Become a True Winner in Life

It is rare to be born a human being. The number of those endowed with human life is as small as the amount of earth one can place on a fingernail. Life as a human being is hard to sustain—as hard as it is for the dew to remain on the grass. But it is better to live a single day with honor than to live to 120 and die in disgrace. Live so that all the people of Kamakura will say in your praise that Nakatsukasa Saburo Saemon-no-jo [Shijo Kingo] is diligent in the service of his lord, in the service of Buddhism, and in his concern for other people. (“The Three Kinds of Treasure,” The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, vol. 1, p. 851)

Ikeda Sensei’s Guidance

Nichiren Daishonin … teaches us to show actual proof of victory by striving to live in a way that wins the praise and admiration of those around us. This offers an important guideline as to what constitutes victory for a Buddhist. In short, fundamental victory derives from the inner brilliance of our humanity that naturally draws others’ admiration. It could also be said that an important part of our struggle for kosen-rufu is for each of us to win such trust and respect in society.

The power of our humanity as Buddhists ultimately inspires praise. In other words, the treasures of the heart we have cultivated are what win us people’s trust and high regard for our exemplary character. Our Buddha nature manifests as the brilliance of our humanity and touches the hearts of even those who do not practice Nichiren Buddhism. There’s something different about those people, a special glow about SGI members, people will think. Gaining such trust from others is definite actual proof of the power of our Buddhist practice.

Shijo Kingo’s relations with those around him—with Lord Ema and the members of his lord’s family, and with his own colleagues, brothers and fellow practitioners—were far from smooth. There were probably instances when his doggedness created problems. Without resolving such issues, he could not become a winner in faith.