Glittering Stars (Song of Byakuren Group)
星光闪耀 (白莲组之歌) | 星は光りて(白蓮グループ歌)
Hoshi wa Hikarite (Byakuren Gurūpuka)
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作詞: 山本伸一
作曲: 山本伸一 ふじの花手に ひとみ清らか 心美しく 地涌の友まつ 優しく強く 人と人との とびゆく蝶は けなげに舞わん 白ゆりを胸に 姿りりしく 疲れたる友に さわやかな声 星は光りて 月は語りぬ ああ この汗に 満ちたるかんばせ 白蓮の華は 幸の香りも しずかに流れゆく 城と城をば 涙の人をも 喜びゆかんと 晴れの姿を 見おくる姫らは 晴れの姿を 見おくる姫らは |
Lyrics : Shinichi Yamamoto
Music : Shinichi Yamamoto Fuji no hana te ni Hitomi kiyoraka Kokoro utsukushiku Jiyu no tomo matsu Yasashiku tsuyoku Hito to hito to no Tobi yuku chō wa Kenage ni mawan Shirayuri o mune ni Sugata ririshiku Tsukaretaru tomo ni Sawayakana koe Hoshi wa hikarite Tsuki wa katarinu Ā kono ase ni Michitaru kanbase Byakuren no hana wa Sachi no kaori mo Shizuka ni nagare yuku Shiro to shiro o ba Namida no hito o mo Yorobi yukanto Hare no sugata o Miokuru hime-ra wa Hare no sugata o Miokuru hime-ra wa |
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English Translation
Lyrics : Shinichi Yamamoto
Music : Shinichi Yamamoto Holding the wisteria flower, with sparkling eyes and beautiful heart, She awaits her friends, the Bodhisattvas of the Earth. Gentle but strong, The butterfly flutters lovably, between people. With white lily on her chest, She valiantly greets with voice that invigorates weary friends. The stars glitter and the moon converses, Ah, sweat covers her face. The fragrance of happiness of the white lotus flower, Gently flows within the citadel. Even for people in tears, she sets her vow in delight; While for those who appear in their moment of triumph, the young women bid them farewell. |
BackgroundOn 6 July 1978, Seikyo Shimbun published in its daily newspaper the Byakuren Group’s song titled “Glittering Stars”. Both the lyrics and melody of Byakuren Group song were written by Ikeda Sensei to herald their new departure on the anniversary of Byakuren Group’s inauguration.
The origin of Byakuren Group can be traced to May 1957 when a group comprised of solely the Young Women Division members was established to take charge of behind-the-scenes movement and operations at meetings and events. This step was proposed by Ikeda Sensei, the Youth Division Chief of Staff at that time, as a means to provide practical, hands-on training that would foster capable young women. Ikeda Sensei bestowed the name “Byakuren Group” on this Young Women Division head temple staff on 8 July 1966 and this significant day came to be known as Byakuren Group Day. “Byakuren” means “white lotus flowers”. Just as the beautiful white lotus blossoms from a muddy pond, the Bodhisattvas of the Earth who live in the corrupt and polluted world of the Latter Day of the Law remain pure and unsullied by their surroundings. As a child, Mrs Ikeda attended discussion meetings with her mother. On one occasion, she had the opportunity to escort founding Soka Gakkai President Tsunesaburo Makiguchi from the nearby train station to the meeting place. As a Young Women Division member, she not only actively shared the Daishonin’s teachings with others but also warmly welcomed a steady flow of members to her home, where local Gakkai meetings were regularly held. In addition, she did her utmost to encourage and support younger members. Toda Sensei gave Mrs Ikeda the nickname “Send-off and Welcome Officer” because she was always on hand to see him off and welcome him back from regional guidance trips. In other words, she was a forerunner of today’s Byakuren Group members. These Young Women Division members in Byakuren Group, brimming with vitality and dignity, are the pride and hope of many Soka Gakkai members. Ikeda Sensei was absolutely determined to protect these “treasures of the Soka Gakkai”, these pure “friends of the White Lotus”. On top of this, he wanted to praise and encourage each and every one of them, hence decided to write them a well-loved song in the Gakkai. On 8 July 1978, the commemorative meeting for the anniversary of Byakuren Group was held at Arakawa Culture Centre situated in Tokyo. Donning their purple uniforms, the members of Byakuren Group was brimming with smile, singing the song “Glittering Stars” in unison. As they sang together, they could feel their sublime mission of being the members of Byakuren Group and the heartfelt expectations of Ikeda Sensei. From the depth of their hearts, it arose in them a great vow to “send the fragrant wind of revitalization to the weary comrades, to the people filled with tears, through their hearty and cheerful voice”. Ikeda Sensei and Mrs Ikeda are chanting earnestly each day that the women of the SGI around the world will enjoy lives that brimmed with happiness and victory. Hence, a monument for the Byakuren Group was erected at the Soka Gakkai Shiga Training Centre, located on the shores of Lake Biwa, engraving these words. The lotus flower blooms in this day and age, destined from the remote past. There was an instance when Ikeda Sensei was visiting this centre, he presented the Kansai’s Women Division and Young Women Division members with these words of encouragement: “Win over yourself today; that is the key to your victory in life ten years hence,” and “Possessing a profound determination and vow in your youth, you are certain to become champions of happiness throughout the three existences.” The members of the Byakuren Group are the ‘faces’ of the Soka Gakkai and the ‘flowers’ of Soka. These young women who dedicate themselves to kosen-rufu are incredibly admirable and noble. All of their efforts and hard works will adorn their lives in the form of great benefits and good fortune as assured by Ikeda Sensei. Ikeda Sensei wanted to assure them that although their sincere efforts may seem to go unnoticed by others, the Buddhas and bodhisattvas throughout the universe observe all. These beautiful lyrics and sweet melody of the song of Byakuren Group will be well-loved by all for eternity. |