Striving In Our Human Revolution for the Betterment of Society
Nichiren Buddhism is a religion of “human revolution”. It emphasises the inner transformation of oneself to bring out infinite potential and possibilities based on the Mystic Law as one exerts in faith, practice and study.
Ikeda Sensei said, “Our chanting of Nam-myoho-renge-kyo is directed towards our human revolution. We don’t just sit and wait for people or circumstances to change. Through our own powerful inner resolve, we change ourselves and seek to exert a positive effect on our environment and all those around us.”
On another occasion, Sensei also said, “It is a process of training and transforming our lives to be able to manifest our greater self, to bring forth our Buddha wisdom and the compassionate capacity to realise happiness for ourselves and other people.”
At the recent SGI Study Training Course, we learned that about 10 years ago, Seikyo Shimbun published a story about a district in Mexico. The then YMD leader of the Soka Gakkai of Mexico shared, “We strongly felt that the philosophy of human revolution was bringing about significant changes in our society and local communities.”
In that area where drugs and violence were rampant, it was too dangerous to go out at night. Also, many acquaintances and friends were drug addicts. Many of these individuals had a pessimistic view of life, but when Soka Gakkai members spoke to them patiently, they eventually confessed that, deep down, they truly wanted to live a decent and worthy life.
The members encouraged them to take on the challenge of chanting the daimoku of Nam-myoho-renge-kyo for three months to decide whether to quit drugs and continue chanting.
Through the members’ persistent engagement, encouragement, and chanting together, many people chose to part ways with drugs and continue chanting. Young people who once wandered the streets with dirty clothes, unkempt hair, and bloodshot eyes gradually
transformed. They started smiling brightly, sincerely wishing for others’ happiness.
As a result, the overall situation changed significantly, and people could walk around at night without fear.
A YWD leader in Mexico shared, “By spreading the hopeful philosophy of Buddhism, we were able to build a network of security and happiness in the community. Seeing how one person’s inner transformation can change even the destiny of society has been truly inspiring.”
The human revolution of a single person, who realises the infinite potential within themselves, will foster a sense of respect for others and lead to the betterment of society.
This is the principle of Rissho Ankoku (Establishing the Correct Teaching for the Peace of the Land).
Ikeda Sensei says, “The message of the ‘Rissho Ankoku Ron, simply put, is that each of us should accomplish a personal human revolution based on the principle of humanism and thus become key players in realising social prosperity and world peace.” (The New Human Revolution Vol 4, “Rissho Ankoku” Chapter)
Let us all continue to strive in our own human revolution daily. Otherwise, we are not truly practising Nichiren Buddhism. Furthermore, let’s connect more people to this life-transforming philosophy that can enable them to live happy and value-creative
lives that will contribute to the betterment of society.
