To our wonderful Women Division who are the brilliant suns of the Soka Gakkai family, Happy Soka Gakkai Mother’s Day. Thank you very much for dedicating your lives in advancing kosen-rufu in SGS.
On this significant occasion of commemorating Soka Gakkai Day, let us once again return to the prime point of the mentor and disciple spirit, which is the driving force for us to fulfil our noble mission as Bodhisattvas of Earth as we strive to practise for oneself and others.
Ikeda Sensei once spoke about the life of Napoleon, “His spirit was to advance at all times. In my youth, I assumed leadership for the kosen-rufu movement with the same ichinen or determined spirit. Under Mr Toda, I vowed to march victoriously and become number one in Japan in any campaign, and I was able to show actual proof of fulfilling this vow.” (Ikeda Sensei’s guidance at the Soka Gakkai Student Division summer training course on July 21, 1987)
This is the strictness of the world of mentor and disciple – those who decide to strive as disciples must always vow not to settle for half-hearted results but to achieve overwhelming victories.
In one essay where Ikeda Sensei described how he achieved a breakthrough in the February Campaign in Kamata Chapter, he wrote: “The mentor’s sole aim is that the disciples can freely take action to advance kosen-rufu… As disciples, the ultimate way of repaying our gratitude to our mentor is to dedicate ourselves to propagating the Mystic Law and leading as many people as possible towards a life of genuine happiness.” (Our Brilliant Path to Victory, “The February Campaign of the New Age – Part 1 (of 2])
If there is oneness of mentor and disciple, one can win in all aspects. This is the essence of Nichiren Buddhism and the very heart of the Soka spirit. Because we strive together with our mentor, we can break out of our small shell, fear no hardship and advance along the highest orbit of life.
Together with our comrades worldwide, let us continue to strive where we are to advance kosen-rufu. In SGS, we are striving towards sharing Buddhism with others, holding vibrant discussion meetings and conducting mutually encouraging dialogues to awaken each other to the limitless potential within our lives, take action and create positive and impactful change.
The youth division has wonderful initiatives in store to awaken another precious young Bodhisattva of the Earth to commemorate the 75th anniversary of its formation.
Let us, the adult division, give our all in supporting the youth division by reaching out to all the youths around us, be it our children, relatives, or colleagues, so that they can be connected to the greatness of Nichiren Buddhism and enable them to lead a purposeful and contributive life.
With our mentor in our hearts, and basing ourselves on fervent prayers and working together in the spirit of many in body and one in mind, let us strive with ever greater resolve, carry out all our activities of kosen-rufu with great joy and achieve great victory towards November 18 this year, which will be the 96th anniversary of the Soka Gakkai’s Founding Day.
