World Peace Commemorative Gongyo Meeting (December 2, 2007)
Yasunori Takimoto
(SGI Vice President)
Good morning everyone! I would like to express my sincere thanks to all
of you for coming to participate in the December World Peace Gongyo Meeting
from very early in the morning and traveling from distant places, thank
you very much!
I am delighted today because there were a number of wonderful capable people who have participated and received their Gohonzon publicly today, thus becoming SGI members.
Together with all of you, I have prayed for world peace, kosen-rufu as well as for your further good fortune, good health and prosperity of your entire family.
Now, there is only this single month of December remaining for this year’s theme of “Year of Advancement and Victory”.
Together, let us show actual proof of victory and advancement by striving to our hearts contents in all our endeavors not leaving any room for regrets.
Besides, as you all know, our theme next year in 2008 is “Year of Capable People and Development”.
In a speech during the Women’s Division Executive Conference that was held
on November 24, 2007, Sensei mentioned the following:
“I will not stop praying for all my fellow members, without a single exception, for them to increase their light of good fortune similar to the full moon that is bright.”
Moreover, Sensei has related the five eternal guidelines of Soka Gakkai, which are:
1. Faith for a harmonious family.
2. Faith for each person to become happy.
3. Faith for surmounting obstacles.
4. Faith for health and long life.
5. Faith for absolute victory.
Sensei further taught:
“In whatever struggle we make, it should start with ‘no prayers will go unanswered’ kind of prayer.
Only daimoku is the sword that can cut down the devil because, ‘there is no strategy that surpasses the Lotus Sutra.’
The driving force of the 5 eternal guidelines of the Soka Gakkai is grounded upon the unceasing performance of gongyo.”
Moreover, Sensei gave the following guidance: “Those who embrace the Mystic Law and live for kosen-rufu will definitely become happy. They will be able to establish a supreme and replete life condition where all their desires will be fulfilled.”
Sensei also taught that, it is rare to be born as a human being. Furthermore it is even more difficult to live as a human being.
From the viewpoint of eternity, our present lifetime is but a momentary episode.
Mentor Toda once remarked that, “All people here today will no longer be living after a hundred years.”
The fact that our lifetime is limited, the question of how we should spend this lifetime is of utmost importance.
It is taught in the Buddhism of Nichiren Daishonin that it is possible to establish eternal victory in this lifetime. Therein lies the very reason why we practice faith. In order to establish eternal victory, we must have an unyielding faith throughout our lifetime. In other words, we must have a continuing faith.
If after having undergone much trouble in practicing faith but you stopped at the final chapter of your life, you won’t be able to put the finishing touches in this lifetime and you will not become happy.
Unyielding faith can only be found in a heart that struggles continuously.
Responding to the way Sensei is teaching and praying for us, let us lead wonderful, youthful and sparkling lives such that many people will praise us and say, “SGI member’s life condition are truly different!”
Towards next year’s “Year of Capable People and Development”, let us strive
in chanting and in doing shakubuku and advance Philippine kosen-rufu together
with our General Director Cabauatan and Women’s Division Chief, Mrs. Shibata
in high spirits and in a cheerful manner.
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.
