Translated from the October 21, 2019, issue of the Seikyo Shimbun, the Soka Gakkai daily newspaper.
We are all linked together by the Mystic Law, the ultimate Law of the universe.
Nichiren Daishonin writes: “There is no place among the worlds of the ten directions that the sound of our voices chanting daimoku [Nam-myoho-renge-kyo] cannot reach” (Gosho zenshu, p. 808).[1] I am chanting each day with the powerful wish that my daimoku will reach all those who are experiencing indescribable hardships in the wake of recent heavy rains that have caused flooding and damage throughout Japan.
On October 19, together with my wife, Kaneko, I again visited the Soka Gakkai World Seikyo Center in Shinanomachi, Tokyo. On my previous visit there (on September 28), I offered prayers in the Genron Hall; this time, I did gongyo and chanted daimoku in the Genron-jo Room, where the Seikyo Shimbun’s permanent Gohonzon is enshrined.
The Daishonin states: “When great evil occurs, great good follows. … What could any of you have to lament?” (The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, vol.1, p. 1119). Citing these words, founding Soka Gakkai president Tsunesaburo Makiguchi encouraged members: “No matter what the time or situation, use hardships as a springboard for dramatic change. You can definitely do so.”
As members of the Soka family who carry on this spirit of Mr. Makiguchi, let’s offer even greater encouragement and support to one another so that we can positively transform all poison into medicine.
On display in the Genron-jo Room is a calligraphy I inscribed with the words “Seikyo Cherry Blossoms.”
The Seikyo Shimbun, the Soka Gakkai newspaper, embodies the wish that everyone will overcome the difficulties they face and cause cherry blossoms of victory to flower beautifully in their lives, in accord with the Daishonin’s conviction that “Winter always turns to spring” (WND-1, p. 536).
In the Genron-jo Room, my wife and I chanted with deep appreciation for our noble “uncrowned heroes,” the dedicated members who deliver the Seikyo Shimbun each morning. As the weather turns cold, we will pray even more earnestly for your good health and absolute safety, and for you to enjoy boundless good fortune and benefit.
This poem expresses my unchanging wish:
I pray
that the sun
of happiness
will shine on you
and keep you safe.
The world-renowned French art historian René Huyghe contributed several articles to the Seikyo Shimbun over the years. A great champion of culture and the human spirit, he risked his life to save many invaluable art treasures of humanity from the occupying Nazi forces during World War II. An exhibition titled “Through the Eyes of René Huyghe: The Splendor of French Paintings” is currently on display at the Tokyo Fuji Art Museum.
Mr. Huyghe once said that he was particularly proud of being appointed to a position of responsibility and asked to organize two major exhibitions at the Louvre while still in his 20s. He remarked that the experience he gained through such daunting challenges as a young man enabled him to forge a positive and fearless attitude to prevail over any obstacle. His message to young people was that the secret of life is to always try to reach beyond and surpass oneself.
Soka Gakkai youth in Japan have built an invincible network of human revolution through their efforts to overcome unprecedented hardship following the Great Hanshin Earthquake of 1995 and the March 2011 Tohoku earthquake and tsunami.
It is truly inspiring to see so many of our youth division members once again working energetically to support recovery activities in the aftermath of the recent typhoons and heavy record rains, with some members forming volunteer cleanup groups.
This autumn, many newly appointed leaders are emerging throughout Japan.
Together with the Seikyo Shimbun—a newspaper for everyone, shining a special light on women, youth, and seniors—let us advance courageously and foster many new capable people!
References
- “Oko Kikigaki” (The Recorded Lectures); not included in WND, vols. 1 or 2. ↩︎
You are reading {{ meterCount }} of {{ meterMax }} free premium articles