Hope Is Life’s Treasure

The arrogant
who ridicule the hopeful
invariably fall in defeat,
left with naught but regret.

On no account
must we ruin
our lives,
which shine with such promise!

Hope is
a jewel that inspires and uplifts.
As long as we have hope,
we will never be deadlocked.

Victory always awaits,
and happy smiles spread
where there is hope.

In the words of
the admirable Wangari Maathai,
the Kenyan environmental activist
and friend whom my wife and I
will never forget:
“Hope is like a flower,
which, when it blooms,
does so no matter
what mood it’s in
or who is watching.
It always gives its best.
We can, too.”

Hope is
a flower that blossoms
in effort and perseverance.
Hope is
the noble visible reward
of those who accumulate unseen virtue.

People who live out their lives
with hope
never become jaded
or apathetic.

A contributive life
of giving hope
to those who are suffering
is a source of growth,
fulfillment,
learning,
creativity
and solidarity.

The great Spanish author
Miguel de Cervantes wrote,
“Just as light shines
more brightly in darkness,
so hope should be
more steadfast in trials.”

Hope is the hallmark
of invincible fortitude.
Life is a struggle—
hence, our challenge is to live
with optimism and strength,
year after year.

Inazo Nitobe,
the great Tohoku-born educator,
friend of first Soka Gakkai President
Tsunesaburo Makiguchi,
declared that hope
can be found even
in the darkest gloom.

Such hope, he said, is “visible only
to the eye of
faith and courage.”

Even while imprisoned for his beliefs,
President Makiguchi wrote serenely,
“Depending on one’s frame of mind,
even hell can be enjoyable.”

Second Soka Gakkai President
Josei Toda later said
in gratitude to his martyred mentor,
“In your vast and boundless compassion,
you let me accompany you
even to prison.”

As the third Soka Gakkai president,
I have steadfastly walked
the profoundly solemn
path of selfless dedication
of mentor and disciple.

I have given my life to realizing all
the cherished hopes of my mentor.
My heart is clear and bright,
without a cloud of regret.

As Nichiren Daishonin writes,
“The sun breaks through
the pitch-black dark.”
Courageous faith is
the sun of limitless hope.

Mentor and disciple
committed to the noblest cause
will rise above all trials and adversity;
the unsurpassed brilliance of their lives
shining on forever.

Infinite hope!
The Mystic Law is the source.
A boundless state of life!
Faith and practice are the key.

In the Lotus Sutra,
we find these truly generous words:
“We beg that the merit [we have] gained …
may be spread far and wide to everyone,
so that we and other living beings
all together may attain the Buddha way.”

Kosen-rufu is
the supreme and colossal hope
of elevating
all humanity
to a vast life state
of peace and happiness.

Ah—
Hope! Hope! Hope!
Hope is life’s treasure.

At the start of a new year,
a new day,
let us set forth,
brimming with bright hope,
the sun of time without beginning
shining in our hearts!

Let us boldly break through
even the deepest turmoil
of these troubled times,
and be the ones to create new hope!

Let us advance in triumph,
imparting the hope
of absolute victory
to one person after another!
The French writer and activist
Romain Rolland said,
“The last hope of our day
lies in youth.”

I now wish to declare for all to hear:
“The greatest hope for the future
lies in Soka youth.”

My young friends,
never be defeated!

No matter what trials and hardships
may befall you,
never lose sight of
the golden light of hope!

O my friends,
my beloved friends
whom I trust with all my heart,
live out your lives with hope!
Be victorious without fail!

Daisaku Ikeda
—On my 84th birthday, Jan. 2, 2012