SSA General Director’s June 2020 Editorial
My heartiest greetings to all of you and your families. I hope everyone is in good health and high spirits as we enter another phase of the Covid-19 situation this June.
We have just commemorated a joyous and successful May 3. On that significant day marking SGI President Ikeda’s inauguration as third Soka Gakkai president, we received a very heart-warming message. (Please refer to SSA Times May 2020 issue 625) The message expresses President Ikeda’s appreciation to all for the support in his 60 years of endeavour for world peace and happiness in the propagation of Nichiren Buddhism. He urged us to strive in harmonious unity and advance in our human revolution; thereby contributing to the betterment of society to transform the destiny of humankind.
Soon, we will be entering the second half of 2020. Despite the present circumstances, let us look forward to welcoming the next milestones of July 3 and November 18 with greater victories. But, how should we do so in this current situation?
On May 17, the Seikyo Shimbun published excerpts of President Ikeda’s encouragement series that touches on the use of our voice. (Please refer to Creative Life June 2020 issue for the full text) They read:
“The voice has tremendous power.
The resonance of our voices Is what imparts courage to others.
A single word of trust
A single word of encouragement
A single word of conviction
At the crucial moment
Can become a power source
That creates strength and momentum
In the lives of all.
What is most important
Is imparting encouragement,
With voices that encourage others.
Buddhism teaches that
“The voice does the Buddha’s work.”
It is none other than
Sincere voices that encourage and inspire
That will impart courage and hope
To individuals who are struggling amidst harsh realities.
A single phone call
Can have a tremendous impact.
Because we can’t see the other person’s face,
The tone of our voice
And the words we choose
Are extremely important.
That’s why we should regard
Each phone conversation and
Face-to-face conversation
As part of our Buddhist practice
To connect people to Buddhism and
Accumulate good fortune in our own lives.
July 3 — the day of Mentor and Disciple where second Soka Gakkai President Toda (imprisoned for not giving up his beliefs for peace), was released from prison in 1945 and 12 years later in 1957, the young President Ikeda was arrested on false charges. Let us commemorate this day with the united spirit of mentor and disciple, to remain undaunted in these times against any forces that aim to obstruct what is true and just and in our advancement for kosen-rufu.
Even though we may not be able to meet physically in the month of June and July, using our voices to do the Buddha’s work, let’s use sincere words arising from our earnest concern to reach the hearts of those we speak with, and continue to solider on in good cheer and optimism. Let’s make our homes, the Buddha’s land where we and our family members strive in harmony and joy as we continue our activities (via online platforms) with prudence and advance cheerfully with the Heart of Challenge, Heart of Conviction and Heart of Altruism.
