In this essay, Ikeda Sensei writes of the importance of promoting friendship in our communities. It was translated from the Sept. 21, 2009, issue of the Soka Gakkai’s daily newspaper, Seikyo Shimbun. Part one of this essay was published in the Oct. 18, 2024, World Tribune.
The Indian poet Rabindranath Tagore (1861–1941) stated, “Man misses himself when isolated; he finds his own larger and truer self in his wide human relationship.”[1] Recently, a statue of this great poet was installed on the Soka University campus in Hachioji, Tokyo. It stands as a symbol that encourages the students, the leaders of the future, to live alongside the people.
We only become truly human by connecting with the people. It is indeed among the people that we develop ourselves and discover true joy. Thus, the third point for fostering friendship in the community is creating a beautiful network based on bonds of mutual encouragement and support.
There are various degrees of human relationships, such as people we know by sight and others with whom we just exchange greetings. The most admirable association we can form, however, is one where we mutually encourage and support one another, helping one another grow.
Nichiren Daishonin says in The Record of the Orally Transmitted Teachings, “When one faces a mirror and makes a bow of obeisance, the image in the mirror likewise makes a bow of obeisance to oneself” (OTT, 165). In the same way, devoting ourselves to the community will surely result in being protected by our fellow residents in return. Please remember that it is because of profound karmic ties that we became neighbors with the people around us.
Sonoji Shiina (1887–1962), a noted Japanese scholar of French literature, left a record of his memories living in Paris during World War II. He recalls how, because Japan was an enemy of France at the time, he often found himself in life-threatening situations, particularly in the final period of the war. But it would invariably be his French friends and neighbors who came to his aid, sometimes even risking their lives. Although this urge to extend a hand to someone in need may be described as compassion or courage, this scholar called it bonté, the French word for kindness. He says bonté arises from the depths of one’s being and is the “goodness of heart to take action.”[2] These words are profound indeed. “Goodness of heart to take action,” I believe, means good intentions accompanied by actions to positively engage with others. It is closely related to the Soka Gakkai spirit.
I’m particularly delighted to see our precious pioneer members, the Soka Gakkai’s treasures, who continue to reach out to others, glowing with radiance as jewels of their communities. We also have fellow members participating in local volunteer fire departments, brimming with the pride of Soka. And our friends living in various regional areas of Japan are taking the initiative to tackle issues in each of their communities, such as an aging population and a decline in rural populations as people move to cities. They are all indispensable individuals, trusted and depended on by their neighbors.
In the islands of Okinawa, where kosen-rufu has advanced as an exemplary model for all, there are people who are not members who call upon their Soka Gakkai friends to officiate lay funeral services for their deceased relatives. I received reports that in some regions, at the request of neighborhood associations, Soka Gakkai leaders recite passages of the Lotus Sutra and chant daimoku for the annual memorial services honoring the end of the Battle of Okinawa (on June 23). Such is the enormous trust and support won by the admirable members of Okinawa, overcoming the barriers of deeply rooted local customs. Incidentally, during higan memorial ceremonies,[3] I also send my sincerest prayers for the eternal happiness of our deceased pioneer members and ancestors of each member.
In one of his writings, the Daishonin impressed on his youthful disciple Nanjo Tokimitsu the importance of upholding resolute faith with courage and vigor when faced with great obstacles. Nichiren assured him that his late father would attain Buddhahood as a result and that it would be an unsurpassed filial act. He also said that his whole family would definitely be protected throughout the three existences (see “The Source of Aniruddha’s Good Fortune,” The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, vol. 2, p. 566).
The friendships we form with people in our communities, based on the three guidelines I have outlined—prayer, considerate action and the spirit of mutual support—will become irreplaceable treasures in our lives. Especially the members of various fellowship groups have sincerely dedicated themselves over many years to maintaining the precious contacts they have made in the communities where they once lived. The accomplishments of these noble members are a proud testament to the victory of trust and goodwill.
Be pillars
in your communities
and in your countries.
Stand valiantly,
as champions of kosen-rufu.
Earlier this year (in March 2009), the Soka Gakkai’s Mitaka Peace Center was opened in the Musashino area of Tokyo. A famous artist living in the neighborhood visited the center and remarked how bright and overflowing with culture it appeared to him, truly befitting the word “peace” in its name. Soka Gakkai facilities are citadels of culture open to the community and symbols of friendship with our neighbors. It is a tremendous source of pride that our centers are trusted as bastions of peace and security, affirming respect for life and supporting the welfare of local residents.
During the succession of natural disasters that afflicted Japan’s Niigata Prefecture five years ago, beginning with heavy rains in July and culminating in the Niigata Chuetsu Earthquake of October 2004, my wife and I prayed earnestly for the safety of our beloved Niigata members and the earliest recovery from the devastation. At that time, the Soka Gakkai Nagaoka Peace Auditorium, completed the year before, became the Soka Gakkai’s disaster relief headquarters. The Soka Gakkai’s Ojiya Peace Center and numerous other facilities throughout the region were also offered as relief centers open to anyone.
To the disaster victims, how welcome the rice balls and other emergency food supplies made by the women’s division must have been. It must have warmed their hearts. Following on the heels of their admirable efforts in the Great Hanshin Earthquake (in 1995), a youth division volunteer group and the motorbike brigade that traveled streets rendered impassable by the quake once again played active roles in the aftermath of the earthquake in Niigata. The medical assistance provided by the doctors division and the nurses groups of the women’s and young women’s divisions (Shirakaba-kai and Shirakaba Group) was also truly commendable.
City officials who took the lead in the disaster relief sent us words of appreciation, noting how Soka Gakkai members were the very first on the scene with aid. Our members in the affected areas, weathering long years of hardship in the wake of the earthquake, have absolutely triumphed. The Niigata members have achieved a tremendous victory, completely transforming their situation in accord with the Buddhist principle of “changing poison into medicine.”
Unsurpassed prestige
belongs to the people
for they are worthy of
the highest honors,
illustrious awards for noble efforts.
Speaking of our community centers, I am reminded of my first visit 19 years ago (in June 1990) to the Shirakawa Culture Center in Fukushima Prefecture, a place that has fostered many capable individuals. As our car pulled up in front of the center, I glanced over at the office building next door and noticed a large number of people, apparently employees of the company, standing at the fence and watching the proceedings. Although Fukushima leaders were waiting for me at the center’s entrance, I first went to greet those gathered next door when I stepped out of the car.
“I’m sorry for all the noise and trouble we’re causing,” I said, bowing deeply. They all looked surprised at my words but soon responded with friendly smiles. Through my actions, I wanted to personally convey my hopes for their continual support toward the Shirakawa Culture Center. Many of our members embrace this same spirit, wholeheartedly cherishing their neighbors.
There are also individuals and groups responsible for safely running and maintaining our community centers in Japan and around the world. These efforts behind the scenes are the driving force for achieving kosen-rufu in our communities.
The English poet Alexander Pope (1688–1744) wrote: “Friend, parent, neighbor, first [one’s love] will embrace; [one’s] country next; and next all human race.”[4] Indeed, getting along with our neighbors and helping our communities flourish are important first steps to world peace.
Second Soka Gakkai President Josei Toda appointed me to the position of a greater block chief (equivalent to today’s general ward leader) of Tokyo’s Katsushika Ward, following the Osaka Incident[5] in 1957. My mentor entrusted me with the task of spearheading a new organizational structure rooted in the community[6] and setting an example in Katsushika, a place with warm and friendly neighborhood ties. I initiated a fresh groundswell of propagation, focusing on small discussion meetings and home visits rather than large gatherings. I will never forget my fellow members there, with whom I share such profound ties.
In April 1977, when the long-awaited Katsushika Culture Center was completed, I went to Katsushika and encouraged the members, “If each of you can cultivate 10 genuine friendships, then kosen-rufu will surely advance!” True to this pledge, Katsushika members are continuing in their joyful and steady efforts to expand beautiful ties of trust and support.
American philosopher and essayist Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803–82) called out, “Write it on your heart that every day is the best day in the year.”[7]
My fellow members, stand up and launch fresh initiatives for kosen-rufu! Don’t remain silent but confidently engage others in conversation. Leave a record of a brilliant unfolding of friendship and dialogue, every single day. Let’s work together to make the place of our mission a realm of ever-expanding happiness.
Today, again,
open your hearts—
for there lies
a new,
indestructible path forward.
November 8, 2024, World Tribune, pp. 2–3
References
- Rabindranath Tagore, “The Religion of Man,” The English Writings of Rabindranath Tagore, edited by Sisir Kumar Das (New Delhi: Sahitya Akademi, 1996), vol. 3, p. 88. ↩︎
- Translated from Japanese. Yuzuru Ninagawa, Pari ni shisu—hyoden Shiina Sonoji (To Die in Paris—A Biography of Sonoji Shiina) (Tokyo: Fujiwara Shoten, 1996), p. 278. ↩︎
- Higan memorial services: Traditional Buddhist memorial services for the deceased held over a seven-day period in Japan coinciding with the spring and autumn equinoxes. ↩︎
- Alexander Pope, “Essay on Man—Epistle IV,” The Poetical Works of Alexander Pope, edited by Adolphus William Ward (London: Macmillan and Co. Ltd., 1901), p. 226. ↩︎
- Osaka Incident: The occasion when Ikeda Sensei, then Soka Gakkai youth division chief of staff, was arrested on July 3, 1957, wrongfully charged with election law violations in a House of Councillor’s by-election held in Osaka earlier that year. At the end of the court case, which lasted for almost five years, he was fully exonerated of all charges. ↩︎
- In August 1957, a “greater block” system was implemented in each of Tokyo’s 23 wards to strengthen ties between members living in the same community, modifying the traditional “vertical line” structure in which members joined the local organization of the person who introduced them to Buddhist practice. ↩︎
- Ralph Waldo Emerson, “Works and Days,” Society and Solitude, and Poems (Boston: Houghton Mifflin Company, 1929), p. 175. ↩︎
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