The NSGI Times1

June 2016

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SGI President Ikeda’s May 3 Message 2The wisdom for creating happiness and peace3Part 2: Human RevolutionChapter 12 : The Principle of “Cherry, Plum, Peach, and Damson”

The Human Revolution 6Volume 25, Chapter 2 [Shared Struggle 56-62]NSGI NEWS 81st Chapter General MeetingRainbow of Hope 9Hellen Keller - Author and Social Activist

The Basics of Nichiren Buddhism for the newera of World Wide Kosen-rufu 10Part 1: Nichiren Daishonin’s Life and Teachings3. Attaining Buddhahood in this lifetime and kosenrufuQ & A 1 2On the SGI Organization

Around the time when mymentor, Josei Toda, wasinaugurated as second SokaGakkai president, he and I wouldoften read “On ReprimandingHachiman.”

In that letter, NichirenDaishonin writes of the strugglehe had undertaken to spread theMystic Law since firstproclaiming his teaching (in1253): “I, Nichiren, . . . havelabored solely to put the five orseven characters of Myoho-renge-kyo into the mouths of allthe living beings of the country ofJapan. In doing so, I have shownthe kind of compassion that amother does when she labors to

A Triumphant Song ofA Triumphant Song ofA Triumphant Song ofA Triumphant Song ofA Triumphant Song of

Happiness for the 65thHappiness for the 65thHappiness for the 65thHappiness for the 65thHappiness for the 65th

Anniversary of theAnniversary of theAnniversary of theAnniversary of theAnniversary of the

Women’s DivisionWomen’s DivisionWomen’s DivisionWomen’s DivisionWomen’s Division

put milk into the mouth of herinfant child” (WND-2, 931).

As the Daishoninindicates, actions to spread theMystic Law—which embody theactions of the Bodhisattvas of theEarth—are akin to thecompassion of a mother caringfor and nurturing life.

The first thing Mr. Todadid after receiving the SokaGakkai Joju Gohonzon (in May1951) was to establish thewomen’s division (on June 10).

Indeed, the gateway to“kosen-rufu through the

Four Points forFour Points forFour Points forFour Points forFour Points for

VictoryVictoryVictoryVictoryVictory

I often times feel five steps behind theI often times feel five steps behind theI often times feel five steps behind theI often times feel five steps behind theI often times feel five steps behind the

starting line of life. Can I really changestarting line of life. Can I really changestarting line of life. Can I really changestarting line of life. Can I really changestarting line of life. Can I really change

my circumstances?my circumstances?my circumstances?my circumstances?my circumstances?

Q.

SGI President Ikeda discussed four points for victory in his message to a leaders conference,which originally ran as a three-part series in the June 20, 27 and July 4, 2008, World Tribune. Thefollowing are excerpts.

1) PRAYER

Prayer for the sake of kosen-rufuis crucial. What I mean here is:Prayer infused with a vow tosupport and protect the SokaGakkai—the organizationactualizing kosen-rufu—andcontribute to its vibrant successand development; prayer basedon the winning spirit ofBuddhism, so that we can showactual proof of the greatness ofthe Mystic Law in our own lives:and prayer directed át refuting theerroneous and revealing the true,so that we can vanquish thosepowerful forces that wouldobstruct kosen-rufu.

2) ACTION

Buddhism doesn’t exist withoutaction. How hard we have

worked to achieve kosen-rufu isthe true manifestation of our faith.How far we have gone in ourjourney to learn about Buddhismand to spread its teachings is anexpression of the depth of ourresolve.

3 UNITY OF MANY INBODY, ONE IN MIND

It is no exaggeration to say thatour success solely depends onbuilding organizations whereeveryone is unified in theircommitment for kosen-rufu .[Second Soka Gakkai PresidentJosei Toda explained the unity of‘many in body, one in mind’ in avery accessible way, saying thatit simply means to join with otherswho are also experiencinghardships and sufferings and tochant together with them in frontof the Gohonzon.

Triumphing Over RealityTriumphing Over RealityTriumphing Over RealityTriumphing Over RealityTriumphing Over Reality

In volume 9 of SGI PresidentIkeda’s novel The New HumanRevolution, Shin’ichi Yamamotoencourages a young

woman who doesn’t believe shecan become a teacher becauseshe lacks the financial means toattend school and has a physicaldisability He writes: Shin’ichi

looked straight at Kimiko Kudoand said in a firm tone of voice:“You have the Gohonzon! Youmustn’t be swayed. What goodis it to feel sorry for yourselfbecause of your disability? Nomatter how much you pityyourself, it won’t changeanything. Everyone has somekind of problem to deal with.There is not one person in theworld blessed with everything. To

be a Soka Gakkai member is tobravely challenge every situationand circumstance and become avictor in life. The question is notwhat will happen to you; it’s whatyou’re going to make happen.

“If you really wish to be ateacher, then decide that you’regoing to, no matter what. If you

4 THE ONENESS OFMENT OR AND DISCIPLE

[The Lotus Sutra states:] “If onestays close to the teachers of theLaw, one will speedily gain theway of enlightenment..:’ (“On theFive Seasonal Festivals” TheWritings of Nichiren Daishonin,vol.2, p.375).

…..As these golden wordsindicate, the mentor-disciplerelationship is at the heart ofNichiren Buddhism.. . Kosen-rufu is possible when disciplesembrace the same spirit as theirmentor. Without this centralcommitment, it is all too easy tobe swayed by one’s ownemotions and the trends of thetimes, and one will readily cavein when their faith is challenged.

Answer

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The NSGI Times 2

A Triumphant Song A Triumphant Song A Triumphant Song A Triumphant Song A Triumphant Song ........ ........ ........ ........ ........

“The swan thatseems to be glidingeffortlessly acrossthe water isactually paddlingvery hard beneaththe surface.”

don’t have the money for college,you can work part time to payfor it. Or you can work duringthe day and go to night school.

“Dedicating your life to yourmission is not some kind ofidealistic talk. It isn’t anintellectual game. Faith is realizingwhere you are and triumphingover reality. The light of faithshines in a person who surmountsdifficulties.

“Your mission is to become thestrongest, brightest and mostpure-hearted of all, regardless ofyour circumstances, and to live alife in which you can declare thatyou are supremely happy.”

Kudo bit her lip and noddedrepeatedly as she listened.

Shin’ichi continued: “That’s right.Don’t be defeated. Whateverhappens, don’t let yourself bedefeated. Become strong and doyour very best!”...

Kudo was not the only memberthere that day experiencinghardship. Several others werefrom single-parent families, andnone of them were well-offfinancially. As a result, they allshared Kudo’s feelings to acertain extent. Shin’ichi couldsense this, which is why heoffered Kudo such strictguidance in front of everyone.(pp. 153—55)

compassionate propagation ofthe great Law,” to which thisGohonzon is dedicated, wasopened by the women’s division,which celebrates its 65th

anniversary this June.The central force of our

people’s movement is the spiritof the women’s divisionmembers, the mothers of kosen-rufu, striving to make their ownlives and those of others shinewith supreme dignity. That’s whyour movement is so vibrant,positive, and warmhearted.

Our women’s divisionmembers lead very busy lives.Many juggle work with lookingafter the home, raising children,and taking care of their health andthat of their families, whileperhaps even nursing a loved onewho is ill or elderly. While facingthe daunting challenges of today’srapidly aging society, theycontinue to strive energetically inSoka Gakkai activities. Hownoble they are!

Inheriting the strengthand optimism demonstrated bytheir predecessors in the earlydays of our movement, ourwomen’s division members ofthe new era of worldwide kosen-rufu are bringing beautiful flowersof trust and friendship to bloomin their neighborhoods andcommunities on anunprecedented scale.

Though it may entail agreat deal of hard work, theyshould be completely assuredthat, each day they exertthemselves for kosen-rufu, theyare accumulating benefit thatsurpasses “a hundred years ofpractice in the Land of PerfectBliss” (WND-1, 736).

The Daishonin offers thef o l l o w i n gwords ofencouragementto one of hisd i s c i p l e s[ t h e l a ynun Myoho]:“A personwho stumblesand falls to theground pusheshimself upfrom theground andrises to his feeta g a i n ”( W N D - 1 ,882).

In the course of life’s longjourney, there may be times whenwe trip and fall. But that doesn’tmean it’s all over. We just needto get back up again. Faith in theMystic Law is the source of hopethat enables us to do so. Andnone more than our women’sdivision members embody suchindomitable hope.

The Daishonin also

writes: “When with our mouthswe chant the Mystic Law [Nam-myoho-renge-kyo], our Buddhanature, being summoned, willinvariably emerge. The Buddhanature of [heavenly deities suchas] Brahma and Shakra, beingcalled, will protect us, and theBuddha nature of the Buddhasand bodhisattvas, being

summoned,will rejoice”( W N D - 1 ,887).

Wherever thechanting ofw o m e n ’sd i v i s i o nm e m b e r sr e s o u n d s ,wherever theirencouragingvoices ringout, a dramaof limitlessrevitalization

and joy unfolds.I once said to a group of

women’s division members fromEver-victorious Kansai withwhom I had shared the joys andstruggles of kosen-rufu overmany years: “The swan thatseems to be gliding effortlesslyacross the water is actuallypaddling very hard beneath thesurface.”

We must never forgetthat our movement for kosen-rufu is propelled by the tireless,and often unseen, efforts of ourwomen’s division members dayin and day out.

Let us respond to theprayers and efforts of ourwomen’s division members byfostering as many capable youngBodhisattvas of the Earth aspossible who will contribute topeople’s happiness and worldpeace. Sending such an invincibleforce for good and truth intosociety is the key to victory in theeffort to realize the Daishonin’sideal of “establishing the correctteaching for the peace of theland.”

Let us celebrate the 65th

anniversary of our peerlesswomen’s division with atriumphant song of happinessresounding with unrestrained joy!

Like the sunrising in the sky,the mothers of kosen-rufuwill shine eternallywith happiness andvictory.

(Translated from the June 2016issue of the Daibyakurenge, theSoka Gakkai monthly studyjournal)

Triumphing OverTriumphing OverTriumphing OverTriumphing OverTriumphing Over

Reality...Reality...Reality...Reality...Reality...

My dear friends of Nepal SGI, Iwish you a brilliant Soka GakkaiDay and a happy Soka GakkaiMothers Day!

I am delighted and proudto be able to celebrate May 3 ingreat victory, together with fellowmembers in 192 countries andterritories. The success of ourmovement owes everything toyour tireless, dedicated effortsand solid unity. I thank you allfrom the bottom of my heart.

Nothing gives me greaterjoy than the many reports Ireceive each day of thewonderful development of ourSGI organizations around theworld and the contributions theyare making to their localcommunities and countries. AndI am especially overjoyed to hearabout the inspiring growth of ouryouthful successors and theirefforts to expand our movement.

We have entered an agewhen Nichiren Daishonin’sBuddhism of the sun is beginningto shine ever more brightly as aworld religion, illuminating allhumankind. As proof of this, theSGI—a gathering ofBodhisattvas of the Earth—isbecoming an increasingly radiantpresence across the globe.

The Daishonin wouldsurely shower us with his highestpraises, and the Soka Gakkai’sfirst and second presidents,Tsunesaburo Makiguchi andJosei Toda, would certainlyrejoice immensely.

Please be absolutelyconfident that not only you, butall your family members and lovedones, will eternally share in thebenefit and good fortune arisingfrom your efforts to promote thismagnificent movement ofworldwide kosen-rufu.

The Lotus Sutra states: “If one[is able to] expound the LotusSutra to one person, even onephrase of it, then you shouldknow that he or she is the envoyof the Thus Come One. He hasbeen dispatched by the ThusCome One and carries out theThus Come One’s work.”

Reaching out to a friend,listening to their problems, tellingthem about the Mystic Law,chanting together, helping themwin over their challenges,rejoicing together—suchseemingly ordinary and modestefforts are actually the supremelynoble work of the Buddha and,as such, the best and surest thingswe can do for people’shappiness.

As SGI members, weengage in such efforts “day byday and month after month, neverslackening in our resolve,” basedon the spirit of valuing andrespecting each person, which isthe epitome of Buddhisthumanism. That is why theBuddha’s wisdom, compassion,and power pulse vibrantly in ourlives.

The Daishonin writes: “In

judging the relative merit ofBuddhist doctrines, I, Nichiren,believe that the best standardsare those of reason anddocumentary proof. And evenmore valuable than reason anddocumentary proof is the proofof actual fact.”

Our Buddhist practice isbacked up by a clear andprofound philosophy of life,reasonable and universalprinciples that all can accept asvalid and true. Therefore, let uscontinue exerting ourselves infaith, practice, and study, andproudly show even greateractual proof—actual proof ofgaining benefit by putting faithinto practice in our daily livesand achieving victory by applyingthe teachings of Buddhism insociety. The human revolution ofeach one of us attests to thebrilliance of Nichiren Buddhismas a world religion for the 21stcentury.

Mr. Toda declared: “It is theSoka Gakkai’s mission to repaythe debt of gratitude to NichirenDaishonin and to pave the wayfor the lasting happiness ofhumanity by drawing up a grand

100-year plan—no, a grand planfor peace encompassing severalmillennia.”

May 3 is a day of freshdeparture, when we renew ourvow as Bodhisattvas of the Earth.I call on you to join me and fellowSGI members around the globein moving forward anew in ourgrand march for kosen-rufu,brimming with hope and courage,and aiming for the happiness ofhumanity and world peace.

Our lives are connectedby the Mystic Law. My wife,Kaneko, and I are continuallychanting for all of you, our mostdear and precious fellowmembers. We are praying withall our hearts for the vibrant healthand long life; the safety andsecurity; and the happiness andvictory of you, your families, andloved ones, as well as all those inyour communities. Pleaseadvance cheerfully, in a spirit ofharmony and friendship!

May 3, 2016Daisaku IkedaPresident, Soka GakkaiInternational

The NSGI Times3

Part 2: Human Revolution

Chapter 12: Chapter 12: Chapter 12: Chapter 12: Chapter 12: The Principle of “Cherry, Plum, Peach, and Damson”The Principle of “Cherry, Plum, Peach, and Damson”The Principle of “Cherry, Plum, Peach, and Damson”The Principle of “Cherry, Plum, Peach, and Damson”The Principle of “Cherry, Plum, Peach, and Damson”

From a speech delivered at a Yamagata Prefecture general meeting, Yamagata City,Yamagata Prefecture, April 18, 1983.

Introduction to the Chapter:

A young man, who wasindecisive about whether tobegin practicing NichirenBuddhism, said he felt thatcommitting to a religionmeant having to conform tosome externally imposedstandard of behavior,sacrificing one’sindividuality. Addressinghis concerns, PresidentIkeda explained:

Nichiren Buddhismteaches the principleof “cherry, plum,peach, and damson.”A cherry tree is acherry tree; a peach,a peach. We don’t allhave to be cherries;just as trees bloom intheir own distinctway, we should

strive to live in theway that is mostnatural for us. Thisis the purpose of ourBuddhist practice.Nichiren Daishoninalso stressed that ouressential identity is“something that wasnot worked for, thatwas not improvedupon, but that existsjust as it alwayshas” (OTT, 141). It’sfine to just be whoyou are. You arerespectworthy just asyou are. Pretendingto be somethingyou’re not or puttingon airs actuallydiminishes andweakens you. That said, there is a

difference between“being who you are”and “staying as youare.” If you contentyourself with stayingas you are, you’llnever grow ordevelop. By deeplypondering thequestions of whoyou really are andwhat your purposein life is, and bymaking effort aftereffort and tirelesslyc h a l l e n g i n gyourself, you willbring to blossom theflower of yourmission in life.That’s what happenswhen you put intopractice theprinciple of “cherry,

plum, peach, anddamson.” To live genuinely ina way that is true toyourself, you need tocarry out yourhuman revolution—that is, to continue todevelop yourself atthe deepest level. If,to borrow yourwords, you“conform” with the“standard” ofstriving for yourhuman revolution,you’ll most surely beable to live youryouth in the mostmeaningful way.

A short time afterhearing this confidentencouragement, the young

man decided to join theSoka Gakkai.

Each of us possesseswithin us, like a dormantseed, the potential to fulfilla unique and importantmission in life. The purposeof life is to make that seedsprout and flower to thefullest.

President Ikeda hassaid that faith in the MysticLaw means “not envyingothers or demeaningyourself. It means livingtrue to yourself andfulfilling your own uniquemission in your own uniqueway. It also means tobecome a person youyourself can respect and beproud of.”

*

12.1 “Still I Will Bloom”“Still I Will Bloom”“Still I Will Bloom”“Still I Will Bloom”“Still I Will Bloom”

This is my first visit toYamagata in nine years.Wishing to see you all assoon as possible, I took thetrain here from Niigata. Fromthe train window, I could see

blue streams and greenforests amid the lingeringmountain snow. Goldenforsythia, bridal veil,daffodils, and cherryblossoms were in beautiful

bloom.Observing the

scenery, I was reminded ofhow, in The Record of theOrally Transmitted

Teachings, NichirenDaishonin states that thecherry, plum, peach, anddamson each embody theultimate truth just as they are,without undergoing any

change (cf. OTT, 200). Thisteaching provides us with abasic model for the way weshould live our lives.

The cherry treeblossoms as a cherry tree,living to fulfill its own uniquerole. The same is true of theplum, peach, and damsontrees. Each of us should dolikewise. We each have aunique personality. We havea distinct nature andcharacter, and our lives areeach noble andrespectworthy. That’s why weshould always live with a solidself-identity, in a way that istrue to ourselves.

Each of us has amission and a way of life thatis ours alone. We don’t needto try to be like anyone else.

During a visit to Yamagata Prefecturein Tohoku, the northeastern region ofJapan, President Ikeda touched on theBuddhist principle of “cherry, plum,peach, and damson,” and called onmembers to lead noble lives dedicatedto carrying out their individualmissions.

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Shin’ichi said: “Gentlenessand timidity can be seen astwo different expressions ofthe same underlying nature.When that underlying naturetakes the form of gentleness,it’s a strength; when it takesthe form of timidity, it can bea weakness. When thatunderlying natureconsistently acts as aweakness, it can become thecause of unhappiness.

“For example, peoplewith a fiery temper by naturemay often end up arguing withcoworkers. This couldalienate those around them,making for strained relations.In some cases, theirhotheadedness could evenlead to them being fired orquitting. And since that istheir underlying nature, thesame problem is sure to cropup wherever they go.

“Our basic underlyingnatures don’t change, butthrough our Buddhistpractice, we can redirect our

natures in a positive manner.Nichiren Daishonin says:‘When one comes to realizeand see that each thing—thecherry, the plum, the peach,the damson—in its ownentity, without undergoingany change, possesses theeternally endowed threebodies [of the Buddha] . . .”(OTT, 200).

“Buddhism teachesthe way for each of us, justas we are, to attain happinesswhile bringing out the best ofour innate disposition andpotential—in the same waythat the cherry, plum, peach,and damson each manifesttheir own unique nature.

“People with fierytempers are often alsopassionate, with a strongsense of right and wrong. Byexerting themselves inBuddhist practice, they willno longer lose their tempersabout unimportant things, butbecome people stronglycommitted to opposing evil

and injustice.“Likewise, people

who tend to be too agreeableor easily manipulated byothers are often verykindhearted and able to getalong well with others.Through practicingBuddhism, they can bring outthis latter strong side of theirnatures. Positivelytransforming ourselves inthis way is what we call humanrevolution. The importantthing is how to make thattransformation happen.

“Basically, the key isto chant Nam-myoho-renge-kyo and continue developingyour life. It’s crucial toreflect on yourself anddiscover your problematicqualities and life tendencies.

“We all have faults.Perhaps we tend to blameothers when something badhappens to us, or we lackperseverance, or areunwilling to listen to theopinions of others. These

faults can become negativetendencies obstructing ourpersonal growth andhappiness.

“But unless someonepoints these negativetendencies out to us, we maynot be aware of them. That’swhere our seniors in faith andfellow members come in.They can draw our attentionto them and support us in theeffort to overcome them. Wealso need to chant earnestlyto challenge and transformour negative tendencies.

“In addition, we canalso forge and developourselves through SokaGakkai activities. As NichirenDaishonin writes: ‘The flawsin iron come to the surfacewhen it is forged’ (WND-1,497).

“Refusing to allowour weaknesses to defeat usand triumphing in one activityafter another is the way wetrain and strengthenourselves; it is the path ofhuman revolution for each ofus winning over our negativetendencies. Soka Gakkaiactivities are the ‘place ofpractice’ or ‘training ground’where we develop andstrengthen our lives. Bydedicating ourselves to themission of kosen-rufu andcontinuing to strengthen andimprove ourselves, we canalso transform our karma.”

*

The cherry tree has its ownlife and inherent causes forbeing a cherry. The plum,peach, and damson also eachhave their own inherentcauses. And in the same way,from the viewpoint ofBuddhism, we each have amission we were born tocarry out in this world, andeach one of us has our owninherent causes to be who weare. Practicing the MysticLaw enables us to experiencethe joy of discovering this.

The most fundamentalhappiness in life is to bringforth our inner Buddhahoodthrough the power of faith inthe Mystic Law.

Some of you mayenvy those who live inbustling cities such as Tokyo.Others might wish to have aglamorous job, or live in abig luxurious house.

But in Tokyo, youcan’t enjoy this naturalenvironment [of Yamagata]with its pure, clean air, thebright moonlight or thetwinkling stars at night, orbeautiful mountains drapedsoftly in their white mantles,like Mount Zao standing outagainst the morning sky. Atthe same time, our happinessin life does not depend on theland or environment in whichwe live, our workplace, or thesize of our homes.

The grass alwaysseems greener on the otherside. To those living inYamagata, life in the big citymight seem appealing, butcity dwellers long for thebeautiful natural environmentof Yamagata. The key is togive full play to ourcapabilities and carry out ourmission in our owncommunities, wherever weare, without being swayed byimmediate circumstances orevents.

A writer [SaneatsuMushanokoji (1885–1976)]once remarked: “Whetherseen by others or not, still Iwill bloom.” The Gohonzonis aware of all our actions. Itis important to live in ourown unique way, alwaysembraced by the Mystic Law,whether or not anyone iswatching. This is what theprinciple of cherry, plum,peach, and damson teaches.

*

12.2 Bringing Out OurBringing Out OurBringing Out OurBringing Out OurBringing Out Our

Positive QualitiesPositive QualitiesPositive QualitiesPositive QualitiesPositive QualitiesAfter attending a student division meeting,the protagonist of President Ikeda’sserialized novel The New HumanRevolution, Shin’ichi Yamamoto,encourages a young person who is worriedabout being timid by nature.

Adapted from The New Human Revolution, volume 16, “Heart andSoul” chapter, published in Japanese in October 2006.

12.3 Live True to YourselfLive True to YourselfLive True to YourselfLive True to YourselfLive True to Yourself President Ikeda introduces guidancefrom his mentor, second Soka Gakkaipresident Josei Toda, and stresses theimportance of living true to oneself.

From a speech delivered at a gathering commemorating April 2, the anniversary of secondSoka Gakkai president Josei Toda’s death, Ota Culture Center, Ota Ward, Tokyo, April 3, 1993.

To know oneself, to know thenature of human beings, toknow the preciousness oflife—herein lies theimportant significance ofreligion.

President Todaremarked:

Whether one issuffering because ofpoverty, a businessfailure, a bitter quarrelwith one’s spouse, aninjury caused bytripping over ahibachi [a charcoalbrazier]—ultimately,

all these things are areflection of one’slife. That is, they areoutward expressionsof one’s inner state ofbeing. When viewed inthis way, everything inour lives occurs as aresult of the changes

unfolding within us.That’s why it isimportant for us tostrive to change forthe better andceaselessly create ourown happiness.

You thereforehave to be true to

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yourself and takeresponsibility foryour own life. Indeed,it’s vital to recognizethat you have nochoice but to do so.It’s a mistake to blameothers or thingsoutside you for yourcircumstances, toconstantly think: “Ifonly he or she woulddo this or that” or “I’dbe happy if only thesituation in societywere such and such.”

However, humanbeings are weak. Theyare easily controlledby others or theire x t e r n a lcircumstances, nomatter how they mayresolve to be true tothemselves, to followtheir own convictions.. . .

This is why Ibelieve the only wayto make one’s lifeshine with supremestrength, brilliance,and happiness is tobase one’s life onBuddhism, which

teaches the principlesof three thousandrealms in a singlemoment of life andthe mutual possessionof the Ten Worlds.

People who havevibrant life force are happy.People with strongconviction are happy. Theycan lead positive, successfullives. Those who are weak, incontrast, are miserable. Theycreate misery andunhappiness for themselves.Practicing NichirenBuddhism enables us tobecome as strong as wepossibly can. To live in sucha way that we can perceiveeverything in terms of faithand are always determined toovercome everything throughfaith means to walk the pathto eternal happiness.

You yourself areprecious beyond measure—each and every one of you.The Daishonin taught this tohis disciples while he himselfwas facing majorpersecution. And the SokaGakkai’s first and secondpresidents, Tsunesaburo

Makiguchi and Josei Toda,faithfully embraced the heartof the Daishonin’s Buddhismand taught it to people fromall walks of life.

With great conviction,let us continue to forge aheadpowerfully along this path,which is directly connectedto Nichiren Daishonin.

President Toda oncegave the following guidanceto members of the youthdivision:

To believe in your ownmind is especiallyimportant when youare young. Yet it isdifficult to trust one’smind. This isparticularly trueduring one’s youth, atime of emotionalturmoil andconfusion. . . . I’ve seen theAmerican cartoon“Popeye.” The maincharacter, Popeye, isso weak that he isconstantly beingbeaten up by others.But when he eatsspinach, he instantly

acquires strength andeasily triumphs overhis adversaries. This isbecause he believesin the power ofspinach. . . .

We all need tohave something webelieve in. “I have theG o h o n z o n .Therefore, I will beable to overcome anyproblem. Everythingwill be fine.”— If youhave such firmconviction, you cando anything. . . .

If you feel thatthis is the path in lifefor you, that it’s theright way to go, thenbelieve in theGohonzon and makeit the core of yourconvictions. You willdefinitely be able toovercome anyobstacle, includingillness and poverty.But it requires theessential ingredientof faith. . . .

For youth, thestronger your faith,the more invincible

you will be in anysituation. Youngpeople need to havesomething to believein. You must trust yourown hearts.

Yet, because thehuman heart can besuch an unreliablething, it is importantthat you make theGohonzon thefoundation of yourfaith. If you do so, Iam sure you will beable to lead your liveswith confidence andease. Please lead yourlives that way and helpothers do the same.

Mr. Toda dearly lovedyoung people and held thehighest hopes for them.Nothing gave him greaterpleasure than seeing theenergetic endeavors of theyouth division members whobrimmed with powerfulconviction in faith.

*

12.4 Appreciating YourAppreciating YourAppreciating YourAppreciating YourAppreciating Your

UniquenessUniquenessUniquenessUniquenessUniquenessPresident Ikeda warmly encourages anSGI-USA member who asked how todeal with his lack of self-confidence.

From remarks at a question-and-answer session with SGI-USA Culture Departmentrepresentatives, Nagano Training Center, Karuizawa, Nagano Prefecture, August 7, 1992.

No one has absoluteconfidence in themselves. Infact, it is quite normal not tohave much confidence. Inmany cases, people who goaround bragging about theirconfidence are merelyarrogant, always clashing withand greatly disliked by thosearound them. A person can bemiserable with either toomuch or too little self-confidence.

The important thing isthat all of you shine in yourown way, win in your owndaily endeavors, and develop

your life in the way mostsuitable and natural for you.All you need to do is justkeep on improving yourselfas you steadily advancetoward your goal.

After all, you are you,not someone else. There is noneed for you to compareyourself with others; it’s yourlife. The important questionis, What do you really feeland think in the depths of yourbeing? Buddhism expoundsthe principle of cherry, plum,peach, and damson, eachhaving their own unique

characteristics, and therelated principle of revealingone’s intrinsic nature.

Cherry blossoms arecherry blossoms, and peachblossoms are peachblossoms. A cherry blossomcan never become a peachblossom. Nor is there anyneed for it to try to do so. Itwould be perfectly miserableif it did.

Similarly, you arenone other than yourself. Youcan never be someone else,however much you mightwish it. What matters is that

you become the kind ofperson who can cherish,praise, and feel content withyour own precious,irreplaceable life.

Chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo is fundamental tothis, enabling you to revealyour innate Buddhahood justas you are. Not only willchanting give you awonderful, fundamental self-confidence, it will also adornand dignify your life with thebrilliance of your true andhighest potential.

Please have absoluteconfidence in yourself,because you are living thenoblest possible life, with abeautiful heart.

*

Buddhismexpounds theprinciple ofcherry, plum,peach, and

damson, eachhaving theirown unique

characteristics,and the related

principle ofrevealing one’sintrinsic nature.

The NSGI Times 6

Shared Struggle 56

Shin’ichi emphasized theimportance of inner strengthbecause he wanted to make thepoint that NichirenBuddhism is not“dependent faith” but aphilosophy of humanrevolution.

In closing, hequoted the Goshopassage: “Even embracingthe Lotus Sutra would beuseless without theheritage of faith” (WND-1, 218). Lastly, heemphasized that the trueheritage of faith existswithin the Soka Gakkai,advancing kosen-rufu justas Nichiren Daishonintaught.

After the end ofthe commemorativegongyo meeting, Shin’ichimet with representativesof the Chugoku region

youth division and spoke withthem over dinner at a restaurantin front of Tokuyama Station.

Two days earlier, he hadsent home youth division and staff

who had come from Hiroshimaand other locales to help out atthe Yamaguchi Culture Center.He did this because he wanted

to be able to focus on training theYamaguchi staff and youth.

Yet Shin’ichi waspainfully aware of how sad theyouth who had been sent back

to their homeprefectures felt, so hedecided to invite themto a casual gathering inTokuyama.

Shin’ichi sat atthe table with them,giving friendly adviceto the young people intable manners andother things as theyate. After they’dfinished eating, hecontinued to speakwith youth divisionmembers in aJapanese-style roomat the restaurant.

He said to theyoung women’sdivision leaders:“Most of you willprobably get married

and eventually join the women’sdivision. For a time your life maybecome very busy withchildrearing and others things,and you’ll be stretched to the limit.Activities at the front lines of theorganization may also be difficult.But never forget your pride andspirit from the time when youwere young women’s divisionleaders.

“Remember that you wereentrusted with an important rolein the Soka Gakkai organizationand many people looked up toyou. Make that awareness yourstarting point and try yourhardest. Striving as a leader in theyoung women’s division bringsgreat benefit and fortune. Don’tforget that no matter whatdifficulties and challenges youmay face later, you’re certain toattain happiness and victory in lifeif you stick with this Buddhism.”

Shin’ichi sincerely spoketo them from the bottom of hisheart.

Shared Struggle 57

Shin’ichi Yamamoto said to theChugoku Region young men’sdivision leaders: “It is importantthat we stay in rhythm with theSoka Gakkai Headquarters andstrive in accord with the guidanceof our mentor. When we followthe correct path that is the pathof the Soka Gakkai, we are ableto polish and train ourselves, andgrow into outstanding individuals.

“If you selfishly try tolead the organization in a directionthat is merely convenient for you,both you and the organization willstray from the correct path ofkosen-rufu and end up gettingnowhere.

“ When leaders try tomanipulate the organizationaccording to their own views, thefirst thing that happens is that theymake biased, unfair personnelappointments, only appointingpeople who agree with them.Eventually they will find themselvessurrounded by only those who hopeto gain favor through doing theirbidding. As a result, the SokaGakkai, which should be an

organization based on faith in theMystic Law, will become adistorted organization based oncronyism. That’s exploiting theorganization, and is on par with theactions of the worms within thelion’s body, destroying the SokaGakkai, the organization in accordwith the Buddha’s intent anddecree, from within. Factions mustnever be allowed to form within theSoka Gakkai.

“When carefully examined,those organizations that areexperiencing difficulty growing orseem to have lost the clearpurpose of faith that oncemotivated them are often timesafflicted with this problem.

“To avoid this, all thoseinvolved in making personnelappointments need to have astrong sense of responsibility andintegrity. Never forget thatirresponsible or poor personneldecisions can lead to the destructionof the Soka Gakkai.”

Shin’ichi continued speakingwith all his strength, for the sake ofthe future. Responding to theyouth’s words and actions,encouragement and guidance

poured out of Shin’ichi like agushing torrent.

“Young people need tostrive assiduously and becomecapable. Negativity is their greatestfoe. They should never put

themselves down because theymight be poor or haven’t gone tothe best schools. Soka youth,having dedicated their lives to thehighest of ideals, kosen-rufu,should always be positive and

willing to take on one challengeafter another!”

After this session ofencouragement, Shin’ichi leftTokuyama by car just after 8:00p.m.

The NSGI Times7

Shared Struggle 58

Shin’ichi was riding in the carfrom Tokuyama to the YamaguchiCulture Center. After about 30or 40 minutes, his wife, Mineko,said: “I heard that members fromHofu have gathered at theircommunity center.”

Mineko was told this bythe Chugoku Region women’sdivision leader Mitsue Shibano.According to the driver, the HofuCommunity Center was just afew minutes away.

“Let’ s go!” Shin’ichisaid. “I’d like to encourage themwholeheartedly, even if we don’thave much time. After all, they’rewaiting for us. . . .”

The members hadgathered at the Hofu CommunityCenter in hopes that PresidentYamamoto would stop by andvisit them. But now that it wasafter 8:30 p.m., they were aboutto go home. Just at that moment,

Shin’ichi’s car pulled up in frontof the center.

“Good evening!” saidShin’ichi, smiling, as he steppedinto the entryway. Mineko wasstanding behind him. Memberscheered.

It was a small, woodencommunity center. As soon ashe entered, Shin’ichi asked: “Ifwe were to do gongyo, wouldit bother the neighbors?”

“Not if we close thewooden shutters,” someoneresponded.

“Well then, let’s do that,and even if we have to chantsoftly, let’s do gongyo. I want

to pray for your health, long life,and the prosperity of all yourfamilies.”

After gongyo, Shin’ichiwalked toward the electric organin the room.

Saying, “Think of this asmy small gift to you,” he turneddown the organ’s volume andstarted playing “Atsuta Village,”“The Three Martyrs ofAtsuhara,” and several othersongs for them.

“I know you have allbeen waiting a long time. Isomehow want to respond toyour sincerity. The worldoperates according to self-

Shared Struggle 59

Looking at the membersassembled in the HofuCommunity Center, Shin’ichisaid: “Although new culturecenters have been opened inYamaguchi City and Tokuyama

interest, but Buddhism is a realmof sincerity.

“The Soka Gakkai bringstogether mentor and disciple,fellow members, and people’shearts in the effort to attainkosen-rufu. The Soka Gakkai isa humanistic organization thatmust always put people ahead ofbureaucracy. That’s what makesthe Soka Gakkai strong. I’mdoing my utmost to ensure thatthe Soka Gakkai is always a purerealm of such a spirit.”

City, please remember that Hofuis ultimately the starting point ofthe Soka Gakkai in Yamaguchiand is the driving force of kosen-rufu in Yamaguchi Prefecture.”

On May 3, 1960, whenShin’ichi was inaugurated as thethird president of the SokaGakkai, the Yamaguchi chapterwas established, with an officebased in Hofu City. Then in 1965,when the Hofu CommunityCenter was built, it became theprefectural headquarters for theSoka Gakkai.

Historically speaking,Hofu was once the flourishing

capital of the former SuoProvince, which was made up ofthe southern and eastern portionsof present-day YamaguchiPrefecture.

Shin’ichi continued:“Please advance with theawareness that you are the coreof the Soka Gakkai inYamaguchi, and this is the startingpoint to lead the people ofYamaguchi to happiness.”

In the words of theArmenian poet Avetik Isahakyan(1875–1957): “Maintain yourdignity and pride, whateverhappens.”

Self-confidence is thebackbone of the human spirit.People with self-confidence arestrong. As long as one hasconfidence, one won’t bedefeated by the harshestadversity.

Shin’ichi then said:“Today I’d like to present you,our Hofu members, with a poem:

The citadel of Hofu—starting pointof kosen-rufu.

“You are all emissaries of theBuddha who have emerged here

in Hofu for a profound reason.My trustworthy disciples, we areinseparable. Please continue tofollow the path of kosen-rufucourageously, with pride in thosefacts.

“I look forward to ournext meeting!”

Shin’ichi was only ableto be with the Hofu members fora short time, but it was anunforgettable experience for themall.

It was almost 10:00 p.m.when Shin’ichi arrived back atthe Yamaguchi Culture Center.

kosen-rufu in YamaguchiPrefecture was held at the culturecenter. Shin’ichi led the service,chanting sincere daimoku for thepeaceful repose of the deceasedpioneer members.

After conferring anumber of posthumous honorarytitles on the deceased, such asHonorary Vice General Director,Shin’ichi spoke: “The deceasedmembers we are honoring todaydedicated their lives toBuddhism, as Nichiren Daishonintaught, building the foundation forkosen-rufu as outstandingBodhisattvas of the Earth. Theyare indeed noble Buddhas.

“I hope theirdescendants will succeed to andfollow the example of thesepioneers who have walked suchan honorable path. In that sense,please seriously think ofyourselves not just as theirsurviving family members, but astheir successors in kosen-rufu,upholding Nam-myoho-renge-kyo, the fundamental law of theuniverse.

“We have just presented anumber of posthumous honorarytitles, but these are not symbolsof worldly power or authority.These titles are a solemntestament that these cherished

predecessors have dedicatedthemselves to faith, practice, andstudy, just as Nichiren Daishonininstructed.

“Taking these honorslightly is equivalent to invalidatingthe noble achievements of ourbeloved pioneers, who devotedtheir lives to kosen-rufu. I hopethe surviving family members willregard these honorary titles as thehighest honors, follow the greatpath of faith as successors, anddemonstrate proof of the virtuesof the deceased. Without adoubt, this will cause flowers ofbenefit to bloom in their families.”

Shin’ichi then describedwhat happens to dedicated

practitioners after they passaway, noting the Daishonin’sclear explanation in a letteraddressed to the lay nun Sennichititled, “The Treasure of a FilialChild”: “Some may wonderwhere the spirit of the lateAbutsu-bo may be at thismoment. But by using the clearmirror of the Lotus Sutra to reflecthis image, I, Nichiren, can see himamong the assembly on EaglePeak, seated within the treasuretower of Many Treasures Buddhaand facing toward the east [i.e.,facing the Buddhas Shakyamuniand Many Treasures]” (WND-1, 1042).

Shared Struggle 60

May 22 was Shin’ichi’s last dayin Yamaguchi Prefecture. At4:00 p.m., he was set to departfor Kitakyushu City in Kyushu.

That afternoon, amemorial service for deceasedpioneers who had madesignificant contributions to

Shared Struggle 61

The lay nun Sennichi became afollower of Nichiren Daishonin,along with her husband Abutsu-bo while the Daishonin was inexile on Sado. In this letter,written after Abutsu-bo’spassing, the Daishonin tells

Sennichi that, viewedin the clear mirror ofthe Lotus Sutra, therewas no doubt thather late husband wasamong the assemblyon Eagle Peak,seated within thetreasure tower ofMany TreasuresBuddha and facingtoward the east (cf.

WND-1, 1042).Speaking confidently,

Shin’ichi explained: “Eagle Peakis the name of the mountain inIndia where Shakyamunipreached the Lotus Sutra. Fromthe perspective of the lifephilosophy of NichirenDaishonin’s Buddhism, the

treasure tower of ManyTreasures Buddha that appearedbefore the assembly at EaglePeak represents the Gohonzon[the embodiment of the Law ofNam-myoho-renge-kyo].

“We of the Soka Gakkai,valiant Bodhisattvas of the Earthactively spreading the MysticLaw, are embraced after deathby the Gohonzon [the world ofBuddhahood in the universe], andin future existences, we will beborn together with the Gohonzon[the Mystic Law], our livesbrimming with vibrant life force,like the morning sun rising in theeastern sky. In other words,through dedicating our lives to theunprecedented, nobleundertaking of kosen-rufu, we

are certain to be reborn in thisworld, or another realm like itsomewhere else in the universe,and once again devote ourselvesjoyously to kosen-rufu.

“Furthermore, Mr. Todaoften asserted: ‘Chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo for thedeceased is the only way we cantruly bring positive benefit to theirlives.’ The Mystic Law functionsto connect our lives to others inthe universe, much like radiowaves. This is another reasonwhy it’s important to chantvigorous daimoku. When ourdaimoku for the happiness of thedeceased resonates withpowerful life force, it not onlyimparts strength and vitality totheir lives, but our own lives are

also invigorated as a result. Thepurpose of our prayers for thedeceased is for our lives tocommune with our deceasedloved ones and countlessancestors.

“I’m sure that today’ssolemn memorial service is alsobringing particular joy to ourdeceased fellow members.

“Instead of simply offeringprayers for the deceasedsuffused with the grief ofbereavement, let us resolve towalk the path of kosen-rufu withour deceased loved onesthroughout the three existences ofpast, present, and future, withstrong faith and confident of thewondrous life force of the MysticLaw.”

The NSGI Times 8

Shared Struggle 62

After the memorial service,Shin’ichi participated in aninformal meeting with about 30young members from Yamaguchibelonging to the Future Group, atraining group within the futuredivision. The group had beenformed about three years earlier,and by this time the oldestmembers had already entereduniversity.

After sitting for acommemorative photo with themembers, Shin’ichi spoke tothem individually, impressing onthem the importance ofpersevering in Buddhist faith andpractice.

“Some people practicewith pure faith as high schoolstudents, but once they enteruniversity they succumb tovarious temptations, stop tryingto polish their character, andspend all their time amusingthemselves.

“Others remain constant intheir Buddhist practicethroughout university, and thenget a job at a top-rankingcompany. They start to thinkthey’re important people and fail

to appreciate the true greatnessof members who, though poor,strive valiantly in Gakkaiactivities. Some of them evenstart to feel disdain for ordinarycitizens and end up drifting apartfrom the Soka Gakkai.

“I don’t want that tohappen to you. Your duty is toprotect the ordinary people andthe Gakkai members whose livesare the hardest. The role ofmembers from the Future Groupis to carry out that mission.

“I hope you will burn withever brighter enthusiasm forkosen-rufu with each passingyear.”

The eyes of the memberssparkled brightly.

A large number ofmembers had gathered in thegarden of the Yamaguchi CultureCenter to see Shin’ichi off on hisdeparture for Kitakyushu. WhenShin’ichi received word of this,he instructed that they be let intothe main meeting room of thecenter. It was already 3:30 in theafternoon. Shin’ichi had to leaveat 4:00, but he went to themeeting room to greet them.

“Let’ s chant daimokutogether. This is a specialdaimoku session. I’ll chantearnestly that all your prayers willbe answered.”

Kosen-rufu cannot beachieved without a willingness togive everything for the sake of

May 3rd, Soka Gakkai Day andSoka Mother’s Day wascommemorated on May 7th byJugal and Himchuli districts (SvetKamal Chapter) at Nepal SGI’speace centre with heart’s filledwith joy and the enthusiasticparticipation of the members andtheir guests. Every participantwas given a souvenir before theyentered the main hall which wasbeautifully decorated with flyingballoons encouraging us to flyhigh.

The hall resounded with avigorous, vibrant gongyofollowed by daimoku thatbrought peace surged throughevery heart and to every nookand corner of the hall.

The stage was then opened forthe art division members whopowerfully performed song:“shoulder to shoulder”. With themarvelous voices of the womenand the foot tapping beats ofMadal, the music wasextraordinary.

Vice General Director Mr.Devendra Man Singh heartilywelcomed and expressedgratitude to all the participants fortheir valuable time.

The enthusiasm of the memberswas increased still further by aninspiring message from SGIPresident Ikeda read by Mr.Krishna Dawadee. In themessage Ikeda expressed hiswish that everyone participatingat this Soka Gakkai Day andSoka Mother’s Day havesuccess in their efforts to achieveabsolute happiness.

SGI is globally renowned,bonding people from all over theworld in the same arena of faith.The short video that was shownduring the program inspired usthe more to keep practicing,sharing and chanting . Groundedin the reality of our daily lives, theprayers of SGI members nevergo unanswered no matter whichcountry of the world you belong to.

Sabina Shrestha, YWD chiefnext spoke on the significance ofMay 3rd, and revealed theimportance of other dates in SGIhistory, inspiring all to expandKosenrufu in their daily lives.

Every personal experience holdsthe potential to inspire the livesof others. District YWD- ChiefMs. Sneha Churiwal, shared herpersonal struggle with everyone,showing how one can overcomethe difficulty in choosing a careerand proceed along the path ofvictory and absolute happinessthrough the continued chantingof Nam Myo Ho Renge Kyo.

The program further precededwith the classical melodious songOkali Orali sung by YWDmember Ms. Smarikaupadhyaya. Everyoneresponded to her mesmerizingvoice.

Another experience was sharedby Block MD–Chief Mr. BijenShrestha that surely inspiredeveryone as he spoke ofcontinual self renewal andtransformation through the harshjourney of life. Although his pastwas full of challanges and ordealshe continued fighting forKosenrufu and finally paved thepath of his musical journey. Heencouraged everyone to fightthrough every hardship in life andbuild up the confident to win.

Last but not the least, WDmember Mrs. Dvya TaraShakya shared a very hearttouching experience of life frompain to gain. She inspiredeveryone to keep faith in theGohonzon and chant Nam myoho renge kyo in every tryingsituation of life to remain positiveof seeing spring after everywinter. She taught us to neverbecome daunted by failures andproblems. Rather we shouldtake them as opportunities.

YWD Chapter leader Ms. Nivashakya and WD Chapter leader

Buddhism and one’s fellowmembers. To ignite an undyingflame in the hearts of others, youhave to brim with a passionatecommitment yourself. Shin’ichiwanted to communicate thisthrough his own actions. Thatwas also the aim of his second“Yamaguchi Campaign.”

When they’d finishedchanting, Shin’ichi said: “All right,now let me play the piano foryou!”

(This concludes “SharedStruggle,” chapter 2 of volume25 of The New HumanRevolution.)

Mrs. Kanta Rizal shared with ustheir determinations whichfocused on expanding themembership of NSGI, joininghand to hand with all for peaceand tranquility.

It has been more than a year sincea devastating earthquake hitNepal taking thousands of livesand destroying cultural sites andbuildings. As a tribute to the lostlives, a crew of dancers came tothe stage and expressed incontemporary dance with thesound track of the song: ‘We’llarise’. Well choreographed byMs. Niva Shakya, the dancemotivated to stay strong and riseup again whenever we fall down.After that a song called titledRam Shaili was performed byduet Paribesh and Prajan. It wasthe perfect bonding betweenguitar tune and soft voice.

Lastly the program was closedby three diamoku Sanso.However all the members andguests with big smiles gatheredtogether for the commemorativephotograph. Everyone enjoyedthe refreshment served by themembers, cooked at their homes.

1st Chapter General Meeting in the New Era of Worldwide Kosenrufu

Mahendra PyathaNSGIT

[ NSGIT Editor : Nepal SGI or-ganized 1st Chapter GeneralMeeting commemorating May3rd on May 7 in Nepal SGIPeace Center and in the hall ofAmadablam District.On May 3rd, NSGI announced4 Chapters, 2 new Blocks, 10New Chapter leaders, 3 DistrictLeaders and 8 Block leaders. Itwas a very joyous moment forall, to be determined to work forKosenrufu, hand in hand and onein mind with mentor. The 4Chapters are Sveta Kamal (White Lotus) Chapter, Sungava(Orchid) Chapter, Sayapatri(Marigold) Chapter and IndraKamal ( Gardenia Jasminoides)Chapter. Focusing on the Gar-den of beautiful people, chaptersare named with flowers.All the 4 Chapters celebratedtheir 1st General meeting withlots of joy and enthusiasm. Thetarget to bring 90 guests from allthe districts surpassed to 150guests and 200 members activeparticipation. Outstation districtsin Pokhara, Hetauda and Illamalso celebrated the May 3rd Daywith joy.

Skit performance by Indra Kamal ChapterSvet Kamal Chapter

The NSGI Times9

Congratulations toall those who willgraduate frome l e m e n t a r yschool [in

March]. You have workedvery hard these past six years.Together with your family, Iwould like to offer a big roundof applause to all of you whohave grown so remarkably.

Please do not forget tobe grateful to your teachers,who supported and helped youthrough your elementary schoolyears.

I still have vividmemories of my elementaryschool teachers. They helpedme discover the joy of learning.They taught me how vast theworld is, the importance ofhaving a dream, and the truevalue of sincerity and makingefforts.

Today, let’s learn aboutthe famous author and socialactivist Helen Keller (1880–1968), and the encounter shehad with her great teacher, AnneSullivan (1866–1936), whoencouraged and fostered herpotential.

*

I’d like to ask you to cover youreyes with your hands. Youprobably cannot see anything.Now, cover your ears with yourhands so it’s difficult for you tohear. Lastly, try to ask yourfather or mother for somethingwithout talking. Were they ableto understand you? It is quitechallenging, isn’t it?

Helen Keller wasunable to see, hear, or speakwhen she was a child. Yet inspite of her disabilities, she wasa woman who lived a positiveand cheerful life.

Helen was born in theUnited States in June 1880. But

during the winter when she was19 months old, she suddenlycame down with a severe feverthat continued for several days.Her father and mother nursedher as best they could, hopingfor her recovery. Their prayerswere answered when Helen’sfever eventually went down.

However, when herparents tried talking to her, shedidn’t respond. Helen’s illnesshad left her unable to see orhear. She even forgot how touse her voice.

Gradually, she was ableto communicate her feelings byusing gestures, such as shakingher head. But when peoplecouldn’t understand her orsomething upset her, she criedand screamed, and took herfrustration out on them.

Helen’s parents, whowere doing everything theycould to help their daughter,were then introduced to a youngwoman named Anne Sullivan.She had just graduated fromschool with highest honors.

Anne lost her motherwhen she was eight years old.She and her younger brotherlived with their father, who wasan alcoholic and unemployed.They were very poor. Annebattled blindness [that ended ina successful operation thatpartially restored her vision].

Those who liveundefeated by their hardshipsare able to truly understand thesuffering and sadness of others.It makes them kind andcompassionate.

Anne Sullivan becamethe tutor of the seven-year-oldHelen who eventually came totrust her. Anne believed in herpotential and taught her withgreat patience.

Helen learnedfingerspelling, which enabledher to spell out words with her

fingers. Anne taught this byshaping letters on Helen’s palm.

At first, no matter howmany times Anne tried to teachher, Helen was unable to graspthe idea that everything had aname.

Helen couldn’t makethe distinction between a cupand the water in it. One day,Anne Sullivan pumped waterfrom the well in the yard, andhad Helen hold a cup with onehand, placing it underneath thewater spout. Water overflowedfrom the cup, gushing overHelen’s hand.

Anne took Helen’sother hand and spelled out theword “water,” over and overagain. Suddenly, Helen madethe connection. She realized thatthe cool liquid flowing over herhand had a name: it was called“water.”

Helen then understoodthe meaning of words such as“father,” “mother,” “sister,” and“teacher,” and learned manywords quickly. She began tosee and hear with her mind. Thelight of learning began toilluminate her heart.

Helen learned tocommunicate with fingerspellingwith her teacher by placing herhands over her teacher’s palm.Later, after learning to readBraille—a way of writing thatuses raised dots on a piece ofpaper to represent letters—shebegan to read books. Shecontinued her efforts until shelearned how to write sentencesand to use her voice to speak.Filled with the joy of learning,Helen made excellent progress.And her teacher, Anne Sullivan,was always at her side.

*

Helen had a big dream. Shewanted to attend college. Her

school of choice was HarvardUniversity, one of the mostprestigious universities inAmerica, and where I havebeen invited to lecture at on twooccasions.

All of Helen’s friendssaid that it would be impossiblefor her to get in, so she shouldgive up the idea. But she andAnne Sullivan united as teacherand pupil in their efforts to getaccepted.

Around this time,Helen’s beloved father passedaway, deeply saddening her. Butwith the support of many, shesucceeded in being accepted toRadcliffe College, which wasHarvard’s associated women’scollege. There, she studieddiligently and graduated withhonors.

Helen then went on todevote herself to helping otherswho were blind and deaf so thatthey could lead happy lives. Shetraveled around the world callingfor peace and encouragingothers.

She also visited Japanthree times. Her first visit wasabout 80 years ago in April 1937,when the cherry trees were in fullbloom. Addressing a Japaneseaudience, she shared her beliefthat our smiles are more radiantand beautiful when we help thosein need.

A letter written by HelenKeller is displayed at exhibitionssponsored by the Soka Gakkaisuch as Human Rights in the21st Century—TreasuringEach Individual (2005–) andBooks—Heritage of Humanity(2006–). Visitors find the letterdeeply inspiring.

In this letter, Helenwrote: “If you can enjoy the sunand flowers and music wherethere is nothing except darknessand silence you have proved theMystic Sense.” Helen’s teacher

Anne Sullivan was the one whodrew out the spiritual power fromwithin Helen’s heart.

*

People around the worldapplauded the teacher-studentrelationship built by Helen Kellerand Anne Sullivan.

On June 15, 1932, theUniversity of Glasgow inScotland presented Helen Kellerwith an honorary doctorate andpraised her and her teacher.

Incidentally, on the sameday 62 years later (in 1994), thisuniversity conferred an honorarydoctorate upon me, and alsopaid tribute to the encounter Ihad with my mentor, secondSoka Gakkai president JoseiToda.

Reflecting on herrelationship with Anne Sullivan,Helen said with the deepestappreciation: “I cannot pictureanyone else in her place.”

I, too, cannot imagineanyone other than Mr. Toda asmy mentor in life. Having him asmy mentor made me who I amtoday. He enabled me to live anincredible life. He empoweredme to work for world peace andto meet and build friendshipswith people around the globe.

I have also had the goodfortune to encounter all of you,the members of the boys and girlsdivision. Just as being able tomeet Mr. Toda is a great treasurein my life, I regard all of you tobe great treasures, not only forme, but for the future of humanity.

(Translated from the March 1,2015, issue of Boys and GirlsHope News, the Soka Gakkaimonthly newspaper for theboys and girls division)

Undefeated by AdversityUndefeated by AdversityUndefeated by AdversityUndefeated by AdversityUndefeated by Adversity

[12] Helen Keller, Author and Social Activist:

The NSGI Times 10

Part 1

The Buddhism of Nichiren Daishonin

Nichiren Daishonin’s Life and Teachings

Chapter 1

1) Attaining Buddhahood in This Lifetime

3. Attaining Buddhahood in This Lifetime and Kosen-rufu3. Attaining Buddhahood in This Lifetime and Kosen-rufu3. Attaining Buddhahood in This Lifetime and Kosen-rufu3. Attaining Buddhahood in This Lifetime and Kosen-rufu3. Attaining Buddhahood in This Lifetime and Kosen-rufu

The Daishonin explains the“attain” of attaining Buddhahood asfollows: “‘Attain’ means to open or reveal”(OTT, 126). Attaining Buddhahood,therefore, simply means revealing ourinnate Buddhahood.

As ordinary people, we canreveal this enlightened state of life, just aswe are. This is expressed in the Buddhistconcepts of “the attainment ofBuddhahood by ordinary people” and“attaining Buddhahood in one’s presentform.”

Attaining Buddhahood does notmean going to some other world. Rather,it means establishing a state of absoluteand indestructible happiness here in thereal world.

The Daishonin says that “onecomes to realize and see that each thing—the cherry, the plum, the peach, thedamson—in its own entity, withoutundergoing any change, possesses theeternally endowed three bodies [of theBuddha]” (OTT, 200). As this passagesuggests, attaining Buddhahood meansliving in a way in which we make the mostof our unique inherent qualities anddevelop our potential to the fullest.

In other words, in attainingBuddhahood, our lives are purified,allowing us to give full expression to theirinherent workings; we gain a strong innerstate that is not swayed by any hardship.

Attaining Buddhahood is not theachievement of a final goal. The state ofBuddhahood is characterized by anunremitting struggle based on faith in theMystic Law to eliminate evil and generategood. Those who strive tirelessly forkosen-rufu are Buddhas.

“The Attainment of Buddhahood by Ordinary People” and“Attaining Buddhahood in One’s Present Form”

than the Lotus Sutra teach the attainmentof Buddhahood, they all require at leasttwo conditions.

The first is that one not belong toany of the following groups, which weredeemed incapable of attainingBuddhahood: practitioners of the twovehicles (voice-hearers and cause-awakened ones), evil people, and women.

Practitioners of the two vehiclesbelieved that it was impossible for themto attain the elevated life state of theBuddha, and so contented themselveswith seeking to gain the stage of arhat—the highest stage of awakening in theteachings for the voice-hearers. Thesepractitioners aimed for the annihilation ofbody and mind in arriving at this stage, inwhich all earthly desires were completelyextinguished, ending the cycle of rebirthinto this world. Many Mahayana sutrasharshly condemned such practitioners asbeing unable to attain Buddhahood.

These sutras also taught that evilpeople had to first be reborn as goodpeople, and women be reborn as men,before they could attain Buddhahood.Neither evil people nor women wereconsidered able to attain Buddhahood asthey were. Though these sutras taught thepossibility of attaining Buddhahood, onlya limited number of people could meet therequirements to actually do so.

The second condition for attainingBuddhahood in Mahayana sutras otherthan the Lotus Sutra was that one had toengage in Buddhist practice over repeatedcycles of birth and death (known as“countless kalpas of practice”) in orderto free oneself from the life state of anunenlightened, ordinary person andachieve the life state of a Buddha.

The fundamental purpose of our Buddhistfaith and practice is to attain the life stateof Buddhahood.

By embracing faith in theGohonzon and striving sincerely inBuddhist practice for oneself and others,anyone can realize the state ofBuddhahood in this existence. This is theprinciple of “attaining Buddhahood in thislifetime.”

“Practice for oneself” means tocarry out Buddhist practice for one’s ownbenefit. “Practice for others” means toteach and guide others to Buddhistpractice so that they, too, can attainbenefit. Specifically, “practice for oneselfand others” indicates doing gongyo andchanting daimoku, Nam-myoho-renge-kyo, while also reaching out to talk withothers about Buddhism, teaching andguiding them, and thereby propagating theMystic Law. (A more detailed explanationappears in chapter 3.)

Nichiren Daishonin wrote: “Ifvotaries of the Lotus Sutra carry outreligious practice as the sutra directs, thenevery one of them without exception willsurely attain Buddhahood within his or herpresent lifetime. To cite an analogy, if oneplants the fields in spring and summer,then, whether it be early or late, one iscertain to reap a harvest within the year”(“The Doctrines of Three ThousandRealms in a Single Moment of Life,”WND-2, 88).

Attaining Buddhahood, orbecoming a Buddha, does not meanbecoming some kind of special humanbeing, completely different from who weare now, nor does it mean being rebornin a pure land far removed from this worldin our next lifetime.

The terms “ordinary person” or “commonmortal” appear frequently in Buddhistsutras and texts, indicating anunenlightened person. The Lotus Sutrateaches that ordinary people inherentlypossess the life state of Buddhahood andthat they can reveal that state of life. Thatis, it is possible for us to manifest withinus that noble life state as ordinary people.This is expressed in such Buddhist termsas “ordinary people are identical with thehighest level of being” (OTT, 22) and “anordinary person is a Buddha” (“The IzuExile,” WND-1, 36).

Attaining Buddhahood is aprocess of manifesting the life state of aBuddha, which is originally present withinall people (the inherent world of

Buddhahood). A Buddha, therefore, is nota special being separate from or superiorto human beings. The Daishonin taughtthat attaining Buddhahood is revealing thehighest humanity—that is, Buddhahood—in our lives as ordinary people.

This is called “attainingBuddhahood in one’s present form.” Thismeans that people can realize the life stateof a Buddha just as they are, withouthaving to be reborn and changing theirpresent form as an ordinary person.

Though Mahayana sutras other

Buddhahood means livingin a way in which we make themost of our uniqueinherent qualities and

develop our potential tothe fullest.

The NSGI Times11

Attaining Buddhahood as an Ordinary Personin This Lifetime

in a single moment of life; we arethe founder, Nichiren Daishonin”(“The Commentaries ofNichikan”).

By believing in theGohonzon and continuing to exertourselves in faith and practice forthe sake of kosen-rufu, we canmanifest in our lives as ordinarypeople the same life state ofBuddhahood as NichirenDaishonin.

This is also expressed asthe principles of “attainingBuddhahood in one’s presentform” and “attainingBuddhahood in this lifetime.”

[Note: Nichikan (1665–1726)was a scholar priest who livedduring the Edo period (1603–1868) of Japan. Hesystematized and placed freshemphasis on the Buddhistprinciples of NichirenDaishonin as inherited andtransmitted by his directdisciple and successor, NikkoShonin.]

In contrast, the Lotus Sutrateaches that attainingBuddhahood is not a matter ofbecoming some sort ofexceptional or extraordinarybeing, but that each person canreveal the life state ofBuddhahood within them, just asthey are.

Nichiren Daishoninfurther clarified that thefundamental Law by which allBuddhas attain enlightenment isNam-myoho-renge-kyo. He alsomanifested his enlightened stateof life that is one with that Law inthe form of the Gohonzon—theobject of devotion of Nam-myoho-renge-kyo.

By embracing faith in theGohonzon of Nam-myoho-renge-kyo, anyone can reveal theBuddhahood inherent in his or herlife.

Nichikan wrote: “If weaccept and believe in this objectof devotion and chant Nam-myoho-renge-kyo to it, then ourlives are themselves the object ofdevotion of three thousand realms

“Ear thly Desires Are Enlightenment” and “The Sufferings of Birthand Death Ar e Nirvana”

The idea of “attainingBuddhahood in one’s presentform” can be expressed fromanother distinct perspective asthe principles that “earthly desiresare enlightenment” and “thesufferings of birth and death arenirvana.”

The various sutras andscriptures traditionallycategorized as Hinayanateachings in the Daishonin’s daytaught that the cause of sufferinglies in one’s earthly desires ordeluded impulses, and that thereis no way to eliminate sufferingother than to extinguish suchdesires or impulses. The aim ofthese teachings wasemancipation (awakening thatbrings about release fromsuffering) through upholdingnumerous precepts (rules ofdiscipline) and accumulating theresults of prolonged and intensivepractice and training.

However, trying toachieve a state utterly devoid ofearthly desires led people to seekto annihilate both the physical andspiritual self and thereby escapethe cycle of birth and death,never to be reborn in this worldagain. This ultimately amounts toa complete denial or rejection oflife.

In the Mahayana sutrasother than the Lotus Sutra,persons of the two vehicles whopractice the Hinayana teachings,evil people, and women aredenied the possibility of attainingBuddhahood.

This represents a way ofthinking that is essentially quitesimilar to the Hinayana doctrines,creating a gap or divide betweenordinary people and the Buddhathat is difficult to bridge.

These sutras also

present fictitious Buddhas—as inthe case of Amida Buddha orMahavairochana Buddha—whofar transcend human beings intheir attributes and dwell inseparate realms far removedfrom the real world.

These sutras teach thatfor ordinary people to becomeBuddhas, they must learn,practice, and acquire aspects ofthe Buddha’s enlightenment alittle at a time over the course ofmany successive lifetimes.

Also, the belief that onecould not through one’s ownefforts or power alone becomea Buddha gave rise to anemphasis on seeking salvationthrough the absolute power of aBuddha.

In contrast, the LotusSutra reveals that all humanbeings inherently possess theworld of Buddhahood, a lifestate of compassion and wisdom,and that it is possible to tap andbring forth this innerBuddhahood.

Even ordinary peoplewhose lives are dominated byearthly desires, burdened bynegative karma, and afflicted bysuffering, can, by awakening to

the reality that Buddhahoodexists within their own lives,manifest the wisdom of theBuddha’s enlightenment, liberatethemselves from suffering, andrealize a state of completefreedom.

A life tormented byearthly desires and suffering canbecome a life of limitless freedomthat shines with enlightenedwisdom, just as it is. This is themeaning of the principle that“earthly desires areenlightenment.”

Nichiren Daishoninteaches that the world ofBuddhahood within us is Nam-myoho-renge-kyo.

When we believe in theGohonzon of Nam-myoho-renge-kyo, chant daimoku, andawaken to our true, noble selves,the wisdom to live out our lives,the courage and confidence toface the challenges of adversityand overcome them, and thecompassion to care for thewelfare of others will well forthin our lives.

“The sufferings of birthand death are nirvana” meansthat, though we may be in a stateof suffering caused by the painfulrealities of birth and death, whenwe believe in the Gohonzon andchant Nam-myoho-renge-kyo,we can manifest in our lives thetranquil life state of the Buddha’senlightenment (nirvana).

The principles of “earthlydesires are enlightenment” and“the sufferings of birth and deathare nirvana” teach us that whenwe base ourselves on faith in theMystic Law, we can lead positive,proactive lives, transformingevery problem and suffering wehave into a cause for growth andhappiness.

Relative Happiness and Absolute Happiness

Second Soka Gakkai PresidentJosei Toda (1900–58) taughtthat there are two kinds ofhappiness: relative happiness andabsolute happiness. Relativehappiness describes a conditionin which our material needs arefulfilled and our personal desiressatisfied. But desires know nolimits; even if we may enjoy asense of those desires beingfulfilled for a time, it is not lasting.Since this kind of happiness isdependent on externalcircumstances, if thosecircumstances should change ordisappear, then so will ourhappiness. Such happiness iscalled relative because it existsonly in relation to externalfactors.

In contrast, absolutehappiness is a state of life in whichbeing alive itself is a source ofhappiness and joy, no matterwhere we are or what ourcircumstances. It describes a lifecondition in which happinesswells forth from within us.Because it is not influenced byexternal conditions, it is calledabsolute happiness. AttainingBuddhahood means establishingthis state of absolute happiness.

Living amid the realitiesof this world, it is inevitable thatwe will meet with various

problems and difficulties. But inthe same way that someone whois strong and physically fit caneasily climb a mountain, evenwhen carrying a heavy load,those who have established aninner state of absolute happinesscan use any challenge theyencounter as an impetus forbringing forth powerful life forceand calmly overcome adversity.For strong mountain climbers, thesteeper and more demanding theascent, the greater enjoymentthey feel in overcoming eachchallenge on the path to thesummit. Similarly, for those who,through Buddhist practice, haveacquired the life force andwisdom to overcome hardships,the real world with all its troublesand challenges is a place forcreating value, rich in satisfactionand fulfillment.

In addition, while relativehappiness, which depends onexternal factors, disappears withdeath, the absolute happiness ofthe life state of Buddhahoodpersists eternally. As theDaishonin writes: “Passingthrough the round of births anddeaths, one makes one’s way onthe land of the Dharma nature,or enlightenment, that is inherentwithin oneself” (OTT, 52).

In the Mahayanasutras other than theLotus Sutra, personsof the two vehicleswho practice the

Hinayana teachings,evil people, and

women are deniedthe possibility of

attainingBuddhahood.

The NSGI Times 12

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On the SGI Organisation

Question: To me, faith is something personal and should be carriedout on an individual basis. Why do we need “organizationalactivities”?

Answer: The word “organization”probably conjures up certain images ofbeing restrained or losing personalfreedom. However, if we relook at ourdaily lives, we will realize that we areactually part of some kind of“organization” the closest and smallestunit being our families. Schools,companies, interest groups, localcommunities — all are organizations.

Organizations are made up ofindividuals, intertwined and interactingwith one another. Our lives cannot existapart from others. If one avoids contactwith fellow members and practise faithalone, one will unknowingly fall into thetrap of “self-propounded views”, veeringaway from the correct path of Buddhist

practice. As a result, one will find it difficultto maintain faith.

Nichiren Daishonin writes: “Thebest way to attain Buddhahood is toencounter a good friend.” (WND-1, p598) Good friends enable Buddhistpractitioners to attain Buddhahood. In theSGI, they refer to seniors in faith and fellowpractitioners who pray for the growth offellow members and offer wholeheartedencouragement along the journey of faith.

Our characters and humanisticqualities will be polished through ourencounters, interactions and dialogues withpeople from all walks of life with differingbackgrounds, statuses and personalities.Just as diamonds can only be polished bydiamonds, human beings can only be

polished through their interactions withfellow human beings.

In addition, our dialogue-basedmovement through lending an ear toothers, imparting courage and hope and

offering heartfelt encouragement,forms the basis of SGI activities. As theGosho states, “If one lights a fire for others,one will brighten one’s own way.” (WND-2, p 1060)

A c t i v i t i e swithin the SGIorganisation, includingengaging in dialogueson Buddhism, homevisitations and offeringe n c o u r a g e m e n t ,constitute actions takenbased on the belief inone’s Buddhahood(limitless potentialinherent in one’s life)and the wish to helpmanifest it. Taking suchactions will in turn helpus to open forth ourown Buddhahood,thereby helping us togrow as an individual.

SGI PresidentIkeda once said,“Living out our livestogether as weencourage one anotheralong our journey of

Buddhist practice — Buddhism pulsateswithin such human bonds that bind ustogether.”

While exerting ourselvestenaciously in our personal practice suchas doing gongyo, chanting daimoku andstudying the Gosho, engaging ourselvesin the activities of the SGI, anorganization dedicated to the realisationof happiness of all people, is the “shortcut” to achieving great personal growth.

Activities within the SGI

organisation, including engaging

in dialogues on Buddhism, home

visitations and offering

encouragement, constitute

actions taken based on the belief

in one’s Buddhahood (limitless

potential inherent in one’s life)

and the wish to help manifest it.