The Power to Make Your Dreams Come True

Translated from the July 1, 2021, issue of Boys and Girls Hope News, the Soka Gakkai’s monthly newspaper for the future division.

July 7 marks the Tanabata Festival in Japan, when people traditionally write down their wishes on colored strips of paper and hang them on bamboo branches. Putting our wishes into words fills us with hope.

All of you, my young friends, in fact already know the way to make your wishes—your hopes and dreams for school, your family and the future—come true. I’m talking about our daily practice of gongyo and chanting daimoku— Nam-myoho-renge-kyo, the fundamental Law of the universe.

Try writing down your wishes, making them as clear and specific as possible, and then chanting about each one. When you do so, you’ll find courage welling up inside you, and you’ll be able to challenge yourself energetically. You’ll also be able to draw forth support from those around you.

Prayer is the most powerful driving force for realizing your dreams. I hope you’ll chant for our great shared dream of kosen-rufu, or world peace, and give full expression to your great potential!