This new essay by Ikeda Sensei was published in the June 9, 2022, issue of the Soka Gakkai’s daily newspaper, Seikyo Shimbun.
June is the birth month of our founding president, Tsunesaburo Makiguchi.[1] It is also the month celebrating the women of Soka, our shining suns—with SGI Ikeda Kayo-kai Day on June 4 and Women’s Division Founding Day on June 10.[2]
The symbol of the women’s division is the white lily, and by a wondrous coincidence, the symbol flower of Mr. Makiguchi’s birthplace, Kashiwazaki City in Niigata Prefecture, is the golden-rayed lily—a large white bloom with golden streaks.
The commemorative meetings that the women and young women of Soka are presently holding are gatherings of beautiful “human flowers” of rich diversity, radiating golden light. This would make Presidents Makiguchi and Toda so happy!
At the 1951 inaugural meeting of the women’s division, a noble gathering like fragrant white lilies, Josei Toda cited these words of Nichiren Daishonin: “At the time when the Law has spread far and wide [the time of kosen-rufu], the entire Japanese nation will chant Nam-myoho-renge-kyo, as surely as an arrow aimed at the earth cannot miss the target” (“The True Aspect of All Phenomena,” The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, vol. 1, p. 385). Referring to our efforts for kosen-rufu, he said to them warmly, like a loving father: “We are doing something really incredible for the future of society, for Japan and for the world. So please have much, much greater confidence in yourselves!”
Our sincere and courageous efforts in one-to-one dialogue, the tradition of Soka mentors and disciples, will pave the way to happiness and peace for all, which the world has long yearned for.
One of our Many Treasures Group members in Kansai had an unforgettable encounter with Helen Keller, when the latter visited Japan in 1948. As a student at an elementary school for the deaf, she welcomed Ms. Keller with a bouquet of flowers at Okayama Station. The tireless advocate for the blind and deaf responded by taking the girl’s hand, signing thank you on her palm and embracing her cheek to cheek.
The girl was so moved that she vowed to also become a person who could encourage others. She grew up and eventually encountered the Mystic Law. Today, as a Many Treasures Group member, she still appreciates the importance of that magical phrase thank you. Communicating through sign language, she continues to work tirelessly to expand her circle of trust and friendship in her beloved Hyogo Prefecture in Kansai, alongside her daughter and son-in-law—both leaders in our movement for kosen-rufu—and her grandchildren.
June 6, Mr. Makiguchi’s birthday, is also the Day of Mentor and Disciple for Europe. Commemorative meetings, imbued with deep prayers for peace, were held in countries throughout the continent.
In Spain, a city park adjacent to the Soka Culture Center in Madrid has been officially renamed Garden of Peace. It is a treasure realm where Spanish members have made wonderful contributions to the community through carrying out the maintenance and upkeep of the park for many years.
During the turbulent period of the second priesthood issue that engulfed our organization in Spain in the early 1990s, I said to our true and faithful members there: “We are in the right. Therefore, we must win!”
In the three decades since, Soka Gakkai Spain has increased its membership close to 80-fold and gained public trust as a leading member of the country’s federation of Buddhist organizations.[3]
The student division and high school division also mark the anniversaries of their founding in June.[4] The energy and enthusiasm of their brilliant members are so inspiring and reassuring to see.
My wife, Kaneko, and I are praying wholeheartedly each day for the health and happiness, the success and victory, of all our precious members everywhere. While strengthening our power of faith and practice to tap the power of the Buddha and Law even more strongly, let’s confidently enact victorious dramas of achieving human revolution and changing our karma!
References
- Founding Soka Gakkai President Tsunesaburo Makiguchi was born on June 6, 1871, according to the lunar calendar. ↩︎
- SGI Ikeda Kayo-kai Day was inaugurated to commemorate the first visit of Ikeda Sensei and Mrs. Ikeda to the new Soka Young Women’s Center in Shinanomachi, Tokyo, on June 4, 2009. The inaugural meeting of the women’s division was held on June 10, 1951, shortly after Josei Toda became second president of the Soka Gakkai on May 3. ↩︎
- Soka Gakkai Spain is a member of Unión Budista de España y Federación de Entidades Budistas de España (UBE-FEBE). ↩︎
- The student division was established on June 30, 1957, and the high school division, on June 7, 1964. ↩︎
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