREN DAISHONIN taught, “Life does not go beyond the moment” (WND, p62). Buddhism focuses on this moment of life. The great life-entity of time without beginning is also contained in this fleeting, transitory life-moment. We cannot postpone life to some vague future date; it is the here and now that counts, upon which all depends.
ALL of us undergo various sufferings in life. No human being is without worries and problems. That is why Buddhism, which teaches that earthly desires are enlightenment, is necessary in our lives. We need to transform our karma. That is what Buddhism is for. Be brave! That is Nichiren Daishonin’s cry to us all.
FAITH in the Buddhism of Nichiren Daishonin is sure to be accompanied by obstacles. Remember, it is at such times that you can take a great leap towards your happiness.
CORRECTLY discerning what is true and what is false requires strong powers of intelligence. If one lacks intellectual power, one will be unable to see through a lie; he will make mistakes and be misled.
JUST as all things on Earth are illuminated when the sun comes out, those who embrace faith in the Mystic Law are able to wisely discern the truth of events and happenings in society. They are able to manifest actual proof of validity of their faith in their daily lives and in society.
THOSE who have really struggled possess the “flavour” of profound character and humanity. There are those who give up when things are tough and consequently fall into despair. This is comparable to how you will determine your health if you eat too much at a time when your power to digest and assimilate food is weak. Therefore, having a strong life force is important. When our life is strong, we can turn all of our toils into a source of spiritual nourishment.
SOME of you may have family members or relatives who do not understand your faith but there is no need to be anxious about this. This is where your human revolution starts. All you have to do is show, by your example, steadily, little by little, how wonderful Buddhism is.
GONGYO is the basis and foundation of the practice of faith. If one who has practised gongyo regularly up till now should stop doing it, it is – to give a readily understandable example – like switching off an electric current. Even though one has the Gohonzon, which is absolute, without the practice of gongyo, he can gain no benefit.
WE live in the realm of human beings. By the very nature of that realm, there are no obstacles in it that we, as human beings, are unable to overcome. What is more, we uphold the great Mystic Law, and because of that, there are no obstacles that we cannot surmount.
WE are people of faith, and faith is the ultimate conviction. Nothing could be sadder or more short-sighted, therefore, then complaining or giving up when we encounter some small obstacles in our path. A Buddhist is a person of wisdom and conviction.
FAITH means infinite hope, and infinite hope resides in the SGI. As long as you have sincere faith, infinite glory, boundless good fortune and endless victory will unfold before you. You will never find yourself at a dead end.
THE swells of kosen-rufu become a thousand waves, and then ten thousand waves. A single dew drop of propagation expands to the size of an ocean. The benefit of the person, who first courageously stands up, increases and shines in like measure. I hope that, with your sight set on the future of kosen-rufu one thousand years hence, each of you will exert yourself as such individual pioneering drops of dew.
WHAT really matters is how deep and pure a condition of life you can establish. The reality of problems and troubles will never disappear. One can either be influenced by them and sink into the great sea of suffering or overcome them and build a mountain of happiness.
WE need to rise into action right where we are, with the determination to do everything we can. That is crucial. True happiness is to be found in steadily and sincerely seeking true humanity and self-realisation in daily life. This is the start of building a great life.
IT is important to have the spirit to study the Gosho, to open up the Gosho. Even if you forget what you have read, something profound will have been engraved in the depths of your life.
TO possess both wisdom and compassion is the heart of our human revolution. If you have wisdom alone and lack compassion, it will be a cold, perverse kind of wisdom. If you have compassion alone and lack wisdom, you would not be able to save others. You are even likely to lead them in the wrong direction. You will also be unable to achieve your own happiness.
IT is by dedicating one’s existence to a great cause that one can truly lead a life of value. We are living based on the Mystic Law, the fundamental Law of life. Moreover, we are advancing towards the unprecedented ideal of kosen-rufu which aims to restore humanity and establish peace and security throughout the world. What way of life could be more respect worthy and exalted?
A magnet and a piece of iron which has not been magnetized differ greatly in their ability to attract other pieces of iron or steel. In a similar way, even among those who embrace faith in the Gohonzon, the benefit one receives will differ according to the strength of one’s faith.
LET us always make certain to remember, respect and protect the people who are striving with diligence and perseverance, modestly and inconspicuously, in their communities. My deepest wish is to visit these people, bow in respect to them and sincerely thank them for their admirable efforts.
MANY things happen in life. There are joyous days and times of suffering. Sometimes unpleasant things occur. But that is what makes life so interesting. The dramas we encounter are part and parcel of being human. If we experience no change or drama in our lives, if nothing unexpected ever happen, we would merely be like automations, our lives unbearably monotonous and dull.
JOY is not simply personal, egoistic happiness. Nor is it making others happy while sacrificing yourself or your own happiness. You and others delighting together, you and others becoming happy together – this is the Mystic Law and the wondrous thing about our realm of kosen-rufu.
EVERYTHING comes down to the extent to which you train and polish yourself. If, contend with summary knowledge and strategies, one avoids the efforts that building a foundation entails, you will later experience loss. Furthermore, the principle of cause and effect of the Mystic Law is very strict. Unless you polish yourself through earnest faith, you will definitely not be able to realize a life of indestructible happiness and victory.
ALWAYS bear in mind that a shining glory awaits when you are able to break through the walls which may seem to confine you.
OUR community is important. Those who work hard in their communities, no matter how tough the challenge, are champions. We can become Buddhas right where we are now. It is a big mistake to think of the large cities as somehow superior to the countryside. I firmly believe that those who triumph in their own community are the true and most human, victors in life.
IT is important for you not to be defeated by the environment. You must not lose faith in yourself. Each of you has a mission in this lifetime that only you can fulfill. Each of you has a life that only you can live and create something of value. Whatever else you may doubt, please do not doubt this.
NO matter how healthy, intelligent or affluent we may be, if our minds are weak, then our happiness will also be frail and brittle. Our mind of faith, however, enables us to bring out the full potential in all things and situations, so it is crucial that we thoroughly strive to forge our mind of faith.
TOTAL commitment is the key to victory. No matter what happens, we must not be daunted; we must not lose, but must ever continue to challenge ourselves and our circumstances. This is what contributes true proof of our following a correct path in life. I hope that you will strongly maintain this attitude of thorough-going belief.
NO obstacles can stand for long when we act with patience and courage and when we pray to the Gohonzon in the spirit of itai doshin (many in body, one in mind). The important point for us is to have absolute conviction in this.
WHETHER in suffering or in joy, even in the face of an insurmountable deadlock, if one continues to chant daimoku wholeheartedly, then tremendous hope will well up from within.
IN any undertaking, one cannot win if he has a half-hearted attitude. If he does, though for a while it might seem that he can get along satisfactorily, in the end he will definitely suffer destruction and defeat. This is a fact of life. How much more so this is the case in our quest to scale the treacherous peak of kosen-rufu! If our efforts are half-hearted, we will not be able to achieve our lofty goal, nor, individually, can we attain Buddhahood.
UNLESS we are strong, we cannot win in life. Nor can we accomplish kosen-rufu. The essence of our human revolution is to become as strong a human being as possible.
THERE are many people who demonstrate admirable integrity and character. It is a mistake to judge people merely on the basis of whether or not they practice Nichiren Daishonin’s Buddhism. Since there are so many wonderful people who are non-members, it simply means that those of us who are members should strive to develop our humanity and character all the more.
EMBODYING the spirit of Nichiren Daishonin’s writings, we of the SGI have called on thinking people throughout the world to unite and have opened an incomparable path of peace, culture and education. We have brought people together. We have brought the world together. And we have brought diverse cultures together.
NAM-MYOHO-RENGE-KYO is the fundamental law that purifies every aspect of one’s life. It is like an excellent medicine. Just as a single match can ignite a fire that spreads limitlessly through a plain of grass, when one does gongyo and chants daimoku before the Gohonzon, even the deeply entrenched karmic causes of past slander will be expelled before the “great wind” of Nam-myoho-renge-kyo and the “flame” of Myoho.
THERE is no resting in the practice of faith. Until you arrive at the land of eternal truth, that is, attain Buddhahood in this lifetime, you must unremittingly advance in the way of faith. Though you may be heartlessly criticized and may be assailed by storms of destiny, you must continue to advance step by step, never allowing yourself to be defeated.
ONE of the Buddha’s titles is Nonin, “He who can forbear”. To courageously endure, persevere and overcome all difficulties – the Buddha is the ultimate embodiment of the virtue of forbearance. The power of faith gives us the strength to weather and survive any storm. Being able to persevere is the essence of a Buddha.
IF we keep our efforts even when the going is tough, we will earn respect. The important thing is to persevere in the path you have chosen, irrespective of how difficult circumstances may become or how others around you may change. Those who can do this will emerge as champions and victors in life. They will win in the end. Such people also make true friends.
THE SGI is an organization of truth and sincerity. As such, our efforts are guaranteed to bear fruit, without fail. On the other hand, petty, unscrupulous people who try to engineer the downfall of those working for truth and justice are bound to suffer ruin in the end. The Chinese philosopher, Hsun-Tzu said, “One who scorns the just and vilifies the sincere may wish to escape ruin but most certainly cannot.” These are the insightful words of one of the world’s great thinkers.
BECAUSE we are flesh and blood, we naturally get tired or fall ill from time to time. However, we must not allow our spirit to be continuously dark or heavy on that account. I hope that, through your participation in the vast world of faith that opens a solution to such sufferings, you will transform all situations for the better.
THE importance of having a refined way of expression hold true for our organisation and our activities in the community as well. I hope that leaders, in particular, will be considerate in their manner of addressing fellow members. The way you speak is indicative of the depth of your faith, character and culture. Insensitive and irresponsible language hurt not only others, but the person himself, as a believer, a leader and member of society.
AS long as you burn with faith, have self-confidence and hope, you will be young and full of energy. You will be able to say that you have truly lived, been a true victor, and winner of life’s medal of honour. This is the essence of life, of faith, and of Buddhism.
EDISON invented things that were of practical benefit to humanity. He was clear about his purpose. He was not simply interested in personal acclaim or riches. And he pursued his endeavours with a “never give up” spirit. We, likewise, are living with a conviction, determined never to give up in our efforts to help even a single person become happy. We are working for the noblest of all causes, kosen-rufu.
KOSEN-RUFU is the infinitely noble and worthy challenge of attempting to elevate the human spirit to the loftiest heights. No life could be greater than one dedicated to this glorious and everlasting cause. Of course, we all experience various problems and difficulties in our daily existence, but the important thing is to achieve exhilarating victory in each challenge before us, one at a time, day by day.
YOU cannot build a foundation without effort and hard work, and without a solid foundation, you cannot become a person of genuine substance. Cunning people who shun hard work and seek to make it big overnight invariably come to a fall in the end.
WHEN a person who is seriously ill recovers, that is a great human revolution. When a mean person becomes kind to others, that is human revolution. When people who treat their parents badly begin to love them, that is human revolution. Human revolution cannot be pinned down to one specific thing. It is any action that leads to positive change or improvement in the inner realm of a person’s life.
IT is important to have the self-confidence to confront whatever problem or test you face without fear, and the spirited-determination to win a great victory in your local region. This is the source of indomitable strength to press forward, ever forward.
A true religion does not confine people to the darkness of ignorance and blind obedience. On the contrary, it awakens people intellectually and nourishes them. In the end, a true religion produces people of wisdom. Intellect is an extension of faith, and faith is an extension of intellect. With both faith and intellect working harmoniously, one can achieve unlimited self-development as a human being, fully developing one’s character.
A profound connection between the Gohonzon and oneself is the basic posture of faith. All we have to do is perceive everything from this standpoint. However, if one is shaken on this single point, then everything will appear to him in a distorted way.
THOSE who do not stand up to against wrongdoing and injustice are not just. They are not strong; they are devious and self-serving. President Toda often said quite strictly, “People who are lax towards evil, people who do not fight against evil, no matter how good natured they are or impressive they may appear on the surface, ultimately have no principles, no convictions. They have no real character either. They are devious, self-serving individuals.”
STRENGTH is the source of happiness. We must not shy away from life’s challenges. We must not be defeated. Refusing to be defeated equals victory. A person who perseveres to the end is a winner.
WHEN your life is filled with the desire for improvement, when it is a life of effort, of faith, you will feel hope. A degenerate life, a life of self-interest, of exploiting others may seem good for a while, but it will always take a downwards spin, lapse into suffering and end up in despair.
THE depth and power of one’s faith determines the degree of wisdom and happiness one can develop. When the sun rises, the earth is illuminated. Similarly, when the sun of faith rises within and permeates your inner world, you will manifest the wisdom to create value in society and your daily life. For us, wisdom is a manifestation of faith. Conversely, faith must manifest itself as wisdom.
FAITH is confidence and confidence means strength and hope. A person who lacks confidence will tend to be swayed by devilish influences and be defeated by negative criticism. Compromising with the trend of the times, he will estrange himself from the depths of faith.
YOU should know that rather than talking about your past karmas, it is hundred of times more valuable to chant daimoku courageously to the Gohonzon, the source of tremendous benefit, as you continue to live your life. Living in such a way will enable you to gain the confidence and understanding of others, thereby penning the way towards kosen-rufu.
YOU do not have to pay anything to express yourself; it is free of charge. What matters is how, through your expression others are revitalized, influenced and awakened. The wisdom to do this cannot be bought with money. After all, most essentials of life, like the air we breathe, have no price. Compassion, affection and wisdom – all of these are free. You do not have to be in the least bit stingy with them.
BEING victorious is crucial in Buddhism. Victory leads to happiness. Victory leads to kosen-rufu. It is invigorating to win. It also attracts others to our cause. If we lose, no one will give us a second glance. This is true for the individual, the family and the nation.
AS part of a larger whole – be it a family or a group – it is important for us to have the spirit and wisdom to harmonise and get along with others. The ability to be flexible and accommodate different views is itself a sign of a solid sense of self. We should neither be lazy, blindly following the crowd, nor self-centred, blindly going against it. Rather, we should seek balance and harmony. Being able to demonstrate such wisdom shows a strong self-identity.
IN my youth, I also worked hard as a district leader and group chief. Those who suddenly shoot to fame or high position tend to crumple and fall just as easily because they lack a solid basis. A foundation cannot be built without effort and hard work. This only stands to reason.
TO eradicate bad karma from the past, establish a life of good fortune in the future and enjoy great benefits amid the realities of daily life, we must carry out the practice of gongyo.
OUR value-creation movement, from its inception, has been ahead of the times. Through it, we have been showing that Buddhism is the fundamental approach to tap one’s creativity. It can be said that the times are catching up to what we have contended all along. We have now arrived at a stage at which we can play a major role in society.
AS long as one’s mind of faith is connected to the Gohonzon, one’s benefits will never disappear. That is why it is vital for you to persevere in your Buddhist practice throughout your whole life, no matter what, even if some days your physical condition or various other circumstances may prevent you from doing gongyo and chanting daimoku to your full satisfaction. Those who continue to challenge themselves to the end savour ultimate victory.
THE realisation of your prayers begins with making concrete efforts towards their fulfilment. If you believe that things will turn out the way you have prayed as long as you continue your efforts, your mind will be filled with hope, optimism and confidence that your prayers will definitely be answered. At the same time, by chanting daimoku, you will be able to see what you must do to succeed in your life, as clearly as the morning sun illuminates the earth.
WHAT is the most ordinary, yet also the most powerful driving force for kosen-rufu? It is the district. I hope you will always remember this as you challenge yourselves to advance kosen-rufu.
HISTORY is uncompromising in its judgement: justice and truth, error and lies are clearly revealed. It is crucial, therefore, that we develop into people of wisdom who can distinguish between good and evil, right and wrong, based on a broad historical perspective.
A debased, decadent life that produces nothing of value or meaning, no matter how fun and cool it may seem on the surface, is empty and vain. It is a destructive and wretched existence. Please use wisdom and good sense in all things, and lead wonderful, fulfilling lives.
IF you practice faith yet have an attitude of complain, you will destroy your good fortune in direct proportion. Those who are full of complain are not respected by others. From both Buddhist and secular perspectives, their behaviour does not befit a wise or “worthy” person. Everything is determined by oneself, by one’s ichinen, or inner resolution.
THE Mystic Law is the source that enables one to liberate his individuality and leads to the flowering of one’s life. In the Gosho, Nichiren Daishonin stated, “The character myo means to open.” In another Gosho, he explained, “To open is another name for faith.” On one level, we can say that faith in the Mystic Law is fundamental to opening one’s life without limitation and freely expressing oneself.
KARMIC suffering, grief and sorrow ordinarily leave their stains and residue in the mind, creating a tendency towards further anguish. If the gold on one’s heart is encased in mud, its radiance cannot be seen. Through faith, however, one can slough off the mire of karmic suffering and allow the light of one’s inherent Buddhahood to shine forth.
LIFE must be called a perpetual battle with the demon of sickness. It is miserable to be struck down halfway through life by the suffering of illness. Life is a struggle to surmount illness, to be healthy and live long. The fundamental power that makes this possible is the Mystic Law, and our faith in it.
DEMOCRACY is based on the dignity of the individual. Practically speaking the dignity of each individual means, first of all, developing pride in one’s individual spirit and affirming the sanctity of the spirit. It is Buddhism that truly realises this ideal.
STRONG faith enables you to display your wisdom appropriately according to the circumstances, so that you can take advantage of change and move forward in the direction of victory and hope. You will definitely be able to show actual proof of benefit in accord with the Gosho passage: “Those who believe in the Lotus Sutra (Gohonzon) will gather fortune from ten thousand miles afar”.
THERE is no retirement age in faith. Sincere faith never ages. Those who exert themselves for the sake of the Law are ever young. Our heart is what matters most. Let us strive to the end of our days for kosen-rufu.
NICHIREN DAISHONIN wrote: “Strengthen your faith day by day and month after month. Should you slacken in your resolve even a bit, devils will take advantage.” (WND, p997) When we display a slackness or weakness in our resolve, having the attitude of “that’s good enough”, we will be defeated by devilish functions. Not advancing is retreating. Let us keep moving forward vigourously throughout our lives along the path of kosen-rufu.
EVEN if you should have some unpleasant or painful experience, overcome it by devoting yourself to a strict practice of gongyo and daimoku and vigorously advancing your activities for kosen-rufu. This in itself is a way of life based upon Buddhahood and strong faith.
NO matter what may happen, you should remain strong and bright so that no storm of difficulties can create a stir at the core of your life. I hope that you will be able to continue to advance with a bright smile, undaunted by any problem. Please cultivate the stately composure of a queen, reveling in the beautiful and vast fields of flowers within your life.
IN the realm of Buddhism, those who have in actuality advanced kosen-rufu are worthy of great respect. In contrast, those who crave personal fame and profit, while not making the slightest exertion (for the sake of the Law or the believers), are parasites that live off Buddhism.
ALL rivers, irrespective of their differences, flow unceasingly and unflaggingly to the sea. If we, too, continue to make persistent efforts, we will eventually reach the great ocean of happiness for ourselves and others. We will savour a life of boundless freedom and potential in which we ourselves shine brightly while celebrating and encouraging the individuality of others.
UNITY is important. The SGI has achieved the global development it has today by acting in solid unity of “many in body, one in mind” in exact accord with Nichiren Daishonin’s declaration. We must never forget this point. It is precisely for this reason, too, that we must never allow ill-intentioned or arrogant individuals to disrupt the pure realm of SGI. Nothing is stronger than unity in the cause of justice.
FOR what purpose do we practice Nichiren Buddhism? It is to win in life. Victory is happiness; it brings joy. Defeat, on the other hand, is misery. No excuse can take away the wretchedness of defeat. That is why it is important to win in life and never be defeated. That is the purpose of faith.
NICHIREN DAISHONIN'S Buddhism enables us to reveal our highest intrinsic nature – that is, to fully reveal our own unique potential, to develop our character and to bring our true self to shine. To do this, we need life force. A strong life force will bring forth the most positive aspects of our personality.
COMPASSION is the very soul of Buddhism. To pray for others, making their problems our own; to embrace those who are suffering, becoming their greatest ally; to continue giving them our support and encouragement until they become truly happy – it is such humanistic actions that the Daishonin’s Buddhism lives and breathes.
SPIRITUAL freedom and independence, undaunted conviction and development without sentimentalism are the essence of Buddhism and faith. Hoping that others will think well of you or sympathise with you is sentimentality, a pettiness which has nothing to do with Buddhism.
LET’S find capable people. Let’s raise and protect them. That is the well-spring of eternal prosperity.
EVERYONE experiences hardships and problems. One might even go so far as to say that the entire human race is caught up in a continual cycle of suffering. Faith allows us to surmount a mountain of suffering, fulfil our desires, and open the fertile plains of a secure and peaceful life. When you continue to chant, whether you are in pain or joy, you will open up a great road to indestructible happiness.
BUDDHISM develops one’s life condition, and education, one’s intellect. Human happiness and social progress hinge upon the coordinated development of those two realms. I hope you will be diligent in your daily efforts towards self-development as you learn as much as you can.
THE Daishonin’s Buddhism is the great teaching for “securing the peace of the land”. As the number of people who chant the Mystic Law increases, that country and society will naturally be led on a rhythm towards prosperity. There can be no greater and more lasting contribution to the people than this.
THE truly great are those who strive with all their might – people, for instance, who propagate Nichiren Daishonin’s Buddhism, braving criticism and harassment; people who work to the point of exhaustion for people’s happiness. Despite the present hardship they may face, such individuals will definitely win in the end.
NICHIREN DAISHONIN wrote, “If the Law that one embraces is supreme, then the person who embraces it must accordingly be foremost among all others.” (WND, p61) You who base your lives on the Mystic Law are the foremost people in the world. You possess boundless and immeasurable good fortune and a supremely noble mission.
COWARDLY people are quick to rely on others, assuming that someone else will take care of things for them. They do not make any efforts themselves. On the contrary, they often engage in wrongdoing when no one is watching and cause trouble for their colleagues. Ultimately, they wind up in a situation where they can no longer remain in the same circle, prompting them to betray their friends and leave.
OUR existence to this world can be likened to a dream. The issue of by far the greatest importance and eternal relevance is how we face death, the inescapable destiny of all living beings. For in the face of death, external factors such as social status or position in an organization count for naught. Everything depends on one’s faith, one’s state of life.
ALL of the toils you undergo for the sake of kosen-rufu become magnificent good fortune that lasts for eternity. You will undoubtedly be able to cultivate a vast life state in lifetime after lifetime. That is why it is important for you to practice diligently in this lifetime. Nichiren Daishonin stated, “Do not spend this life in vain and regret it for ten thousand years to come.” (MW 5, p173)
BUDDHIST faith comes to life when you use your belief to address problems in society and the realities of life. Unless you acquire secular knowledge and learn how to relate Buddhism to the real world, you cannot be called a true practitioner of Buddhism. When you take interest in every aspect of society and expand the world of your mind, you also strengthen and deepen your faith.
NO matter how much one may appear to be prospering at any given point, surface prosperity is like a dream. Whether the whole of one’s life has been decisively happy or unhappy becomes clear in the final chapter. This is something one must gauge by the yardstick of eternity.
FAITH is the fundamental source of vitality. Do not be defeated by a slump in faith. It is important to strive in chanting daimoku, and in association with one’s fellow believers. Although we speak of activities for kosen-rufu, the benefit of all such efforts ultimately returns to oneself.
BUDDHISM expounds the principle that “earthly desires are enlightenment”. In like manner it may well be said that hardships are benefits. As long as you maintain faith in the Gohonzon, you can definitely make your problems and sufferings the springboard towards great happiness.
THE question is whether or not prayer is at the basis of your action. Both a sense of responsibility and compassion are manifested in prayer. Action without prayer is nothing but an artifice.
NICHIREN DAISHONIN said, “Do not expect good times but take the bad times for granted” (WND, p998). If you engrave this teaching in your life, you will have nothing to fear. Nor will you ever become deadlocked. The important thing is to take that first step. If you barely overcome one small fear, it will give you the courage to take on the next one.
WHETHER or not one has attended this or that school is a trivial matter when viewed from the cosmic scope of Buddhism. Please take pride in the fact that you are studying in the eternal university if life, which teaches the supreme law of cause and effect – the Mystic Law – and the way to lead lives of absolute freedom.
THE ultimate aim of attending university is also to become happy. Likewise, gaining a good position in society is also merely a means to attain happiness. In contrast, faith constitutes the direct path to happiness. It connects directly to that goal. Guiding people to happiness is the SGI’s mission.
OUR Buddhist practice entails much hard work and effort, but there is also the tremendous joy of human revolution that could never be derived from merely leading a life of idle pleasure. That is why Nichiren Daishonin sternly warns that we must not forget the promises we have made when the crucial moment comes.
BUDDHISM teaches that it is possible to live to be 120 years old. In this sense, we are all still very young and our lives are just beginning. Our spirit to live “from this moment on” makes our lives youthful and refreshed.
CAN one live a truly happy existence if he spends it uneventfully never experiencing the waves and storms of hardships or painful experiences? I doubt it. In the process of struggling through and overcoming wave upon wave of tribulation, you can discipline yourself and elevate your state of life. In so doing, you can lead a life which is far more valuable than that of the one who never experiences storms of hardship.
FIRST, be healthy. Second, establish your economic base. Third, be trusted on your job. Fourth, raise your children with affection, and establish a secure family life. These are all aspects of daily life, and apart from daily life, there is no Buddhism.
PRACTICE and study are like the two wheels of a cart and faith is like its axle. No matter how great your knowledge of Buddhist doctrines, without practice, it will be incomplete.
REALISING eternal freedom and happiness is the goal of Nichiren Daishonin's Buddhism. It constitutes the purpose of our faith and of our life as a whole. You can never relive this particular existence. If you are to crown your life with the laurels of victory, you must never be cowardly. In every instance, I hope you will summon forth the courage to advance along the great path of attaining Buddhahood in this lifetime.
WHAT seems like a misfortune can be an opportunity. Wherever we find ourselves, we are in the Land of Eternally Tranquil Light. Complaining does not help. Whining does not produce anything of benefit. When faced with trouble, the way to rouse one’s courage is to think positively. If one sets a positive goal - to learn something new, to regain one's health, to live a richer life - courage, hope and wisdom will well forth to meet the challenge.
ONLY when you experience the crushing, painful depths of sufferings can you begin to understand the true meaning of life. Precisely because you have experienced great sufferings, it is imperative that you go on living. The important thing is to keep moving forward. If you use your sadness as a source of growth, you will become a person of greater depth and breadth - an even more wonderful you. This is the harvest of your pain and sufferings.
SOCIAL progress, economic progress, and in fact all progress depends upon the progress of human beings themselves, who are the protagonists in these endeavours. At the same time, if the faith or ideology that human beings take as their foundation does not advance, there will be no real human progress.
FIRST of all, it is vital that we practise faith as part of the SGI organisation, for only the SGI are people working together towards kosen-rufu in the unity of "many in body, one in mind". Some people may think that practising faith alone, unconnected to the organisation, is easier. But when people practise alone, their faith tends to become selfish and their actions, egocentric. This is a frightening thing.
YOU have to pray to the Gohonzon to become more broad-minded and tolerant. You have to chant and look unflinchingly at the people and the things in your life that are making you unhappy. Running away from things you find unpleasant is what causes suffering. But, if you face and challenge such situations, they will enrich your life.
NICHIREN DAISHONIN told us that "One who perseveres through great persecutions and embraces the sutra from beginning to end is the Buddha's emissary". (MW 3, p290) As long as we are striving to realise kosen-rufu, we are sure to encounter persecution. And it is the very presence of great obstacles that serves to strengthen our faith and forge the state of Buddhahood within us.
FAITH in the Mystic Law is the fundamental power to overcome the four sufferings of birth, old age, sickness and death and to develop an eternally free and joyous state of existence.
YOUR Buddhist study will greatly support your efforts to develop a faith that never wavers, no matter what obstacles may arise. I hope you will have this spirit to read the Gosho, as it is a wonderful expression of your faith.
MAY 3 is our initial starting point, and simultaneously, the day we make our final declaration of complete victory. It is the grand anniversary which celebrates our efforts to realise a golden age of supreme spiritual triumph and glory. May 3 is invincible, unshaken by raging tempests. May 3 is filled with jubilation and ever-victorious hope. May 3 is the day which our friends around the world rejoice, celebrate and deepen their determination to keep striving for kosen-rufu.
WHEN one dedicates himself/herself to the Gohonzon and advances in practice for the sake of his/her own enlightenment and for kosen-rufu, then, without doubt, he/she will become capable of truly loving others, and others in turn will say to themselves that there is something about him/her that shines.
BY arousing sincere faith in the Gohonzon of the Three Great Secret Laws inscribed by Nichiren Daishonin, and striving to chant daimoku and propagate the Law, you can tap the power of the Buddha and the Law inherent in the Gohonzon and transform the negative karma in your life. Everyone can thus attain Buddhahood.
COURAGE and effort are extremely important, for they lead to glory and victory. Life is like a marathon. Even if you should fall a little bit behind the others during the race, there is no need to be impatient; as long as you win in the end. The person who breaks the tape at the finish line is the true victor.
ONLY after surviving the harsh trial of winter can seeds burst into fresh growth in the spring time. Similarly, only by surmounting hardships can we be victorious in life and savour real, lasting joy. Conversely, if we shun difficulties and lose our challenging spirit, then we will be left with in the end is failure and regret. Therefore, please blaze a trail through the "forest of difficulty" we find ourselves in and that tomorrow we work again energetically for kosen-rufu.
TO teach others about Nichiren Daishonin's Buddhism requires courage. While compassion is also important, as common mortals it can sometime be hard for us to summon compassion. That is why courage is vital. Courage translates into compassion. Chanting daimoku is how we summon courage. The power of faith and the power of Buddhism is the source from which we draw forth courage.
THROUGHOUT the 10 directions - the vast universe - there are surely billions upon billions of planets like the Earth. And the Mystic Law is the fundamental law that pervades everything in the universe. When you die, wherever you go, or wherever you may be between this life and the next, as long as you are a follower of Nichiren Daishonin you are safe and protected. You may be at peace, and make your way freely and joyfully through all eternity.
THOSE who can always maintain a positive attitude and give free play to their wisdom regardless of their circumstances are happy people. There are no stalemates for people of wisdom. Such individuals also bring joy to others and can lead them in a positive direction.
NICHIREN DAISHONIN admonished us to continue advancing with pure faith, while chanting daimoku ourselves and teaching others to do the same. If you fail to have this attitude, before you know it your life will be 'dyed' by evil influences. A person who lives based on the principle of yumyo shojin (valiant and untiring dedication), however, gives devilish functions no opportunity to enter his/her mind or influence him/her.
SOME people spend their lives grumbling or complaining about their problems and sufferings. Others live brightly and joyfully. The state of your ichinen will determine whether your environment will become a "hell" or a "joyful land". Also, you can transform suffering into pleasure according to your ichinen of faith.
THOSE who stand up for the supreme goal of propagating true Buddhism can, due to their lofty sense of purpose and the beneficial power of daimoku, change all the pleasures and sorrows of daily living into a source of supreme joy.
FAITH exists in the realm of the mind, at the fundamental level that determines one's happiness or unhappiness. Therefore, you should not allow yourself to be caught off guard. Never forget to constantly challenge yourself. In the Ongi Kuden, Nichiren Daishonin stated, "Nam-myoho-renge-kyo is the practice of shojin (genuine and constant devotion)."
A victor is one who constantly has the determination, the hope and the lively progressive spirit that today is the time for a new start; that things begin from right now. To give up or run away from one's problems is to be defeated. No matter what happens, you must never lose hope.
TO succeed at your work, or become exemplary asset to your workplace, is proof of the power of your faith. To work only for the salary you receive is to be a slave to money. Your place of work is your place of practice, the place where you forge and polish your character and humanity.
IT is none other than the SGI that is resolutely carrying our Nichiren Daishonin's vow for the widespread propagation of the Mystic Law. If the SGI had not appeared, the sutra passages that predicted the Law's widespread propagation in the Latter Day would be rendered false. So would the Gosho. They would all be false. The Gosho clearly illuminates just how immensely noble and important all of you are.