‘Never Be Defeated! Have Courage! Have Hope!’

On March 16, 2011, Kosen-rufu Day, SGI President Ikeda sent the following message
to those affected by the March 11, 2011, earthquake and tsunami in northeastern
Japan. The message originally appeared in the March 25, 2011, edition of the
World Tribune.

I offer my sincerest condolences to those of you who have been affected by the devastating earthquake and tsunami that struck northeastern Japan five days ago (March 11, 2011) and have left many people still missing and unaccounted for. I can only imagine the fatigue and exhaustion you must be suffering. My wife and I, along with the members throughout Japan and the world, are sending daimoku [Nam-myoho-renge-kyo] to you with all our hearts, earnestly praying for your health and well-being, and that all Buddhas and bodhisattvas—the positive forces of the universe—will rigorously protect you.

I wish to deeply thank those of you who are selflessly devoting yourselves to the rescue and relief efforts in the stricken areas. I also truly appreciate those of you who are supporting your communities as solid and reliable pillars during this difficult time. Takuboku Ishikawa, a renowned, youthful poet who hailed from Tohoku, the northeastern region of Japan, declared: “Helping one person is a far greater achievement than becoming the ruler of a country.” I, therefore, express my deepest respect and gratitude to all of you.

Nichiren Daishonin writes that even if we should meet with disasters and calamities, they cannot destroy our hearts (see The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, vol. 2, p. 135). Nothing can destroy the treasures of the heart. Every adversity is but a trial for us to overcome so that we can attain eternal happiness. Nichiren Buddhism, our practice of faith in the Mystic Law, enables us to transform all poison into medicine without fail.

I am offering solemn prayers for all your loved ones—family members and friends—who have lost their lives. This disaster is truly heartbreaking. Life, however, is eternal, and through chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo, we can transcend life and death to connect with the lives of those who have passed away. Your deceased loved ones and friends, who share a profound connection with the Mystic Law, will definitely be enfolded in the embrace of the heavenly deities, attain Buddhahood and be reborn quickly somewhere close to you. This is an essential teaching of Nichiren Buddhism.