From the March 19 Seikyo Shimbun, the Soka Gakkai’s daily newspaper.
May 19 is the anniversary of the Soka Gakkai Kosen-rufu Gohonzon[1] [now enshrined in the Hall of the Great Vow for Kosen-rufu in Shinanomachi, Tokyo].
Nichiren Daishonin revealed the Gohonzon—the object of fundamental respect or devotion—as “the banner of propagation of the Lotus Sutra” (“The Real Aspect of the Gohonzon,” The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, vol. 1, p. 831). In that same spirit, making our banner of propagation the Kosen-rufu Gohonzon—inscribed with the dedication “For the Fulfillment of the Great Vow for Kosen-rufu through the Compassionate Propagation of the Great Law”—we are chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo, the heart of the Lotus Sutra, and spreading the Mystic Law throughout the world.
Nichiren writes: “Never seek [the] Gohonzon outside yourself. The Gohonzon exists only within the mortal flesh of us ordinary people who embrace the Lotus Sutra and chant Nam-myoho-renge-kyo” (WND-1, 832). He taught that the life of each one of us is an existence deserving of fundamental respect.
As the world faces an unprecedented challenge, what should be our most important focus? It is human life. We of the Soka Gakkai are practicing Nichiren Buddhism, which enables all people to shine with supreme dignity. Let us make even greater efforts now to share and spread the principle of respect for the dignity of life as a universal treasure of all humankind.
In one of the Daishonin’s writings, we find the passage “At this very time, rulers can save their countries and the people be freed from calamities … if they embrace and believe in this great mandala of the five characters [Myoho-renge-kyo, or the Lotus Sutra]” (“Reply to Niiama,” WND-1, 468).
Today, Soka Gakkai members, noble Bodhisattvas of the Earth, are making tremendous contributions in every area of society—including medical, health and welfare services; essential services and business; education and academia; and culture and the arts—exerting themselves for people’s happiness and well-being, and for the peace and security of the lands in which they live.
I am confident that Nichiren is applauding their efforts, and that the protective forces of the universe will safeguard them without fail.
I would once again like to express my sincere appreciation to all our “uncrowned heroes,” who each day deliver the Seikyo Shimbun, which has a truly profound mission as a journal of peace for global citizens.
Every issue of the paper contains reports of our members around the world employing their creativity and ingenuity to encourage one another and bravely move forward together amid these difficult times.
I have heard that with the addition of an island in the Caribbean, the online edition of the Seikyo Shimbun has now been accessed in a total of 204 countries and territories.
The young men and women of Soka, who are such a wonderful source of hope and reassurance, are joining together everywhere to take on fresh challenges. I would like to share with them some words of encouragement from second Soka Gakkai President Josei Toda, who regarded the youth as the key driving force in all endeavors: “Continue to study and learn! Become a person of wisdom of the Mystic Law! In addition to gaining a broad understanding of society, you must place yourself within the destiny of the entire world and formulate all of your ideas from this perspective.”
No matter what problems or challenges we may be facing, our home where the Gohonzon is enshrined is the “Capital of Eternally Tranquil Light” (“Reply to Sairen-bo,” WND-1, 313).
In this time of great uncertainty, it is important that we remember the Five Eternal Guidelines of the Soka Gakkai:
Faith for a harmonious family
Faith for achieving happiness
Faith for overcoming obstacles
Faith for health and long life
Faith for absolute victory
Let us live our lives wisely and positively, embodying these guidelines and imparting hope to all around us!
References
- In addition to the words “For the Fulfillment of the Great Vow for Kosen-rufu Through the Compassionate Propagation of the Great Law,” the Soka Gakkai Kosen-rufu Gohonzon bears the inscription “To Be Permanently Enshrined in the Soka Gakkai.” ↩︎
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