Advancing Courageously Toward Kosen-rufu While Making Dynamic Progress in Our Lives

Faust’s words express the spirit to boldly take on life’s turbulent challenges. Isn’t this the same spirit that has pulsed in the Soka Gakkai since its earliest days?

‘Do I Have Courage?’

As we renew our vow with the start of the new year, let us each ask ourselves: “Do I have the courage to take action for kosen-rufu? Do I have a burning passion to do so? Do I have the fighting spirit to make fresh breakthroughs, undeterred by any obstacle or challenge?”

Kosen-rufu is the Buddha’s intent and our great vow. But if we think someone else will accomplish it someday, nothing will ever happen. The wheels of kosen-rufu start to turn only when we decide to stand up ourselves and move forward, even if only an inch or a step.

This is just as true today, as the Soka Gakkai continues to spread its wings as a global religious movement in the run-up to our centennial [in 2030].

It was my mentor, second Soka Gakkai President Josei Toda, who, amid the devastation of postwar Japan, stood up alone with a vow to achieve kosen-rufu and began his compassionate, righteous struggle to relieve the suffering of all people.

Seventy years ago, as he looked toward the new year of 1952, Mr. Toda declared that the time of kosen-rufu had come. He called upon the members to strive as “courageous champions of propagation” and “people dedicated to kosen-rufu.”

The Passion and Power of Youth Are the Forces for Dynamic Progress

That was his first new year since becoming second Soka Gakkai president, and Mr. Toda was extraordinarily determined to make it a year of dynamic progress. Above all, he had the highest hopes for and greatest faith in the passion and power of youth.

In his “Guidelines for Youth,”^[2] published the previous year [1951], he called to us ardently: “Youth, rise up with courage! Youth, join me in the struggle!”^[3] And as we prepared to embark on the new year, he further urged us to be “courageous champions of propagation.”

As a youth, I wanted to reply to his expectations and repay my debt of gratitude to him. One of the first efforts I led was the February Campaign^[4] of 1952, in Tokyo’s Kamata Chapter.

At that time, even the largest chapters only managed to introduce Nichiren Buddhism to about 100 new member households per month. Mr. Toda asked me to take the situation in hand, and I responded to his trust by resolutely leading that campaign at the young age of 24. United as one, the Kamata members and I went on to introduce 201 new member households to the practice in a single month, demolishing the previous record and breaking through the stalemate in our nationwide propagation efforts.

The passion of youth fuels the power to soar to new heights. Their efforts are the driving force for fresh dynamic progress. This is an unchanging rule of history.

When we turn to the writings of Nichiren Daishonin, we can see how much trust and hope he placed in his young disciples. In this installment, let us first study a letter addressed to one such youth, Nanjo Tokimitsu, titled “Persecution by Sword and Staff.”

Transmitting the Path of Spiritual Champions

The “Emerging from the Earth” chapter [of the Lotus Sutra] also explains something about me, because it states that Bodhisattva Superior Practices and his followers [the Bodhisattvas of the Earth] will appear in the Latter Day of the Law to propagate the five characters of Nam-myoho-renge-kyo.^[5] I, Nichiren, have appeared earlier than anyone else. How reassuring to think that I will no doubt be praised by bodhisattvas equal in number to the sands of sixty thousand Ganges Rivers! Be that as it may, commit yourself to the Lotus Sutra and have faith in its teachings. You must not only believe in them yourself but also encourage others to do the same, so that you may save those who were your parents in all your past existences. (“Persecution by Sword and Staff,” The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, vol. 1, pp. 964–65)^[6]

When Nichiren Daishonin wrote this letter, one of his disciples in the Atsuhara area near Mount Fuji had been injured in a sword attack, and the Atsuhara Persecution^[7] was increasing in severity. Because of the growing danger, Nichiren wished to drive home the essence of faith to Nanjo Tokimitsu, a leading figure among his disciples in the region.

In the letter, he states he has been attacked numerous times, noting that the Komatsubara Persecution^[8] and the Tatsunokuchi Persecution,^[9] in particular, constituted “persecution by sword and staff” (see WND-1, 964), of which the Lotus Sutra speaks.^[10] That is, he had met with life-threatening attacks and survived them. By recounting his own fierce struggles, he endeavored to transmit to the youthful Tokimitsu the path of a spiritual champion who has steadfast faith in the Lotus Sutra. In this, we see his compassion and concern for his disciple.

The Daishonin also goes on to speak of his deep personal connection to “Emerging from the Earth,” the 15th chapter of the Lotus Sutra.

That chapter poses the question of who will propagate the Lotus Sutra in this troubled saha world^[11] during the evil age of the Latter Day of the Law after Shakyamuni’s death. The Daishonin asserts that it is the Bodhisattvas of the Earth^[12] led by Bodhisattva Superior Practices, who appear in this latter age in order to spread “the five characters of Nam-myoho-renge-kyo” (WND-1, 964). The Bodhisattvas of the Earth are indeed champions of kosen-rufu.

He writes, “I, Nichiren, have appeared earlier than anyone else” (WND-1, 964). He emerged alone to take the lead in the evil age of the Latter Day of the Law, just as he had vowed in the Ceremony in the Air.^[13] That is why he will be “praised by bodhisattvas equal in number to the sands of sixty thousand Ganges Rivers” (WND-1, 964), he declares.

We can read this as expressing Nichiren’s hope that Tokimitsu stand up boldly alongside him in this pioneering endeavor. And we should each take to heart his instruction to “commit yourself to the Lotus Sutra and have faith in its teachings” (WND-1, 964), and pledge to devote ourselves to the shared struggle of mentor and disciple.

Courageous Practice Is the Hallmark of Youth and the Essence of Faith

On August 14, 1947, 75 years ago, I attended a discussion meeting in Tokyo’s Ota Ward, where I met Mr. Toda for the first time. I asked him on that occasion: “What is the correct way of life? The harder I think about it, the more the answer eludes me.” With a smile, he replied that I had asked the most difficult question of all, and he went on to explain at length that the fundamental answer to my question was to be found in Nichiren Buddhism.

Then he said with strong conviction: “It’s fine to think about what is the correct way of life, but you’d be putting your time to better use if you try practicing the Daishonin’s Buddhism. You are young. If you do so, someday you’ll definitely find yourself quite naturally following the correct path through life!”

Take a chance and try practicing Nichiren Buddhism! You’re still young!—the faith he had in me became a ray of hope illuminating my 19-year-old life.

In addition, when I learned that Mr. Toda had spent two years in prison for his beliefs during World War II at the hands of the militarist authorities, I felt I could trust him and decided to start practicing Nichiren Buddhism.

Looking back now, I can see that his encouragement echoes the Daishonin’s spirit in the words: “Commit yourself to the Lotus Sutra and have faith in its teachings” (WND-1, 964).

Practice is the life of faith. To practice with one’s whole being, to take action with courage, is the heart of a living faith. No matter how knowledgeable one may be, one cannot truly understand faith without putting it into action.

Courageous practice is the hallmark of youth. It is the direct route to breaking through the shell of our ego and ascending the lofty summit of mission; it is the springboard to a higher, more expansive life state.

Soka Gakkai founding president Tsunesaburo Makiguchi often urged people: “Have courage and dare to test the practice of Nichiren Buddhism for yourself!”

Buddhism for Building Happiness for Ourselves and Others

Nichiren continues: “You must not only believe in them [the teachings of the Lotus Sutra] yourself” (WND-1, 964). He is telling Tokimitsu that it is not enough to simply practice himself, but that, while deepening his faith and growing, he must also reach out to others and help them practice and become happy too.

When, through practice, we gain conviction that Nichiren Buddhism is truly wonderful, this will naturally give rise to great joy and prompt us to share Buddhism with others. Our Buddhist practice is for the happiness of both ourselves and others. This is what Nichiren means when he writes: “You must not only persevere yourself; you must also teach others” (“The True Aspect of All Phenomena,” WND-1, 386).

Let us take action for the welfare of others, for our own and others’ happiness. The purpose of Nichiren Buddhism is to enable all people to become happy.

Advancing With the Gosho and the ‘Two Ways of Practice and Study’

Last year [2021], the Soka Gakkai celebrated the 800th anniversary of Nichiren Daishonin’s birth,^[14] and this year we mark the 770th anniversary of his first proclaiming his teaching.^[15] It is also the 70th anniversary of the publication of the original Soka Gakkai edition of the Nichiren Daishonin Gosho zenshu (Collected Writings of Nichiren Daishonin) [in 1952], realized by Mr. Toda’s initiative. Since then, we have solidly established the Soka Gakkai tradition of advancing with the Daishonin’s writings and striving in the “two ways of practice and study” (WND-1, 386).

Now, coinciding with these profoundly significant milestones, a revised edition of the Gosho zenshu has been completed. For us, disciples directly connected to the Daishonin, this is a source of unparalleled joy.

Let us next study a passage from the Daishonin’s letter “On Clothing and Food,” which in the revised Japanese edition contains a new portion that has been incorporated for the first time.^[16]

We All Have a Unique Mission

When one lights a torch for someone at night, one brings light not only to another person but to oneself as well. Likewise, when one livens other people’s complexions, one livens one’s own too, when one gives them strength, one gives oneself strength too, when one prolongs their lives, one prolongs one’s own life as well. (“On Clothing and Food,” WND-2, 1066)^[17]

While its date and other details are unknown, this letter bears the heading “To the lay nun” and is thought to have been written by Nichiren to express his gratitude to a disciple who had sent 1,000 coins to him as an offering.

In the first half of the letter, the Daishonin stresses the importance of food and clothing for sustaining our lives and adds that, by making such material offerings, “one livens people’s complexions, gives them strength, and enables them to prolong life” (WND-2, 1066).

Making offerings, or almsgiving, is one of the six paramitas,^[18] six practices of Mahayana bodhisattvas for attaining enlightenment. It is a noble act that sustains the lives of practitioners of the Lotus Sutra and contributes to the flourishing of Buddhism in this world.

The passage describes doing things for others. It means showing care and consideration for those we come in contact with, the people right in front of us, whoever they may be. The starting point is to treasure our connections with those around us.

The Daishonin writes, “When one lights a torch for someone at night, one brings light not only to another person but to oneself as well” (WND-2, 1066). This makes perfect sense.

In “On the Three Virtues of Food,” he employs the same simile: “If one lights a [lantern] for others, one will brighten one’s own way” (WND-2, 1060).

Suppose someone is standing anxiously by the side of a dark road at night. Many see them but pass by without offering to help. One person, however, raises a lantern to illuminate the stranger, saying, “You must have been frightened, but you’re safe now. Let’s walk together!” and then accompanies them on the road.

This scenario portrays the spirit and actions of a bodhisattva.

There is nothing special about such behavior. It is simply responding with sympathy and heartfelt concern for those we encounter who are suffering, reaching out spontaneously to try to do whatever we can to help. It is listening to people’s problems and wholeheartedly encouraging them. Such richly human behavior is the very essence of a bodhisattva.

Today, Soka Gakkai members throughout Japan and around the world, filled with pride as Bodhisattvas of the Earth, are working actively for their own and others’ happiness.

In particular, the women of Soka in each country and region, the radiant suns of our movement, are brightening people’s hearts with the light of compassion and wisdom. They have forged an admirable network of women, each shining with a unique mission in accord with the principle of “cherry, plum, peach, and damson” (see The Record of the Orally Transmitted Teachings, p. 200). Striving vibrantly among the people as great Bodhisattvas of the Earth, their compassionate spirit equals that of the Buddha, who sought to free all people from suffering.

I think we can say that such actions themselves, inspired by the wish to help others, constitute Buddhist practice for expanding our own state of life.

The Great Benefit of ‘Prolonging One’s Life Through Faith’

Nichiren continues: “Likewise, when one livens other people’s complexions, one livens one’s own too, when one gives them strength, one gives oneself strength too, when one prolongs their lives, one prolongs one’s own life as well” (“On Clothing and Food,” WND-2, 1066).

I can attest to this from my personal experience. I had a weak constitution and contracted tuberculosis, which often left me very tired and feverish. My dearest wish and prayer from the time of my youth was to have robust health. My wife was also very worried about me.

Nevertheless, I spent my days traveling throughout Japan and the world to encourage our members waiting for me to visit. It was exhausting, of course. Wondrously, though, the harder I exerted myself, the more strength sprang from within me, and I was revitalized. The leaders accompanying me often asked where I found all my energy.

I refused to succumb to illness and was determined to carry out my mission and fulfill my responsibilities. I also knew that the more you strive in Soka Gakkai activities, the more it energizes you. Earnest efforts to encourage and inspire others enable you to bring forth courage and strength, while seeing others revitalized gives you fresh hope and inspiration.

From my youth, I gave myself completely to supporting and assisting Mr. Toda. I worked my hardest each day, determined to do my utmost so that I would have not a single regret. I am here today because of the benefits I gained from those efforts, and I am convinced that it is thanks to Mr. Toda that I’ve been able to demonstrate the Buddhist principle of “prolonging one’s life through faith.”^[19]

The Merging of Benefiting Oneself and Benefiting Others

The Daishonin’s declaration that “when one gives them strength, one gives oneself strength too” (WND-2, 1066) brilliantly describes how benefiting oneself and benefiting others are one and the same. With these simple words, he illustrates for us the unrivaled way of life in which benefiting oneself and benefiting others are seamlessly and naturally merged.

Here we find no egoism concerned solely with one’s own welfare while disregarding others; no narrow, self-absorbed mindset that places rigid boundaries between self and others. Duty or social propriety are not the motivators. It is a way of life that embodies compassion, the spontaneous desire to help others.

A one-sided focus on benefiting or helping others, however, can easily turn into condescension or self-sacrifice. Precisely because acting for the benefit of others also benefits ourselves, it brings us appreciation and joy.

Without seeking to escape from this suffering-filled saha world, those who strive with sincerity and wisdom, just as they are, for the welfare and happiness of others as well as themselves are living as genuine bodhisattvas. As Nichiren states in a well-known passage: “The purpose of the appearance in this world of Shakyamuni Buddha, the lord of teachings, lies in his behavior as a human being” (“The Three Kinds of Treasure,” WND-1, 852). Showing respect for all people, behavior exemplified by the Bodhisattvas of the Earth, is the true essence of the Buddha’s teaching.

In his “Guidelines for Youth,” Mr. Toda declared: “The effort to overcome the coldness and indifference in our own lives and attain the same state of compassion as the Buddha is the essence of human revolution.”^[20] For us, courage takes the place of compassion. Everything starts from a courageous first step.

In accord with this eternal guideline, our members, as Bodhisattvas of the Earth, have stood up to realize their vow for kosen-rufu. Chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo for themselves and others and striving courageously to achieve their human revolution, they have built a citadel of the people that shines with happiness for all.

A ‘Treasure Land’ Connecting One Life to Another

The French historian Jules Michelet (1798–1874) declared: “Life is lighted and kindled by life, and it is extinguished by isolation. The more life mixes with lives different from itself and the more it joins itself with other existences, the stronger, happier and more fruitful is its own existence.”^[21]

Lives affect each other in many subtle ways. Encouraging the people around us may seem unremarkable and ordinary, but without doubt it helps prevent isolation and division; it contributes to the joyful and vibrant development of a “treasure land” where diverse lives can meet and connect.

In The Record of the Orally Transmitted Teachings, Nichiren says: “‘Joy’ means that oneself and others together experience joy. … Both oneself and others together will take joy in their possession of wisdom and compassion” (p. 146).

The essential message of Buddhism is that when we recognize the infinitely noble Buddha nature in each person and forge bonds based on a wish to benefit ourselves and others, unsurpassed wisdom for creating happiness and peace will emerge within us.

Bodhisattvas are those who regard action for the benefit of self and others as their guiding principle and set forth to work among the people, among humanity, to spread encouragement and inspiration to all through their unflagging practice of compassion.

Our mission is to start where we are and confidently bring the great light of hope of the Buddhism of the Sun to our families, friends and loved ones, to our neighbors and everyone in our environment. That light can give them courage to live their lives fully. It can provide them with boundless energy, increase their life force and serve as a source of wisdom and strength to overcome any crisis.

Expanding Our Grassroots Movement of Dialogue and Encouragement

Worldwide kosen-rufu is actually a global grassroots movement of dialogue and encouragement.

Encouragement is also empowerment. How bright the future of humanity will be when people the world over encourage each other and awaken to their own great mission and latent potential!

My young successors, and all my beloved fellow Bodhisattvas of the Earth, are walking that path of momentous change. I call on each of you without exception to:

Give a victory cheer of dynamic progress in your life through human revolution! Perform a courageous dance as a proud pioneer of worldwide kosen-rufu! Write a brilliant history of the magnificent victory of the people!

Translated from the January 2021 Daibyakurenge, the Soka Gakkai’s monthly study journal.