Ikeda Sensei presented five points for advancing kosen-rufu in the United States, at a Feb. 13, 1990, meeting commemorating the 30th anniversary of SGI-USA. Read the full speech in My Dear Friends of America, third edition, pp. 6–9.
1) Construct a solid foundation for the kosen-rufu movement in the United States.
There is no need to be impatient. Anything that is accomplished quickly and easily will not long endure. Now is the time to concentrate on the construction of a solid foundation. I hope you will complete this work slowly but surely, filled with hope and joy.
Laying the groundwork may sound tedious and lack the brilliance that attracts people’s attention. However, such painstaking work is indispensable and extremely important. Once the foundation is solidified, you can construct anything on it.
2) Capable people are the greatest treasure.
First of all, you must find capable people. Just as a miner searches for gold ore in ordinary rocks, you have to look for members who possess great potential and then work to develop their ability with your heart and soul.
Prayer is most fundamental in raising capable people. …
You should sincerely respect capable people and raise them with the determination to make them even more outstanding and capable than you are yourself.
3) Hold joyful meetings and conduct dialogue that is imbued with joy and wisdom.
No matter what difficulties you may have, when you go to a meeting and see friends, you feel relief and a sense of joy, and your heart fills with hope. It is my sincere hope that you hold wonderful meetings of this kind—happy gatherings where friends warmly pat each other on the back, encourage one another and share their joys and sorrows.
4) Respect those who are fighting for world peace, irrespective of their race or nationality.
Fundamentally speaking, however, infinite variety derives from the one Law, and the true entity of life … is the same in all societies. From this view, it is important that we respect anyone who is struggling on the forefront of our movement. This attitude will become a great driving force behind the spread of the Mystic Law.
5) Forge ahead, always taking good care of your health.
All of you are extremely precious children of the Buddha who are dedicated to the cause of propagating Nichiren Daishonin’s Buddhism. Nothing would be more regrettable than for you to impair your health.
Therefore, I ask that you maintain a rhythm in your daily life and get ample rest. …
I sincerely hope that you will devote yourself to peace and Buddhism while living with a correct rhythm and carrying out meaningful and enjoyable activities. Please establish a splendid life.
April 14, 2023, World Tribune, p. 11
Photos by Angelina Bambina / Getty Images, DrAfter123 / Getty Images, Melitas / Getty Images, Elenabs / Getty Images.
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