“the object of devotion for observing the mind” (wnd-1, pg ... · the [lotus sutra] says,...

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In these uncertain times of deepening division and discord, the global citizens of Soka are overcoming all differences to forge friendships and spread peace through the power

of the philosophy of the Middle Way that is grounded in respect for human life; the power of humanistic dialogue, speech, and the written word; and the power of

cultural and educational exchange to bring hearts together.

– SGI President Ikeda

MARCH 15-2020

Persatuan Soka Gakkai Malaysia PublicationPP 6848/12/2012(031182) RM2.50 UNTUK AGAMA BUDDHA SAHAJA

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According to the Lotus Sutra, the Buddha appears in various forms in the Ten Worlds, preaching the Law and guiding people to enlightenment. He utilises all of the Ten Worlds as a source of wisdom to help free others from suffering.

The same principle applies to our own lives. The greater the problems and challenges we experience, the more we can understand and empathise with other people’s pain and suffering. Through making unsparing efforts for kosen-rufu,

The [Lotus Sutra] says, “Sometimes I speak of myself, sometimes of others.” [LSOC16, pg 267] Thus the world of Buddhahood contains the Ten Worlds.

“The Object of Devotion for Observing the Mind” (WND-1, pg 357)

SGI President Ikeda’s Words of EncouragementTransforming Struggles into Our Mission (36)

we can truly appreciate the hard work of our fellow members.

All the struggles we undergo have deep meaning. We can transform them into a positive force for realising our noble mission for compassionately spreading our movement for kosen-rufu. This is the power of the Mystic Law, which can change poison into medicine.

Advancing with the Gosho: Words of Encouragement from SGI President Ikeda

From SGI Newsletter No. 9493 dated 22.11.2016

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C O N T E N T S

President Ikeda’s Poems

2 (To celebrate the start of the New Year)

SGI President Ikeda’s Message

4 2020 New Year’s Gongyo Meetings in Japan

Awakening the Buddha Nature of All Humankind

6 The 45th Soka Gakkai Headquarters Leaders Meeting

Shouldering the Destiny of Humankind

SGI President Ikeda’s Speech Excerpts

11 Creating a Brilliant Galaxy of Capable People

SGI President Ikeda’s Encouragement

15 Constructing the New Era

Spreading the Power of Revitalisation

Learning from the Gosho and the Guidance of SGI President Ikeda

17 Guidepost for Youth (3)

Let’s Make Our Individual Personalities Shine Brilliantly!

SGI President Ikeda’s Encouragement for the Future Division

21 Treasures of the Four Seasons (3)

Rainbows: Nothing is More Beautiful Than Friendship

24 Building a Bright Future Based on Our Vow – Exploring the Life of Nanjo Tokimitsu (3)

Being Good to Our Parents Is the Path of Human Revolution

SGI President Ikeda’s The New Human Revolution

28 The New Human Revolution – Volume 30: Chapter 3 Launching Out (Parts 27–39)

Editor-in-ChiefKoh Sia Feai

EditorDinesh Chandren

Assistant EditorGoh Lim Erng

Material CompilationTay Biby

Art Director Chew Meng Tatt

DesignerKoh Wei Chaw

DistributionChai Siew LinNg Shy Huh

Cover PhotoLum Heng

Subscriptions enquiriesFor enquiries on subscriptions, please contact:

Email:[email protected]

Tel: 03-9075 6876 / 018-388 4997

SGI President Ikeda’s Poems

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SGI President Ikeda’s PoemsSGI President Ikeda composed the following poems

to celebrate the start of the New Year.

Advancing for the sake of the eternal future

with disciples destined to grow

“bluer than the indigo” –

what joy it is to pass on

the shared courage of Soka mentors!

White lilies of Soka,

confidently spreading

the lofty fragrance of peace,

create an age where the hearts of all

are filled with great joy.

May our capable youth,

like a galaxy of stars

filling the heavens,

guide the times

with the Soka light of wisdom!

SGI President Ikeda’s Poems

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Advancing together

with the sun,

the diverse unity of Soka

shines like a rainbow

reaching into the skies of victory.

You all have a mission.

You are all supremely noble

human flowers.

In the precious lands where you dwell,

create an infinite blossoming of benefit.

May your lives bloom

as beautiful flowers of Myoho-renge –

lotuses of the Mystic Law –

triumphing over all obstacles and

illuminating this dark age!

From SGI NewsletterNos. 10377 and 10376

dated 06.01.2020


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2020 New Year’s Gongyo Meetings in Japan

Awakening the Buddha Nature of All Humankind

SGI President Ikeda sent the following message to participants of New Year’s gongyo meetings held on January 1, 2020,

at Soka Gakkai centres throughout Japan.

Happy New Year to you all! We have started off another year of limitless hope, with the sun and based on the Mystic Law, the ultimate forward-moving rhythm of the universe. Let’s celebrate together with our fellow Bodhisattvas of the Earth throughout Japan and the world!

In The Record of the Orally Transmitted Teachings, Nichiren Daishonin states: “Great joy [is

what] one experiences when one understands for the first time that one’s mind [or life] from the very beginning has been a Buddha. Nam-myoho-renge-kyo is the greatest of all joys.” (Cf. OTT,

pg 211–12)

The supreme state of Buddhahood exists nowhere but within our own lives. Could there possibly be any greater joy,

then, than awakening to this fact, helping others do the same, and freely exercising our wisdom and abilities based on that state of life? Living each day filled with the “greatest of all joys,” sharing that joy with those around us, and further striving to awaken the Buddha nature of all humankind – this is the essence of our movement for kosen-rufu.

Our societies and the world are waiting for the advancement of Soka humanism and for our capable people who champion peace, culture, and education.So, in the coming year –

Let’s overcome all hardships and perform a dance of joy at the progress we are making in our human revolution.

Let’s treasure each person and expand a network of joy where


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everyone shines their brightest in their own unique way.

Let’s sing a song of great joy at working to realise genuine peace and happiness for all in the place we have chosen to fulfil our vow for kosen-rufu.

Above all, let’s do so together in a bright, positive spirit of harmony and friendship.

My wife, Kaneko, and I are chanting strongly for each one of you, who is infinitely precious, praying with all our hearts for your health, long life, good fortune, and security.

As the Daishonin reminds us: “If you want to understand what results will be manifested in the future, look at the causes that exist in the present.”1 (WND-1, pg 279)

Keeping our focus firmly on this important decade that holds the key to peace and prosperity for our planet, let us bravely make the causes for great victory in kosen-rufu and in our lives.


1. Words from the Contemplation of the Mind-Ground Sutra.

“Keeping our focus firmly on this important decade that holds the key to peace and prosperity for our planet, let us bravely make the causes for great victory in kosen-rufu and in our lives.”


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The 45th Soka Gakkai Headquarters Leaders Meeting

Shouldering the Destiny of Humankind

SGI President Ikeda sent the following message to the 45th Soka GakkaiHeadquarters Leaders Meeting of the New Era of Worldwide Kosen-rufu,celebrating the start of the Year of Advancement and Capable People,

held at the Toda Memorial Auditorium in Sugamo, Tokyo, on January 11, 2020.Visiting SGI representatives from 19 countries and territories also attended the meeting.

Congratulations on this joyous New Year’s Headquarters Leaders Meeting at the start of the year marking the Soka Gakkai’s 90th anniversary!

And welcome to the noble leaders of worldwide kosen-rufu from America, Oceania, Brazil, Europe, Hong Kong, Thailand, South Korea, and elsewhere! Thank you for making the long journey here in the cold of winter to celebrate the 45th anniversary of the establishment of the Soka Gakkai International (on January 26).

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In January 1945, Josei Toda, imprisoned in the Tokyo Detention Centre in Sugamo, learnt for

the first time that his mentor, Tsunesaburo Makiguchi, also incarcerated for his beliefs, had died [on November 18 the previous

year]. From the depths of grief and outrage, Mr Toda rose up as an indomitable champion of the Mystic Law.

After his release from prison, carrying on his mentor’s great vow, Mr Toda changed his name from Jogai (meaning “outside the castle”) to Josei (“sage of the castle”). He set forth alone amid the ruins of war-devastated Japan to rebuild the castle of the Soka Gakkai, whose mission it is to achieve kosen-rufu.

Seventy-five years have passed since then. At this first leaders meeting of the Year of Advancement and Capable People,


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filled with the deepest gratitude and appreciation for both Mr Makiguchi and Mr Toda, I would like to offer one of my calligraphic works for display here at the Toda Memorial Auditorium, a magnificent hall of mentor and disciple. It reads: “The Castle of Capable People of Soka.” I inscribed this one year, on the first day of spring according to the old lunar calendar, and I am making it public for the first time.

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Let me define the castle we have built as the mentors and disciples of Soka.

First and foremost, it is a castle of the people.

All too many castles throughout history have stood as symbols of power looking down on the people. It was Mr Toda’s conviction, therefore, that unless we build a castle of capable individuals, a castle for, of, and by the people, based on the Mystic Law, a teaching of universal enlightenment, we will never be able to bring an end to the cycle of misery afflicting humankind at the hands of the devilish nature of power.

In the Gosho passage for study at this month’s [January]

discussion meetings in Japan, Nichiren Daishonin declares: “In the Latter Day of the Law, no treasure tower exists other than the figures of the men and women who embrace the Lotus Sutra [Nam-myoho-renge-kyo].” (WND-1, pg 299) With this spirit of the Daishonin in our hearts, we have built a castle of the people dedicated to kosen-rufu. We have actively gone out into the midst of the suffering people and helped one person after another reveal their brilliant inner potential and stand tall as a supremely noble treasure tower of the Mystic Law.

In addition, each one of our Soka Gakkai centres and facilities is likewise a castle of the people that is contributing to the prosperity and security of the community.

For instance, in the aftermath of the Great Hanshin Earthquake of 1995 – which took place 25 years ago this month – as well as the March 2011 Tohoku earthquake and tsunami and numerous other local natural disasters, Soka Gakkai facilities have not only served as evacuation centres, but also centres providing assistance in rescue, relief, and reconstruction work. Through their sincere efforts to support and


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encourage others, our members have shown incredible resilience in the face of adversity and helped many others do the same. They continue to work each day with a noble determination to never be defeated.

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Our castle of the people is also an unshakeable castle of peace.

In these uncertain times of deepening division and discord, the global citizens of Soka are overcoming all differences to forge friendships and spread peace through the power of the philosophy of the Middle Way that is grounded in respect for human life; the power of humanistic dialogue, speech, and the written word; and the power of cultural and educational exchange to bring hearts together. People the world over are expressing growing trust in and expectations for our movement.

This year marks the 75th anniversary of the United Nations, a bastion of hope for the world. Let’s redouble our efforts to support the UN and promote the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), while valuing and utilising the unique and precious

potential of each individual and strengthening the solidarity of the global family.

From our great castle of Soka, dedicated to actualising the Daishonin’s ideal of “establishing the correct teaching for the peace of the land” – that is, world peace – let us ring the bells of wisdom and philosophy in order to awaken humankind to advance on the path of limitless value creation!

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Our castle of the people is also a castle of youth, brimming with hope.

Since its founding, the Soka Gakkai has cared for, believed in, and fostered the youth, offering wonderful opportunities for them to realise their potential. I can say with confidence that no other organisation compares.

The Daishonin writes that the Buddha kept his true disciples hidden in the depths of the earth and declared that he would entrust the propagation of the Mystic Law in the Latter Day to them. (Cf.

WND-1, pg 467)

In the light of the Lotus Sutra and the Daishonin’s writings, the youth who have chosen to appear at this time throughout Japan and


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the world to fulfil their vow for kosen-rufu share truly wondrous karmic connections, mission, and great good fortune.

I fully entrust the eternal transmission of the Mystic Law to the passion and power of our admirable youth division and future division members, who will be in the forefront of our movement in this decade leading to the Soka Gakkai’s centennial (in 2030).

Congratulations to all our young friends celebrating Coming-of-Age Day in Japan (on January 13)!

I am also praying for the success of the small-group general meetings being held throughout Japan (from January 13 to February

2) by the young women’s division members, who are making the inner palaces of their lives shine brightly.

As we rally many new young Bodhisattvas of the Earth to our banner of justice and courage, let us limitlessly open the gateway to happiness and victory!

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The life of each one of us is a castle, and our mind is its ruler. The Daishonin quotes the Great Teacher T’ien-t’ai’s words: “If the ruler of a walled city [or castle]

is unbending, then those who guard [it] will remain firm.” (Cf.

WND-2, pg 668) In accord with this passage, when we continue to chant Nam-myoho-renge-kyo with a vow for kosen-rufu and strong determination in faith, we can activate the protective functions of the universe and increase the numbers of those with whom we share positive connections. We

From our great castle of Soka, dedicated toactualising the Daishonin’s ideal of “establishing the

correct teaching for the peace of the land” – that is, world peace – let us ring the bells of wisdom and

philosophy in order to awaken humankind to advance on the path of limitless value creation!

– Daisaku Ikeda


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can forge our lives into towering castles as indestructible as diamonds.

In the year ahead, let’s all strive our hardest so that we have no regrets, making our mottoes: “Everyone advancing!” and “Everyone a capable person!” With a bright, upbeat spirit, let’s cause a great flowering of benefit in our lives by challenging our human revolution and efforts to transform

our karma, and join together in a rousing cheer of never-ending victory and joy.

And with the unrivalled unity of “many in body, one in mind,” let us make the “Castle of Capable People of Soka,” shouldering the destiny of humankind, triumph and flourish more than ever!


SGI members from around the world came together and celebrated the start of 2020, which also marks the 90th anniversary of Soka Gakkai’s establishment. (January 2020, Tokyo)

Photo: Seikyo Press


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Creating a Brilliant Galaxy of Capable People

The following are excerpts from SGI President Ikeda’s speech at the Soka Gakkai Headquarters Leaders Meeting held on September 5, 2001.

These excerpts were featured in a video of the speech,which was shown during the 45th Soka Gakkai Headquarters Leaders Meetingof the New Era of Worldwide Kosen-rufu, held in Tokyo, on January 11, 2020.

The excerpted text appeared in the January 21, 2020, issue of the Seikyo Shimbun, the Soka Gakkai daily newspaper.

Thoughtful, intelligent people around the world are placing great faith in our youth division members, calling them the hope of the future. Some have written this to us in letters, and others state it in their books and speeches.

Dr David Krieger, president of the Nuclear Age Peace Foundation, with whom I published the dialogue Choose Hope: Your Role in Waging Peace in the Nuclear Age, expressed this sentiment, and I quote him verbatim:

I’ve met with several different youth groups from the Soka Gakkai, and I’ve always been impressed with their spirit. They have very bright eyes and very wide smiles. What

that represents to me is their eagerness to learn... I feel that they’re young people who are searching for a way to do something worthwhile and something that’s really positive in their lives, which is a very different approach from a lot of young people who are alienated and who are looking for ways to rebel against society.

I assert that this is absolutely true. To all the members of the youth division, I say: “I entrust the future of the Soka Gakkai to you!” Please proudly continue your dedicated efforts. And please never forget that expanding the ranks of the youth division


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is expanding the hope of all humanity.

Nichiren Daishonin writes: “It is the power of the Buddhist Law that enables the deities of the sun and moon to make their rounds of the four continents.” (WND-1,

pg 685) The entire universe moves ceaselessly in rhythm with the Mystic Law.

The more scientific research advances, the more closely it accords with the wisdom of Buddhism.

While resonantly chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo, the fundamental rhythm of the universe, we work, speak, and act for the development of society,

world peace, and the happiness of humanity. There is no more noble life than this.

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On August 16, the US National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) released photographs taken by the Hubble Space Telescope of a galaxy some 50 million light-years1 from earth.

The photos released by NASA are of galaxy NGC 3079 in the Ursa Major constellation. They

“Please proudly continue your dedicated efforts. And please never forget that expanding the ranks of the youth division is expanding the hope of all humanity.”

1. A light-year is the distance that light travels in one year in a vacuum, approximately 9.46 trillion kilometres (5.88 trillion miles).


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show the activity in the centre of the galaxy’s disk where a bubble of hot gas rises from a veritable swirling cauldron.2 The bubble is more than 2,000 light-years in height and has a number of towering red columns of gaseous filaments. We are talking of a phenomenon of incredible scale! The filaments whirl in a vortex and are expelled into space. Astronomers speculate that “eventually this gas will rain down upon the galaxy’s disk where it may collide with gas clouds, compress them, and form a new generation of stars.”3 Our own Sun was also born from such a grand drama of the universe, as was Earth.

The Lotus Sutra teaches a cosmology of staggering dimension.

At every level of existence, when energy surges forth, something new is born. The same is true of our organisation for kosen-rufu. When everyone’s energy – starting with that of the leaders – burns brightly, new capable people appear and new development begins. A new horizon unfolds before us and we are able to create a new history of victory.

What is that energy? It is the

courage to face a challenge. It is the ability to act on one’s own initiative. It is the compassion to protect others.

From a certain perspective, the sun, the moon, and even the universe itself, are entities that overflow with life-nurturing compassion.

The energy of which I speak is also the tenacious commitment to win without fail. It is the determination to achieve kosen-rufu in the place of one’s mission – a determination like the fiery red columns expelled from the centre of the galaxy that I just mentioned. Where such determination exists, “shining stars” of capable people will appear and give rise to a beautiful unity and harmony that resembles a magnificent galaxy.

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Nichiren Daishonin’s Buddhism views the world from a truly cosmic dimension. The Daishonin does not merely look ahead one

2. “Burst of Star Formation Drives Galactic Bubble” (Press Release), Jet Propulsion Laboratory, August 16, 2001 <http://www. j p l . n a s a . g o v / r e l e a s e s /2001/release_2001_170.html> (January 22, 2020).

3. Ibid.


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or two millennia; he speaks in terms of the “ten thousand years and more of the Latter Day of the Law,” of the infinite future.

For example, in his famous writing “On Repaying Debts of Gratitude,” the Daishonin says: “If Nichiren’s compassion is truly great and encompassing, Nam-myoho-renge-kyo will spread for ten thousand years and more, for all eternity.” (WND-1, pg 736) And in The Record of the Orally Transmitted Teachings, he says: “Now when Nichiren chants Nam-myoho-renge-kyo, he is enabling all living beings to attain

Buddhahood in the ten thousand years of the Latter Day of the Law.” (OTT, pg 41)

From the perspective of widely spreading the Mystic Law into the boundless future of the Latter Day, our struggle has just begun. Let us advance with that towering determination. And let us live out our lives with an eternally youthful spirit.

Thank you for travelling such a long way to join us here today! Thank you!


If Nichiren’s compassion is truly great and

encompassing, Nam-myoho-renge-kyo will spread

for ten thousand years and more, for all eternity.

– Nichiren Daishonin


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Constructing the New Era

Spreading the Power of Revitalisation

Areas throughout Chiba Prefecture (east of Tokyo) are still experiencing power and water outages in the wake of a powerful typhoon that caused widespread destruction (on

September 8–9, 2019). Allow me again to convey my deepest sympathies to those affected. Please know that I am praying with all my heart for your health, safety, and speedy recovery.

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After the Ise Bay Typhoon in 1959 (also known as Super

Typhoon Vera), six decades ago this year, I rushed to the hardest-hit areas and said to our members there: “As long as your faith remains sound, then you can definitely rebuild your lives.”

Nichiren Daishonin assures us: “Myo [of myoho, the Mystic Law] means to revive, that is, to

return to life.” (WND-1, pg 149)

My dear courageous friends of the strong fortress of Chubu (the

region where Ise Bay is located)

have triumphantly demonstrated the truth of this.

I am also extraordinarily proud of our Soka youth, who volunteer to help with relief efforts each time such natural disasters occur.

Today, youthful leaders are emerging vibrantly, filled with the determination to build indestructible “castles of capable people” in their communities.

It is also very reassuring to see the members of the Young Men’s Division Academy presently holding general meetings throughout Japan.

Cherishing the highest hopes for young people, Soka Gakkai 2nd president Josei Toda urged us to actively seek out challenges in our youth because that


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experience was sure to stand us in good stead in the future.

Challenge is the essence of youth. Chanting the lion’s roar of Nam-myoho-renge-kyo, take the decisive first step. From there, new horizons will open!

Faith is not measured by how long we have been practising. What matters is our unflagging commitment and unremitting efforts. Let’s all strive with an ever-youthful spirit as we foster the next generation and advance joyfully with brand-new resolve.

Eight years and six months (in 2019) have passed since the March 2011 Tohoku earthquake and tsunami, and once again this autumn our women’s division members are holding small-group general meetings throughout Tohoku. These lively gatherings, to which many friends have been invited, are spreading the hope-filled light of happiness, the light of renewal, far and wide. My wife, Kaneko, and I are praying for their great success.

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On September 14 (in 2019), I drove past the just-completed Soka Gakkai World Seikyo Centre. It is a truly impressive bastion of

the written word.Stones from countries across

the globe and throughout Japan have been placed in the base of the Buddhist altar in the new centre’s main Gohonzon room, Genron Hall. So, too, have copies of SGI publications and newspapers from around the world, along with the names of all our Seikyo Shimbun newspaper deliverers and volunteer correspondents in Japan.

The World Seikyo Centre embodies our “uncrowned heroes” who deliver our newspapers, and indeed all of our precious members embody this bastion of the written word.

The Daishonin writes: “Teach others to the best of your ability, even if it is only a single sentence or phrase.” (WND-1, pg 386) Let’s continue our efforts to engage in uplifting dialogues, sharing the principles of Nichiren Buddhism with others and bringing the power of revitalisation to pervade our communities and the world.



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Guidepost for Youth (3)

Let’s Make Our Individual Personalities Shine Brilliantly!

This series, “Guidepost for Youth,” discusses various issues and themes, and introduces relevant Gosho passages and guidance

by SGI President Ikeda that provide a guidepost for advancement for youths who are facing difficulties.

Every Individual Has a Unique Mission

When one comes to realise and see that each thing – the cherry, the plum, the peach, the damson – in its own entity, without undergoing any change, possesses the eternally endowed three bodies, then this is what is meant by the word ryo, “to include” or all-inclusive. (OTT, pg 200)

Human beings are also like the cherry, plum, peach, and damson. Their faces are different, and so are their personalities. Everyone is different, and because of this, our world is so interesting.

What a wretched and terrifying world this would be if everyone

were the same!Everyone has their own

unique mission and own stage.Life is like a drama.Live an exciting and brilliant

life like that of a famous actor or actress, just as you are! Then your environment will also shine.

Speak wisely! Through your speech, you can teach others about the Mystic Law and enable them to become Buddhas. On the other hand, foolish words can cause people to fall into hell.

Giving encouragement is indeed the art of making people happy.

It is my wish to bring hope and joy to all people each day.

Tentative translation from President Ikeda’s guidance at the Joint Training Course for the

Kanto-kai and Tokyo-kai on August 15, 2004.


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Making the Most of Each Person’s Unique Quality to Manifest the Power of Unity

(Shin’ichi Yamamoto, protagonist ofThe New Human Revolution,speaks to Kumamoto prefectureleaders on unity.)

Shin’ichi continued: “It’s often said that the stone walls of a castle are strong because they are built of stones of many different shapes. The same is true of the Soka Gakkai. By fostering and uniting people of many different personalities and talents, we can build an invincible bastion of Soka. Take baseball for example: a team made up of nine top pitchers wouldn’t necessarily be a strong team, would it?

“The phrase ‘one in body, one in mind’ is sometimes used to refer to unity, but Nichiren Daishonin used the phrase ‘many in body, one in mind.’ That correctly conveys the truth that Buddhism, and the Soka Gakkai as an organisation, doesn’t try to press everyone into an identical mould, but values and makes the most of their differences – that is, their uniqueness, their special qualities – to the highest degree. A bastion of capable people is a gathering of many, diverse

individuals...“The problem is that when

a wide variety of individuals get together, there can be personality conflicts, which can lead to disunity. What can we do in such situations?

“At times like that, the ‘one in mind’ aspect of ‘many in body, one in mind’ is important. ‘One in mind’ means striving for the same goals. From our perspective, it means dedicating our lives to the noble goal of kosen-rufu.

“Nichiren Daishonin quotes the saying: ‘To discard the shallow and seek the profound is the way of a person of courage.’ (WND-1,

pg 402) Seeking the profound is what’s most vital.

“If everyone can break free from petty, egoistic attachments to personal prestige or the ambitions for fame and profit, and base themselves on their great vow for kosen-rufu, the strongest unity will result. Then each individual will be able to demonstrate their greatest potential. A single drop of water can’t bore a hole in even a single leaf, but if countless drops of water are combined into a great ocean, they can form mighty breakers and penetrate even giant boulders.

“We can do our human


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revolution by earnestly chanting and constantly striving to achieve unity for the sake of kosen-rufu, and to become people who can unite harmoniously in a shared effort with others.”

From The New Human Revolution, vol. 25, “Bastion of Capable People” chapter.

A Person with the Robust Spirit of Never Be Defeated is a Truly Happy Person

“President Ikeda, may I ask a question?” This came from Anna Logunova, who was present at my meeting with her grandfather, the eminent physicist and former Moscow State University rector Dr Anatoli Logunov, in Tokyo on April 2, 1998. “What accounts for the differences among people?” she asked. She had apparently been thinking hard about whether people’s differences were innate or due to the circumstances in which they were raised, and wondering why the lives of people growing up in the same environment or educated by the same teachers had such varying outcomes. At the time, Anna Logunova was in her early teens.

Of course, the differences among people are the result of many factors, some internal

and some external. People also each have their own karma. But essentially, each individual is a precious and irreplaceable life. With the members of our future division in mind, I did my best to answer her earnest query.

Explaining that Buddhism teaches the principle of cherry, plum, peach, and damson, I said that just like the different blossoms, each person has a unique character and set of circumstances. Buddhism, I added, also sets forth the way for each of us to develop our unique potential to the fullest and make the most of our lives. I then further emphasised: “While life abounds with difficulties and challenges, a person who has the robust spirit to never be defeated will be able to make the best of every situation. Such a person is truly happy.”

With a smile that conveyed her intelligence, Anna thanked me for teaching her a lesson of great importance for her life.

Youth is an emotional time. However, there is no need to compare yourself with others, no need to feel jealous or envious, and no need to feel inferior.

The English philosopher Francis Bacon (1561–1626)


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observed: “A man that hath no virtue in himself, ever envieth virtue in others... and who so is out of hope, to attain to another’s virtue, will seek to come at even hand, by depressing another’s fortune.” The important thing is to develop such strength and confidence that you can prevail over any person of envy or ill-intent.

Excerpt from SGI President Ikeda’s essay, The Light of the Century of Humanity, “The Future

Division: The Hope-filled Treasure of the World,” FLOW No. 502 (15.02.2011), pg 27–28.

Establishing a One-to-One Relationship of Mutual Trust

Shin’ichi was wracking his brains on how to infuse the warmth of humanity into the organisation.

In order for things to run efficiently, naturally, the pursuit of uniformity is the top priority in an organisation. As a result, everything becomes standardised,

and its operation gradually becomes formalised and even bureaucratic.

Every human being has their own unique personality, appearance and character. If we try to make everyone fit into a mould, their diverse personalities will not be manifested, and the warmth of humanity will be lost from the organisation. The organisation will become cold, dull and uninteresting.

However, as an organisation has a large number of people, it must operate in a uniform manner.

Therefore, what is important is to shine a light on and value each and every person. In other words, a personal, one-to-one relationship of mutual trust must be created within the organisation.

Tentative translation, The New Human Revolution, vol. 27, “Seeking Spirit” chapter.

Adapted from Soka Shimpo, the Soka Gakkai’s bimonthly youth division

newspaper, dated 16.03.2016, pg 9.

While life abounds with difficulties and challenges, a person who has the robust spirit to never be defeated

will be able to make the best of every situation. Such a person is truly happy.

– Daisaku Ikeda


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Treasures of the Four Seasons (3)

Rainbows: Nothing Is More Beautiful Than Friendship

A series of photo essays by SGI President Ikedafor the members of the junior division.

The sun is an artist of light, painting large, spectacular images. One of its greatest masterpieces are rainbows, which appear in the sky after it rains.

Red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo, violet – each of the rainbow’s seven colours is beautiful. But together they create something magical.

Like a rainbow in which all colours shine, let’s build bridges of friendship bringing people of the world together, each treasuring their own countries and cultures while learning from one another! During the dark age of war, Soka Gakkai founding presidents Tsunesaburo Makiguchi and Josei Toda kept this vision of a rainbow of peace firmly in mind as they courageously opened the way to a brighter future.

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June 6 is Mr Makiguchi’s birthday. He was born in 1871 in the village of Arahama, in present-day Kashiwazaki City, Niigata Prefecture.

He was an eager learner since elementary school, praised by all for being a brilliant student. But his family was poor, and he sometimes had to miss school to help out at home. On such days, he would arrange to meet up later with a classmate at the nearby seashore. Using the sand as a blackboard, his friend would show him what they had learnt that day.

It is a wonderful thing to be able to study with friends, helping and encouraging each other and growing together. Mr Makiguchi kept in touch with many of his school friends throughout his life.

Friendship is a treasure.

Photo: Seikyo Press

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In May 1994, President Ikeda visited Germany and encouraged many comrades witha hopeful spirit. Outside the centre, after the rain, the sun shone brightly and a rainbow was seen. President Ikeda immediately took this photo, firmly believing that the futurewill shine brightly too.


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Nothing is more beautiful than friendship.

When you are faced with a problem, talking with a good friend can help you feel better. And when something positive happens, sharing the happy news with them will multiply your joy many times over.

The secret to making good friends is being a good friend to others. It is treasuring your friends and extending a helping hand when they are having a hard time. I hope you will bravely reach out and talk to any of your friends who are struggling with illness or other challenging situations in their life. There may not be anything you can do to help them right away, but you can always chant Nam-myoho-renge-kyo for their happiness.

Chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo always reaches people. Just as the shining sun makes a rainbow

shimmer in the sky, the sun that rises in your heart when you chant will create a rainbow bridge of friendship linking your heart to the hearts of your friends.

As a disciple of Mr Makiguchi and Mr Toda, I have striven to build rainbow bridges of friendship with people of many different languages and cultures across the globe. No matter how far apart we may be in terms of physical distance, my heart is always with my friends. To this day, we are working together to spread rainbows of peace around the world.

My young friends, let’s cheerfully chant Nam-myoho-renge-kyo and joyfully bring the sun of courage to rise within us! I am sure a rainbow of hope and friendship will shine again in your hearts today.


Like a rainbow in which all colours shine, let’s build bridges of friendship

bringing people of the world together, each treasuring their own countries and cultures

while learning from one another!

– President Ikeda


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Building a Bright Future Based on Our Vow – Exploring the Life of Nanjo Tokimitsu (3)

Being Good to Our Parents Is the Path of Human Revolution

A series of encouragement from SGI President Ikeda for the members of the high school division.

June 6 is the birthday of Soka Gakkai 1st president Tsunesaburo Makiguchi. The following day, June 7, marks the anniversary of the high school division’s founding in Japan in 1964.

On that day, inaugural meetings were held in various places throughout Tokyo, and I enthusiastically attended one of them. I said to the new high school division members there: “I hope that all of you will exert yourselves in faith, chant Nam-myoho-renge-kyo in earnest, and make the wonderful life philosophy of Nichiren Buddhism the foundation of your lives.” I stand by those words to this day.

Later that same year, I embarked on another endeavour for the future of our young successors – my novel, The Human Revolution. On December 2, six

months after I establishment the high school division, I began writing it in Okinawa, a place I was resolved to make a fresh starting point for peace.

More than half-a-century has passed since I took up this “battle of the pen.” I am now in the process of completing “Vow,” the last chapter of volume 30, the final volume of The New Human Revolution [the sequel to The Human

Revolution].1 My wish is to leave a written record of our movement for you, my dear friends.

The common theme of both novels is: “A great human revolution in just a single individual will help achieve a change in the destiny of a nation

1. The final instalment of The New Human Revolution was published in the Seikyo Shimbun on September 8, 2018.


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and, further, will enable a change in the destiny of all humankind.”

Peace starts with transforming our own life. From there, while cherishing the person in front of us, we can change our environment, the future, and the world.

As a concrete first step in doing this, I have always encouraged future division members to be good to their parents and caretakers, treating them with kindness and appreciation.

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My mentor, Soka Gakkai 2nd president Josei Toda, often urged the youth to view Nichiren Daishonin’s young disciple Nanjo Tokimitsu as a role model, especially in their behaviour and attitude towards their parents.

After the death of his father while he was still a child, Tokimitsu cared for and supported his mother. The Daishonin wrote to him: “A person who upholds the Lotus Sutra [the Gohonzon]

is repaying the debt of gratitude owed to father and mother. Even if one does not feel in one’s own heart that one can do so, one can repay it through the power of this sutra.” (WND-2, pg 638)

Tokimitsu was around 16

when he received this letter from the Daishonin. Because his older brother had also passed away, Tokimitsu was the young pillar of his family. The Daishonin encourages him, saying that steadfastly upholding faith in the Mystic Law will illuminate his family with the light of good fortune and victory.

The Daishonin also gives a specific example of how to be kind to one’s parents, writing: “Being filial towards one’s father and mother means that… one… is always mindful of providing a parent with all manner of good things, and if this happens to be impossible, in the course of a day one at least smiles twice or thrice in their direction.” (WND-2, pg 636)

Some of you may find it embarrassing to smile at your parents. And some may at times feel annoyed when they nag or tell you what to do. But remember that their sole concern is your growth and happiness. That’s why they can’t help but get on your case sometimes.

A smile from you would make them incredibly happy. A smile can fill your family with joy and enable you and your parents to move along the path of hope.

There may be circumstances in


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which some of you find it difficult to show kindness and appreciation to your parents. But please don’t worry. It can be a lifelong, or even eternal, process. Your feelings of gratitude will communicate to your parents without fail.

Moreover, you are all able to chant Nam-myoho-renge-kyo. Always remember that your daimoku reaches the lives of your deceased family members as well.

Human revolution is not something that happens outside of our everyday lives. It can be as simple as becoming able to say “thank you” to your parents when you weren’t able to before, or helping out with household chores that you used to dislike. These types of changes are all examples of human revolution, and they will surely make your parents happy. I am certain that your parents will be deeply moved by such efforts on your part.

Many of your parents are striving hard to contribute to their communities and society. Your acts of kindness and appreciation will invigorate them, which will in turn invigorate their communities and society even more. This is the profound principle of human revolution.

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On the subject of being good to one’s parents, I am reminded of the beautiful relationship between former Soviet president Mikhail Gorbachev and his only daughter, Irina.

When I reunited with Mr Gorbachev during his trip to Japan in November 2001, Irina accompanied him. Two years earlier, Mr Gorbachev’s wife, Raisa had passed away of acute leukaemia. I said to Irina, who had overcome her profound grief at her mother’s passing and was serving as Gorbachev Foundation vice-president: “Our memories of your mother will always be with us, in our hearts; they will never fade. Please continue to take care of your father, in your mother’s place! Caring for your father is caring for the world, because your father is a great world leader.”

Mr Gorbachev gazed at Irina happily as she nodded and smiled in response.

In hopes that they would continue to move forward together, I also shared with them an anecdote about the eminent Russian writer Leo Tolstoy (1828–

1910) and his beloved daughter Alexandra. He told his daughter that those who know that true happiness is found in spiritual


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growth are free, and no one can ever take that happiness away from them.

Spiritual growth is none other than human revolution. When you make a firm determination to grow and develop, no matter how challenging your circumstances, wherever you are becomes the stage for your human revolution.

One cold winter day, Mr Toda served warm noodle soup to a group of young women’s division members and encouraged them: “I hope that you will have warm hearts, just like this noodle soup.

Young people, especially, should have kind, generous hearts so that they can be good to their parents.” A warm, generous heart is indeed the key to helping many people.

Being good to one’s parents is the path of human revolution and the path to becoming an outstanding person.

Today again, let’s carry out our human revolution with optimism, wisdom, and good cheer, while always having a smile for our parents and family members!


Photo: Seikyo Press

In June 2007, President Ikeda met with former president of the Soviet Union Mikhail Gorbachev (left) and his only daughter Irina (second left) at Hachioji, Tokyo, Japan.


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1. Ho Goku is a pen-name of SGI President Ikeda.

The New Human Revolution — Volume 30: Chapter 3

Launching OutBy Ho Goku1

Launching Out 27After the meeting, Shin’ichi went to one of the other rooms at the Kansai Culture Centre to encourage members there. He also attended another commemorative gongyo meeting that started at 5:00 that evening.

Shin’ichi played the piano to encourage the participants, and continued at every opportunity to take photos and firmly shake hands with them. Eventually, his hand grew red and swollen, but still he made his way tirelessly among the members.

Later, he stopped by the Kansai Office of the Seikyo Shimbun, where he wholeheartedly encouraged the paper’s reporters and other staff before going to the Kansai Makiguchi Memorial Hall.

There, that evening, resolved to make a powerful fresh departure, Shin’ichi took up a calligraphy brush and with his entire being

wrote in bold strokes: “May 3.”In the right margin, he

listed the dates of May 3 in various years that he regarded as particularly significant:

May 3, 1951May 3, 1960May 3, 1979May 3, 1983May 3, 2001

May 3, 1951, was the day Josei Toda became Soka Gakkai 2nd president, while May 3, 1960, marked Shin’ichi’s inauguration as 3rd president. May 3, 1979, was the date of the Headquarters general meeting Shin’ichi attended a short time after announcing his resignation as 3rd president (on April 24).

May 3, 1983, the 32nd anniversary of President Toda’s


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inauguration, and May 3, 2001, in the new century, were two milestones Shin’ichi had set, with an unbreakable vow, for creating fresh groundswells of unprecedented development for the Soka Gakkai.

He also wrote in the lower right corner of the calligraphy:

This date is the starting point of the Soka Gakkai. Inscribed on May 3, 1980. My heart serene and

tranquil.Palms pressed together.

A year had passed since Shin’ichi had stepped down as president. The dark intrigues of treacherous individuals colluding with priests of Nichiren Shoshu to destroy the Soka Gakkai and enslave the membership were becoming more apparent each day. Just as described in the Daishonin’s writings, the devil king of the sixth heaven was attempting to obstruct people’s Buddhist


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practice and hinder kosen-rufu. In ever-victorious Kansai,

Shin’ichi set forth with determination in a new struggle for victory.

Launching Out 28During the morning of May 4, Shin’ichi attended a gongyo meeting for Tottori Prefecture members held at the Kansai Toda Memorial Auditorium in Toyonaka City, Osaka Prefecture. The members had come all the way from Tottori (on the southwest coast

of Japan’s main island). He joined them at the meeting, wishing to do everything he could to encourage and support them.

It had been almost two years since he last attended a meeting of Tottori members, during a visit to Yonago back in July 1978. The faces of those now gathered in the auditorium shone with joy and seeking spirit.

Tottori Chapter was established on May 3, 1960, the same date that Shin’ichi was inaugurated as the third Soka Gakkai president. The gongyo meeting was, therefore, also a celebration of the chapter’s 20th anniversary. With deep emotion, Shin’ichi addressed these members who continued to

strive alongside him.“Thank you for making the

long journey here. Seeing your bright and cheerful faces, I feel I am looking at a future filled with hope. On this beautiful, sunny May day, it seems the heavenly deities are celebrating with you. Please enjoy these skies of ever-victorious Kansai to the utmost.

“You are all noble Bodhisattvas of the Earth. Battling and winning in your own struggles with karma and destiny day after day, you are showing proof of the great benefit of practising Nichiren Buddhism and carrying out your mission for kosen-rufu. All adversity is just a step towards achieving a state of boundless happiness. Always advance serenely based on faith, come what may, and create deeply meaningful, golden memories.

“All sorts of things happen in the course of our lives, but in the long run, those who exert themselves earnestly in their Buddhist practice invariably triumph and shine without fail. There’s no need to try to be someone you’re not. You are fine just as you are. Please continue to advance together with the Soka Gakkai.

“Buddhas have problems, too. Problems are part and parcel of


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life. But Buddhism teaches that ‘earthly desires are enlightenment’ and ‘the sufferings of birth and death are nirvana.’ Nam-myoho-renge-kyo enables us to transform suffering into joy and happiness. In this degenerate world filled with unremitting hardships, you, the Bodhisattvas of the Earth, have emerged to create happiness for yourselves and others. To become happy, please win over yourselves. I will also send you daimoku.”

Shin’ichi’s guidance deeply penetrated the members’ hearts.

When we awaken to our mission as Bodhisattvas of the Earth and rise into action to fulfil it, courage and powerful life force surge forth from within us.

Launching Out 29

On May 4, an Osaka Prefecture chapter leaders meeting celebrating the opening of the Kansai Culture Centre was held in four sessions. Shin’ichi attended all of them and poured his whole heart into his guidance, wishing to make a new start together with these all-important chapter men’s and women’s division leaders. He told them:

Please put your health first and take vibrant leadership

for kosen-rufu in your communities. If you are in good spirits, all the chapter members will be, too. Be leaders who are always brimming with vitality.

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No matter what great material wealth, social position, or worldly honours one may gain, if one is plagued by a nagging sense of emptiness, one’s life will not be truly happy. In contrast, when you earnestly exert yourself in faith and participate in meetings and other activities for kosen-rufu, you will feel light in both body and mind and savour a sense of inner fulfilment. That fulfilment is the greatest satisfaction and happiness possible in life.

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In the course of carrying out activities for kosen-rufu, there may be times when people say unpleasant and hurtful things to you. But in light of the


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teachings of the Lotus Sutra and the writings of Nichiren Daishonin, it is only natural that you will encounter difficulties, because you have appeared in the Latter Day of the Law and are spreading Buddhism as emissaries of the Buddha. Also, please remember that your continued efforts for kosen-rufu enable you to transform your karma in this lifetime and establish a state of eternal happiness. When you think of it that way, all your hardships are actually a source of joy!

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Never allow the flame of faith for attaining Buddhahood in this lifetime to die out. Please know that steadfast faith – an unflagging, lifelong commitment to remain part of the movement for kosen-rufu – is the key to great victory in life.

Each time, Shin’ichi put everything he had into giving guidance. Between sessions, he

took group photos with the new members of the 13 university groups in Kansai. He also played the piano for the chapter leaders and shook hands with many of them. The fourth and final session of the chapter leaders meeting came to a close after 8:00pm.

A large group of members from neighbouring Nara Prefecture also arrived at the centre, and a gongyo meeting was hastily arranged for them as well.

Never spare any effort for the sake of the members – this was Shin’ichi’s spirit and is the eternal and unchanging spirit of all true leaders of the Soka Gakkai.

Launching Out 30From 11:00am on May 5, Soka Gakkai Successors Day, representatives of the high school, junior high school, and boys and girls divisions (Editor’s note: In

Malaysia, the boys and girls division

is known as the junior division.)

gathered at the Kansai Culture Centre for the 5th Successors Day Commemorative Gongyo Meeting.

A year earlier, Shin’ichi had spent May 5 at the Kanagawa Culture Centre. Though he had wanted to attend a meeting with future division members and


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encourage them with all his might, the situation at the time prevented him from doing so. But now he felt strongly that the time was right. He very much wanted to meet and give his all to fostering the future division members, wishing to entrust these young phoenixes with the future of kosen-rufu in the 21st century.

When Shin’ichi entered the room, representatives of the boys and girls division presented him with a paper samurai helmet (an

item traditionally associated with

Children’s Day in Japan, which is

celebrated on May 5). Addressing the members at the

meeting, he said: “You are all like young saplings that will put down roots in the earth and grow into tall trees. Young trees need stakes to support them, and they must be watered. It takes a lot of hard work to make them grow.

“Please be aware that your parents are making untold efforts in the midst of the harsh challenges of society to raise and help you grow. Having a sense of


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appreciation for your parents is one of the most important human qualities.

“There might be times when you and parents have a difference of opinions and you get mad at them. But just take everything as encouragement for your personal growth. Being wilful or spoiled is self-defeating, whereas a spirit of patience and perseverance enables you to develop yourself. Such experiences will all become precious spiritual treasures for you in the future.

“As members of the future division, you are all at an age when it is important to master the basics and build a solid foundation. Building a foundation requires patience. Persevere in your studies. And in the realm of faith, don’t forget to develop yourself, growing like a tall tree to become a person who can make great contributions to kosen-rufu.”

The Japanese philosopher Kitaro Nishida (1870–1945)

said: “Patience and perseverance are of prime importance in any endeavour. Don’t give up if you fail once or twice. Be persistent and tenacious, trying again and again, employing all your ingenuity. The sages of

old tell us that genius lies in perseverance.”2

Launching Out 31On the afternoon of May 5, Shin’ichi attended an Osaka Prefecture young men’s division chapter leaders meeting, where he offered guidance, saying: “You will open the way to success in life by making steady efforts. Youth may be a time filled with problems and worries, but I hope you will keep striving calmly, steadily, and patiently in faith and your Soka Gakkai activities, and show actual proof of victory in your life and workplace.

“You’re also bound to encounter hardships of one kind or another. But if you steadfastly persevere in your practice of Nichiren Buddhism, they will be resolved over time. If you continue to chant Nam-myoho-renge-kyo earnestly, you will gain good fortune and experience personal growth. No matter how hard things are for you, you must never give up hope. Have solid

2. Translated from Japanese. Kitaro Nishida, Nishida Kitaro Zenshu (Collected Writings of Kitaro Nishida), vol. 18 (Tokyo: Iwanami Shoten, 1966), pg 513.


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faith in the Gohonzon. Whatever challenges you may face, you have the Mystic Law. As long as you embrace this eternal and imperishable Law, you will not fail to become great victors in life.

“It’s important to take a long-term view of things. By the start of the 21st century, many of you will be in your 50s, at the peak of your working lives. Don’t neglect the training that you need to put down deep roots to develop a solidly-grounded life where you can exercise your capabilities to the fullest when that time comes.”

After the young men’s division meeting, Shin’ichi encouraged a group of graduates of the Soka Girls Junior and Senior High Schools who had come to the centre. Then, at 4:00pm, he attended a young women’s division chapter leaders meeting, where he emphasised to those present: “Chant Nam-myoho-renge-kyo each day like a steadily flowing stream and become the happiest people in Japan and all the world. I can assure you that, whatever the situation, those who remain steadfast in faith are absolutely certain to win in the end and lead lives brimming with good fortune.

“Also, no matter what storms

of karma you face, please have the firm conviction that being able to chant Nam-myoho-renge-kyo is itself the greatest happiness. Faith means never forsaking the Gohonzon.”

That evening, Shin’ichi joined Kansai leaders for dinner and informal discussion at a nearby restaurant, and on the way back he stopped by the Naka-Osaka Culture Centre.

He gave words of encou-ragement at every meeting he attended and to everyone he met.

The future, after all, exists only in the present moment. It hinges not on what we plan to do tomorrow, but what we actually do right now.

Launching Out 32After returning to the Kansai Culture Centre, Shin’ichi Yamamoto heard that members of the stage crew group Tetsujin-kai were gathered there, so he decided to go meet them. He was glad to spend time talking with and encouraging them.

As a matter of fact, the stage crew members had presented Shin’ichi with a chair they had made especially for his use while in Kansai. Shin’ichi wanted to


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show his appreciation for their sincere gift and also express his heartfelt gratitude for their constant efforts behind the scenes to support various Soka Gakkai events.

“Thank you. I am well-aware of all your hard work,” he said. “I’ve sat many times in the chair you made for me. I am touched, and very much appreciate your kind gesture. In the realm of Soka, we are all linked by the purest of heart-to-heart bonds. I deeply understand your sincere spirit.”

Some members’ eyes filled with tears at Shin’ichi’s words. They hadn’t built the chair expecting anything in return. It was simply an expression of their pure faith and their commitment as disciples eagerly desiring to do something for their mentor, who was leading the movement for kosen-rufu with all his might. That’s why their actions were so beautiful and noble. The fact that Shin’ichi understood their feelings was enough for them.

Shin’ichi wanted to offer them


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the highest praise and express his greatest admiration for their spirit.

Nichiren Daishonin writes: “It is the heart that is important.” (WND-1, pg 1000) In the realm of faith, it is always our heart that matters most.

Next, Shin’ichi attended a gongyo meeting with members of a training group called the Kansai Comrades-in-Faith Group. He said to them: “Truly capable individuals are those who have awakened to their mission as Bodhisattvas of the Earth and try to make Buddhism more broadly- and deeply-known. They are always striving to become a dependable source of support for as many people as they can. They are wise and reasonable, and win the understanding and trust of many others. They contribute to fostering the next generation of our movement. They have sound judgment and give everyone hope, confidence, and peace of mind. Please thoroughly polish and train yourselves so that you can develop these qualities.”

Shin’ichi spoke with his whole being.

Only by giving our all can we offer encouragement that truly moves others’ hearts.

Launching Out 33On May 6, three gongyo meetings were held for members of the Kansai guidance division from the afternoon into the evening at the Kansai Culture Centre. Shin’ichi attended all three.

Addressing the women’s division members, he cited a passage from the Daishonin’s writings: “There is no true happiness for human beings other than chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo.” (WND-1, pg 681) He then went on to say: “Happiness is found in your immediate environment. No one’s life is without problems. But problems are the nourishment for happiness. Turn everything into a force for happiness through chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo!”

To the men’s division members, he said: “Our chanting of Nam-myoho-renge-kyo reverberates throughout the universe and is a source of eternal and boundless life force. Make a fresh start, basing yourself on the Gohonzon and putting daimoku first!”

Day after day, a steady stream of members gathered at the Kansai Culture Centre, not only from Osaka but from every part of Kansai. And their numbers only


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kept growing. Shin’ichi said to the Kansai

leaders: “Let’s hold more gongyo sessions. Since members are making the effort to come here, I will meet with all of them.”

On May 7, two additional gongyo sessions not on the original schedule and open to all members were held – one during the day and one at night.

A national prefecture leaders conference was also held that evening from 7:00pm, and Shin’ichi put in an appearance

there, too. He said to those present: “When wrong tries to defeat right, leaders need to stand up bravely and fight. No compromise is possible. Otherwise, the members will suffer. Right must win. That’s the only way to prove that it is right.

“If the Soka path of mentor and disciple is severed, the flow of kosen-rufu will be cut off. I will fight to protect the correct teaching and principles of Nichiren Buddhism and broadly open the way for kosen-rufu. I would

Scene during one of the gongyo sessions.


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like to begin a fresh advance of mentor and disciple, together with courageous individuals who stand ready to fight alongside me.

“The mentor-disciple relationship in the realm of kosen-rufu and the Soka Gakkai is different from social contracts or relationships based on self-interest. Nor is it a form of apprenticeship. It is a spiritual bond to which people have committed their lives based on their own personal vow. That makes it the purest, noblest, and strongest human bond of all.”

Launching Out 34Shortly before noon on May 8, Shin’ichi left the Kansai Culture Centre and made a brief stop at the Shin-Osaka Culture Centre. He then boarded a bullet train for the Chubu region just after 1:00pm to visit Nagoya.

In the seven days he had spent in Kansai since arriving from Kyushu on May 2, Shin’ichi had met with and encouraged more than 70,000 members.

He had also visited the Naka-Osaka Culture Centre. Back in December 1969, during a guidance tour of Kansai, he had developed a high fever and slept that night in the centre’s Gohonzon room.

The floor on which that room was located later became the Kansai Women’s Centre.

In 1969, Shin’ichi’s wife, Mineko, rushed to his side from Tokyo and nursed him through the night. When his fever dropped a bit, he went ahead with his visit to Wakayama, even though he wasn’t fully recovered. He attended a Wakayama prefecture leaders meeting at the city’s prefectural gymnasium and offered wholehearted guidance, after which, at the request of members, he led them in singing “Takeda Bushi.” When the meeting was over and he was leaving the stage, he felt faint and swayed on his feet. He had expended all his strength. Should he die there and then, he thought, he would have not the slightest regret.

Each day was a series of unending challenges and struggles. The great path of Soka dedicated to the realisation of kosen-rufu has been opened through such continued all-out efforts. Shin’ichi hoped that his disciples, united with him in shared purpose, would inherit and carry on this selfless spirit, however the times might change.

In his “Twenty-six Admonitions,” Nikko Shonin, the


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Daishonin’s direct disciple and successor, exhorts practitioners: “Until kosen-rufu is achieved, propagate the Law to the full extent of your ability without begrudging your life.” (GZ, pg

1618)

If that spirit is lost, it will not be possible to fulfil the great vow for worldwide kosen-rufu.

To commemorate the opening of the Kansai Women’s Centre on May 1, 1980 (the day before his arrival in Osaka), Shin’ichi composed and sent the following poem:

With the firmest resolve,

protect Kansai,

our bastion.

On this most recent trip to Kansai, Mineko had also visited the centre and written a poem in the visitor’s book:

Let’s gather

at this palace dedicated to

the women of Soka

and strive for kosen-rufu

rich in spirit.

The Kansai members stood up intrepidly alongside Shin’ichi, just as the members in Kyushu had.

Solidarity in the shared

struggle of mentor and disciple gives the Soka Gakkai its indomitable strength.

“Now, on to Chubu!” Shin’ichi was filled with

fighting spirit.

Launching Out 35On the morning of May 9, a long line of people began forming outside the Chubu Culture Centre in Nagoya, Aichi Prefecture.

“Let’s hold gongyo sessions for the men’s and women’s division chapter leaders. But let’s also invite anyone else who wants to join, regardless of position. Let’s make them open gongyo sessions!” Shin’ichi suggested.

Members joyfully made their way to the Chubu Culture Centre. Soon they filled not just the main hall where the gongyo sessions were to take place, but also the conference and reception rooms.

Five gongyo sessions were held that morning. Though his throat was sore, Shin’ichi did gongyo with the members and encouraged them without respite. He couldn’t think about himself when he saw their happy faces, some with tears in their eyes, as they clasped his arm or shook his hand.

A year earlier, after his


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resignation as president was announced, he had received many letters and telegrams from concerned members in Chubu, too. He wanted to express his heartfelt appreciation to those members and begin a fresh advance together with them.

Each time he finished offering guidance at a gongyo session, he went to see the members waiting in the conference rooms, the lobby, and outside the centre, speaking with them, shaking their hands, and taking photographs with them.

There were another five or six gongyo sessions that afternoon and evening. Even after 10:00pm, there were still people waiting outside the building. Shin’ichi lost no time in going to encourage them.

“Sensei!” the members called out loudly when they saw him.

“Shhh, let’s keep our voices down! It’s late,” Shin’ichi said with a warm smile, reminding them to be considerate of the neighbours.

It was almost 11:00pm before the day’s activities came to a close.

While in Chubu, Shin’ichi also

Chubu Culture Centre


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travelled to Gifu Prefecture.On May 11, a beautiful sunny

day, Shin’ichi visited the home of a pioneer member in Gifu City, and then attended a chapter leaders meeting at the Gifu Culture Centre to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the establishment of Gifu Chapter.

In the centre’s second-floor lobby, he chatted with a pioneer women’s division member, who was just shy of 100. She was the oldest person in Gifu City, and was attending the meeting with her daughter. She said that she had joined the organisation in its early days and that chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo was her greatest pleasure.

“I came specially to see you,” Shin’ichi told her. “You are a treasure of Japan and a treasure of the Soka Gakkai. Please be well and live many more years!”

Since it was Mother’s Day, he presented her with a bouquet of carnations and took a photo with her.

How noble this woman was, determined to stand up with him for kosen-rufu in spite of her advanced age! Shin’ichi felt as if he were looking at a Buddha.

Launching Out 36Shin’ichi next made his way from

the Gifu Culture Centre to the Kakamigahara Culture Centre, also in Gifu Prefecture. Here, too, members who heard about his visit flocked to the centre, filling it so that it was impossible to enter from the front door.

“Let’s hold an open gongyo meeting!” said Shin’ichi. He then climbed the spiral fire escape stairs to enter the building and made his way to the meeting room.

He said to the members gathered for the gongyo session: “I know you’ve had a very difficult time, but everything’s all right now! You’ve won. May each of you, without exception, attain happiness, crowning your life with victory. I will resolutely support and protect you!”

His dauntless tone filled the members with courage.

Shin’ichi did gongyo with everyone, and then played a number of songs for them on the piano, including “Spring Has Come.” He had an informal discussion with women’s division members and took group photos with members of each division.

During his visit to Chubu, he took part in well over 100 group photo sessions.

The next day, May 12, Shin’ichi continued to encourage members


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right up until boarding the train at Gifu Hashima Station. Nineteen members had come to the station in the hopes of meeting him, if only for the briefest moment. He spoke with them until it was time for him to go through the ticket gate. He also proposed that they be known henceforth as the Hashima Group.

Rather than let an encounter become just a memory, he wanted to make it the starting point for a renewed commitment and a fresh departure for the future.

Shin’ichi’s guidance tour continued on to Shizuoka Prefecture. There, he attended a young men’s division chapter leaders meeting at the Shizuoka Culture Centre. With the highest hopes and expectations, he told the participants: “I’m counting on you to carry on the work of kosen-rufu!”

“Remember that now is the time to make strenuous efforts in your Buddhist practice!”

“Deeply engrave in your hearts the spirit of ‘valuing the Law more highly than your life’!”

“Be victors in society and the workplace!”

On May 13, an open gongyo session was held at the Shizuoka Culture Centre, and Shin’ichi

energetically spoke with members striving at the forefront of the organisation. On May 14, he returned to Tokyo.

During his just over two week trip that had begun in Nagasaki on April 29, he had encouraged more than 150,000 members. Feeling a fresh surge of joy and courage, they all vowed to walk the great Soka path of mentor and disciple dedicated to kosen-rufu.

The signal fire had been lit, its brilliant flame rising skywards, marking the start of the counter-offensive against the schemes of unscrupulous priests and other treacherous individuals.

Launching Out 37The season of spring greenery had come to Tokyo.

Shin’ichi Yamamoto had broken free from the chains of intrigue that had hindered his activities for kosen-rufu and was now soaring forth like a mighty eagle into the boundless blue skies of hope.

He had returned to Shinanomachi, having completed his fifth visit to China and his subsequent guidance tours in Nagasaki, Fukuoka, Osaka, Aichi, Gifu, and Shizuoka prefectures. With the aim of rebuilding the


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Soka Gakkai organisation in Tokyo, the main bastion of kosen-rufu, he lost no time in visiting Soka Gakkai centres and other places in Nerima, Taito, Setagaya, and Minato wards to encourage members.

Exerting himself fully, Shin’ichi continued his earnest struggle to usher in a new age of kosen-rufu.

Soka Gakkai president Kiyoshi Jujo and other top leaders, for their part, had for some time been racking their brains trying to figure out how to deal with the

situation concerning Tomomasa Yamawaki.

Driven by the desire for financial gain, five years earlier Yamawaki had become involved in some shady land deals in Fujinomiya City, Shizuoka Prefecture, and used the large sum of money he made as a result to start a frozen food company. But his lack of experience and poor management caused the business to flounder, eventually leaving him with a huge debt of more than 4 billion yen. Desperate, with no


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prospects for repaying it, he came up with the idea of extorting money from the Soka Gakkai.

Throughout this time, Yamawaki had been goading young priests of Nichiren Shoshu and others to harshly criticise the Soka Gakkai while simultaneously playing the role of the Gakkai’s liaison with the priesthood. In this way, he tried to manipulate the organisation for his own ends. He had secretly fanned mistrust and antagonism towards the Soka Gakkai among the priests and continued to ply them with fabricated misinformation to incite them to attack it.

He also devised strategies for undermining the Soka Gakkai, which he constantly communicated to the priesthood, while also continuing to make false accusations to High Priest Nittatsu.

Time and again, he instigated a crisis and then stepped forward to contain it, playing the role of a fixer. Like someone secretly setting a fire and then rushing to extinguish it, he purposely stirred up trouble only to claim credit for resolving it.

He also fed the media distorted information in an attempt to discredit the Soka Gakkai and oust Shin’ichi as president.

But his true colours were gradually coming to light and his plotting and double-dealing revealed. And now, his business had fallen into serious difficulty. This was the natural result of his own misdeeds. As Nichiren Daishonin writes: “[Those] who despise the votaries of the Lotus Sutra seem to be free from punishment at first, but eventually they are all doomed to fall.” (WND-1, pg 997)

Launching Out 38Yamawaki had been colluding behind the scenes with Takao Harayama, the Soka Gakkai’s study department leader. In September 1979, the previous year, Harayama had photocopied a large number of documents that were stored at the Seikyo Shimbun Building and taken the copies from the premises. Yamawaki used the documents in his scheme to drive a wedge between the priesthood and the Soka Gakkai, and as a source of information that he would distort and supply to certain media outlets as ammunition for them to attack the lay organisation.

In April 1980, Yamawaki finally resorted to extorting the


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Soka Gakkai for money.Becoming aware of Yamawaki’s

unscrupulous methods and relentless nature, Kiyoshi Jujo and the other executive leaders wrestled with how to respond. If they just ignored him, it was clear that he would engage in further base attempts to disrupt the harmonious relationship the Soka Gakkai had worked so hard to forge with the priesthood. That would lead to so many members again being harassed and tormented by domineering priests. They wanted to prevent that at all costs.

While in a quandary over what to do, the executive leadership received a demand of 300 million yen from Yamawaki, who declared: “I don’t care if it’s extortion. I don’t care if I go to prison.”

After a great deal of agonising, Jujo made the wrenching decision to meet Yamawaki’s demand, extracting from him the promise that he would cease all of his plotting and attacks. This took place while Shin’ichi Yamamoto was in China.

But then Yamawaki demanded another 500 million yen. On June 7, the Soka Gakkai filed a complaint of extortion and attempted extortion against him with the Tokyo Metropolitan Police

Department. This prompted Yamawaki

to begin a frenzy of disruptive activity. He used the weekly tabloid magazines to carry out vile attacks on the Gakkai. It was nothing but the spreading of jealous lies, just like the “groundless falsehoods” (Cf. WND-

1, pg 803) and “fabrications of those who harbour jealousy” (Cf.

WND-1, pg 807) that the Daishonin condemns in his writings.

Harayama also appeared in the weekly magazines, repeatedly slandering the Soka Gakkai. During Yamawaki’s subsequent trial, it became clear that Harayama had received a large sum of money from him.

The Soka Gakkai is an organisation of pure-hearted faith, a gathering of sincere and honest people. It is not a place for the corrupt and ill-intentioned. In the end, both Yamawaki and Harayama completely lost the trust of everyone.

The members felt they were witnessing the inevitable self-ruin brought about by those who betray their fellow practitioners.

Launching Out 39On June 7, the day the Soka


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Gakkai filed a complaint with police against Tomomasa Yamawaki, the results of the election for members of the Nichiren Shoshu Council were announced. Candidates antagonistic to the Soka Gakkai, including young priests who continued to openly attack the lay organisation, won a majority of 10 out of the 16 council seats. On July 3, the first council meeting following the election was held, and a number of them obtained key posts, including that of

council chairperson. The following day, July 4, the

young priests officially formed an organisation called the Shoshin-kai (lit. Correct Faith Association). During the regular Gosho lectures at many Nichiren Shoshu temples that month, the priests of this group harshly attacked the Soka Gakkai in blatant disregard of the repeated directives from the Nichiren Shoshu Administrative Office to cease doing so.

The secret manoeuvrings of Yamawaki, who felt himself


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cornered, were behind these actions. Incited by him, these priests ignored the directives of Nichiren Shoshu and continued to act as they pleased.

Members continued to endure the concerted attacks on the Soka Gakkai by malicious priests and sensationalist elements of the media. Some had to listen to negative comments from their boss or co-workers who had read the tabloid articles. But the members encouraged one another and continued to share Nichiren Buddhism with others, recalling the Daishonin’s words: “Difficulties will arise, and these are to be looked on as ‘peaceful’ practices,” (OTT, pg 115); and “Worthies and sages are tested by abuse.” (WND-

1, pg 303)

Though the Seikyo Shimbun was finally starting to report on Shin’ichi Yamamoto’s activities again, its coverage was still rather restrained and lacked the kind of vibrant spirit that would inspire the members to advance powerfully.

Shin’ichi, thinking of the members, was deeply pained. “I must send fresh inspiration to our members!” he resolved.

The Seikyo Shimbun around this time asked Shin’ichi to

contribute an essay series about his memories of pioneer members who had passed away along the road to kosen-rufu. Shin’ichi decided to accept, motivated by his wish to tell the stories of members who had worked for kosen-rufu to the end of their lives, diligently exerting themselves in faith and supporting the Soka Gakkai from the early days. He wanted to encourage everyone through sharing how these admirable members had lived their lives. The title of the series was “Unforgettable Friends in Faith.”

Also around that time, many readers were making requests for the serialisation of Shin’ichi’s novel The Human Revolution to be resumed. There had been no further instalments published since volume 10 had ended in the paper in August 1978, almost two years before. Shin’ichi decided to start work again on writing The Human Revolution as well.

Bravely standing alone to face the harshest storms – this is the Soka Gakkai spirit and the path of lions.

From SGI Newsletter No. 10305 / 10306 / 10307 / 10308 / 10309 / 10311 / 10312 /

10315 / 10320 / 10321 / 10325 / 10326 and 10329 dated 03 / 03 / 03 / 07 / 07 / 10

/ 10 / 15 / 23 / 23 / 31 / 31.10.2019 and 05.11.2019 respectively.

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How ordinary mothers look,

when in reality

they are forever

the strongest among us,

and the greatest scholars

of humane nature.

Hurray for May 3,

Soka Gakkai Mother’s Day!

– SGI President IkedaFrom SGI Graphic May 1999

Photo: Eva Low

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FE720RM2.50

Published by Persatuan Soka Gakkai Malaysia, Wisma Kebudayaan SGM, No. 243, Jalan Bukit Bintang, 55100 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Tel:603-21412003

Printed by Napoleon Printing, 21, Jalan 10/108C, Taman Sungai Besi, 57100 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

The SGM edition of

The New Human Revolution, Volume 1 is coming!

“Each day was a battle into which I poured my heart and soul. Calling to mind my precious fellow members in Japan and around the world striving so earnestly in faith, I tapped the deepest recesses of my being to write my tale, as if I were sending a letter of encouragement to each one of them.”

– SGI President Daisaku Ikeda, “Afterword” to The New Human Revolution

Promotional Price: RM32.00(till 31/5/2020)List Price: RM40.00 per copyAvailable at all SGM service centres.

The year 2020 marks the 60th anniversary

of President Ikeda’s first steps of his journey

of worldwide kosen-rufu. In this profoundly

significant year, SGM will commence

publication of the SGM edition of The New

Human Revolution in volume form. Volume 1

will be out in the coming weeks.

Let us earnestly study this “textbook

of faith” and letter of encouragement that

President Ikeda has written for all of us,

and strive to each become “Shin’ichi

Yamamoto”!

SynopsisShin’ichi Yamamoto, who had just

become third Soka Gakkai president on

May 3, 1960, is about to embark on his

journey for worldwide kosen-rufu on

October 2, 1960, with Hawaii being his

first stop. He also travels to North America

and South America, spreading Buddhism’s

light of compassion and weaving a new

tapestry of peace and happiness.

Chapters Sunrise, A New World, Golden Autumn,

Light of Compassion, and Pioneers

“the object of devotion for observing the mind” (wnd-1, pg ... · the [lotus sutra] says,...

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