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.

Flowering and Bearing Gain - The Commitment of the Disciple Decides Everything

It is said that if a teacher has a good disciple, both will gain the fruit of Buddhahood, but if a teacher fosters a bad disciple, both will fall into hell. If the teacher and disciple are of different minds, they will never accomplish anything.

(Passage from “Flowering and Bearing Gain”, The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, p909)


This letter was written by Nichiren Daishonin at Mount Minobu and was addressed to Joken-bo and Gijo-bo, his former seniors when they were disciples at Seicho-ji.

The Daishonin sent this letter in the fourth month of 1278 for the second memorial service for Dozen-bo, his teacher at Seicho-ji when he entered priesthood at the age of 12.

Although it is accounted that Dozen-bo quietly believed in the Daishonin’s teachings in his heart, unfortunately, he could not bring himself to discard Nembutsu and convert to Nichiren Daishonin’s Buddhism till the last moment in his life.

Even though the Daishonin strictly admonished the erroneous teachings his teacher practiced, he never forgot his debt of gratitude to his teacher throughout his life.

In this passage, we are studying this month, “teacher” refers to Dozen-bo and the Daishonin placed himself in the position of a disciple, thereby elaborating his mission as a disciple to lead his teacher to enlightenment.

The Daishonin stated here that by having a good disciple such as him, Dozen-bo would surely receive immense benefits from the Daishonin’s Buddhism and eventually attain Buddhahood. On the contrary, if the disciple goes astray and is deluded by erroneous teachings, the teacher will not be able to enjoy the benefits that accrue from the Mystic Law. On top of this, due to the bad causes created, both teacher and disciple will fall into the life-state of hell and experience deep suffering.

In any case, “a good disciple” in this passage refers to a disciple who embrace and upholds the teachings of the Mystic Law (Lotus Sutra and Nichiren Buddhism) while “a bad disciple” refers to one who harbours disbelief in the correct teachings of the Mystic Law.

When we read this passage in light of our context, it is a passage of supreme nobility for it contains the ultimate essence of Buddhism, which is the spirit and principle of the oneness of mentor and disciple.

Second Soka Gakkai president Josei Toda taught us, “The relationship of mentor and disciple is firmly established when you become a good disciple. The relationship of mentor and disciple depends on the commitment of the disciple.”

In this sense, as disciples, it is extremely important for us to read this statement, “If teacher and disciple are of different minds, they will never accomplish anything” with our lives and firmly resolve to practise in accordance with the guidance of our mentor throughout our lives and score complete victories in all our endeavours.

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From the time I was a child, I often wondered why my parents, who were Korean, had come to Japan. When I was in secondary three, I learnt about the tragic history between Japan and Korea and the cruelty the Korean people endured under Japanese annexation. The more I uncovered, the greater anger and hatred I felt towards Japan and the Japanese people. Engulfed by terrible rage and repulsion, my life was in agony.

In the autumn when I turned 16, both my lungs were infected by tuberculosis and I had to be hospitalized. It was in the hospital that I met a Soka Gakkai member and converted to the Daishonin’s Buddhism. As I continued chanting daimoku earnestly, my health improved dramatically and I was discharged one-and-a-half years later even though the doctor told me initially that I had to be hospitalised for at least two years.

Subsequently, I moved on to Tokyo to fulfil my dream to go to college. My dreams were realised when I was accepted by Soka University as a member of the first class of students. Just when I thought my life was starting anew as a Soka University student, the deep fog of hatred and resentment that used to haunt me in the past began to cloud my life again.

I began to ask myself, if I continue assimilating my life into the Japanese society practicing a Japanese religion and attending a Japanese university, will this be an act of betrayal to my fellow Koreans? With this growing concern in my life, I continued to chant abundant daimoku.

Around the time when my daimoku reached 10 million, I had an opportunity to meet our university founder, President Ikeda together with several students through the kind arrangement of one of my professors at the university. Even though I was meeting President Ikeda for the first time, he spoke to us with a warm smile and encouraged us wholeheartedly.

He told us, “From the standpoint of our basic humanity, our nationality or ethnicity doesn’t really matter. It’s a very small thing. As a youth, the important thing is to look into the future and strive to contribute to the happiness of others. Just do your best as a human being, in a way that is true to yourself. I’ll be watching over you.”

Hearing my mentor’s kind and compassionate words, I felt the conflicting emotions that had been weighing heavily on my life evaporated in an instant. Tears of joy flowing from my eyes washed away the delusion in my life completely.

On top of this, President Ikeda wrote the following words on a photograph of one of the bronze statues at the university’s main entrance and presented it to me as a token of encouragement, “Originally, national boundaries did not exist. People created them. Let us not forget to live with the awareness that we are linked together as human beings on a profound level that transcends national boundaries.”

These words shook me to the depth of my being.

I though to myself, “How true! Nations are man-made, and even ethnicity does not separate people on the most fundamental level. Perhaps I’ve been too focused on the past that I’ve closed my eyes to the future.”

I was filled with profound gratitude to have such a wonderful mentor in life. There and then I resolved to respond to my mentor’s encouragement with my whole life. From that point on, I studied with even greater diligence and threw myself into the frontlines of our kosen-rufu movement. I had much to learn and gain through the numerous encounters with people from different walks of life and diverse backgrounds.

I am truly humbled that President Ikeda has even written about this episode of mine in his novel, The New Human Revolution Vol 15, chapter 2 “Soka University”.

Both the validity of the Daishonin’s Buddhism that enables all people to attain happiness and the greatness of our mentor can ultimately be proven only through the commitment and achievements of the disciples. Deeply engraving this in my life, I resolve to continue wagging a united struggle with my mentor.

Translated and adapted from an article written by Chubu WD Study Chief Toshiko Umehara published in the July 2005 issue of The Daibyakurenge, the Soka Gakkai’s monthly study journal. Ms Umehara became a licensed tax accountant – the first Soka University graduate to do so after she finished her studies at the university.

Reply to Kyo'o - Transforming Misfortune into Fortune

Kyo's misfortune will change into fortune. Muster your faith, and pray to this Gohonzon. Then what is there that cannot be achieved?

(Passage from “Reply to Kyo'o”, The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, p412)

This letter was written by Nichiren Daishonin at Ichinosawa in Sado Island. It was written in response to news that Kyo'o had become seriously ill which was conveyed to the Daishonin by a messenger sent by Shijo Kingo and his wife.

From the content of the letter, it is believed that Kyo'o is a baby girl. The Daishonin encouraged Shijo Kingo and his wife wholeheartedly by saying, "Since I heard from you about Kyo'o, I have been praying to the gods of the sun and moon for her every moment of the day."

The Daishonin then revealed that he had embodied in his entire being in the Gohonzon he had inscribed for Kingo and assured him that as long as he maintained indomitable faith, he will surely receive protection from the Buddhist gods (protective functions of the universe).

In this passage that we are studying this month, the Daishonin inscribed the power of the Gohonzon, stating that it can transform misfortune into fortune. In other words, the Daishonin assured us that as long as we remain undefeated and continue challenging the problems based on faith in the Gohonzon, the path will surely open before us. in fact,we will be able to gain more than what we were seeking for at the outset - we will not only overcome all problems and challenges, we will also be able to attain a great life condition imbued in happiness.

For this reason, the Daishonin said, "Muster your faith..." - to set one's mind and summon forth the passion of faith - and pray earnestly to the Gohonzon. "Then what is there that cannot be achieved?" Here, the Daishonin expressed his absolute conviction.

SGI President Ikeda said, "The power of the sincere daimoku offered by our Women Division members is invincible. In light of the great teachings of Buddhism, there is absolutely no doubt that the lives of these members of the Women Division will be illuminated by the 'Buddhism of the Sun' and lead magnificent lives of good health and great victories lifetime after lifetime."

As President Ikeda teaches, when we chant daimoku in great earnestness, the "sun of hope" will rise within our herts and from that moment, a great revolution towards victory commences within our lives.

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Tokaido Region WD Study Chief Kumiko Inatomi related her experience:

I myself have been encouraged by this Gosho passage countless times, especially during my struggle against an illness that attacked me out of the blue. The name of the illness was "Hodgkin's disease" (malignant lymphoma). That was the time when I was in the midst of fulfilling my responsibilities as the Women Division Chief of Yokohama Prefecture.

"Why? Why must it be cancer?" "Why? Why must it be me!?" Questions like these coupled with the fear of death kept attacking me mercilessly. I was in complete agony. "Only daimoku can save me now!" I resolved but my prayers were filled with pessimism. I simply could not bring myself to be positive. In the midst of this inner struggle, I received a card from President Ikeda with words of encouragement written on it. It read:

"Boldly live out your life,
Laughing away your illness,
Winning over your illness,
Proving yourself
As th queen of longevity."

"Laugh away your illness!" - What powerful words! How wonderful it is to have such a mentor in life! I Felt as if an electric current just flowed through my entire body, charging me up with courage and gratitude.

From that day onwards, I immersed myself in daimoku, chanting five to six hours a day, as I took on the challenge to confront my illness.

The challenges were immense, especially the torturing side effects of chemotherapy including the horrifying hair loss. But still, I persevere on. "Even though I'm so ill, I've got a mentor who is cheering me on; who believes in me. What's more, I still have this opportunity to chant daimoku like this." When this realisation dawned upon me, I was overwhelmed by profound emotions that surged forth from the depths of my life.

Previously, I was fighting my illness on an equal footing. However, after this realisation, I could look upon my illness from an elevated life condition.

As I continued chanting daimoku, I found myself released from the fear of death. Instead, I could even perceive death positively as something that will knock on everybody's door one day. This was a precious experience for me as I confronted "death" head on without battling an eye and changed my perspective of life and attitude in offering prayers on a fundamental level.

Nichiren Daishonin stated, "Nam-myoho-rengekyo is like the roar of a lion. What sickness can therefore be of an obstacle?" (WND, p412) The Daishonin is encouraging me to roar like a lion by chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo! Also, in The Record of the Orally Transmitted Teachings, he said, "The word shi of the word shishi, or 'lion' [which means "teacher"], is the Wonderful Law that is passed on by the teacher. The second shi [which means "child"] is the Wonderful Law as it is received by the disciples. The "roar" is the sound of the teacher and the disciples chanting in unison." (OTT, p111)

Our prayers based n the spirit of the oneness of mentor and disciple will ensure the validity of the words "what is there that cannot be achieved?" I came to this realisation through my struggle against my sickness.

It has been 11 years since I overcame cancer and I am indeed filled with gratitude that I have the opportunity to share my experience with fellow members who are challenging illnesses, to encourage them.

President Ikeda said, "The Soka Gakkai has always triumphed in every arena through the oneness of mentor and disciple. All progress starts with this spirit of unity. It is in this spirit that the key to victory and glory in all endeavours is found."

A life dedicated to the path of mentor and disciple is one of unsurpassed joy. Cherishing this sense of gratitude to be able to wage a united struggle with our mentor, let us continue to strive cheerfully for the realisation of kosen-rufu.

Translated and adapted from the November 2005 and 2006 issues of The Daibyakurenge, the Soka Gakkai’s monthly study journal.

The Gift of Rice - It All Boils Down to the Heart

As for the matter of becoming a Buddha, ordinary people keep in mind the words “earnest resolve” and thereby become Buddhas. When we carefully consider what exactly earnest resolve refers to, … it means that offering one’s only robe to the Lotus Sutra is equivalent to peeling off one’s skin; and that in a time of famine, offering the food that is only meant for sustaining one’s life that day to the Buddha is offering one’s life to the Buddha.

(Passage from “The Gift of Rice”, The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, p1,125-27)

Nichiren Daishonin wrote this letter at Mount Minobu in response to an offering of a sack of rice from one of his disciples. Unfortunately, only a portion of this letter is extant and the date and recipient of this letter is unknown.

The title, “The Gift of Rice”, derived from the opening passage of the letter which read, “I have received the sack of polished rice, the sack of yams, and the basket of river laver that you took the trouble to send me by messenger.” (WND, p1,125)

In this letter, the Daishonin explained how lofty it is to make offerings to the Lotus Sutra out of one’s sincere heart.

In the first portion of this letter, the Daishonin emphasized this point through the examples of sages of old who attained enlightenment by giving the most precious treasure – their very lives – as offerings to the Buddha. However, such an extreme practice cannot be carried out by and not necessary for ordinary people in the present age. The Daishonin revealed in this Gosho how ordinary people can attain enlightenment just as the sages of old did.

The Daishonin stated here that in this present age, it is the spirit of “earnest resolve” to dedicate oneself to the Lotus Sutra (Nichiren Buddhism) that is important. Such “earnest resolve” can be expressed as acts of sincere offering. Nichiren Daishonin stated that giving whatever sustains or is of value to our lives, such as “food” and “clothing”, as offerings to the Buddha will ultimately lead us to the path of Buddhahood. He said, “… ordinary people keep in mind the words ‘earnest resolve’ and thereby become Buddhas.”

This “earnest resolve” refers to one’s sincerity that arises from one’s faith, the resolve to devote one’s life for the attainment of kosen-rufu and one’s pledge to wage a united struggle of mentor and disciple. In this way, the key to attaining Buddhahood lies in one’s strong and earnest faith.

In his novel, The New Human Revolution Vol. 4, SGI President Ikeda wrote, “The offerings and financial contributions to the organisation were meant exclusively to accomplish Daishonin’s mandate to widely propagate the Mystic Law. Offerings made towards this end were equivalent to offerings made to the original Buddha. There was, then, no greater offering, no greater good. Certainly, nothing could bring greater benefit.” (p115)

President Ikeda explained here that the context of our present age, sincere financial contributions to our organisation of kosen-rufu are equivalent to sincere offerings to Nichiren Daishonin, the Buddha of the Latter Day of the Law. Making such offerings is itself creating the cause to accrue great fortune in our lives.

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The life of Mitsuko Takada, a Women Division chapter leader in Shiga prefecture, attests to this.

When Mitsuko was in primary four, her mother passed away due to illness. Shortly theresfter, her father remarried but she could not get along with her stepmother. Mitsuko dropped out from high school, ran away from home and become a member of a “hell-riders” motorcycle gang, spending al of her time with them.

She got married at the age of 19 but divorced at the age of 27 after delivering her second child.

Mitsuko and her children lived in a shabby hut. She was so poor that having her water and power supplies cut off became a norm in her life. On top of this, her children were extremely weak in health. All that she could think of everyday was to die with her children. She was mentally and physically exhausted and spent her days wandering aimlessly on the brink of an abyss of hopelessness and despair.

It was at this point in her life that a Soka Gakkai Women Division member introduced her to Nichiren Buddhism with the earnest hope, “I want to become happy!”, despite strong opposition from her father.

She started working to raise her two children and exerted herself sincerely in activities for kosen-rufu. One day, she heard a fellow member about becoming a “kofu member” (members who endeavour to consistently make financial contribution to the organisation). The first thing that came to her mind was, “I want to contribute my part for kosen-rufu, too!”

Since that day onwards, she began saving one coin everyday as she struggled to overcome her dire financial straits based on daimoku. After much struggle, she had saved enough to become a “kofu member”. Although it was only a humble amount, Mitsuko was filled with the “earnest resolve” to contribute in whatever way she could.

As she headed towards the centre to make her contribution, she could not help but look back on her life after her conversion. She said, “When I look back, I realized that after taking up faith, my life did change for the better. Although my financial condition was far from ideal, my water and power supplies have never been cu off since my conversion. My children have also regained their health.” As she recollected, Mitsuko was filled with immense appreciation.

After making her contribution, Mitsuko headed back home in high spirits. Upon reaching home, she was shocked to find her father standing at her doorsteps. On the floor by the foot of her father were bags of rice and fresh vegetables he had bought for her. Her father then placed some pocket money in Mitsuko’s hands and squeezed them tightly with both his hands. Overwhelmed by deep emotions, Mitsuko hugged her father and with tears flowing down her cheeks, she said, for the first time, “Thank you father!” For many years, she had lost contact with her father but at that moment, she felt a current of warmth flowing through her life, bridging the gap between herself and her father.

From that day onwards, Mitsuko continued to take on the challenges of life while cherishing a sense of deep gratitude. She was surprised at how much her life has transformed. Before taking up faith, her life used to be filled with complaints, frustrations and resentment. But now, all of these have been replaced by gratitude. Mitsuko grew by leaps and bounds. She became a leader who always has a warm smile on her face and was well-liked by her fellow members. Wherever she went, she never failed to bring hope and courage to others. Her life was a great actual proof of her practice and faith.

Presently, she is married to a kind man who truly loves her. They have just purchased a new home and have established a harmonious and happy family dedicated to kosen-rufu. To date, Mitsuko has personally converted 23 families to receive the Gohonzon and is now enjoying life to the fullest.

President Ikeda said, “Buddhism teaches that the heart is most important. It all boils down to the heart. One who strives earnestly will surely receive benefits accordingly. On the other hand, those who just put on a front will lose out in the end. Buddhism is strict. This is why those who are earnest and sincere will ultimately win.”

Let us all cherish an “earnest resolve” as we continue to advance together with a deep sense of gratitude.

Translated and adapted from the November 2005 and 2006 issues of The Daibyakurenge, the Soka Gakkai’s monthly study journal.