Ikeda Sensei sent the following message to the 45th Soka Gakkai Headquarters Leaders Meeting held at the Soka International Friendship Hall in Sendagaya, Tokyo, on Dec. 2, 2010. This message is translated from the Dec. 3, 2010, issue of the Soka Gakkai’s daily newspaper, Seikyo Shimbun.
This year again, through the courageous faith and earnest efforts of each one of you, our Soka family has achieved wonderful triumphs. Nichiren Daishonin would surely praise you with tears in his eyes for your tireless, persevering efforts for kosen-rufu. Thank you for all you have done this year! …
Nichiren writes, “Just as all the different kinds of plants and trees come forth from the earth, so all the various teachings of the Buddha are spread by persons” (“Embracing the Lotus Sutra,” The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, vol. 1, p. 61).
Our districts serve as the most important nurturing ground for kosen-rufu.
As we prepare to make a fresh departure toward the Soka Gakkai’s Centennial (in 2030), I would like to offer the following three points.
First, let’s make joyous daimoku [chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo] resound from our districts.
Some of our members are struggling with financial difficulties or health issues. But, as the Daishonin writes: “Nam-myoho-renge-kyo is like the roar of a lion. What sickness can therefore be an obstacle?” (“Reply to Kyo’o,” WND-1, 412). The power of chanting even a single daimoku is immense. Nam-myoho-renge-kyo is the sound of “the greatest of all joys” (see The Record of the Orally Transmitted Teachings, p. 212). It is the fundamental law of the entire universe.
The Soka Gakkai overflows with boundless good fortune accumulated as a result of our members earnestly chanting daimoku for the happiness of themselves and others.
I hope you will continue chanting vigorously through good times and bad, and always warmly support and encourage one another. Please make your districts brim with the great benefit of faith and bring forth wonderfully inspiring experiences of changing poison into medicine.
Second, let’s bring forth many capable Bodhisattvas of the Earth from our districts.
When second Soka Gakkai President Josei Toda vowed at his inauguration six decades ago (in May 1951) to achieve a membership of 750,000 households during his lifetime, most of our members took his words as an impossible dream. But I, 23 years old at the time, set about launching a powerful groundswell of propagation from my local district in order to make the vow of my mentor a reality.
All of the members in our districts are Bodhisattvas of the Earth who have a profound mission. Our districts are infinitely noble assemblies that are actually calling forth Bodhisattvas of the Earth, one after another.
All over our planet, we will see more and more Bodhisattvas of the Earth emerging in steady succession—“first one, then two, three, and a hundred will follow, chanting and teaching others” (see “The True Aspect of All Phenomena,” WND-1, 385). The Daishonin firmly assures us of this.
Third, let’s raise the banner of victory from our districts. Nichiren writes, “Buddhism primarily concerns itself with victory or defeat” (“The Hero of the World,” WND-1, 835). Buddhism means winning. Life means winning. The purpose of our faith and Buddhist practice is to be victorious. And kosen-rufu is the victory of good and justice.
As Mr. Toda’s disciple, I have exerted myself without cease to spread Nichiren Buddhism in this age of the Latter Day of the Law—described in the sutras as an age of quarrels and disputes—and raised the victory banner of kosen-rufu around the globe.
Since mentor and disciple are one in their shared goals and commitment, I call on all of you to rouse this faith for absolute victory in your districts and triumph magnificently in the upcoming Year of Capable People and Dynamic Development [in 2011].
My wife and I will chant even more fervently for the happiness and victory of all our members in 192 countries and territories.
3 Points for Making a Fresh Departure!
1) Let’s make joyous daimoku resound from our districts.
2) Let’s bring forth many capable Bodhisattvas of the Earth from our districts.
3) Let’s raise the banner of victory from our districts.
September 20, 2024, World Tribune, pp. 2–3
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