Joy to the World

Hurrah for all of our fellow members who are devoting
themselves so earnestly to achieving kosen-rufu in
isolated island communities!
There is no doubt that all your dedicated efforts are
highly praised and admired by all the Buddhas and Buddhist deities.
May everyone on those most victorious islands in Japan and throughout the world lead the happiest and most glorious life!

"When with our mouths we chant the Mystic Law, our Buddha nature, being summoned, will invariably emerge. The Buddha nature of Brahma and Shakra, being called, will protect us, and the Buddha nature of the Buddhas and bodhisattvas, being summoned, will rejoice."

The Daishonin revealed the teaching of Nam-myoho-renge-kyo for all, without distinction or discrimination. It is a universal teaching for the happiness of all human beings. Moreover, the expression 'the boundless joy of the Law' is written with the Chinese characters that literally read 'the joy of the Law that one gains by oneself.' In other words, we don't sit around waiting for someone else to give us happiness. We bring forth the power to become happy from within our own lives. We don't chase after ephemeral mirages of happiness. For we can tap 'the greatest of all joys' (OTT, 212) from within us.

Persistance towards Glory

People with a seeking spirit are strong!
People who continue to advance are always youthful!
As we approach the end of summer
let's make clear plans for each day
so that we can realize the goals that we set for ourselves!

"The deeper the roots, the more luxuriant the branches. The farther the source, the longer the stream."

"All struggles are a struggle against time. Those who hesitate or waste time will be defeated. As Chinese Premier Zhou Enlai (1898-1976) declared: "Gaining time is the key to victory."

No matter if it's a rainy day or morning in the lingering summer heat,
our Seikyo Shimbun deliverers go out on the road.
Thank you so very much for your selfless dedication!
Glory blossoms of good fortune and benefit will surely
follow your noble footsteps.

"Nam-myoho-renge-kyo is like the roar of a lion. What sickness can therefore be an obstacle?"

Let's give our kind, warm and sincere words of
encouragement to those members who are struggling to
overcome hardships!
The Daishonin states,
"The voice carries out the work of the Buddha."*
Our unceasing effort to encourage each member is a proof of the pure stream that runs in the organization without stagnation.

Indeed, the purpose of faith is to receive benefit.
That is also the purpose of Buddhist practice and Soka
Gakkai activities. The Soka Gakkai organization and its leadership exist to ensure that each member receives benefit. If we lose sight of this, our organization will lose its vigor, stagnate and become idle.

Dialogue is the key towards peace and harmony

No matter what the circumstances, it is important that we cherish every single individual and do our very best to encourage each person.
As a leader, let's make every possible effort so that every member will be imbued with courage and strength!

"Strengthen your faith day by day and month after month. Should you slacken in your resolve even a bit, devils will take advantage."

"Dr. Bernard Lown, one of the cofounders of the International Physicians for the Prevention of Nuclear War (IPPNW), with whom I've met and spoken, has said that medicine is the art of healing and listening, and that listening properly to what others are saying begins with having respect for them as individuals. He also said that friendship that is built through sincere dialogue opens the way to genuine communication."

Sharings of Nichiren Daishonin Buddhism

Summer vacation is a perfect opportunity for parents to sit down and talk with their children.
By listening carefully to what they have to say and
sharing our thoughts with them at the same time,
let's make wonderful memories of parent and child!

"Those who believe in the Lotus Sutra are as if in winter, but winter always turns to spring."

"If we always have a sense of appreciation and strive to repay our gratitude to others, we'll come to know exactly what we should do, what course of action we should take. Boundless courage and wisdom will surge forth from within us without fail."

Sharings of Nichiren Daishonins Buddhism

The writings of Nichiren Daishonin remind us to
'arouse deep faith, and diligently polish our mirror day and night.'*
So let us polish our lives by chanting Nam-myo-ho-renge-kyo!
Those who maintain their faith without ever giving up,
will eventually become winners!

"On the twelfth day of the ninth month of last year, between the hours of the rat and the ox (11:00 P.M. to 3:00 A.M.), this person named Nichiren was beheaded. It is his soul that has come to this island of Sado and, in the second month of the following year, snowbound, is writing this to send to his close disciples."

"As Nichiren Daishonin states in reference to the principle of “emerging from the earth" (WND-1, 385), when one person stands up, they are certain to be followed by two, three, and then a multitude of Bodhisattvas of the Earth in steady succession."

Sharings of Nichiren Buddhism

We are in charge of helping the people in our local
community so that they can lead happy lives.
With refreshing greetings and by taking sincere and caring actions,
let's send a cool breeze of friendship to everyone around us.

"Strengthen your faith day by day and month after month. Should you slacken in your resolve even a bit, devils will take advantage."

"The Soka Gakkai will forever stand on the side of the people. This is its unchanging creed."