Now, at the beginning of the Latter Day of the Law, I, Nichiren, am the first to embark on propagating, throughout Jambudvipa [the entire world], the five characters of Myoho-renge-kyo, which are the heart of the Lotus Sutra and the eye of all Buddhas … My disciples, form your ranks and follow me, and surpass even [such outstanding disciples of the Buddha as] Mahakashyapa or Ananda, [and such great Buddhist teachers as] T’ien-t’ai or Dengyo!
“The Actions of the Votary of the Lotus Sutra,” The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, vol. 1, pp. 764–65
Inheriting Nichiren Daishonin’s unshakable conviction, the mentors and disciples of Soka have opened the way for the magnificent development of worldwide kosen-rufu. Mahakashyapa, Ananda, T’ien-t’ai and Dengyo would also surely praise our efforts.
Kosen-rufu is an undertaking that extends into the eternal future of the Latter Day of the Law. As such, our struggle has only just begun! Let’s call forth countless new friends in faith who will join our ranks and become successors embodying the principle “from the indigo, an even deeper blue” (see “Offerings in the Snow,” WND-2, 809).
Ensuring the steady emergence of the Bodhisattvas of the Earth that the times need hinges on the ability of each of us to inspire people through dialogue.
From the Nov. 15 issue of the Seikyo Shimbun, the Soka Gakkai’s daily newspaper.
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