The Person and the Law - It is the Heart that Counts

Shakyamuni Buddha teaches, however, that one who makes offerings to the votary of the Lotus Sutra in the latter age for even a single day will gain benefit a hundred, thousand, ten thousand, million times greater than one would by offering countless treasures to the Buddha for one million kalpas. How wonderful then is your having wholeheartedly supported the votary of the Lotus Sutra over the years! According to the Buddha’s golden words, in the next life you are certain to be reborn in the pure land of Eagle Peak. What remarkable rewards you will gain!

(Passage from “The Person and the Law”, The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, p1,097)

Nichiren Daishonin sent this letter from Mount Minobu to Nanjo Tokimitsu, the steward of Ueno Village in Suruga, in the ninth month of 1281. It was written in response to the report that Tokimitsu was ill and offerings sent to the Daishonin through a messenger.

The “heart” is infinitely vast and profound. Buddhism teaches, “it is the heart that is important”. (WND, p1,000) If one’s heart is filled with the resolve to strive together with one’s mentor, to dedicate one’s life to the happiness of our fellow members and friends, and to realize the grand version of kosen-rufu, one’s life will surely be filled with boundless benefits and a good fortune.

In this letter, the Daishonin first cited a parable from the sutra relating how the boy Virtue Victorious, who offered a mud pie to the Buddha, was later reborn as King Ashoka because of his sincere spirit of offering.

The Daishonin then elaborated in this passage that we are studying that Shakyamuni Buddha teaches that “one who makes offerings to the votary of the Lotus Sutra in the latter age for even a single day will gain benefit a hundred, thousand, ten thousand, million times greater than one would by offering countless treasures to the Buddha for one million kalpas”. This statement is based on a passage that appears in the “Teacher of the Law” (10th) chapter of the Lotus Sutra.

The Latter Day of the Law is an age where it is far more difficult to spread the teachings of Buddhism than during the time of Shakyamuni Buddha. The persecutions and hardships that those who spread the Mystic Law in the Latter Day encounter far surpassed those during Shakyamuni Buddha’s lifetime. And one who courageously dedicates his or her life to realizing their vow for kosen-rufu, to lead all people to happiness in such a difficult and defiled age is a votary of the Lotus Sutra.

Making offerings to support the votary of the Lotus Sutra is an act that connects directly to this great vow of kosen-rufu and is equivalent to supporting and assisting the realization of this great vow. For this reason, the sincere act of making offerings accrue boundless benefit and good fortune in one’s life.

In fact, around the time when this letter was written, the Daishonin’s disciples were struggling intensely against various adversities. Amidst the aftermath of the Atsuhara Persecution (1279), the authorities continued to oppress the community of the Daishonin’s disciples relentlessly. On top of this, epidemics and famines followed one after another and the disciples were facing great financial difficulties.

The recipient of this letter, Nanjo Tokimitsu, who played an extremely role in supporting the Daishonin’s disciples during the Atsuhara Persecution, had his estate taxed heavily by the Kamakura shogunate so that he had difficulty maintaining his family. On top of this, he was suffering from an illness.

Yet, Tokimitsu’s heart was always with the Daishonin, deeply concerned over his mentor’s well-being. Despite his impoverished predicament, he continued to support his mentor in whatever way he could. The Daishonin responded by lauding this sincere “heart” of Tokimitsu, assuring him that he would certainly be reborn in the pure land of Eagle Peak in the next life and enjoy eternal happiness that spans over the three existences of life.

SGI President Ikeda once said in his guidance: “The SGI is the sole organization carrying out worldwide kosen-rufu in the Latter Day of the Law just as the Daishonin instructed. In light of the Gosho, the benefits we gain through sincerely supporting and protecting the SGI are immeasurable. All our efforts are certain to manifest good fortune within our own lives and also become a source of eternal victory and prosperity for our entire families and loved ones.”

Let us embark towards a new departure with the resolve to live our lives based on a great vow and one that is filled with great fortune.

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Key points of the Gosho passage
1. Making offerings (whether it be momentary, time or effort) towards kosen-rufu is equivalent to sharing the struggle together with one’s mentor in realizing the great vows for kosen-rufu. In Buddhism, the most important factor in making offerings is “one’s heart”. When one makes offerings with a heart to sincerely and dedicatedly strive together with one’s mentor to realize kosen-rufu, great fortune will accrue from such a heart.

2. The Lotus Sutra teaches that to make offerings in the present times of the Latter Day of the Law is far greater than making offerings during the time of Shakyamuni Buddha. This is because the persecutions and obstacles of practicing and propagating Buddhism in the latter day is much more severe than during the time of Shakyamuni. So if one can make offerings to kosen-rufu at this present time, despite facing various hardships and difficulties, one would gain good fortune that is immense beyond one’s imagination.

3. This principle of good fortune arising from a sincere heart of making offerings is proven in the lives of such dedicated disciples as Nanjo Tokimitsu who made offerings to the Daishonin despite the fact that he himself was facing great persecutions and financial difficulties. In the end, the great good fortune Tokimitsu received was clearly many times greater than the offerings her made. Most importantly, the Daishonin assured Tokimitsu that he would certainly attain Buddhahood in this and subsequent lifetimes and enjoy eternal happiness that spans over the three existences of life.

Translated and adapted from the November 2007 issue of The Daibyakurenge, the Soka Gakkai’s monthly study journal.

On Rebuking Slander of the Law and Eradicating Sins - We Are Unlimited Within

I am praying that, no matter how troubled the times may become, the Lotus Sutra and the ten demon daughters will protect all of you, praying as earnestly as though to produce fire from damp wood, or to obtain water from parched ground.

(Passage from “On Rebuking Slander of the Law and Eradicating Sins”, The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, p444)

Nichiren Daishonin wrote this letter on Sado Island, where he was exiled, in the year 1273 to Shijo Kingo, his beloved disciple who lived in Kamakura.

The passage we are studying today appeared in the concluding portion of his letter where the Daishonin declared his profound resolve to protect his disciples even at the cost of his own life. This is also where the Daishonin expressed his indomitable conviction that all prayers, no matter how impossible they may appear to be, will be fulfilled without fail.

The circumstances surrounding the Daishonin when he wrote this letter was truly harsh and even life threatening. The land of Sado, to which he was banished, was a desolate northern island with extremely harsh weather conditions. He was destitute, lacking in basic necessities including food and clothing. The severe living conditions the Daishonin had to endure is certainly far beyond our wildest imagination.

Besides battling against adversities from Mother Nature, the Daishonin’s life was constantly endangered as his enemies were looking for every opportunity to get rid of him.

Prayers Infused with Profound Conviction
Despite these circumstances, the Daishonin’s greatest concern was the well-being of his disciples, who were now separated from him by a long distance. Day and night, the Daishonin earnestly prayed. Not for his own survival or comfort, but the safety and happiness of his beloved disciples. He prayed profusely, calling forth all Buddhist gods (protective functions of the universe) to render their protection to his disciples.

Furthermore, his prayers were infused with such profound conviction – “I’m going to produce a strong, red-hot fire from this wood no matter how damp it is!”

His prayer was infused with invincible resolve – “I’m going to dig a wellspring of unceasing flow of water from this parched ground!”

As we can see, the Daishonin’s prayer for his disciples was imbued with the absolute conviction to make what seemed impossible, possible. The profundity of the Daishonin’s conviction can be said to be beyond normal human intellectual comprehension.

Normal human intellect will mean, “praying for the damp wood to dry faster” (instead of the impossibility of “producing fire from damp wood”) and “praying for water to help wet the parched ground” (instead of “obtaining water from parched ground”). Such prayers that conform to normal human intellect could be answered eventually as long as one prays and works towards it. But the prayers by the Daishonin truly reflect the indomitable spirit to challenge and win against overwhelming odds.

The Key to Making the Impossible Possible
The power of our prayers can go much further beyond such reason. Through our prayers, we can make what seems impossible possible and the key lies within our very own heart.

Whether we choose to decide that it is impossible or possible depends solely on ourselves.

Although Buddhism does not promote beliefs in miracles and we are always reminded that our prayers must be accompanied by resolute action and earnest effort, it is also equally important to remind ourselves that our life and our prayers function in ways that are invisible to our eyes. To give an analogy, radio waves are invisible but they exist and someone who hears the radio for the first time may actually deem it impossible. Similarly medical science has not been able to completely unravel the mysterious working s of human life and body. Doctors who see how patients recover form terminal illnesses may also say the impossible have occurred.

There are many aspects of the Mystic Law that our normal human intellect cannot understand. It would be foolish to limit the immeasurable potential of our prayers simply because we cannot see or understand how the Mystic Law and our Buddha nature work in overcoming seemingly hopeless and impossible situations.

At times, we all hit a wall and cannot help thinking that a breakthrough is utterly impossible given the circumstances. But the greatest obstacle we face often lies not in our circumstances but in our own weakness to succumb even before we try, in our blindness to our innate ability to make a breakthrough where no solution seems possible. The bottom line is whether our faith is strong to dispel the doubts and pessimism that constantly seek to delude our minds.

The Daishonin reminded us through this passage that the power of our earnest prayer would move our environment to create an opportunity for an unthinkable breakthrough.

Powerful prayers arising from our unyielding heart and unflinching faith will never fail to gather the forces of the Buddhist gods or the protective functions of the universe. These forces will in turn move our life and environment towards a positive direction. This is what Nichiren Daishonin teaches.

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Victory or Defeat Hinges on One’s Inner Determination
Mr Takeshi Kobayashi (age 57 then), a vice chapter leader in Nakano, Tokyo suddenly lost consciousness in Mid Jun 1998. He was rushed to the hospital immediately but his pupils had already begun to dilate when he was in the ambulance. By the time he arrived at the hospital, his condition was so critical that he was sent directly to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU).

The doctor told his wife, Michiko (vice women division chapter leader), “The central, pivotal portion of his brain has been badly damaged. Please be mentally prepared because his chances of survival are only one percent. Even if he did, he would be a living vegetable.”

Michiko found herself saying, “No, I will not give up hope, I’m going to make sure he’ll recover!” to the doctor. Upon reaching home, she went straight to the Gohonzon and chanted daimoku profusely.

While she was chanting, a fellow WD leader called her on the phone and said, “We must pull your husband back to the garden of kosen-rufu!” With this strong encouragement, Michiko chanted with even greater conviction.

As she prayed, she visualized her husband participating in Gakkai activities in high spirits. Each time she envisioned his victory, her prayers were enhanced with joy and appreciation.

Her husband’s miraculous drama began the following day. As Michiko chanted daimoku by her husband’s ears, she could see his big toe moving in rhythm with her daimoku.

This was something impossible as the doctor had confirmed with her that none of his body muscle could move. He added, “There’s no way that your husband’s brain nerve can be revived.” Everyday, the doctor told Michiko that it was impossible for her husband to recover but everyday, her husband would surprise the doctor and proved him wrong. First his eyelid opened two millimeters, next his fingers began to move, then his knees, then his shoulders and finally, he could even turn around on the bed.

Finally on 3 Jul (the date on which SGI commemorate mentor and disciple day), he was transferred from the ICU to the normal ward. On 17 Jul, he could walk seven steps with support and on 24 Aug, he was allowed to go out of the hospital for the day to attend a meeting where a video on President Ikeda’s guidance at the headquarters leaders meeting was screened.

Then on 31 Aug, he was fully discharged and he walked out of the hospital with his very own legs. Before he left, his doctor told him in amazement, “I must confess your recovery is completely out of my expectation. I’m deeply impressed.”

Strangely enough, Michiko and her family also received great protection financially despite the fact that her husband was the sole breadwinner. Presently, Mr Kobayashi has fully recovered and actively contributing to kosen-rufu with deep gratitude. Till today, he does not suffer from any side effects and is in the pink of his health.

SGI President Ikeda once said, “Whether you are going to lead a life of a victor with a mighty heart or a life of defeat with a weak heart depends on the strength of your faith. Your heart determines your life. Buddhism is win or lose. In this sense, it is your inner determination that ultimately decides whether you actually win or lose in life.”

Through this short passage, Nichiren Daishonin taught us with his own life that we have unlimited potential that is left untapped in our lives. When the Daishonin seemed to have lost everything in his exile, he could still reaffirm what mattered most, that is, the universality of Buddhahood and his mission to teach this truth to all people.

No matter how daunting his circumstances, the Daihonin’s resolve to protect his disciples and his confidence in the future of the widespread propagation of his teaching never wavered.

It is our minds that put limits to the unlimited potential of our lives. The purpose of prayer is to break through the limitations we set upon our lives.

Adapted from an article written by Tokyo WD Study Chief Tamiko Kumada published in Jun 2005 issue of The Daibyakurenge, the Sokka Gakkai’s study journal.

The Eight Winds

Worthy persons deserve to be called so because they are not carried away by the eight winds: prosperity, decline, disgrace, honour, praise, censure, suffering and pleasure. They are neither elated by prosperity nor grieved by decline. The heavenly gods will surely protect one who is unbending before the eight winds. But if you nurse an unreasonable grudge against your lord, they will not protect you, not for all your prayers.

(Passage from “The Eight Winds”, The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, p794)

Around 1277, Nichiren Daishonin wrote a letter to one of his followers, Shijo Kingo, who was upset with his lord when he threatened to move Kingo and his family to a distant province. In this letter, “The Eight Winds,” The Daishonin encouraged Kingo that only by remaining unwavering in faith and letting go of an unreasonable grudge could he receive a satisfactory result.

When most of us begin practicing Buddhism, we are looking for something to make our lives better. Not just to take the stress off the day like a piece of cake or a cold beer, but something that can fundamentally improve our lives. And some of us, myself included, think it will provide an eradication of problems. The hard times will disappear; the good times will go unimpeded.

Yet the problems do not evaporate. They rarely do. And the good times we seek do not manifest the way we expected.

A dictionary’s definition of the eight winds reads: “Eight conditions that prevent people from advancing along the right path to enlightenment… People are often swayed either by their attachment to prosperity, honour, praise and pleasure (collectively known as ‘four favourites’), or by their aversion to decline, disgrace, censure and siffering (‘four dislikes’ or ‘four adverse winds’).” (The Soka Gakkai Dictionary of Buddhism, p151).

The eight winds are not things we can ignore. These winds, or conditions, are in our faces every day. We cannot avoid them. But we can learn how to navigate them, how to not let them take us off course.

It is human nature to gravitate towards the pursuit of prosperity or pleasure and shun decline and pain. It makes perfect sense. Prosperity means we get more stuff, decline means we do not. Pleasure feels good; pain does not.

But if we centre our lives on such an outlook, we are led away from true happiness. Happiness is not simply the abundance of pleasure in the absence of pain. Rather, it is to remain confident and optimistic in the face of everyday reality.

Second SGI President Josei Toda once wrote: “Absolute happiness is a state such that, whatever your situation, you feel an immense sense of worth and satisfaction; and whenever you are, to be alive is itself a joy… Even when we encounter situations that make us angry, we become angry joyfully. When we establish such a state of life, our life is one of boundless joy.” (The Wisdom of the Lotus Sutra, vol IV, p80)

When I first moved to Los Angeles, I was trying to make it as an actor, getting very little work, even less money. At one point I got a national commercial eating hamburgers.

Got to the set, treated really well, my own trailer, etc. Got home after that first day, feeling pretty good about myself, and found an eviction notice waiting on my door. While the wind of pleasure had me in the morning, the wind of decline got me that evening. All I could do was continue chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo, and continue with my work.

Fortunately, the commercial went well, a bit of income arrived in time and I did not get evicted. I was given a wake-up call. Change can happen in a heartbeat – just keep your head on straight.

So how do we provide ourselves with the best opportunities for happiness and success? By always basing ourselves on our practice to the Gohonzon and forging ahead through each struggle.

In another letter to Shijo Kingo, the Daishonin wrote: “Muster your faith and pray to this Gohonzon. Then what is there that cannot be achieved?” (WND, p412)

No matter what we have gone through or what we have accomplished, another obstacle may be right around the corner. The important thing is to persevere with the knowledge that this practice is the means to progress. It is the key to make us all that we wish, and more.

SGI President Ikeda once stated: “Taking faith in the Daishonin’s Buddhism does not mean that all difficulties will disappear. Being alive means that we will have problems of one kind or another. But no matter what happens, it is important that we remain firm in our hearts.” (The Wisdom of the Lotus Sutra, vol V, p9)

This persistence, even in the face of defeat, makes us stronger, and therefore assures us of victory.

The goal of Buddhism is not to avoid problems, but to reach a state of life where problems do not define or defeat us. To become so strong that no matter how hard the eight winds blow, they cannot take us off course.

Adapted from an article written by Craig Green from World Tribune, SGI-USA weekly paper.

Persecutions by Sword and Staff - The Irrepressible Spirit of Propagation

From the time I was born until today, I have never known a moment’s ease; I have thought only of propagating the daimoku of the Lotus Sutra.

(Passage from “Persecutions by Sword and Staff”, The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, p965)

This portion is taken from the conclusion portion of a letter Nichiren Daishonin wrote to the young Nanjo Tokimitsu (Lord Ueno).

In this passage, not only does the Daishonin encourage Tokimitsu to carry out the practice for oneself and for others, he also described his own resolve with which he had initiated and continued waging the struggle to propagate the Mystic Law throughout his life.

Nichiren Daishonin’s entire life was solely dedicated to the propagation of the Mystic Law for the sake of the happiness of the people. Through his persistent efforts in realising this endeavour, the Daishonin encountered one persecution after another. In this way, there was never a moment’s ease for the Daishonin.

Despite being subjected to consecutive harsh persecutions, the Daishonin did not retreat – not even a single step – in his commitment to lead all people to happiness, dauntlessly waging his struggle to propagate the Law throughout his life.

In our context today, the three successive presidents of the Soka Gakkai have inherited this unrelenting spirit of propagation manifested by the Daishonin. After assuming office as the third president of the Soka Gakkai, SGI President Ikeda has courageously blazed the path for our movement of worldwide propagation. Through his utterly selfless devoted efforts, the solidarity of SGI members today has extended to close to 200 countries and territories and our movement of peace, culture and education based on the humanistic teachings of Nichiren Buddhism now spans throughout the globe.

In his novel, The New Human Revolution, President Ikeda related, “Every day was a continuing, uninterrupted struggle for Shin’ichi. He could not afford to ease off on his efforts for a single day, not even a single moment.”

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The Earnest Struggle of One Single Individual Brings Happiness to the Family and Community

In terms of our practice today, we can say that harmony and happiness in a family as well as peace in the community and society can only be realized through the earnest struggle of one single individual.

Setsuko Murai, vice chapter women division leader living in Kawakami village in Nara Prefecture experienced the cruelty of war when she spent her childhood in old Manchuria, China during the war.

“What is peace?” “What is true happiness?” Setsuko found herself constantly asking those questions as she grew up. Eventually she got married and time passed but still, she could not find the answer to these questions. As she searched for the purpose of her life, her younger sister and her husband, who were Soka Gakkai members, introduced her to the Daishonin’s Buddhism.

As she listened to the humanistic teachings of Nichiren Buddhism and the pacifist stand of the Soka Gakkai, Setsuko was convinced that this Buddhism is the answer to what she had been looking for all these years. She decided to take up faith in May 1982.

Since her conversion, Setsuko joyfully immersed herself in Gakkai activities based on her sincere resolve to spread the Daishonin’s teachings in her community. However, as old and conservative local customs were deeply rooted in Setsuko’s village, from the day she became a Soka Gakkai member, the villagers stopped patronizing her grocery store. For the following six months, not a single customer stepped into Setsuko’s store.

But she was not in the least affected. No matter how harsh the criticism and verbal abuse she was subjected to and no matter how her villagers despised her, Setsuko felt that they were nothing compared to the hellish conditions she experienced during the war. Despite the harsh adversities, Setsuko’s life was always filled with joy. She had finally found her mission – to devote her life to the lofty cause of kosen-rufu.

At the age of 52, Setsuko successfully obtained a driving license as she felt that moving around the village without a car to propagate the Daishonin’s teachings posed a grave hindrance. She also volunteered to help deliver the Seikyo Shimbun, the Soka Gakkai daily paper. Till today, she wakes up at 4am to deliver the Seikyo Shimbun to members and friends in her beloved community.

Through her tireless dedication to her practice, not only has she been able to establish a harmonious family of faith, every one of her family member is now cheerfully contribution to the happiness of others as leaders of kosen-rufu. Setsuko’s greatest joy is that her grandson has been accepted by Soka University in Tokyo and is presently studying there. Since her conversion, Setsuko’s propagation efforts never failed to bear fruits every year and today, she is a well-respected and trusted individual in her village. The fact that some 70 to 80 friends form the village gather happily for the annual Women Division District General Meeting at Setsuko’s invitation bears testament to this.

The harsh prejudice against Setsuko and her practice has been completely transformed through her and her husband’s humanistic, warm and caring behaviour. Business at her store prospered and through this benefit, she was able to build a three-storey concrete building. The first and second levels are used as their shop while the third level is a venue for kosen-rufu activities with a capacity of 100. President Ikeda named this venue “Magnificent Cherry Blossoms Centre”.

Setsuko even built an annex building which she used top open a food mart. With the completion of this annex, Setsuko’s store has become the “department store of the village” – the most popular place among the villagers for “one can get anything he or she needs all at one single stop”. In addition, Setsuko has reserved a cosy corner on the first level of her annex building to be used as a “mini parlour” where dialogues on Buddhism can be held over a cup of tea any time of the day. The villagers can also watch videotapes on the activities of the Soka Gakkai at the parlour.

President Ikeda once said in his guidance, “The widespread propagation of the Mystic Law cannot be achieved automatically, just by letting nature takes its course. Without making an effort to share Buddhism with others, the teachings of the Mystic Law will never be conveyed. Without taking action to convey and to share, there is no way that the Mystic Law will spread.”

One’s wish to transform one’s personal or family karma is expressed in the act of offering prayers and taking actions for kosen-rufu. Nothing will go to waste in our efforts for kosen-rufu. In this sense, there is no life loftier than one dedicated to kosen-rufu.

With our goals set on 2010, the 80th anniversary of the Soka Gakkai, let us take courageous action to share Buddhism with others and advance the kosen-rufu movement in our respective community.

Adapted from an article written by Nara Prefecture WD Study Chief Kiyoko Kida published in the June 2006 issue of The Daibyakurenge, the Soka Gakkai’s monthly study journal.

On Persecutions Befalling the Sage - Growing by the Day

Strengthen your faith day by day and month after month. Should you slacken in your resolve even a bit, devils will take advantage.

(Passage from “On Persecutions Befalling the Sage”, The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, p997)

Nichiren Daishonin wrote this letter at Minobu on 1 October 1279 to his followers in general, instructing that the letter be kept by Shijo Kingo.

In this writing, the Daishonin stated that the year 1279 was the 27th year since he first proclaimed his teaching of Nam-myoho-renge-kyo on 28 April 1253 and that the time had come for him to fulfill the purpose of his life. The reason of his appearance in the world is none other than the inscription of the object of devotion for the sake of all humankind.

The Daishonin realised that the time was right to do so after observing the indomitable faith of his lay disciples during the Atsuhara Persecution. In this writing, the Daishonin encouraged his disciples, especially those who were struggling in the midst of the Atsuhara Persecution, not to fear the oppression and that they must now "summon up the courage of a lion king" and strive till the very end.

The passage we are studying is the portion where the Daishonin taught us the importance of maintaining "non-regressing faith".

As the Daishonin said, "Strengthen your faith day by day and month after month", it is important that we costantly cherish a challenging spirit, seeking and striving to grow and develop ourselves day by day, month after month.

"Not advancing is regressing." Therefore, the moment we say, "This is enough" or "I can't go on any further" - this is the moment we are defeated by our own weaknesses - and this is when we begin to "regress".

The Daishonin said, "Should you slacken in your resolve even a bit, devils will take advantage." Thus, even if we slacken a little bit, negative forces will take advantage to seep into our lives to destroy the seeds of happiness.

Faith is a constant struggle against our own inertia and self-imposed limitations. It is a battle between the forces of the devilish function and Buddhahood.

The key that motivates one to tirelessly to grow in faith continuously is to cherish the earnest spirit to constantly seek one's mentor and to dedicate our lives to the cause of kosen-rufu, always working hand-in-hand, with fellow members of the SGI. Only by doing so can we destroy the workings of the devils that seek to destroy our faith and establish a life of indestructible happiness.

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Gakkai activities creates the momentum of happiness and victory in our lives

It was in 1985 that I relocated to Tochigi Prefecture due to my husband's work. On the eighth year of my marriage, my beloved husband passed away suddenly due to a terminal illness. Looking at the sorrowful sight of my five-year old son and a one-year old daughter standing right before my eyes, I was so devastated that I could feel all my energy draining away from my life.

At that darkest moment of my life, SGI President and Mrs Ikeda happened to be visiting Tochigi Prefecture to attend a leaders meeting in this area, and they warmly embraced me with their wholehearted encouragement.

President Ikeda even wrote a poem for me, which read:
"Remain undefeated
The Mystic Law
Is right there in your life."

Mrs Ikeda also spurred me on with these words, "Even though we may be practising faith, there will be times when we encounter hardships that are way beyond our expectations. But remember, everything that happens has a profound meaning. There is absolutely no hardship or suffering that we, who have embraced the Mystic Law, cannot overcome. Never be daunted or defeated and strive for kosen-rufu based on faith in the Gohonzon and you will be able to blaze a magnificent path of life. Rather than concentrate on winning, strive to remain undefeated. I'll be waiting for your two children at Soka University."

The heartwarming encouragement from President and Mrs Ikeda touched my heart to the core and I felt as if a ray of hope had brightened up my life. "Yes! I shall never be defeated by my karma. I'm going to triumph over this devilish function." I resolved and felt a surge of courage welling forth from the depths of my life.

From that day, I pledged to "eternally live my life together with my mentor", "transform my karma into a mission" and "dedicate my entire being for the sake of kosen-rufu".

I went back to my hometown in Nagasaki and threw my entire life into the movement of kosen-rufu there. Through my strong faith, I was fortunate to be financially stable which allowed me to concentrate fully on Gakkai activities without any reservations.

Thereafter many trials continued to test my faith. I was inflicted by various illnesses, including Meniere's disease (a disorder of the inner ear that can affect hearing and balance), a dermatological disease where the doctor could not detect the cause and Graves disease (also known as Basedow's disease - a thyroid disorder).

I challenged each illness with all my might based on a solid determination and pressed myself forward to continue striving for kosen-rufu. I overcame each disease and emerged the winner.

Twenty years has passed by since that fateful day. With the great support from fellow members, my children have grown up healthily into fine adults in the garden of kosen-rufu. My son is a fourth year student at Soka University and will be graduating next year while my daughter is in her third year at the same university.

It is my greatest joy that both my children and I are able to live our lives with the same heart and mind as our mentor to fulfill our mission for kosen-rufu in this lifetime. My life is overflowing with deep gratitude that I am able to dedicate my life for the sake of kosen-rufu.

President Ikeda said in his guidance, "Today will never come again. Let us live each precious day with vigour by summoning up 'the courage of a lion king' and win. Whatever our past, let leave them behind us. What is important is the actions we take right now in order to blaze a path of continuous achievement and development towards the future. This will mark the beginning of a magnificent drama of human revolution... Advancing together with the activities of the SGI daily with renewed determination constitutes the very action that will put us in sync with the Law of the universe and create the momentum of happiness and victory in our lives."

As we advance, let us continue to polish ourselves by growing by the day and by the month and become the brilliant sun of our community, bringing great hope to the people around us as we expand the circle of friendship and happiness in the society.

Translated and adapted from an article written by Nagasaki Prefecture WD Study Chief Kayoko Nakashima published in the March 2006 issue of The Daibyakurenge, the Soka Gakkai’s monthly study journal.

Prayer - The Courage to Never Give Up

Though one might point at the earth and miss it, though one might bind up the sky, though the tides might cease to ebb and flow and the sun rises in the west, it could never come about that the prayers of the practitioner of the Lotus Sutra Sutra would go unanswered.

(Passage from “On Prayer”, The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, p345)

This letter was written by Nichiren Daishonin in 1272, when he was in exile on Sado Island. The writing is thought to be a repley to questions raised by Sairen-bo, a disciple of the Daishonin and a former priest of the Tendai school, who at the time was also living in exile on Sado Island. Deeply impressed by the Daishonin’s dignified personality displayed at the Tsukahara Debate, Sairen-bo was converted to the Daishonin’s teachings in the second of 1272, shortly after the debate.

In this passage, the Daishonin emphasized that prayers of the practitioner of the Lotus Sutra will definitely be answered by using various analogues.

It is impossible to miss the earth when one points to it nor is it possible for anyone to bind up the sky. Also, it is utterly not possible for the tides to cease ebb and flow, nor is it possible for the sun to rise from the west. The Daishonin declared with the conviction and courage of a “lion’s roar” that even though all these impossible events were to take place, it could never come about that the prayers of the practitioner of the Lotus Sutra would go unanswered.

Why is it that the prayers of the practitioner of the Lotus Sutr will surely be answered?

SGI President Ikeda explained by elaborating what it means to offer prayers in the following manner:

“Prayer – It is the courage not to give up. It is a struggle to banish cowardice within your life that keeps haunting you, ‘I can’t do it.’ ‘My present circumstances can be changed. Surely it can!’ Prayer is an endeavour to engrave this conviction in the depths of your life.”

“Prayer – It is to destroy fear. T is to banish sorrow. It is to ignite hope. It is a revolution to re-write destiny. Believe in yourself! Never look down upon yourself! Because despising yourself is equivalent to going against Buddhism. It is a degradation of the Buddhahood in your own life.”

President Ikeda concluded:

“Prayer – It is a challenge to fit the gear in your own life with the motion of the universe. It is an exciting drama to embrace the universe, turn the entire cosmos into your ally, reverse the situation and begin directing your life towards happiness.”

Earnest and strong prayers will never fail to strengthen ourselves and enable us to align our lives with the rhythm of the magnificent cosmic life.

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Prayer is the key to unleash human potential to the fullest

Ms Kumi Noguchi (vice chapter Women Division leader) residing in Toyama City used to be a healthy and vibrant teenager who even participated in a gymnastic competition during her secondary school days.

After her graduation in 1958, Ms Noguchi becomes a primary school teacher but one month later, she was diagnosed to have contracted an incurable disease – Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA), a chronic, inflammatory autoimmune disorder that causes the immune system to attack the joints. It is a disabling and painful inflammatory condition, which can lead to substantial loss of mobility due to pain and joint destruction. She was constantly overwhelmed by the fear of dying, and the intense physical pain that attacked her entire body.

In November 1965, Ms Noguchi was introduced to Nichiren Buddhism by her aunt. Six months after taking up faith, Ms Noguchi could sit on the floor with her legs folded and could even ride a bicycle. As she savoured the wondrous beneficial power of the Mystic Law, she renewed her determination to overcome her illness fully. She prayed single-mindedly and exerted herself in propagation activities. In spring 1969, when seven of her friends joyfully received their Gohonzon, the excruciating rheumatic pain that had plagued her for the past seven years stopped abruptly.

However, that did not mark the end of her suffering. Her life continued to be mercilessly attacked by her “storms of karma”. Her RA relapsed and her condition deteriorated so much she was bedridden at home. The only thing that she could move in her body was her eyeballs. In June 1970, her doctor told her, “Your bones have become so fragile that it is impossible to operate on them. Consider yourself lucky that you have been able to work till recently. I’m sorry but you have to spend the rest of your life quietly in bed.”

Over the following one year and three months where she spent her days in the hospital, Ms Noguchi continued to chant daimoku on her hospital bed with an unwavering resolve, “I’m going to transform this karma no matter what, through my prayers to the Gohonzon I will make the impossible possible!”

After her discharge, she continued to be attacked by various illnesss, including severe side effects from her medication, acute hepatitis (liver inflammation), gastric ulcer and the throes of death. Amidst such circumstances, she continued chanting daimoku single-mindedly every moment of her life except when she was having her meals.

When she completed her first million times of daimoku in October 1971 (since she began keeping count from May 1971), she was able to work, something that was deemed impossible by medical science. From that day onwards, she continued to work for the next 30 years till her retirement in 2003.

Filled with profound gratitude for the good health she now enjoys, she continues to exert herself in kosen-rufu activities for the happiness of others.

No matter who we are, as long as we are human, during moments of life’s great adversities such as death or illness, it is only natural that we are overwhelmed by negative tendencies in our lives such as fear, cowardice, lament, insecurity, doubt, anger or resentment. During such moments, it is most critical that we continue offering sincere prayers to the Gohonzon with persevering faith. By tenaciously offering prayers without giving up till the end, we will surely be able to surmount all obstacles, no matter how harsh they may be, by summoning forth immense courage, wisdom and life force from the depths of our lives.

President Ikeda said in his guidance, “Prayer is the key to opening the multiple doors to innate human potential.” With this words deeply engraved in our lives, let us achieve great victories in our lives and for the kosen-rufu movement.

Translated and adapted from an article written by Hokuriku WD Study Chief Momoko Baba published in the January 2006 issue of The Daibyakurenge, the Soka Gakkai’s monthly study journal.

Happiness in This World - Remaining Undefeated No Matter What Happens

Suffer what there is to suffer, enjoy what there is to enjoy. Regard both suffering and joy as facts of life, and continue chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo, no matter what happens.

(Passage from “Happiness in This World”, The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, p681)

This letter was written by Nichiren Daishonin in the sixth month of 1276 to Shijo Kingo and was titled, “Happiness in This World”.

Shijo Kingo was a samurai who served the Ema family, a branch of the ruling Hojo clan. Besides being well versed in martial arts, Kingo was also a skilled physician.

An early converter of Nichiren Buddhism, Kingo received many important letters from the Daishonin. He was also a leader of the community of believers practicing the Daishonin’s Buddhism.

When this letter was written, Kingo was in the midst of a great challenge. He had incurred the wrath of his lord, Ema for trying to convert him to the Daishonin’s Buddhism and the situation was further fanned by malicious rumours spread by his jealous colleagues to Ema. Kingo was literally cornered.

This letter was one of the many encouragements the Daishonin sent to his loyal disciple amidst his most trying adversity.

How encouraged Kingo must have been after reading this letter. The Daishonin’s love and concern for his disciple is certainly heartwarming.

In our journey of life, there will be many unexpected and trying challenges awaiting us. Nevertheless, we must always remember that there is no obstacles, no matter how huge, that cannot be resolved through faith.

It is in times of adversities, the toughest of time in life, that actually serves an opportunity for us to grow and develop our lives. For this reason, in times of difficulties, it is all the more vital that we base our lives on daimoku, summon forth a surge of immense life force and resolve that we are going to triumph over every single difficulty, no matter how harsh it may seem to be.

On the other hand, in times of joy, let us savour the happiness while never neglecting to chant daimoku and offer our gratitude to the Gohonzon, exert ourselves in kosen-rufu (peace and happiness for all people) activities and share our joy of practice with our friends. By doing so, we can expand our life state and cultivate ourselves further.

The Daishonin’s Buddhism teaches that whether in times of suffering or joy, we must maintain the resolve to score victories in life, transform karma into mission based on earnest prayers, show actual proofs of the validity of Buddhism and bring joy and confidence to the people around us.

In his speech at the headquarters leaders meeting commenmorating May 3, “SGI Mother’s Day” in 2005, President Ikeda said:

“Life at times might seem like an endless succession of pain and suffering. But just as good times never last forever, neither do the bad. Life is a combination of both the good and bad, suffering and joy. Sometimes we win, other times we lose. Both suffering and joy are a part of life; this is life’s reality.

That is why we should keep chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo through both suffering and joy, without denying what we are feeling, the Daishonin said. If we do that, we will be able to attain a state of supreme happiness through the wisdom and power of the Mystic Law and lead a life in which nothing can defeat us.”

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Mrs Masako Sugi, a Women Division vice zone leader, related an inspiring testimony on how her eldest son overcame an incurable disease at the Women Peace Forum held in July 2005.

At nine, Masako’s eldest son was suddenly attacked by a bout of high fever, had difficulties walking and began to complain about chest pains. The doctors disgnosed him to be suffering from “generalized juvenile rheumatoid arthritis” (JRA) and said, “If the pain extends to his heart, his life will be in danger.”

After repeating a few fluctuating cycles of improving and deteriorating conditions, the illness eventually reached his heart. For the following 21 days, her son lingered on the brink of death.

During this crucial moment, Masako resolved, “I must totally stem off my son’s karma once and for all no matter what!” With this indomitable spirit, she continued chanting daimoku whenever she could. As a result, her son achieved the impossible – he was discharged two months later and could even start attending school. Today, he has fully recovered and is studying hard at a faculty of medical science in a national university.

As for Masako, she has set up educational classes within various hospitals for the benefit of children who have been hospitalized for incurable diseases and her exteaordinary contribution were reported at the Japan Pediatric Society. On top of this, she has also been appointed the vice chairperson of the parent-teacher association committee in Kagawa prefecture. As a member of the parenting support group, Masako has shared her personal experience of overcoming her son’s incurable disease at various seminars, with medical and educational officials and mothers who have children diagnosed with such illnesses. As such, she has become a well-respected and trusted person in her community.

I also have encountered many obstacles in my journey of faith. However, each time, I summoned forth courage through reading the Gosho and President Ikeda’s guidance to challenge the obstacle squarely and overcame them all.

I am determined to always base myself on daimoku, synchronize my life with the life of my mentor and win in every challenge I undertake both in times of suffering and joy.

I will continue to create new history of kosen-rufu by sharing the joy of practice with my friends and people around me and score successive victories in my life and for SGI.

Translated and adapted from an article written by Shikoku WD Study Chief Michiko Takagi published in the October 2005 issue of The Daibyakurenge, the Soka Gakkai’s monthly study journal.