SGI Day Commemorative Gongyo Meeting ( January 26, 2007)
Yasunori Takimoto
(SGI Vice President)
I would like to thank you for attending our SGI Day Commemorative Gongyo Meeting today despite your busy schedule and the long distances you have traveled to come.
As you all know, 32 years ago today, on January 26, 1975, the First World Peace Conference was held in Guam with 158 representatives from 51 countries and regions around the world in attendance. And it was at this meeting that the SGI was launched and Mentor Ikeda was inaugurated as its president.
During the inauguration, President Ikeda has given the following speech:
"I hope that you will dedicate your whole lives to sowing the seeds
of the Mystic Law for the sake of peace throughout the entire world. I
shall do the same."
From this historical departure of the SGI and for 32 years of President
Ikeda's untiring and selfless efforts, the SGI has spread to over 190 countries
and regions to this day. Because of our mentor's struggle, we as SGI members
can enjoy our happiness today.
I would like to take this opportunity to express my debts of gratitude
to our president. I would also like to say that, I will be transforming
my debts of gratitude into my firm resolve and do my utmost for the sake
of the happiness of all mankind, world peace and Philippine Kosen-rufu.
Under the leadership of President Ikeda who is becoming increasingly healthy,
I declare to dedicate myself to fulfill my responsibility and mission as
SGI Vice President in realizing everyone's happiness and Philippine Kosen-rufu
for the rest of my life. So, let's work together from now on as well, ok?
Furthermore, President Ikeda has given the following guidance concerning human revolution:
"Our life is itself the entity of Nam-myoho-renge-kyo. To manifest
the life of this Nam-myoho-renge-kyo is human revolution."
Then, what will it be like when we attain human revolution? President
Ikeda has shown us 7 aspects of human revolution:
1) Health – we can show proof of our faith through our healthy
figures.
However, it doesn't mean that sick people have
failed to attain human revolution.
Though one may be sick, being strongly determined
to overcome one’s sickness is the figure of human revolution.
2) Youth – it means to maintain a youthful spirit throughout
one's life.
Even though you may already be an elderly person,
as long as you possess the spirit of youth, you are as young as your spirit.
3) Good fortune – when you attain human revolution, your good
fortune will be so abundant that it will overflow from your life.
Even though you refuse to receive more benefit,
good fortune will chase after you.
4) Intelligence – it means to polish your intelligence, not
academically or in a scholastic manner.
Rather, by studying the Gosho, reading Sensei
guidance, and chanting daimoku, your intelligence will be polished.
5) Passion – passion is a requirement for happiness
6) Belief – you are shining with strong belief.
7) Victory – Buddhism is concerned with victory or defeat.
After consolidating all those 7 aspects, it is the compassion that is a norm of a Buddhist. For us, courageous action leads to compassion. Doing shakubuku, you need courage. Giving personal guidance, you need courage. Courage leads to compassion.
Let's show these 7 aspects through our own shining figures, and let's win
happiness brightly and cheerfully. Then together with General Director
Niitsu and Women's Division Chief Shibata, let us work for kosen-rufu of
the Philippines that has just entered the era of true Buddhism.
Photo on the top: Flowers in Nagano (Photo by Daisaku Ikeda)
Copyright (c) 2006-2007, Soka Gakkai International of the Philippines,
All rights reserved.
