World Peace Prayer Gongyo Meeting (February 3, 2008)
Yasunori Takimoto
(SGI Vice President)
Good morning everyone!
I would like to offer my sincere thanks to all of you for participating
in the February World Peace Prayer Gongyo Meeting coming very early in
the morning and traveling from far distant places, thank you very much!
Now, as you all very well know, this month of February is a month of victory
that is overflowing with hope for us.
Firstly, February 16, 1222 is the birthday of the true Buddha, Nichiren Daishonin.
Besides, February 11, 1900 is the birthday of second Soka Gakkai president Toda.
Moreover, in 1952 as Chapter Secretary of Kamata Chapter, Sensei has taken
the lead for kosen-rufu and made a breakthrough by accomplishing 201 households
of shakubuku in a single month of February which has greatly exceeded the
limit at that time. Through this, the path of the great development
of Soka Gakkai as it is today has been opened. This fact has come to be
called the “Traditional month of February” and is solemnly shining in the
history of kosen-rufu even to this day.
Now, during the last SGI Day Commemorative Gongyo Meeting on January 26,
Sensei has declared victory in his message to us here in SGI Philippines
by saying that, “A strong foundation for global kosen-rufu has been completed.” This
was largely due to the power of Sensei and his guidance.
In addition, it is a result of all of your daily gongyo and daimoku as
well as your steady and continuous efforts in promoting SGI activities. As
such, allow me to congratulate and offer you my appreciation, thank you
and congratulations!
The essential phase of kosen-rufu that is being awaited has finally arrived.
The essential phase of kosen-rufu is a time where we, as disciples, offer
our profoundest thanks to Sensei who has threw himself in all battles in
opening up the path up until now. It is the time where we, as disciples
struggle and triumph by taking full responsibility for kosen-rufu. By
making Sensei’s heart our own, our turn to fight in the forefront has now
arrived.
Let us all advance kosen-rufu as an honorable disciple of Sensei and strive
in doing shakubuku and in displaying our individual capabilities to our
heart’s content.
Sensei gave his expectation upon us when he said, “Please continue to win trust in your communities and countries around the globe as good citizens, and also to serve as shining role models who offer hope and reassurance to many others.”
Moreover, Sensei also gave us three eternal guidelines in SGI Philippines. They are:
1. SGI Philippines will engage in the shared struggle of mentor and disciple.
2. SGI Philippines will unite in faith with the spirit of many in body, one in mind.
3. SGI Philippines will win happiness and victory.
Making these guidelines as our foundation, let us valiantly advance the essential phase of kosen-rufu together with our General Director Cabauatan and Women’s Division Chief, Mrs. Rosita Ngo Dee cheerfully, harmoniously and in high spirits!
Thank you very much for patiently listening today!
Photo on the top: Flowers in Nagano (Photo by Daisaku Ikeda)
Copyright (c) 2006-2007, Soka Gakkai International of the Philippines,
All rights reserved.
