Q: What is the significance of the name ‘Many Treasures Group’?

In 1988, Ikeda Sensei founded the Many Treasures Group for Soka Gakkai members age 65 and older. The name signifies more than an age bracket. 

In the “Emergence of the Treasure Tower” chapter of the Lotus Sutra, Many Treasures Buddha is seated beside Shakyamuni within the treasure tower. He lends credence to the truth of Shakyamuni’s words, to the validity of the Mystic Law. Sensei states that, as the members with rich experience in life and faith, members of the Many Treasures Group perform the same function. ^[1]

He elaborates:

These are people who have dedicated their lives to the noble mission of proving the truth of the Mystic Law. Each of them is literally a treasure of the Soka Gakkai, of kosen-rufu and of society. 

I hope all members will live long lives. The longer we live, the greater the victory of kosen-rufu. Also, I hope members who are advanced in years, as Many Treasures Buddhas of kosen-rufu, will always be ready to warmly praise their juniors with a sense of “Excellent, excellent!”^[2]