Ikeda Sensei sent the following message for the Oct. 4 general meetings, held across the country, to celebrate 60 years of kosen-rufu in the U.S. and around the world.
To my cherished SGI-USA members, with whom I share many fond memories: Thank you for this general meeting commemorating 60 years of kosen-rufu in the United States and around the world.
First, I would like to express my heartfelt condolences for those who have passed away amid the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. And for those battling this illness, I am offering prayers for your earliest recovery. I would also like to convey my deepest sympathies to those affected by the recent fires, hurricanes and other disasters.
Nichiren Daishonin says: “A single character of the Lotus Sutra is like the great earth, which gives rise to all things. A single character is like the great ocean, which contains the water from all rivers. A single character is like the sun and moon, which illuminate all four continents” (“Reply to Onichi-nyo,” The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, vol. 1, p. 1089).
The Mystic Law is the great earth of happiness that creates limitless value. The Mystic Law is the great ocean of peace that envelops, revives and moves everything toward harmony. The Mystic Law is the sun and moon of hope that illuminates the future of our lives, society and the world.
It has been 60 years since I took my first step on American soil and embarked on the mission entrusted to me by my mentor, Josei Toda—a journey for world peace based on our profound philosophy of respect for the dignity of life.
United with me, my American comrades have led the world in fighting courageously along steep and rugged paths, while revealing your true power as Bodhisattvas of the Earth. Today, as you face unprecedented hardships, you continue each day to win over your problems, encouraging one another, determined to “leave no one behind.” With the youth in the lead, everyone is advancing with youthful hearts to pioneer a new era of worldwide kosen-rufu.
You can be certain that the Daishonin is praising all of you for exerting yourselves so bravely.
The many leading American thinkers I’ve engaged in dialogue greatly support and hold high expectations for our united network. In particular, they all seem to admire the SGI’s unwavering trust in and dedication to unlocking each person’s potential through sincere encouragement.
Nichiren writes, “In the Latter Day of the Law, no treasure tower exists other than the figures of the men and women who embrace the Lotus Sutra” (“On the Treasure Tower,” WND-1, 299). Everyone is worthy of respect. Each person has a noble mission.
I ask that you resonantly chant Nam-myoho-renge-kyo, no matter what happens, to bring forth the light of the magnificent treasure tower within you and all people. And please brighten the lives of your family, friends, communities, workplaces and society, and lead confident, cheerful, unbeatable lives of utmost value.
The word soka indicates a life of value creation. It means striving for justice by working with those dedicated to doing good and, together, cultivating the values of peace, culture and education in constructing an even greater community and global society.
I ask you, the members of the SGI- USA, to set the example of how to advance toward this ideal.
No matter the time or place, you and I are bound together through our daimoku. We are comrades connected by our eternal mission to advance kosen-rufu. You are my most respected friends, with whom I share heart-to-heart bonds.
Together, let’s advance toward the 70th anniversary of kosen-rufu in America and the 100th anniversary of the Soka Gakkai’s founding. These next 10 years will be a critical juncture for humanity. Now, united in our network of ‘many in body, one in mind,’ let’s raise the banner of our vow for kosen-rufu. Let’s set out anew on our journey for victory in our human revolution and the triumph of the people!
I will conclude my message by citing a couple of lines from a poem by Walt Whitman that I have admired since my youth:
Afoot and light-hearted I take to the
open road …
Allons! Whoever you are come travel
with me!
Cheers to the SGI-USA, the eternal dawning sun of worldwide kosen-rufu!
My beloved American friends, may you enjoy good health, happiness, peace, harmony and victory!
Daisaku Ikeda
October 4, 2020
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