Proudly Advancing on the Great Path to Victory

On display at the hall was a piece of calligraphy that I had previously inscribed as an expression of gratitude to our first two presidents, which reads, “Pride in the Great Path to Victory.” While at the hall, I prayed earnestly for our precious successors, and indeed all the young people who were in some way involved in the recent youth meeting, to continue proudly advancing on the great path to victory throughout their lives.

In reference to the Bodhisattvas of the Earth, Nichiren Daishonin writes: “These great bodhisattvas [who emerged from the earth] are particularly suited to bring benefit to people in the Latter Day of the Law, like fish who are at home in the water or birds that move freely through the sky” (“On the Five Guides for Propagation,” The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, vol. 2, p. 551).

The Bodhisattvas of the Earth voluntarily appear in the corrupt age of the Latter Day of the Law, based on their vow. They are committed to overcoming any obstacle, no matter the circumstances, opening the way for kosen-rufu and leading all people to happiness and the world to peace.

Demonstrating their true strengths as the Bodhisattvas of the Earth, the mentors and disciples of Soka have taken on daunting challenges and steadfastly created value.

The Osaka Campaign,^[1] for example, took place amid a fierce storm of slander and abuse, of hatred and jealousy.

Following my lead, the Kansai members set forth boldly, brimming with courage and wisdom, determined to blaze new trails. During my time in Kansai, I visited members, even if only to see them briefly. I listened to their troubles and wholeheartedly urged them to stand up in faith alongside me. I strove to speak with as many people as I could, even if only offering a few words of encouragement, to enable them to form a connection with Buddhism.

Thoroughly treasuring each individual—this is the unchanging formula for kosen-rufu, past, present and future.

Nichiren writes: “When one carries out the single practice of exercising faith in Myoho-renge-kyo,^[2] there are no blessings that fail to come to one, and no good karma that does not begin to work on one’s behalf” (“A Sage and an Unenlightened Man,” WND-1, 133).

Let’s remember that our everyday Soka Gakkai activities are the most fundamental way to not only accumulate immeasurable “treasures of the heart” (“The Three Kinds of Treasure,” WND-1, 851), but also realize Nichiren’s ideal of establishing the correct teaching for the peace of the land and the entire world.

If you look up into the night sky tomorrow (on Oct. 6, 2020), you may see the red planet Mars, which will reportedly approach within 62.07 million kilometers (38.6 million miles) of Earth. It will continue to shine brightly through early November as if celebrating our organization’s founding anniversary.

Dedicated to the great adventure of spreading the Mystic Law, the teaching of the oneness of self and the universe, let’s continue our efforts to build a peaceful planet from where we are right now, with open hearts and taking utmost care of our health.