Strengthening our own determination and sense of responsibility to contribute to the welfare of society and world peace
November 18 is the day Soka Gakkai (Value-Creating Society) was founded in 1930 by Mr. Tsunesaburo Makiguchi, who became its first president, and his disciple, Mr. Josei Toda, later its second president. We take this day, as disciples, to strengthen our determination and sense of responsibility to contribute to the welfare of society and world peace in the spirit of the three founding presidents.
Soka Gakkai 1st President Makiguchi was an educator and scholar who regarded the purpose of education, to the creation of values that are contributive to a happy life. After his encounter on the teachings of Nichiren Daishonin and the Lotus Sutra, he found in them resonance with his philosophy of value, specifically as a means for leading a life of the highest values and greatest good. Subsequently in June of that year he was converted to Nichiren Shoshu.
The Soka Gakkai views Buddhism as an applied philosophy of life and is distant from an exclusively spiritual or metaphysical pursuit. It encourages Buddhist practice as a means for people to develop the character, wisdom, and strength to improve themselves and their circumstances, to contribute to society, and to help bring about happiness and peace in the world. Soka Gakkai advocates that the basis of the practice and philosophy of the Daishonin's teachings lays on an individual inner reformation called "human revolution." The ultimate goal of which is the attainment of world peace and the happiness of all humanity.
In The Teachings for Victory, SGI President Ikeda annotates:
In the same guidance that I introduced in the opening section of this lecture, Mr. Toda went on to say that the work we have been dispatched to do as envoys of the Buddha is to help all people attain the life-state of Buddhahood and uplift the character of the entire human race to the highest value: “When all people manifest the life-state of Buddhahood, that is to say, when they reveal the supreme value of their character, there will be neither war nor hunger in the world. There will be neither illness nor poverty. Enabling all people to become Buddhas, elevating the character of all people to something of supreme value—this is what it means to carry out ‘the Thus Come One’s work’”.
[A Ship to Cross the Sea of Suffering, pg.18]
The Soka Gakkai upholds the Lotus Sutra philosophy that all people inherently possess within them the Buddha nature, the potential for attaining Buddhahood. Hence, the purpose of the Buddhist practice is to bring forth the Buddhahood. Based on this teaching, the Soka Gakkai has been endeavoring to establish the sanctity of life and the dignity of humanity as fundamental universal ideals. As a matter of fact, the members of the SGI apply the ideals and teachings of Nichiren Buddhism in their daily lives and communities, thus becoming protagonists of peace within their local communities.
In The Teachings for Victory, SGI President Ikeda annotates:
Nichiren Daishonin’s Buddhism is a teaching that awakens individuals to their mission as envoys of the Buddha and inspires them to undertake the same compassionate practice as the Buddha, thereby enabling them to help many others realize a life of happiness and victory.
[A Ship to Cross the Sea of Suffering - pg.4]
With the advent of Soka Gakkai, Nichiren Daishonin’s Buddhism is propagated to more than 180 countries and regions underthe great leadership of the 3rd President of Soka Gakkai, Dr.Daisaku Ikeda. Due to his immense compassion, million of human lives are able to savor the great joy and benefits, derived from the practice of the Daishonin’s Buddhism. It is SGI President Ikeda who guides and inspires his disciples globally to fulfill the mission as envoys of the Buddha. During the Daishonin’s lifetime, only a handful of people in his society professed faith in the Lotus Sutra. Their practice was not more than just listening to lectures on the sutra or transcribing its passages with the aim of attaining personal benefit. The general view of the Lotus Sutra, upheld by these believers was completely different from the Buddha’s true spirit, that is to work unstintingly, to free all people from delusion and suffering by leading them to enlightenment.
In The Teachings for Victory, SGI President Ikeda elucidates:
Founding Soka Gakkai president Tsunesaburo Makiguchi famously distinguished between those who merely believe in the Lotus Sutra and those who actually practice it: “Encountering obstacles or devilish functions is what distinguishes ‘practitioners’ from mere ‘believers.’” He was saying, in other words, that those concerned solely with their own benefit, who don’t confront the three obstacles and four devils, are mere believers, while those who apply themselves to bodhisattva practice for the sake of kosen-rufu—for the happiness of both themselves and others—and actively battle the three obstacles and four devils are genuine practitioners.
It is none other than the first three Soka Gakkai presidents and our dedicated members in Japan and throughout the world who have faithfully engaged in this endeavor as true practitioners of the Lotus Sutra. That is why the three obstacles and four devils and the three powerful enemies have ascended to obstruct the advancement of our movement. Because each member is a practitioner of the Lotus Sutra, the Soka Gakkai has been able to face countless hardships and obstacles with courageous faith and triumph completely over each one."
[A Ship to Cross the Sea of Suffering, pg.8 & 9]
It is crucial to keep the flame of propagation alive in Singapore. It empowers our members to practice as true practitioners of the Lotus Sutra. Since the year 2010, the then General Director had led the organization astray by focusing on 20K Great Discussion Meeting and totally forewent the propagation efforts. This is not an assertion that discussion meeting is of lesser importance but it has to be reckoned as a mean or process in support of the ends, which are the propagation efforts. Discussion meeting is indeed a citadel to house and develop the new believers, grooming them into true practitioners of the Lotus Sutra. The Brazilian members are able to achieve great victory in the Lion King District precisely because they place the focus correctly.
In view of the activities, spearheaded by our ex-General Director, the focus of the organizational direction was based entirely on his intuition, rather than relying on the values and standards set forth by our mentor. Just like the ever-changing placement of our HQ office furniture and our staff’s seating arrangement, it has never known a moment rest since he sat in the office of Chief Executive Director. Be that as it may, organizational directions are of total difference in nature and intensity. It will either lead our entire membership towards attainment of absolute happiness or complete destruction. A minute of digression from the spirit and values of our founders is sufficient to send our entire organization towards annihilation.
What truly falls short of SSA is our mentor’s spirit of reaching out to one person after another and encouraging them. The initiation of a charismatic speaker and large group gathering can never supersede the spirit of reaching out to one after another. It is never an imperative for the appearance of a charismatic speaker to expound profound Buddhist doctrines. On the contrary, it is indispensable for the presence of a sincere and compassionate voice that can move people’s heart on a profound level.
In The Teachings for Victory, SGI President Ikeda elucidates:
The voice has tremendous power. Voices brimming with courage, confidence, and compassion resonate in people’s hearts and move them on a profound level...Such efforts are not merely restricted to talking about difficult Buddhist doctrines. There’s no need to overcomplicate matters. You can simply share the unadorned and honest account of your actual experiences, your joy, and your conviction in the power of faith in the Mystic Law. These are words of truth, too. For instance, telling someone: “You are guaranteed to become happy through this Buddhist practice.” “Chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo will transform your life.” “There’s no difficulty that can’t be overcome through chanting.”
Sincere words arising from a genuine wish for a friend’s happiness; words of conviction and joy welling forth from the depths of your life; words of courage and hope to dispel a friend’s sufferings—all of these are words that awaken the Buddha nature within others. This is why sharing “even a sentence or phrase” in itself constitutes a fine way to propagate the correct teaching of Buddhism, and why such noble efforts are certain to bring forth wonderful good fortune and benefit. That was the spirit with which I took the lead of propagation activities [for Kamata Chapter] in my home neighborhood of Tokyo’s Ota Ward six decades ago, at the age of 24. I reached out to one person after another and encouraged them, intent on building a network of fellow Bodhisattvas of the Earth who in turn would go out to share with others “even a sentence or phrase.”
[A Ship to Cross the Sea of Suffering, pg.11]
It is absolutely erroneous to impart wrong values to our members especially when the basis is not locked to our mentor’s spirit and values, but to one’s clairvoyance, which is the product of one’s deep arrogance. The more one who base on his hunch to adopt the organizational directions, the more it will deviate from our founders’ original spirit and values. Eventually the end result will simply be the destruction of our beloved organization. We believe that 6 Martyrs, who were either removed or expelled, were able to apprehend the grave aberration committed by the ex-General Director and his confederates and thereby severely reprimanded them.
In The Teachings for Victory, SGI President Ikeda instructs:
"Mr. Toda also often spoke of Shih K’uang and Li Lou to the youth. He was always telling us: “To transform our society and our age, and to ensure the sound and unerring development of kosen-rufu, it is important in all things for youth to have keen eyes to discern the truth and sharp ears to hear the voices of truth.”"
[A Ship to Cross the Sea of Suffering, pg.6]
Now I wish to say to my dear young friends in the youth division and all my beloved fellow members around the world: the SokaGakkai is a great ship on the course to peace, harmony, and prosperity for all humanity, sailing over the stormy seas of the 21st century as it upholds the Buddhist principle of respect for the dignity of life.
[A Ship to Cross the Sea of Suffering, pg.19]
In what course this little ship of SSA will take has to rely largely on our righteous youth to develop the aptitude and skill of keen eyes to discern the truth and sharp ears to hear the voices of the truth. The future belongs to those who prepare for it today…
Soka Gakkai 1st President Makiguchi was an educator and scholar who regarded the purpose of education, to the creation of values that are contributive to a happy life. After his encounter on the teachings of Nichiren Daishonin and the Lotus Sutra, he found in them resonance with his philosophy of value, specifically as a means for leading a life of the highest values and greatest good. Subsequently in June of that year he was converted to Nichiren Shoshu.
The Soka Gakkai views Buddhism as an applied philosophy of life and is distant from an exclusively spiritual or metaphysical pursuit. It encourages Buddhist practice as a means for people to develop the character, wisdom, and strength to improve themselves and their circumstances, to contribute to society, and to help bring about happiness and peace in the world. Soka Gakkai advocates that the basis of the practice and philosophy of the Daishonin's teachings lays on an individual inner reformation called "human revolution." The ultimate goal of which is the attainment of world peace and the happiness of all humanity.
In The Teachings for Victory, SGI President Ikeda annotates:
In the same guidance that I introduced in the opening section of this lecture, Mr. Toda went on to say that the work we have been dispatched to do as envoys of the Buddha is to help all people attain the life-state of Buddhahood and uplift the character of the entire human race to the highest value: “When all people manifest the life-state of Buddhahood, that is to say, when they reveal the supreme value of their character, there will be neither war nor hunger in the world. There will be neither illness nor poverty. Enabling all people to become Buddhas, elevating the character of all people to something of supreme value—this is what it means to carry out ‘the Thus Come One’s work’”.
[A Ship to Cross the Sea of Suffering, pg.18]
The Soka Gakkai upholds the Lotus Sutra philosophy that all people inherently possess within them the Buddha nature, the potential for attaining Buddhahood. Hence, the purpose of the Buddhist practice is to bring forth the Buddhahood. Based on this teaching, the Soka Gakkai has been endeavoring to establish the sanctity of life and the dignity of humanity as fundamental universal ideals. As a matter of fact, the members of the SGI apply the ideals and teachings of Nichiren Buddhism in their daily lives and communities, thus becoming protagonists of peace within their local communities.
In The Teachings for Victory, SGI President Ikeda annotates:
Nichiren Daishonin’s Buddhism is a teaching that awakens individuals to their mission as envoys of the Buddha and inspires them to undertake the same compassionate practice as the Buddha, thereby enabling them to help many others realize a life of happiness and victory.
[A Ship to Cross the Sea of Suffering - pg.4]
With the advent of Soka Gakkai, Nichiren Daishonin’s Buddhism is propagated to more than 180 countries and regions underthe great leadership of the 3rd President of Soka Gakkai, Dr.Daisaku Ikeda. Due to his immense compassion, million of human lives are able to savor the great joy and benefits, derived from the practice of the Daishonin’s Buddhism. It is SGI President Ikeda who guides and inspires his disciples globally to fulfill the mission as envoys of the Buddha. During the Daishonin’s lifetime, only a handful of people in his society professed faith in the Lotus Sutra. Their practice was not more than just listening to lectures on the sutra or transcribing its passages with the aim of attaining personal benefit. The general view of the Lotus Sutra, upheld by these believers was completely different from the Buddha’s true spirit, that is to work unstintingly, to free all people from delusion and suffering by leading them to enlightenment.
In The Teachings for Victory, SGI President Ikeda elucidates:
Founding Soka Gakkai president Tsunesaburo Makiguchi famously distinguished between those who merely believe in the Lotus Sutra and those who actually practice it: “Encountering obstacles or devilish functions is what distinguishes ‘practitioners’ from mere ‘believers.’” He was saying, in other words, that those concerned solely with their own benefit, who don’t confront the three obstacles and four devils, are mere believers, while those who apply themselves to bodhisattva practice for the sake of kosen-rufu—for the happiness of both themselves and others—and actively battle the three obstacles and four devils are genuine practitioners.
It is none other than the first three Soka Gakkai presidents and our dedicated members in Japan and throughout the world who have faithfully engaged in this endeavor as true practitioners of the Lotus Sutra. That is why the three obstacles and four devils and the three powerful enemies have ascended to obstruct the advancement of our movement. Because each member is a practitioner of the Lotus Sutra, the Soka Gakkai has been able to face countless hardships and obstacles with courageous faith and triumph completely over each one."
[A Ship to Cross the Sea of Suffering, pg.8 & 9]
It is crucial to keep the flame of propagation alive in Singapore. It empowers our members to practice as true practitioners of the Lotus Sutra. Since the year 2010, the then General Director had led the organization astray by focusing on 20K Great Discussion Meeting and totally forewent the propagation efforts. This is not an assertion that discussion meeting is of lesser importance but it has to be reckoned as a mean or process in support of the ends, which are the propagation efforts. Discussion meeting is indeed a citadel to house and develop the new believers, grooming them into true practitioners of the Lotus Sutra. The Brazilian members are able to achieve great victory in the Lion King District precisely because they place the focus correctly.
In view of the activities, spearheaded by our ex-General Director, the focus of the organizational direction was based entirely on his intuition, rather than relying on the values and standards set forth by our mentor. Just like the ever-changing placement of our HQ office furniture and our staff’s seating arrangement, it has never known a moment rest since he sat in the office of Chief Executive Director. Be that as it may, organizational directions are of total difference in nature and intensity. It will either lead our entire membership towards attainment of absolute happiness or complete destruction. A minute of digression from the spirit and values of our founders is sufficient to send our entire organization towards annihilation.
What truly falls short of SSA is our mentor’s spirit of reaching out to one person after another and encouraging them. The initiation of a charismatic speaker and large group gathering can never supersede the spirit of reaching out to one after another. It is never an imperative for the appearance of a charismatic speaker to expound profound Buddhist doctrines. On the contrary, it is indispensable for the presence of a sincere and compassionate voice that can move people’s heart on a profound level.
In The Teachings for Victory, SGI President Ikeda elucidates:
The voice has tremendous power. Voices brimming with courage, confidence, and compassion resonate in people’s hearts and move them on a profound level...Such efforts are not merely restricted to talking about difficult Buddhist doctrines. There’s no need to overcomplicate matters. You can simply share the unadorned and honest account of your actual experiences, your joy, and your conviction in the power of faith in the Mystic Law. These are words of truth, too. For instance, telling someone: “You are guaranteed to become happy through this Buddhist practice.” “Chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo will transform your life.” “There’s no difficulty that can’t be overcome through chanting.”
Sincere words arising from a genuine wish for a friend’s happiness; words of conviction and joy welling forth from the depths of your life; words of courage and hope to dispel a friend’s sufferings—all of these are words that awaken the Buddha nature within others. This is why sharing “even a sentence or phrase” in itself constitutes a fine way to propagate the correct teaching of Buddhism, and why such noble efforts are certain to bring forth wonderful good fortune and benefit. That was the spirit with which I took the lead of propagation activities [for Kamata Chapter] in my home neighborhood of Tokyo’s Ota Ward six decades ago, at the age of 24. I reached out to one person after another and encouraged them, intent on building a network of fellow Bodhisattvas of the Earth who in turn would go out to share with others “even a sentence or phrase.”
[A Ship to Cross the Sea of Suffering, pg.11]
It is absolutely erroneous to impart wrong values to our members especially when the basis is not locked to our mentor’s spirit and values, but to one’s clairvoyance, which is the product of one’s deep arrogance. The more one who base on his hunch to adopt the organizational directions, the more it will deviate from our founders’ original spirit and values. Eventually the end result will simply be the destruction of our beloved organization. We believe that 6 Martyrs, who were either removed or expelled, were able to apprehend the grave aberration committed by the ex-General Director and his confederates and thereby severely reprimanded them.
In The Teachings for Victory, SGI President Ikeda instructs:
"Mr. Toda also often spoke of Shih K’uang and Li Lou to the youth. He was always telling us: “To transform our society and our age, and to ensure the sound and unerring development of kosen-rufu, it is important in all things for youth to have keen eyes to discern the truth and sharp ears to hear the voices of truth.”"
[A Ship to Cross the Sea of Suffering, pg.6]
Now I wish to say to my dear young friends in the youth division and all my beloved fellow members around the world: the SokaGakkai is a great ship on the course to peace, harmony, and prosperity for all humanity, sailing over the stormy seas of the 21st century as it upholds the Buddhist principle of respect for the dignity of life.
[A Ship to Cross the Sea of Suffering, pg.19]
In what course this little ship of SSA will take has to rely largely on our righteous youth to develop the aptitude and skill of keen eyes to discern the truth and sharp ears to hear the voices of the truth. The future belongs to those who prepare for it today…
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