In his January 2022 Peace Proposal titled, “Transforming Human History: The Light of Peace and Dignity”, Ikeda Sensei writes,
“Mr Toda emerged from a two-year imprisonment at the hands of the Japanese militarist authorities and set about rebuilding the Soka Gakkai as a new kind of people’s movement championing humanism. My mentor’s ideals had deep parallels with those of the UN Charter, for they had grown out of his burning desire to effect a fundamental transformation in human history by breaking the seemingly endless cycle of violence and war. Inspired by his spirit, the Soka Gakkai has continued to expand its global network of ordinary people awakened to a philosophy of peace and respect for dignity of life.”
On May 3, 1951, with this burning desire “to break the endless cycle of war” and relieve this world of sufferings, Josei Toda took on the responsibility of Second Soka Gakkai President. He went on to lead the organisation in war-torn Japan to attain the membership of 750,000 households before his passing on April 2, 1958.
On May 3, 1960, succeeding President Toda who had passed on two years earlier, the young 32-year-old Daisaku Ikeda was determined to repay his gratitude to his mentor and spearhead worldwide kosen-rufu.
From that day till now, 62 years later, Ikeda Sensei has been exerting his utmost, leading the Soka Gakkai to triumph over the onslaughts of the three powerful enemies and accomplishing the propagation of the Mystic Law across the globe with some 12 million members practising Nichiren Buddhism now in more than 192 countries and territories.
We are immensely grateful to have the good fortune to embrace the Gohonzon and practise Nichiren Buddhism with guidance from our mentor while dedicating our lives to realise the vow of the Bodhisattva of the Earth to contribute to world peace along with Soka Gakkai members all over the world.
Nichiren Daishonin wrote, “Were they not Bodhisattvas of the Earth, they could not chant the Daimoku.” (WND-1, p. 385)
Without any doubt, all of us in SGS are Bodhisattvas of the Earth in Singapore, entrusted with the mission to lead others to happiness and overcome their sufferings.
Ikeda Sensei once wrote,
“Our Vow is the source of courage that enables us to draw forth the wisdom of the Buddha inherent in our lives.
“Our Vow is the source of unending victory that causes cheers of jubilation to reverberate as we change our karma into mission.
“Our Vow is the light of hope that expands our network of ‘many in body, one in mind’, transcending all differences.
“And through our vow, mentor and disciple are eternally one and united, across time and space.”
Let us, courageous lion-hearted disciples in Singapore, make this May 3 another fresh departure, uniting our hearts with Sensei as we renew our vow as Bodhisattvas of the Earth, taking action to achieve our human revolution, while striving for the happiness of others.
