Congratulations on the start of the Year of Youth and Triumph!
Together with our fellow members around the world, we set forth brimming with a fresh, vibrant spirit, the brilliant sun of time without beginning shining in our hearts.
At a time when humanity faces unprecedented challenges, you, my dear friends, are illuminating people’s hearts with the great light of compassion and wisdom of the Mystic Law and working tirelessly to expand our network of hope and happiness. Nichiren Daishonin, the Buddha of the Latter Day of the Law, is surely aware of all your efforts. The benefits you are accumulating are immense beyond measure.
The Daishonin writes, “I entrust you with the propagation of Buddhism in your province” (“The Properties of Rice,” The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, vol. 1, p. 1117). He is telling his disciples, who were challenging adversity with unwavering faith, that he is counting on them to spread the Mystic Law in their communities. We can read this as a message to all of you today who have been sowing the seeds of the Mystic Law in the lives of one person after another in your respective lands while overcoming many hardships. You are all courageous Bodhisattvas of the Earth sharing deep karmic bonds.
Now more than ever, let us chant powerfully for world peace and, with youth in the lead, expand our gathering of Bodhisattvas of the Earth in the places of our mission.
Nichiren Buddhism is a teaching of hope enabling us to positively transform any adversity and turn karma into mission. It is a religion of human revolution, teaching that when we change, our environment changes. It is a great philosophy of respect for life that offers a source of limitless value creation for building peace and safe, secure societies. The experiences of our members around the globe attest to the great benefit of the Mystic Law. More and more today, the world needs our movement that is forging ahead as the “pillar,” “eyes” and “great ship”[1] for creating peace.
The Lotus Sutra declares: “We will be envoys of the world-honored one [the Buddha], / facing the assemblies without fear” (The Lotus Sutra and Its Opening and Closing Sutras, p. 234). Though fierce winds may blow, let us courageously and confidently talk to others about the great philosophy of Nichiren Buddhism, sharing and spreading it widely.
With eternally youthful hearts, let us continue to make great strides forward in our efforts for worldwide kosen-rufu!
My best wishes to you all!
Daisaku Ikeda
Jan.1, 2023, World Tribune, p. 2
References
- The terms “pillar,” “eyes” and “great ship” are used by Nichiren Daishonin in “The Opening of the Eyes,” when he declares: “I will be the pillar of Japan. I will be the eyes of Japan. I will be the great ship of Japan. This is my vow, and I will never forsake it!” (“The Opening of the Eyes,” The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, vol. 1, pp. 280–81). ↩︎
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