With both the Young Men Division (YMD) and Young Women Division (YWD) commemorating the 75th anniversary of their formation days in this month of July, this milestone brings great excitement to the entire organisation.
In July 1951, just two months after he was inaugurated as the second president of the Soka Gakkai on May 3, and a month after the formation of the Women Division, Toda Sensei was already looking far ahead. He set his sight on the advancement of kosen-rufu into the future.
Toda Sensei deeply believed in the limitless potential of young people, and always had the highest hopes for them. He knew that the noblest task in building a bright future was fostering youth, because they are an inexhaustible source of value that will bring hope to humanity.
With this vision, he established the YMD and YWD on July 11 and July 19 respectively.
My heartiest congratulations to SGS YMD and YWD, our flag bearers of kosen-rufu for the future.
In a study lecture specially dedicated to the Youth Division, Ikeda Sensei wrote, “The Daishonin writes: ‘Though the trees may desire to be still, the wind will not cease to blow; though we may wish for spring to linger, it must give way to summer.’ (WND-1, p. 672) Just as no one can halt the changing of the seasons in the natural world, once the tide of kosen-rufu begins to rise substantially in the Latter Day of the Law, it will be unstoppable. In fact, now in the 21st century, worldwide kosen-rufu has already become a huge, irrepressible tide.
“As long as an ever-growing number of young successors carry on the tradition of stand-alone faith, our movement for kosen-rufu is guaranteed to keep developing forever. This is the eternal perpetuation of the Law. It all depends on each one of you.”
As youth living in today’s world, you may find reality extremely harsh and your environment very complex. Some of you may be struggling with difficult circumstances and demanding challenges while others battle storms of karma.
Ikeda Sensei stated in the lecture: “But in every age, young people are the drivers of change. This is especially true of you who practise the wonderful Buddhism of Nichiren Daishonin. Young people who embrace the Mystic Law have the inner strength and resilience to forge their way through waves of adversity and suffering, without being swept away by them. Your stand-alone faith enables you to bring forth that ultimate strength.”
When you live true to what Sensei has taught us in the above guidance, you will be able to unleash the ultimate strength in you, chart your own life towards victory and happiness, and also lead fellow youths to do the same. It is important that you strive to fulfil your mission that is uniquely yours.
I sincerely pray for the great growth and development of each precious youth division member in SGS, that you can all unleash the strength of a thousand. I earnestly look forward to every one of you becoming the propulsive force in the advancement of Singapore towards 2030 and beyond, living up to the words of Toda Sensei — it is the passion and power of youth that creates a new era.
