The month of August is one of great joy and celebration for Singapore.
After more than 30 months of anxiety and uncertainty amid the Covid-19 pandemic, the great success of the 57th National Day Parade attracting some 25,000 people to the floating platform and the area around Marina Bay on August 9, was a hope-filled sight.
Once again, SGS was honoured to partake in this national event with a dynamic pugilistic performance by 300 gallant youthful participants and a group of dedicated members supporting them behind the scenes. I sincerely thank them for their great efforts!
In the Soka Gakkai, August 2022 is a significant month commemorating the 75th anniversary of our mentor Ikeda Sensei’s first encounter with Toda Sensei on August 14, 1947, and his conversion to Nichiren Buddhism 10 days later, on August 24.
A sickly 19-year-old young man troubled by the sufferings of war, Ikeda Sensei was searching for the correct way of life, a question he posed to Toda Sensei. Impressed by the personality of Toda Sensei and the answers to his questions, Ikeda Sensei took faith in Nichiren Buddhism, and regarded Toda Sensei as his mentor in life.
Since then, Ikeda Sensei has selflessly dedicated his entire life to the vow he made to his mentor after having found his mission in life. In the last 75 years, he has given his all to striving for world peace and happiness of all people in the world by “establishing the correct teachings for peace of the land”. As beneficiaries of his effort, let us, too, inherit this noble spirit from Ikeda Sensei to strive for world peace with the shared vow for kosen-rufu.
In his recent message to our youth division at their representative leaders meeting on August 22, 2022, Ikeda Sensei encourages,
“Having to live amidst tumultuous times like these, I believe life is filled with challenges and hardships. However, this also proves the profound mission you have been entrusted with. It is therefore my fervent wish that each of you will grow to become outstanding leaders dedicated to justice and peace for the sake of your beloved fathers and mothers, and for all people, for society at large and for the future of the world.”
In another message to SGS Men Division (MD) on MD Day on August 24, 2022, Ikeda Sensei extends his appreciation to the MD for their admirable effort and encourages,
“Please continue to strive in great cheer to help your friends form connections with Buddhism so that they will be able to enjoy happiness that will never be destroyed eternally. I sincerely hope that through such efforts, you will achieve dynamic progress for kosen-rufu, as well as in your own lives. Let us resolve that now is precisely the time for us to spread the great light of hope and humanism in our society and towards the future.”
As we advance through the remaining months of the Year of Youth and Dynamic Progress, let us continue to base our action on our vow as Bodhisattvas of the Earth; reach out to others and offer heartfelt concern to those who are suffering, listen to their problems, and encourage them to join this hope-filled practice to overcome their challenges in life.
Let’s look forward to our October Zone General Meeting to create another groundswell of victorious gatherings!
