Our Attitude Determines the Outcome

The World Tribune is publishing Ikeda Sensei’s encouragement every month for the SGI-USA women’s division’s America Victory Daimoku Group and Sophia Group meetings. The following excerpt is from The New Human Revolution, vol. 12, revised edition, pp. 116–17. Shin’ichi Yamamoto (Ikeda Sensei’s character in the novel) offers guidance to members at the Matsushiro Community Center in Japan.

Shin’ichi Yamamoto next discussed what is necessary to live a correct way of life, a strong life, and build happiness:

“The important thing is to maintain faith in the Gohonzon throughout your life and to always practice with the Soka Gakkai, the harmonious community of practitioners of Nichiren Buddhism. People cannot exist in a vacuum. Alone, people tend to become weak. That is why, to construct a life of indestructible happiness, we need good-hearted fellow members and an organization to help us deepen and persevere in our faith.

“From that point of view, it becomes clear just how wonderful it is to practice within the Soka Gakkai, the organization that has inherited and is carrying on Nichiren’s spirit. Nevertheless, there are some people who are always ready to complain and grumble about something, saying things like ‘Soka Gakkai activities are too demanding’ or ‘I don’t like so-and-so.’ Of course, no one in Matsushiro is like that!”

The audience burst into laughter.