Ah, glorious May 3!
Old and young alike,
with a vigorous and vibrant life-force,
thoroughly protected by the heavenly deities,
let’s begin a new struggle!Ah, our May 3!
The lives of our members
who celebrate May 3
are forever bright and cheerful,
forever advancing,
and forever victorious!Our hearts in perfect unity,
(Excerpts from the poem composed by Ikeda Sensei in commemoration of May 3, 2010, titled “Shine On Brilliantly, Our May 3!”)
let’s forge ahead together!
Let’s sing a rousing song in praise
of human revolution!
Ah, shine on brilliantly!
May 3,
our May 3!
May 3, Soka Gakkai Day, is like New Year’s Day in Soka Gakkai and a new departure for the organisation to further advance kosen-rufu, the decree of Nichiren Daishonin. Also, it is the inauguration day of both second Soka Gakkai president Toda and third Soka Gakkai president Ikeda who devoted their entire lives in establishing the great foundation of kosen-rufu with the achievement of a 750,000 household-membership in Toda Sensei’s time and worldwide kosen-rufu in Ikeda Sensei’s. This is a powerful testament of the very essence of Nichiren Buddhism — the spirit of the oneness of mentor and disciple. Today, Soka Gakkai has taken flight as a world religion that liberates people from within, empowering them to establish peace and happiness in their lives. Soka Gakkai comrades throughout the world, awakened to their mission as Bodhisattvas of the Earth, are taking action based on the shared goal to create happier families, a more prosperous community and a better world. Achieving kosen-rufu, based on equality and respect, has indeed positively impacted the destiny of humanity.
Ikeda Sensei wrote in this guidance:
“The eternal message of May 3 lies in making the Daishonin’s heart our own and taking the initiative to spread the Mystic Law, unafraid of any hardships or obstacles we may encounter along the way. We of the Soka Gakkai always greet this day by renewing our vow and resolve for kosen-rufu. Our lives, therefore, blaze with the same powerful life force as .”
Armed with the Daishonin’s life-transforming teaching of “voluntarily assuming the appropriate karma”, we are sure to live lives of no regret, exerting ourselves in the two ways of practice and study, and striving in the propagation of the Mystic Law for the happiness of others. Based on this vow as Sensei’s disciples, we are able to manifest our innate potential to the fullest and live this year’s motto of “Creating our history of kosen-rufu”.
May 3 is also Soka Gakkai Mother’s Day. It was at the first national Soka Gakkai Women Division meeting held on April 27, 1988, that Ikeda Sensei proposed May 3 be also designated “Soka Gakkai Mother’s Day” in the spirit of appreciation for the sincere efforts of Women Division members.
As we celebrate this day, I would like to express my deepest gratitude to all the mothers of kosen-rufu in SGS for their wonderful contribution to the growth and development of SGS all these years. Despite your many challenges, the virtues of a mother described by Ikeda Sensei — caring, wise, persevering, and steadfast — shine in your life. I offer sincere prayers that all Soka mothers be adorned with brilliant smiles of excellent health and absolute happiness.
