The following encouragement from Ikeda Sensei was originally published in the July 2018 Living Buddhism, pp. 4–5. Part one appears in the May 20, 2022, World Tribune, p. 10.
Interestingly, some plant seeds can remain viable for centuries or even millennia. In 1951, the year that my mentor, Josei Toda, was inaugurated as second Soka Gakkai president, lotus seeds were discovered at a 2,000-year-old archeological site in Chiba Prefecture, where Nichiren Daishonin was born. The following year (1952), a lotus grown from one of those seeds, known as the Oga Lotus, bloomed beautifully. That same year, a lotus grown from a seed tens of thousands of years old also blossomed in the United States.
Mr. Toda was overjoyed at this news, which he took as a sign that Nichiren Buddhism would flourish brilliantly.
As the Daishonin says: “If one can establish a relationship with even just one phrase of the Wonderful Law [the Mystic Law, or Nam-myoho-renge-kyo], that relationship will continue unbroken over a million kalpas” (The Record of the Orally Transmitted Teachings, p. 219). In other words, once the seeds of Buddhahood are sown, they will persist forever. Even if someone with whom you share Buddhism doesn’t immediately begin practicing, there’s no need to be disappointed. Just keep steadily nurturing the seeds you have sown, in a natural way.
Noble champions of Soka, including the members of our organization’s various local community groups, are shining as a bright presence everywhere, as they strive sincerely to contribute to their communities. Their efforts have earned them the trust of many people.
Undaunted by deeply entrenched prejudice and antagonism, especially in the early days of our movement, they have continued to help others form connections to Buddhism. When they themselves were suffering, they challenged themselves all the more to keep on encouraging others. They have demonstrated actual proof of victory, in accord with Nichiren Daishonin’s words: “When one who is able to show clearly visible proof in the present expounds the Lotus Sutra, there also will be persons who will [come to] believe [in the sutra]” (“Letter to Horen,” The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, vol. 1, p. 512).
Each day, inspired by the uplifting messages in the Seikyo Shimbun delivered by our “uncrowned heroes,” we set forth again to expand our network of Bodhisattvas of the Earth.
Through our prayers, efforts, dialogues and behavior, let us joyfully and freely sow the seeds of Buddhahood and strive to enrich the hearts of people everywhere.
Encouragement
is the voice of happiness
connecting people to Buddhism.
With a dauntless smile,
sow the seeds for victory.
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