Three years ago, in April 2020, I wrote in the Editorial as follows:
“With the World Health Organisation declaring Covid-19 as a global pandemic, we have reviewed our activities to ensure everyone’s well-being and fulfil our social responsibility to minimise any possible chances of infection.
Though we are still unable to resume our regular activities in April, we will be introducing new online activities for everyone. You will get to participate in online nationwide study, discussion meetings, and some others for the leaders. Be assured that these are just interim measures and are not meant to replace our usual kosen-rufu activities. We must continue to pray for the earliest resolution of the Covid-19 and everyone’s well-being so that we can resume activities soonest possible. …”
What great joy and relief that we are now able to hold in-person activities, including the monthly home-based discussion meetings that will start in May. Congratulations to all!
Our discussion meetings are inspiring and warm gatherings where people from all walks of life, young and old, men and women alike, encourage one another and discuss the means for attaining happiness. This is the place where we engage in heart-to-heart discussions about faith, inspire one another and forge strong ties of friendship. Unlike online interaction, in-person interaction strikes a special chord in our hearts.
As such, let’s not miss this chance to bring our loved ones and friends to these “oases of hope” so that they, too, can feel the joy and triumph of our faith journey. In fact, discussion meetings have always been the central focus of our activities in the Soka Gakkai, the only legitimate organisation that has inherited the true spirit of Nichiren Daishonin and the great vow for kosen-rufu.
Exactly 800 years have passed since the Daishonin established this Buddhism on April 28, 1253. That day marked the start of a series of life-threatening persecutions on the Daishonin; but he selflessly persisted and triumphed over all challenges in his efforts to propagate Nam- myoho-renge-kyo, the essence of the Lotus Sutra.
In one Gosho the Daishonin wrote, “From the time that 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 ” (WND-1, p. 965), and in another Gosho, he wrote, “My wish is that all my disciples make a great vow.” (WND-1, p. 1003)
With deep gratitude to the Daishonin who opened the way for us to attain enlightenment in this lifetime and for the attainment of peace and prosperity, let us diligently carry out the practice of chanting daimoku to the Gohonzon and striving to inherit this great vow for kosen-rufu. Let us also advance cheerfully towards May 3 and report victories to Ikeda Sensei while joyfully engaging ourselves in dialogues of hope with our friends, and winning in our lives every day.
