Successors Are a Source of Boundless Hope for the Future

Nichiren Daishonin used this story of the Dragon Gate to encourage his beloved young disciple Nanjo Tokimitsu.

I believe nothing brought Nichiren more happiness and joy than the growth of young people.

Tokimitsu lost his father while still a young boy, but, together with his mother, he carried on his father’s conviction in faith and grew into a fine young man.

Later, the Daishonin expressed his joy at Tokimitsu’s inspiring growth, writing:

It is said that Ueno, your deceased father, was a man of feeling. Since you are his son, perhaps you have inherited the outstanding qualities of his character. Blue dye is bluer even than indigo itself, and ice is colder than water. How wonderful it is, how wonderful! (“Offerings in the Snow,” The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, vol. 2, p. 809)

In traditional indigo dyeing, cloth is dipped repeatedly in a blue dye made from the indigo plant until it becomes a deeper, brighter blue than the plant itself.

The expression bluer than the indigo is also used to describe how disciples grow to become capable people, surpassing even their parents, seniors and mentors. The Daishonin likens Tokimitsu’s growth as a successor to becoming “bluer than the indigo.”

My mentor, second Soka Gakkai President Josei Toda, used to say: “The Japanese word sensei (teacher) is written with a Chinese compound meaning ‘first born.’ Confucius, however, when he said, ‘One should regard the young with awe,’^[1] used characters for ‘youth’ that mean ‘later born.’ Confucius is saying that you, ‘later-born’ young people, are destined to surpass your ‘first-born’ teachers.”

It was Mr. Toda’s profound hope that a great current for worldwide kosen-rufu that would endure throughout the eternal future of the Latter Day of the Law would grow year by year, developing from a small stream into a mighty river. And he knew it would be up to the youth of future generations to make it happen. That’s why he told us that our mission and potential are even greater than his own.

I have devoted my life to fulfilling his expectations. I have spread Nichiren Buddhism throughout the world and shared our philosophy of peace with countless people. And it is none other than you, my precious friends of the future division, to whom I pass this baton of mentor and disciple.

Soka University of America (SUA) opened in Aliso Viejo, California, on the first May 3 of the 21st century (2001).

SUA’s main administration building is named Founders Hall. Embracing the spirit of the founder, the students, staff and faculty are all working together to make the university thrive.

Among them is a capable individual who graduated from the future division and who served as SGI-USA’s first high school division leader, as well as young men’s division leader and youth division leader.

He was a kindhearted youth who cared for his disabled younger brother while his parents were away at work. Because they were poor, his parents couldn’t afford to buy him toys, but his mother gave him the most valuable gift of all—faith in Nichiren Buddhism. Seeing his mother dedicate herself to SGI activities, he learned about working for what is right, and the importance of striving for the sake of others and contributing to society.

In response to his mother’s hopes for him, he challenged himself to do gongyo and chant Nam-myoho-renge-kyo, and he studied very hard. He eventually received a full scholarship to a prestigious university, from which he graduated at the top of his class. He also went on to earn a doctorate in economics.

Today, as one of SUA’s administrative officers, he is devoting himself to the most important undertaking of education in the same spirit as me, and working tirelessly to foster the university’s students. He is a true embodiment of the victory of becoming “bluer than the indigo.”

Those who always keep in mind the inspiring examples of their parents, grandparents and seniors in faith striving for kosen-rufu are themselves able to move forward along the most positive path in life.

Your parents and family members who give their all day and night in striving for the happiness of others through Soka Gakkai activities are truly admirable champions of the people. No authority figure, no celebrity, no billionaire can match them.

I hope that you, my dear friends of the future division, will think about why members of the Soka family strive so hard for the sake of others and society. Perhaps you can even try asking some of them directly.

Cloth becomes a deeper blue by being dipped in the indigo dye again and again. In his letter to Tokimitsu’s mother, Nichiren Daishonin talks about “from the indigo, an even deeper blue” to stress the importance of continuously putting faith into action in the spirit of “now, more than ever.”

You are adding the “color” of your own faith to the fabric of faith already “dyed” by your parents. That is why your families, and you as their successors, are certain to triumph.

As young people upholding the Mystic Law, you can make this precious time of youth brim with hope, courage and shining victory, whatever difficulties you may encounter. Indeed, successors are a source of boundless hope for the future.

My dear young friends who will become “bluer than the indigo”—today again chant Nam-myoho-renge-kyo with the determination to fulfill your vow! Believe in your potential, no matter what, and continue making great efforts!