Crofton Conferral 01-21-11

Jennifer  Webber receives her Gohonzon from Jason Feinman as Cheryl looks on.  

Become a Philosopher of Life

President Ikeda gave 'Become a Philosopher of Life' at a SUA Youth Training Session on 25 Feb 90.The CEC studied this lecture prior to the deliberations on SGI-USA's future focus in October 2010. The lecture was reprinted in the 24 May 2002 World Tribune. Click the link in the links list to read.

Letter to the Brothers excerpt 1

The Lotus Sutra is the heart of the eighty thousand teachings and the core of the twelve divisions of the scriptures. The Buddhas throughout the three existences attain enlightenment because they take this sutra as their teacher. The Buddhas of the ten directions guide living beings with the teaching of the one vehicle as their eyes.


Commentary:
Nichiren emphasizes the superiority of the Lotus Sutra over all others. He says that all Buddhas attained enlightenment by taking the Lotus Sutra as their teacher and they also expounded the Lotus Sutra to others. 

Letter to the Brothers Intro

"The great undertaking of kosenrufu is a struggle against devilish functions. We cannot afford to cower at their onslaughts. If we allow them to defeat us, humanity will be forever enveloped in darkness." This declaration by Josei Toda carries an important message for posterity. Mr. Toda wished to rid the world of suffering and misery; therefore, he strove tirelessly to vanquish all negative forces that inflicted pain and torment on people. Although suffering from illness when the Soka Gakkai was nearing its 750,000 membership goal, he fought on, undaunted. He overcame his health threat and handed the baton of kosenrufu to the youth division in March, 1958. He passed away peacefully on April 2.

The announcement of the attainment of 750,000 membership occurred at the December 1957 HQ leaders meeting. Mr. Toda presented what became known as "three eternal guidelines of the Soka Gakkai": faith for a harmonious family, faith for each person to become happy, faith for surmounting obstacles. In 2003 President Ikeda added two more: faith for health and long life, faith for absolute victory.

"Letter to the Brothers" is a crucial text for learning the correct attitude in faith. Nichiren Daishonin teaches his followers to triumph over all devilish functions and attain Buddhahood. He urges them to do so by striving in faith with the same commitment as his and uniting solidly with their fellow believers. 

This writing could be called the basis of the five eternal guidelines. Unless we win in the struggle against devilish functions, we cannot achieve true harmony, happiness, health, longevity or victory.

The letter is addressed to Munenaka and Munenaga Ikegami in response to news of Munenaka's disownment (a really big deal) by their father, Yasumitsu, who was a leading construction contractor for the government. As an ardent supporter of Ryokan, chief priest of the Gokurakuji temple, he was opposed to their practice and had disowned Munenaka in oredr to tempt Munenaga who could become the heir if only he would abandon his faith. He teaches that the obstacles confronting them are due to their faith in the Lotus Sutrs and that the path to Buddhahood lies in battling devilish functions in accord with the sutra.

President Ikeda's Message to the CEC

To my most respected and beloved fellow members who are serving on the SGI-USA Central Executive Committee!

I deeply appreciate your efforts in holding this conference to continue your victorious progress toward next year! When all of you, as leaders, shoulder overall responsibility and maintain solid unity, you can open a path to victory for tens of thousands of generations to come. Watching over you from here in Japan, I am deeply praying that your meeting will be bright and meaningful.

Next year marks the 50th anniversary since I made my first steps in America, the land I chose as the pivotal point of our global kosen-rufu movement. Thanks to your noble, tireless efforts in blazing an unexplored, virgin trail for worldwide kosen-rufu, our quest has been fulfilled to the point that we have proudly constructed many great castles of the Law around the world as evidence of the dynamic growth of our movement.

At this point, what matters most is "leadership revolution." Each of you is a vital pillar of kosen-rufu. That pillar must never fall, no matter what happens. Unless you wholeheartedly make a fresh determination now and grow significantly, you will not be able to open a new era. I ask you to become people who are trusted even more than before. Toward this end, you should base your lives on the oneness of mentor and disciple. You must decide that pursuing the oneness of mentor and disciple is the primary quest of your lives. You should continue to fight, especially in those areas where your mentor may not be watching, but with the same spirit as your mentor. Such dedicated disciples are surely praiseworthy. This is the supreme teaching of Buddhism.

Nikko Shonin, who walked along the true path of mentor and disciple until the very last moment of his life, strictly stated in the Twenty-six Admonitions of Nikko, "Until kosen-rufu is achieved, propagate the Law to the full extent of your ability without begrudging your life" (Gosho Zenshu, p. 1618). It is we who are single-mindedly struggling to advance toward our great desire of kosen-rufu in exact accord with our mentor's teachings without begrudging our lives. This is the spirit of the oneness of mentor and disciple. It is the eternal spirit of the Soka Gakkai. First, you must become strong, then you must help your comrades to become strong, one by one, as you advance together. I ask you to chant daimoku resonantly with courage, bringing forth the true wisdom of the essential teaching that will enable you to most effectively cope with changing circumstances, and taking the most valuable action with dauntless leadership. Let's fight together!

Every single day, I am earnestly praying that all of you, my most-trusted SGI-USA leaders, will develop splendid successors and victoriously show exemplary advancement, praising one another with the harmonious unity of many in body but one in mind. Please stay in excellent health and high spirits.

Daisaku Ikeda
October 22, 2009

Happy New Year

The Year of the Total Victory of Soka and the Dynamic Development of Youth

World Peace Prayer 3 May

We had a great World Peace Prayer meeting on 3 May at Mt. Rainier Community Center. The meeting was planned by Prince George's East Chapter and all three Prince George's East districts were represented in the program. Denise Greene from Bowie District led gongyo, Nikki Jeter from Prince George's District and Lawrence Cooper from Crofton District shared emcee responsibilities. 

The emcee's introduced the theme: Significance of Buddhist Offering, Sara Fultz read President Ikeda's May 3rd message. Carmela Menchaka's words of encouragement emphasized the importance of the May contribution effort. 

The video of the 27th Headquarters Leaders meeting begins with an expression of President Ikeda’s personal encouragement to all members by presenting representatives from various regions with poems and photos, followed by a choral presentation of the new Ikeda Kayo-kai song.

 

In his speech, President Ikeda acknowledges SGI members from 60 overseas countries and offers quotes from acclaimed scholars from several of those countries, including America, France, Denmark and Brazil. It is also the first time a representative from the African nation of Gabon is attending.

  

President Ikeda recalls the struggle he shared with youth to write "Song of Crimson" twenty-eight years ago. It included over twenty revisions. He also recounts the founding and spirit of the "Gajokai"—young men who oversee the protection of SGI members and community centers. He offers words of encouragement and guidance to men, women and youth, recalling the words of his mentor President Toda.

Kazue Elliot

Kazue Elliot came to America in 1958 with $25 in her pocket and an incurable illness. Her challenges in those early years are too numerous to count. So when Mrs. Elliot retired four decades later—in 1999—having surmounted tremendous difficulties, she made a firm determination to give to the annual S G I - U S A May Commemorative Contribution activity in a way she had never done before. “Without the Gohonzon, without the SGI and SGI President Ikeda,” she says, “I could not be here today. So with that appreciation, I wanted to give from my heart.” 

Almsgiving is considered the first of the six paramitas, or practices, required of bodhisattvas to attain enlightenment. For longtime Buddhist practitioners such as Mrs. Elliot, the essence of contribution is not the amount, but the spirit to live with a heart of appreciation. “When you can bring out your appreciation,” she says, “your happiness gets deeper and deeper. But without appreciation, your world gets so small.” 

The May Commemorative Contribution activity is a means, she says, to learn how to expand one’s heart. One year, for instance, Mrs. Elliot found it hard to meet her contribution goal. When she chanted Nam-myoho-renge-kyo about it, she realized that she had to fight against her own tendency to lose her sense of appreciation, even after years of Buddhist practice. “President Ikeda teaches us that every day is a battle between the negative functions in our heart and our Buddhahood,” she says. When we make a determination to change our lives, our negativity is bound to come up, trying to close off our heart, she explains. When she felt her heart close, she urged herself to think about others. When she shifted her focus to supporting others, she broke through her impasse and accomplished her goal. Mrs. Elliot came to the United States in 1958. Two years later, she was present when President Ikeda made his first visit to Los Angeles. She saw how he took great care to encourage the Japanese members living there. “He knew we were so poor,” says Mrs. Elliot, “but he encouraged us to learn English, get a driver’s license and become good American citizens.” 

Those words gave her hope that she could build a meaningful life in the states, so she wholeheartedly followed his guidance. “When I think about how little I had when I arrived and how I was able to work for kosen-rufu in America for all these years,” she says, “I have so much appreciation for the Gohonzon and President Ikeda. Life is so different now.” For nearly 50 years, Mrs. Elliot has lived a fulfilling life in this country—an accomplishment she attributes to her Buddhist practice, her involvement in the SGI and learning from her mentor, President Ikeda. This deep sense of gratitude is what characterizes Mrs. Elliot’s approach to life. “Without appreciation, I cannot live,” she says. “And for as long as I am alive, I want to keep showing my appreciation and keep contributing to the SGI.”

Soka Spirit Towards April 24th

On April 24, 1979 the Nichiren Shoshu priesthood, in conjunction with Soka Gakkai leaders who were betraying the Soka Gakkai in Japan, forced President Ikeda to step down as the third President of the Soka Gakkai in Japan. 

 

Still though, President Ikeda remained the President of the newly created Soka Gakkai 

International.  He used this as a base to unite with Soka Gakkai members and fight for Justice.  

For the next thirty years our mentor has continued to expand the SGI into the greatest 

organization for the spread of Nichiren Daishonin's Buddhism and world peace in the world today.  (more information Feb 27 World Tribune, p. 7)

 

As this anniversary approaches, the leaders of the Mid-Atlantic Zone have determined to 

encourage everyone to fight for Justice with a multi-faceted daimoku campaign to help as many temple members as possible leave the temple and rejoin the SGI.

 

Let's make a difference toward April 24, 2009 by solidifying our spirit and uniting to make the next four weeks an absolute success!

 

There are many new opportunities for Soka Spirit/Justice daimoku:

 

MARCH 28th,   APRIL 4th,   APRIL 11th  and  APRIL 18th.....ALL DAY SATURDAY SOKA SPIRIT DAIMOKU AT THE CULTURE CENTER FROM 9:00AM  UNTIL 4:00PM

 

SUNDAYS:  SUNDAY MORNING SOKA SPIRIT DAIMOKU SESSIONS:

DC CULTURE CENTER..... 8:00AM-9:00AM

MT. RAINIER COMMUNITY CENTER.....8:00AM-9:30AM

MONTGOMERY ACTIVITY CENTER...8:00AM-9:00AM

 

"Round Robin" daimoku in every region between now and April 24th and beyond to the beginning of the May Contribution Campaign.  There will be coverage/sign up in each region in Mid Atlantic Zone.  We will send more details on this next week.

 

All existing Soka Spirit daimoku sessions, for example the March and April Soka Spirit daimoku session calendars, will still take place as additional opportunities to send powerful daimoku.

Buddhist Victory

In the March study lecture on 'The Strategy of the Lotus Sutra', President Ikeda writes, "Buddhism is primarily concerned with victory and defeat. It is a struggle between enlightenment and ignorance. Kosen-rufu is a battle between the Buddha and devilish functions. The heart is what decides our victory or defeat in all things. Spiritual victors can lead lives undefeated by anything. The secret to adorning our lives with brilliant victory is the 'strategy of the Lotus Sutra'". (Living Buddhism Mar-Apr 2009 pg 53)

The Bowie District study meeting will be held at the Wolpert's on Monday 23 March. Please come to learn more about this important writing by Nichiren Daishonin.

Mid-Atlantic Zone Expands

As announced at the Zone Kickoff Meeting on 28 Feb, the Mid-Atlantic Zone has expanded to five regions: Virginia South, Virginia, Capital, Washington DC and Maryland. Region and area leaders were announced during the meeting. Prince George's Area has divided into the Central Area and the Southern Maryland Area of the Capital Region.

PG Central Chapter has divided. Cheverly, Broad River, Fortune and Mt Rainier Districts are in the Central Area. Bowie and Prince George's Districts are in the Southern Maryland Area along with the districts of Potomac Chapter. 

Leadership positions were announced as follows:

Capital Region: MD Ken Hodge; Vice MD Jason Feinman; WD Karen Howe; Vice WD Tina Smith, Jennifer Bryant and Angela Baden; YMD Damien Bryant; YWD Ayanna Wilson.

Southern Maryland Area: MD Mac Ewell; WD Jennifer Bryant; Vice WD Sarah Fultz.

Until chapter and district leaders are announced at the April Kosenrufu Gongyo, we will continue with the current organizational setup. 

Shijo Kingo - Trusted Disciple

The study material for March is the gosho "The Strategy of the Lotus Sutra".

Shijo Kingo was the recipient of this gosho. Shijo lived in Kamakura with his wife and two daughters. As a samurai well versed in medicine and martial arts he was in the service of the Ema family. Lord Ema was a follower of Ryokan, a priest of the True Word Precepts school who bitterly opposed Nichiren Daishonin. Shijo urged Ema to take faith in the Lotus Sutra resulting in a loss of favor with Ema to the point that Ema threatened to confiscate Shijo's fief. Later, Ema grew ill and Shijo was able to nurse him back to health thus restoring Ema's trust. Shijo was granted a fief three times larger than the original one. Even so, out of jealousy and resentment, Shijo's enemies (fellow samurai) attacked him. Shijo escaped unharmed. This letter is a reply to Shijo's report of the attack.

Shijo, recipient of 29 of Nichiren's writings, was a most trusted disciple. He accompanied Nichiren to Tatsunokuchi where Nichiren was to be beheaded. He also visited Nichiren during his exile to Sado. When Nichiren was on his deathbed, Shijo attended him and he participated in his funeral.

October Review

Study is the third leg of Buddhism as practiced by SGI members. Its purpose is to deepen our faith in Nichiren Daishonin's Buddhism. This year the primary study effort has been the series of lectures by SGI President Ikeda published in Living Buddhism.

 

This week we'll have the October Review 'test'. The review consists of a 40 minute test period followed by a 40 minute self-grading discussion. The purpose is not so much to ace the review but to encourage study of Nichiren Daishonin's Buddhism. There will be three sessions: Fri 7pm at the Cooper's, Sat 10am and Sun 2pm at the Wolpert's. Please plan to participate in one of these sessions.

More Highlights from 20 June WT

The Spirit to Fight

In 1991, the Nichiren Shoshu priesthood excommunicated the entire SGI membership. In their insanity, the priests expected that the SGI members would join the local temple. But, Surprise! (not), the vast majority of members continued to practice with the SGI under the leadership of President Ikeda.

This came about as the result of the priesthood's corruption and authoritarianism. Whenever Soka Gakkai members called for reform, the priesthood became more arrogant. They demanded exorbitant sums in donations. They sought to make veneration and obedience to themselves as the most important aspects of a practitioners faith.

Nichiren Daishonin clearly denounced such behavior in his writings, emphasizing the self-empowerment of ordinary believers. SGI-USA members have come to understand that the spirit to fight erroneous teachings is an integral part of their practice to protect the Law.

Please read the article A Religious Revolution prepared by the Soka Spirit Committee in the 20 June World Tribune.

Highlights from 20 June WT

The Spirit of Soka

Soka Gakkai General Director Masaaki Masaki addressed the May 24th SGI-USA West Territory Youth Meeting. He spoke about the importance of the mentor-disciple relationship. This relationship constitutes the essence of Buddhism, and it is the disciples who actualize that relationship.

How is our practice different from the practice of the Nikken Sect? We pray to the same Gohonzon; we recite the same sutra; we chant Nam-myoho-renge-kyo and we read the same writings of Nichiren Daishonin. Soka Spirit poses the question as to what is correct faith and what is not. It is a challenge to each one of us to pursue correct faith.

First President Makiguchi said that the closer a counterfeit bank note resembles the real thing, the greater the crime. Why are people deceived by counterfeit bank notes, or, in this case, erroneous teachings? Is it because they closely resemble the real thing and people can't distinguish between them? The real reason is, they do not know the essential nature of the genuine article. When people are unawre of the real thing, they are easily fooled by counterfeits.

What is the distinction between the SGI and the priesthood? Mr. Masaki said that he believes it lies in the heart, in the faith, of those who pray. When discussing the beneficial power of the Gohonzon, Nichiren does not say: As long as we pray, we will receive benefits. Rather, he emphasizes the attitude and faith of the practitioner. He instructed his disciples to chant with the conviction that their lives are endowed with Buddhahood.

Having correct faith is essential. What must we do to maintain correct faith? Nichiren left everything in his writings for the sake of the people of the Latter Day of the Law. If we correctly study his writings, we can correctly practice Nichiren Buddhism. But not a single person can read Nichiren's writings and correctly understand them alone. We must learn from the person who correctly practices Nichiren Buddhism.

How do we discern the mentor who correctly practices? When the Daishonin states his orthodoxy as the Votary of the Lotus Sutra, he consistently makes the following two points: Who has spread the Law the most? Who has undergone persecutions on account of spreading the Law? Among Nichiren's followers, no other person beside SGI President Ikeda has advanced kosen-rufu and undergone persecutions for the sake of the Law as he has.

It follows, therefore, that through studying President Ikeda's lectures on Nichiren Buddhism, we can correctly practice faith.

Now is the time, Mr. Masaki says, to create the foundation for the SGI under President Ikeda's leadership and through the tradition of cultivating capable people who share the same vow as their mentor to accomplish kosen-rufu.

Please study this World Tribune article for full comprehension.

DC Culture Center Opens

The District of Columbia SGI-USA Culture Center officially opened on Wednesday 25 June 2008. SGI Vice President Hiromasa Ikeda cut the ribbon at about 6pm. He was joined in the ribbon cutting by Mid-Atlantic Zone Leader Kathy Geisler, Congressman Hank Johnson, Eastern Territory Leader Tariq Hassan and SGI-USA General Director Danny Nagashima.

A 2 part Opening Celebration followed the ribbon cutting: welcome by Kathy Geisler, reading of President Ikeda's message by Tami Frazier, presentation of awards from the District of Columbia, proclamation from Congresswoman Hilda Solis, letter from Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi, City of Baltimore, State of Maryland, Commonwealth of Virginia, City of Norfolk. This was followed by acknowledgement of the design and construction of the Culture Center, words by Danny Nagashima. The New Century chorus performed. Part 1 ended with a video of President Ikeda's visits to Washington DC.

Part 2 led off with gongyo led by VP Ikeda followed by words by Mr. Hassan and presentation of awards. In his final guidance VP Ikeda emphasized the importance of Washington DC to the entire world. Every country is watching us, he said. He encouraged us to be excellent representatives of SGI.

New Member Meetings

A New Member Meeting will be held on the first Sunday of every month at 11:30 at the MRCC. The New Members Meetings will include a short presentation, a question and answer session, and discussion. The emphasis will be on practical application of Buddhist principals, developing a strong practice and achieving personal Human Revolution.
January -1. Ten States of Life
February - 2. Cause and Effect
March - 3. Transforming Suffering and Illusion
April - 4. The Oneness of Body and Mind
May - 5. The Oneness of Self and Environment
June - 6. The Middle Way
July - 7. The True Aspect of All Phenomena (The Ten Factors)
August - 8. The Eternity of Life
September - 9. Nam My oho Renge Kyo
October -10. The Practice of Nichiren Buddhism
November -11. The Gohonzon
December - 12. The Life of Nichiren Daishonin

Wealthy Man Sudatta and Other Things

Food has three virtues. First, it sustains life. Second, it enlivens the complexion. Third, it nourishes strength. If one gives food to others, one will improve one's own lot, just as, for example, if one lights a fire for others, one will brighten one's own way. WND Vol 2, 1060.

When a single soybean is brought to the Lotus Sutra, the entire realm of phenomena becomes the lotus realm. WND Vol 2, 356.

The benefit of making offerings for Buddhism is immeasurable. One good example of this is the story of the wealthy merchant named Sudatta, who built the Jetavana Monastery as an offering to Shakyamuni Buddha. The Triumph chapter of the New Human Revolution Vol 4 recounts Sudatta's story and some tidbits regarding early Soka Gakkai finances.

Nichiren Daishonin’s followers made many offerings of food, shelter, clothing, medicine and money to him, often despite their own severe economic hardships. In his writings, the Daishonin says that without these offerings, he would not have survived. Similarly, without the wide variety of contributions made by members, the SGI-USA would not exist. Offerings to the Daishonin and the organization, however, are not merely charity (though they are legally considered charitable contributions). Rather than giving out of a feeling of pity, guilt, obligation or even kindness, offerings of the heart reflect our deep sense of appreciation and the strength of our desire to attain enlightenment. What’s most important is our joy at being able to make such contributions. As SGI President Ikeda writes in The New Human Revolution, “Such joy is the true spirit of offering and it is the wellspring of abundant good fortune” (vol. 4, p. 110).

Some members may feel they can improve their financial situation by challenging themselves to contribute more money to the organization. It’s true that when you make offerings, you are making a cause to change your destiny—just as it’s true that when you chant, you are changing your karma. How this change in karma will manifest, though, no one can readily predict. When we make offerings, we increase our fortune. That doesn’t necessarily mean, however, that we increase our bank balance. If we think that by donating $100 we’ll get $200 in return, then we need to re-evaluate the spirit with which we are contributing. Contributions are not like investments. There’s a subtle yet profound distinction between having no doubt that contributions result in benefit and expecting a specific benefit because we make contributions. It’s a paradox: If we contribute with a purity of heart that expects nothing in return, that’s when we reap the most benefit. Our heart is what matters most.

In Buddhism, there are many different kinds of offerings. Material offerings, such as water, fruit, incense and financial contributions, can be considered “offerings of the body.” “Offerings of the heart” include respecting and praising the Buddha, along with sincerity, purity, chanting and propagating the Law. Even our material offerings are expressions of our heart. It is our heart that enables us to attain Buddhahood. By making contributions from the heart, motivated by our desire to see the Buddha in our lives and in the lives of others, there is no doubt that we enrich ourselves and experience great benefit.

As you know, SGI-USA does not consistently solicit monetary donations. Of course there is the kofu table during kosen-rufu gongyo but it's very passive. There is no passing of the offering plate as you see in most Christian churches during Sunday services. When I was in high school, the church I attended had a separate building fund that was aggressively promoted. But administration, community center acquisition and upkeep cost big bucks.

The May Contribution opportunity is provided to SGI-USA members in commemoration of the founding of Nichiren Buddhism on April 28, Soka Gakkai Day on May 3, the birthday of the first president, Tsunesaburo Makiguchi, on June 6, and Soka Gakkai Women’s Day on June 11.The May Contribution campaign will kick off on April 28th and run til June 8th. Contributions can be made in person, by mail, by credit card and on-line. Details forthcoming.

Heritage of the Law #9

Here are some comments on Installment 9 of President Ikeda's lecture series on the gosho "The Heritage of the Ultimate Law of Life".

"Nichiren has been trying to awaken all the people of Japan to faith in the Lotus Sutra so that they too can share the heritage and attain Buddhahood." (WND-1, 217)

This passage, says President Ikeda, expresses the fundamental spirit of the Buddha of the Latter Day. The Lotus Sutra is permeated by the Buddha's great vow to enable all people to attain Buddhahood.

The true heritage of faith is open to all people. This is the most crucial point. When it is correctly understood Buddhism can serve as a humanistic and universal religion. Nichiren made a great vow to

"But instead they have persecuted me in various ways and finally had me banished to this island. You have followed Nichiren, however, and met with suffering as a result." (WND-1, 217)

The sutra states that if one propagates the correct teaching in the evil age of the Latter Day, one is certain to encounter great persecution. Although persecuted unendingly, Nichiren, undaunted, confronted all obstacles head-on and triumphed over them.

"It pains me deeply to think of your anguish. Gold can be neither burned by fire nor corroded or swept away by water, but iron is vulnerable to both. A worthy person is like gold, a fool like iron. You are like pure gold because you embrace the “gold” of the Lotus Sutra." (WND-1, 217)

In praising Sairen-bo, Nichiren teaches us that the heritage flows in the lives of those who practice in the same spirit as the mentor. A person of pure gold is another name for a person of selfless dedication to the Law.

"The sutra states, “Just as among all the mountains, Mount Sumeru is foremost, so this Lotus Sutra is likewise.”¹¹ It also states, “The good fortune you gain thereby . . . cannot be burned by fire or washed away by water.” (WND-1, 217)

It's perfectly clear. No explanation needed.

"It must be ties of karma from the distant past that have destined you to become my disciple at a time like this. Shakyamuni and Many Treasures certainly realized this truth. The sutra’s statement, “Those persons who had heard the Law dwelled here and there in various Buddha lands, constantly reborn in company with their teachers,” cannot be false in any way." (WND-1, 217)

So, Shakyamuni and his disciples have been reborn again and again since the infimite past to practice as bodisattvas, This mentor-disciple relationship is eternal and deeply profound. This relationship is the vital spirit of the Soka Gakkai. If it lives on, our movement will continue to develop.

Shakyamuni, based on his awakening to the Law, strove to enable his disciples to achieve their highest potential. The disciples, their awarenes being clouded by fundamental darkness, could not percive the Law on their own. The Law was conveyed to them by coming into contact with the Buddha's charecter and by hearing his words of instruction. But what happens after the Buddha passwes away? The "Life Span" chapter says that, even after his passing, Shakyamuni will appear where there are practitioners striving in faith.

Gandhi-King-Ikeda: Community Builders