Kosen-rufu Day Commemorative Gongyo Meeting ( March 16, 2007)
Yasunori Takimoto
(SGI Vice President)
I am really glad to have attended the meeting tonight! As such, I would like to thank each of the groups that have given their colorful and lively performance today as well as the women’s division member who have shared her experience, through which, she has shown actual proof of faith with her strong faith. Let us all give them another round of applause.
I would like to graciously thank all of you for participating in the "Kosen-rufu
Day" Commemorative Gongyo Meeting in spite of your busy schedule and
coming from great distances, thank you very much!
As all of you are well aware,
On March 16, 1958, second president Toda entrusted the successors of kosen-rufu
to the youth division with his impassioned cry, "Soka Gakkai is king
in the religious world and we have a mission of achieving kosen-rufu, no
matter what."
Commemorating this day, it later became the "Commemorative Day of
Kosen-rufu"; it became the day where the disciples have eternally
pledged to achieve kosen-rufu.
Now, in Sensei's March 16 Kosen-rufu Day Message read awhile ago, 3 concrete
points were given concerning the significance of March 16. They are:
1. March 16 is the day of carrying on the fighting spirit
to achieve kosen-rufu;
2. The day of rising up valiantly with the pride of
champions of justice; and
3. The day of setting forth toward total victory in
the shared struggle of mentor and disciple.
In welcoming this day of March 16, let us renew our determination for these 3 points in giving meaning to it in our own respective positions.
Sensei further mentioned that, "Truly praiseworthy are those who resolve
to work hard for kosen-rufu and the SGI within the lofty realm of Nichiren
Daishonin's Buddhism." In other words, Sensei is highly praising all
of you who are striving in your SGI activities.
Furthermore, Sensei taught that what is most crucial is "this time,
now" and "taking action". That in order to gain great victory,
"taking action" "now" is vital.
Moreover, the power of Buddhism is far greater than what you all think.
What then, is the key to draw out that supreme power from our lives?
It is only found in dedicating our lives on the path of kosen-rufu with the power of faith and the power of practice.
Let us all display this supreme power of the Mystic Law to our heart's
content and exert our utmost effort this year in shakubuku and advancement
of kosen-rufu to make this year a year of great victory.
For us, there is only one, single most important thing: that is to triumph together with the mentor. It is for each single one of us to stand up as disciple and rise to the occasion.
Together, under the leadership of General Director Niitsu and Women's Division
Chief Shibata of SGI Philippines, let us unite cheerfully and in high spirits
as we walk along the path of kosen-rufu.
Photo on the top: Flowers in Nagano (Photo by Daisaku Ikeda)
Copyright (c) 2006-2007, Soka Gakkai International of the Philippines,
All rights reserved.
