A Summer of Challenge Toward Creating an Age of Peace

This guidance from Ikeda Sensei originally appeared in the Aug. 1, 2020, issue of the Mirai [Future] Journal, the Soka Gakkai’s monthly newspaper for the junior high and high school divisions.

August is a month in which we renew our vow for peace. On August 6, 1993, the 48th anniversary of the atomic bombing of Hiroshima, I began writing my serialized novel The New Human Revolution.

It opens with the following passage: “Nothing is more precious than peace. Nothing brings more happiness. Peace is the most basic starting point for the advancement of humankind.” This is the conviction of Soka mentors and disciples that I wish to entrust to you, my dear friends of the future division.

Each of you upholds faith in the Mystic Law, the teaching of the highest truth. By basing your lives on this teaching, you can increase your strength a hundredfold, or even a thousandfold. You can make your lives shine like a radiant sun of hope that will brightly illuminate the 21st century as a century of peace.

You have a mission to spread friendship and trust across our planet together with friends around the world. Toward that end, I hope you’ll find fun ways to improve your foreign language skills and steadfastly keep at it. Please also try to read books this summer on the subjects of war and peace.