We Create Our Own Happiness

Consequently, the strength to endure, no matter what happens, the strength to live and survive through any adversity, is the foundation for supreme happiness for human beings. This is the life state of Buddhahood.

This strength overflows in the Soka Gakkai. That is why we have been able to endure so much. That is why we have won. 

The purpose of faith in Nichiren Buddhism is to firmly establish the state of Buddhahood in our lives, a state of indestructible happiness continuing across the three existences of past, present and future. That is the reason we devote ourselves to our Buddhist practice in this lifetime. We will attain this wonderful state of life through our unflagging efforts in this life.

From the perspective of eternity, 30 or 50 years are just a fleeting moment. We create the causes for attaining the life condition of Buddhahood through our own efforts. And, as proof that we have indeed done so, we will come to enjoy lives of unsurpassed happiness. This is the purpose of our Buddhist practice.

Practice forms an essential part of all spheres of human activity. We talk about the importance of practice in such traditional Japanese sports as judo, kendo and sumo, or in piano playing and other pursuits. Without practice, there is no improvement. There is no success.

Through patient and assiduous practice, we can gain mastery in a particular field. We can hone our skills and develop our learning. This is the only way to improve. This accords with reason.

Buddhism is also based on reason. Therefore, those who persevere tenaciously in their Buddhist practice will achieve victory.

We of the Soka Gakkai are bound to encounter rough seas again in the future. No matter what happens, let us forever boldly walk along this path of kosen-rufu, living with confidence and triumphing serenely over all obstacles.

I would like to share some words that resonated deeply with first Soka Gakkai President Tsunesaburo Makiguchi. In his book The System of Value-Creating Education, he refers to a remark by the Swedish chemist Alfred Nobel (1833–96) and declares: “In all my life, I have never encountered words that deliver as powerful and pointed a lesson as these.”^[1]

In short, these were the most moving and impressive words he had ever heard, outside of Buddhism.

And what were they? The assertion that while wealth can be inherited, happiness cannot.^[2]

There are many examples of people inheriting wealth, only to fall victim to corruption, vice or folly, bringing unhappiness and misery upon themselves. One cannot inherit happiness. It is not something that can be “given” to us, or something we can “give” to others. Happiness is something that we must create for ourselves. It can be attained only through our own correct faith and practice. This is what Buddhism teaches us. It was also Mr. Makiguchi’s firm belief.

Consequently, Mr. Makiguchi endeavored, by means of education and religious teaching, to foster people who could forge their own happiness and positive value. There is no other way to bring happiness to humanity.

The concept of value creation (soka) formulated by Mr. Makiguchi focuses on the values of beauty, benefit and good. These are just alternative names for happiness.

The Soka Gakkai is, therefore, an organization dedicated to the creation of happiness, a gathering where people learn the way to create happiness.

While it is possible to inherit property, it is impossible to inherit happiness, maintained Nobel. We could also replace the word “property” with “status” or “knowledge,” and the same would hold true. For example, while it is possible to inherit status or knowledge, it is impossible to inherit happiness. Status or knowledge itself does not mean happiness. I believe this is true.

Mr. Makiguchi spent his life pursuing the question “How can people become happy?”

He concluded that the goal of human happiness could be achieved only through an educational revolution or—more fundamentally—a religious revolution. Happiness could not be attained without fostering people of true human character, without people making efforts to carry out their own human revolution.

From the beginning, Mr. Makiguchi’s view of faith was the polar opposite of just passively depending on something outside of oneself for happiness. He knew happiness could never be attained by relying on someone else’s power or by depending on someone else to pray on one’s behalf, without making any efforts on one’s own. That was the stance of our founding president.

Life is a battle against the sufferings of birth, aging, sickness and death. Based on the Buddhist principle that “the sufferings of birth and death are nirvana,” however, we are able to transform these fundamental sufferings of the human condition instantly into enlightenment. In other words, we can attain a life state pervaded by happiness. No matter what happens, we are assured of the absolute protection of Nichiren Daishonin.

We are ordinary mortal beings. It is only natural that we will experience problems and difficulties, such as sickness.

However, even when we encounter such sufferings, as Soka Gakkai members we are fortunate to have fellow members with whom we can share our problems and who will chant for our happiness with all their hearts. Our realm of faith is wonderful without compare! We can walk a pure and unerring path through life filled with immeasurable joy. There is no other realm like it anywhere.

In one of his letters, thought to be addressed to Ota Jomyo, Nichiren Daishonin writes:

When someone reported to me … that you had been taken with this illness, day and night, morning and evening I addressed the Lotus Sutra [i.e., chanted Nam-myoho-renge-kyo to the Gohonzon] on the matter, morning and evening I implored the gods of the blue heavens. And now today I have received word that you have recovered from illness. Could any tidings be more joyful than these? Other matters must wait until we meet in person. (“Recovering from Illness,” The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, vol. 2, p. 1034)

What compassion-filled words! To a sick person, illness is a grave problem. As the above passage indicates, the Daishonin regarded his disciple’s illness as his own urgent concern, praying day and night that he be cured. When Nichiren learned of his disciple’s recovery, he rejoiced with him, saying that his joy knew no bounds. How these words must have encouraged the recipient! The Daishonin then went on to say that they would talk again in detail when they met the next time.It is the unchanging Soka Gakkai spirit to earnestly chant for and support our precious fellow members. That is precisely the reason why our organization has grown to the extent it has and remains undaunted in the face of every obstacle.

The essence of faith is prayer. In other words, praying concretely about our own concerns and for the happiness of our fellow members. Prayer is also the essence of compassion, of guidance and of leadership. If we forget this fundamental point, we will just be using intellectual strategies that are not based on the Gohonzon. More often than not, such strategies get us nowhere and sometimes cause a great deal of trouble for everyone.

The very day that Nichiren learned of his disciple’s recovery, he took up his brush without delay to write a letter of encouragement to him. He acted with lightning speed.

I have learned from the actions of the Daishonin. Therefore, whenever something is reported to me, I respond immediately and take the most appropriate steps or measures.

When you receive a report on some matter, it is crucial to respond to and act on it immediately—this is an unchanging rule for leaders of our movement. As long as we maintain such swiftness of action in our organization, the Soka Gakkai will flourish. Moreover, those who can deliver such a response will also grow in their abilities, enabling them to lead all the more people toward happiness.

This applies equally to everything. Organizations that respond quickly grow—whether they be companies or nations. Those whose response is sluggish will begin to stagnate and become demoralized. 

We are living in a hectic, breakneck era—an era in which speed determines victory.

Someone once remarked to me that the reason for the Soka Gakkai’s development was the speed with which its leaders acted. I hope that our leaders will strive to take prompt and speedy action for the welfare of the members and for kosen-rufu.

Please base yourselves on prayer, chanting before the Gohonzon so that you may enjoy vigor, good health and longevity, and bring forth infinite wisdom to lead happy and positive lives.

I look to you to take the lead in our movement for kosen-rufu, as you freely and confidently pursue your activities in every sphere and direction that your hearts desire.

February 7, 2025 World Tribune, pp. 2–3