One should by all means persist in preaching the Lotus Sutra [Nam-myoho-renge-kyo] and causing them [the people of today] to hear it. Those who put their faith in it will surely attain Buddhahood, while those who slander it will establish a “poison-drum relationship”[1] with it and will likewise attain Buddhahood. In any event, the seeds of Buddhahood exist nowhere apart from the Lotus Sutra.
“How Those Initially Aspiring to the Way Can Attain Buddhahood through the Lotus Sutra” The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, vol. 1, p. 882
Sowing the seeds of Buddhahood of the Mystic Law in the hearts of all people—this is the wish of Nichiren Daishonin, the Buddha of the Latter Day of the Law. And that is precisely what we are doing when we talk with our friends about Buddhism based on our sincere prayers for their happiness. We are helping them form precious connections with the Daishonin’s teachings.
Forging and strengthening friendships and thereby helping people awaken to their Buddha nature is the direct path to kosen-rufu. Some may respond negatively to our message, lacking an understanding of our movement. But the seeds of sincerity and truth that we sow will endure, certain to sprout and flower someday. Let’s continue to actively reach out to talk with those around us!
Translated from the October 22, 2021 Seikyo Shimbun, the Soka Gakkai’s daily newspaper.
References
- Poison-drum relationship: A reverse relationship, or a relationship formed through rejection. A bond formed with the Lotus Sutra by opposing or slandering it. One who opposes the Lotus Sutra when it is preached will still form a relationship with it by virtue of opposition, and will thereby attain Buddhahood eventually. ↩︎
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