Advance on the Long Journey of Kosen-rufu!

When we take on a challenge, sometimes we will succeed and sometimes we will fail, but continuing to challenge ourselves, to keep fighting no matter what, is proof of our victory as human beings.

Developing a strong spirit, strong faith and strong prayer is the key to victory and attaining the life state of Buddhahood.

I would therefore like to call on our youth division members: Sculpt an invincible self!

The Soka Gakkai has designated next year, 1997, the Year of Advancement Toward the New Century.^[2] Congratulations!

There are many kinds of advancement: optimistic advancement, bold advancement, tenacious advancement, triumphant advancement. There is united advancement and advancement for success in society. There is joyous advancement, advancement in every area of our lives, laughter-filled advancement, advancement spurred by a seeking spirit in faith.

Nichiren Daishonin also teaches that not advancing is regressing. The important thing is to continue forging ahead in the face of all storms and adversity, to press forward fearlessly like a lion.

Buddhism is manifested in our lives; everything in our lives is an expression of Buddhism. Buddhism is manifested in society; society is where we put the teachings of Buddhism into practice. Kosen-rufu only unfolds within the reality of life and society.

Those who earnestly grapple with these realities develop strength and inner fortitude. They forge themselves and raise the banner of victory in their hearts. On the other hand, there are those who fail to challenge themselves or move forward when it’s the time to do so, instead complaining, shirking responsibility, making excuses and criticizing. Such people may appear to be leading pleasant, secure and comfortable lives, but in actuality they have given in to defeat.

In “The Opening of the Eyes,” the Daishonin quotes the words: “If you want to understand what results will be manifested in the future, look at the causes that exist in the present”^[3](The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, vol. 1, p. 279).

What kind of causes are you making now? What kind of actions are you taking now? This will determine your future, your life, into eternity. This is the essence of faith. Living in accord with this fundamental principle is the key to success and victory.

I hope that each of you will begin a fresh struggle for kosen-rufu with the courage of a lion.

I would like to speak a little about former Chinese Premier Zhou Enlai (1898–1976) and what is known as the Long March [in which revolutionary forces] marched on foot for some 7,800 miles—more than twice the length of the United States.

The Long March was brutal. They were attacked by dozens of enemy planes on a daily basis. They also encountered resistance from enemy forces on the ground and at times found themselves surrounded. They were plagued by illness and hunger. But they had to keep going, to keep fighting, to keep advancing.

And they did more than just march. Along the way, they steadily made allies of 200 million people in the 11 provinces they passed through, talking with them and sharing their ideals.

Without fanfare or fuss, crossing mountain after mountain and visiting village after village, they quietly planted the seeds for future victory. It was a process very similar to what we call “sowing the seeds of the Mystic Law” in our propagation efforts.

In 1960, a decade after the birth of the new government (in 1949), a well-known American journalist interviewed Premier Enlai about the nation’s future. Their conversation turned to the Long March that had taken place a quarter of a century earlier.

After listening to him recount his painful memories of the march, the journalist remarked, “You must look upon your remaining national problems as by comparison easy to solve.”^[4]This and the following quotes are from: Edgar Snow, Red China Today (New York: Random House, 1971), p. 112.[/ref]

Premier Zhou shot back: “Easy! Nothing about them is easy!”

He continued, driving home his point: “Don’t ever quote me as saying anything is easy here. Ten years ago, our entire nation began a second Long March. We have taken the first step, that’s all—the first step.”

“The original Long March was a victory, but now we have begun a second Long March,” the premier asserted. What an admirable and inspiring spirit! Premier Zhou was not content to rest on his achievements; he was determined to keep advancing forever for the well-being of the Chinese people.

The Soka Gakkai is also advancing on a long march for kosen-rufu—a journey of 10,000 years and more. Our struggle has only just begun.

If we envision it as a 10,000-meter race, we have only covered about the first 50 meters. Everything lies ahead. Our real advancement begins from now on. A vast arena for action is open before us.

I hope you will boldly advance in your Buddhist practice with the conviction that, year after year, we are making our way forward on the long, eternal march to kosen-rufu. Let’s forge ahead joyfully and cheerfully together, with the Soka Gakkai spirit to fight, advance and win without fail, no matter what the situation.

Ours is a long march of 10,000 years and more. The road ahead is long.

Therefore, I call on young people to develop themselves as much as possible, for I will entrust the 21st century to them. The youth is my focus. I wish to train and foster them thoroughly. My wish is that they will splendidly bring our aims to fruition.

The Year of Advancement Toward the New Century is a year for fostering capable people for the new century. I hope that you will throw yourselves energetically into this effort with this firm commitment.

People can only develop true ability by engaging in actual struggles in the real world, taking on full responsibility without leaving things to others. This is the key to becoming a capable person.

Let’s bring this year to a successful close and usher in a happy new year.

Thank you for attending today! I deeply appreciate your tremendous efforts. Please give my best to all those who could not be here.

Let’s advance in high spirits together!