以年轻的力量缔造充满活力的日本！

＜池田先生特稿，摘要，译自埼玉新闻2012年2月1日＞

年轻，就像弹簧！
越有压力，它越反弹，成为跃动的力量！

年轻，就是行动！
是为正义、为理想，不惜自身引发出来的力量！

年轻，就是创造！
是进入前人未踏之道，完成新的开拓之智慧！

年轻，就是尽发光辉！
像突破黑暗的旭日，鲜明地唤醒社会的光辉！

年轻，就是回应！
是回应著期待与信赖，能破墙的突破力！

年轻，就是不恐惧！
是不怯苦难或失败，向前向前进不屈的斗魂！

青年，就是勇气的挑战者！

青年，就是希望的探求者！

青年，就是不屈的胜利者！

With Youthful Energy, Create a Vibrant Japan!

Sensei's guidance reads ...

Youth is like the recoiling spring!
The more pressure there is, the more it rebounds, turning into pulsating force!

Youth is action!
It is the energy to launch oneself unbegrudgingly for the sake of righteousness, and for the sake of the ideal!

Youth is creation!
It is the wisdom to enter into untrodden path and open up new frontiers!

Youth is to shine!
Like the rising sun, breaking through the darkness, it shines brilliantly, vividly awakening the society!

Youth is to respond!
In response to expectations and trust, it is the power to breakthrough walls!

Youth is to be fearless!
Never flinching from hardships or failures, it is the indomitable fighting spirit to advance on and on!

Youths are courageous challengers!

Youths are seekers of hope!

Youths are indomitable victors!

[Excerpts, tentatively translated from Saitama Shimbun, February 1, 2012]

若い力で活力ある日本に！

＜埼玉新聞２０１２年２月１日　池田大作　創価学会名誉会長　特別寄稿　抜粋＞

若さは、バネである。圧迫があればあるほど、それをはね返して、いよいよ躍動する力だ。

若さは、行動である。正義のため、理想のため、我が身を惜しまず打って出るエネルギーだ。

若さは、創造である。前人未踏の道に分け入り、新たな開拓を成し遂げ行く知恵だ。

若さは、光ることである。闇を破る旭日のように、社会を鮮烈に目覚めさせゆく輝きだ。

若さは、応えることである。期待と信頼に応えて、壁を破る突破力だ。

若さは、恐れないことである。苦難にも失敗にも怯まず、前へ前へ進む不屈の闘魂だ。

青年とは、勇気の挑戦者である。

青年とは、希望の探求者である。

青年とは、不屈の勝利者である。

Breaking Through Limits Together with the Youth and with the Heart of a Youth - the Eternal Tradition of Our Ever-Youthful Soka Gakkai!!!

Sensei's guidance reads ...

I am 84 this year.
In Japan, the 60th birthday is celebrated as a special milestone marking a new beginning in life.
Therefore, I like to think that I am now 24 for a second time.

In February 1952, when I was 24 six decades ago, I energetically threw myself into efforts to further expand our movement for kosen-rufu.
At that time, most chapters rarely succeeded in introducing the Daishonin’s Buddhism to more than 100 new households per month.
That seemed to be the limit.
At that pace, it would take forever to achieve the goal of 750,000 member households set by our mentor, second Soka Gakkai president Josei Toda.
Someone had to make a breakthrough.

Nichiren Daishonin writes:
“If a teacher has a good disciple, both will gain the fruit of Buddhahood. . . . If teacher and disciple are of different minds, they will never accomplish anything” (WND-1, 909).
When we remain true to the fundamental path of mentor and disciple, we can summon forth the power to overcome any obstacle.

Determined to respond to the expectations of my mentor President Toda and bring him joy, I took the lead of propagation efforts in Tokyo’s Kamata Chapter as chapter advisor, and together with the members achieved a new record by introducing 201 households to the Daishonin’s Buddhism in a single month.

... [T]he famous February Campaign of Kamata Chapter ... produced a breakthrough for the entire organization in our efforts to advance kosen-rufu.
This ... was the starting point of the development of a youthful Soka Gakkai.

The unrestrained passion and enthusiasm of a 24-year-old youth still burns brightly in my heart to this day.
Dedicating one’s life to promoting kosen-rufu, breaking through limits together with the youth and with the heart of a youth, is the eternal tradition of our ever-youthful Soka Gakkai.

[Excerpts, OUR BRILLIANT PATH TO VICTORY, SGI Newsletter No. 8423, January13, 2012]

Year of the Dragon - the Spirit of Youth!!!

Sensei's guidance reads ...

In the Chinese lunar calendar, 2012 is the Year of the Dragon.
In the traditional way of referring to the hours of the day based on this calendar, the hour of the dragon corresponds to approximately 8:00 a.m.
The Chinese character for “dragon” in the Chinese zodiac also has the meaning of “morning” and “vigorous growth.”
It suggests the spirit of youth, as dynamic as the new day’s sun rising brightly in the sky.

I was born in the year of the Dragon, and I am determined to continue taking the lead for kosen-rufu, giving even greater thought and making even greater efforts for the future development of kosen-rufu.

My fellow members, my youthful successors, I call on you to hold high the noble banner of Bodhisattvas of the Earth!
No matter how harsh the times, open the way forward in your lives with all the courage and wisdom of Buddhas!

Let’s set forth once again in the united spirit of “many in body, one in mind” with our fellow members around the world, with confidence, optimism, and joy!

[Excerpts, OUR BRILLIANT PATH TO VICTORY, SGI Newsletter No. 8423, January13, 2012]

A Youthful SGI — Shining Brightly like the Morning Sun!!!

Sensei's guidance reads ...

In an impassioned poem he composed at the age of 18, José Rizal (1861–96), hero of Philippine independence, wrote:

"Hold high the brow serene,
O youth, where now you stand;
Let the bright sheen
Of your grace be seen. "

Young people are beautiful just as they are; they have no need to pretend or put on airs.

The poem continues:

"O youth, and there untie
The chains that heavy lie,
Your spirit free [from] blight."

The life-affirming philosophy of Nichiren Daishonin’s Buddhism is the sharp spiritual sword that allows youth to cut through the chains of an evil age and the fetters of karmic suffering, and fully display their limitless youthful potential.

Today, the youth of the SGI have risen up decisively and, like the morning sun of hope, have begun to brightly illuminate the way to a new era for humanity.

[Excerpts, OUR BRILLIANT PATH TO VICTORY, SGI Newsletter No. 8423, January13, 2012]

足元で勝て！Let us be victorious right where we are!

＜寸鉄１月２０日＞

「此（ここ）を去って彼（かしこ）に行くには非ざるなり」御書。
足元で勝て！　
それが日蓮仏法！

The Gosho teaches that it is not to leave here (where we presently are) and go elsewhere!
Let us be victorious right where we are!
This, the Buddhism of Nichiren!

[Tentatively translated]

太陽の母ありて！有著太阳的母亲们！We Have Mothers of the Sun!

[excerpted and translated from the 寸鉄 (sun-tetsu) column of Seikyo Shimbu, Jan 16, 2012]

太陽の母ありて、広布は拡大！
後継と共に、師弟の大道を！

有著太阳的母亲们，广布将扩大！
与后继共步师弟之大道！

Because we have mothers of the sun (our Women Division), kosen-rufu will expand!
Together with our successors, let's walk the path of mentor and disciples!

.....

小悪は、大善です！Small Evil is Great Good! 小恶是大善！

＜私の仏法思索＞　＜My Buddhist thoughts＞　＜我的佛法思索＞

提婆達多の堕地獄は、小悪です。その成仏が、大善です。

The falling into hell of Devadatta is small evil, while his attainment of Buddhahood is the great good!!!

提婆达多的堕地狱，是小恶。其成佛才是大善！

.....

December 2011 Discussion Meeting Gosho Study: "A Life Chanting Through and Through the Mystic Law Sees No Deadlock!"

1. Theme for Discussion Meeting:

• Theme: A Life Chanting Through and Through the Mystic Law Sees No Deadlock!
• Gosho: The Daimoku of the Lotus Sutra, WND-I-145.
• Reference: Flow 515, pp. 4-6.

2. Gosho Passage

Hence the character myo means to open.
If there is a storehouse full of treasures but no key, then it cannot be opened, and if it cannot be opened, then the treasures inside cannot be seen.

3. Background

• said to have been written in the first month of the third year of Bun’ei (1266).
• although nothing is known about the recipient, from the content of the letter, it was said to be a woman who was once a Nembutsu believer.

4. Summary

• explains that the rewards of believing in and chanting the daimoku of Nam-myoho-renge-kyo are truly immense.
• Daishonin sets the question: “Is it possible to gain merits and virtues by merely chanting the daimoku of the Lotus Sutra without understanding its meaning?”
• after confirming that the rewards are vast and extensive, because the daimoku of the Lotus Sutra is indeed the very heart of all the eighty thousand sacred teachings of the Buddha as well as the eye of all the Buddhas, the Daishonin emphasizes that the fundamental of this practice is “faith.”
• even if one does not understand deeply the Buddhist doctrines, as long as one has firm faith, he or she will attain Buddhahood.
• teaches that no matter what, the most important thing is to strengthen one’s faith and strive in chanting the daimoku.
• next, Daishonin teaches that one must have the self-awareness that it is extremely rare to encounter the Mystic Law and to chant the daimoku, and that one must strive with joy and courage to chant the daimoku.
• Daishonin next sets another question: “How great are the blessings contained within the five characters of Myoho-renge-kyo?”
• teaches that Nam-myoho-renge-kyo is not just a name, but the fundamental Buddhist doctrine within which all beings of the nine worlds and the world of Buddhahood, as well as the environments they are dependent upon are contained.
• further, the Daishonin expounds the three profound significance of the single character of myo.
• firstly, myo means “to open,” to open the treasure storehouse of all the sutras, revealing the Mystic Law which is the true intent of the Buddha.
• secondly, myo means to be fully endowed, having the meaning of “perfect and full,” containing all the blessings and having the power to enable all living beings to attain Buddhahood.
• thirdly, myo means “to revive” or to return to life, enabling all persons of the two vehicles, icchantikas, and women who were once thought to have scorched and killed the seeds of Buddhahood to attain Buddhahood.
• finally, Daishonin emphasizes that the Lotus Sutra is the only sutra which expounds that women can become Buddha, and concludes by stressing to never be influenced by evil friends and to only chant Nam-myoho-renge-kyo.

5. Main Points for Study

• the character of myo in Myoho-renge-kyo has the three significance of “to open,” “to be fully endowed, perfect and full,” and “to revive, to return to life.”
• this gosho passage touches on the significance of “to open.”
• Daishonin uses the simile that no matter how full the storehouse is of treasures, if one does not have the key to open it, one will not be able to see the treasures inside.
• in all the sutras expounded prior to the Lotus Sutra, the storehouse containing the treasure of the Mystic Law, the ultimate enlightenment of the Buddha, was closed.
• even though people see the storehouse but no one saw the treasures that lay within.
• Nichiren Daishonin teaches that through the expounding of the Lotus Sutra which reveals the attainment of Buddhahood of all people, the storehouse of all the sutras was opened for the first time, and the treasure of the Mystic Law which Shakyamuni truly wanted to expound was revealed.
• viewed from our practice, “to open” is to open the eye of our faith and to have the conviction in the Mystic Law that is endowed within our very own life.
• through our chanting of Nam-myoho-renge-kyo, the treasure within our life is revealed.
• the significance of “to open” is to manifest the power of the Mystic Law as vast as the universe that is endowed within our very own life, and open up the great life-state of attaining Buddhahood.
• when one manifests the fundamental power that is endowed within one’s life, that person will definitely be revived even though he or she may now be right in the very midst of an adverse situation.
• in this gosho, the Daishonin teaches: “Myo means to revive, that is, to return to life.” [WND-I-149]
• Ikeda Sensei:

“By chanting the eternal Mystic Law, we are able to attune our lives with the eternal rhythm of limitless joy.
By dedicating our lives to spreading the Mystic Law, the fundamental Law of the universe, we are able to develop an immense state of being that is one with the universe.
We of the SGI are striving wholeheartedly to realize the great desire of kosen-rufu.
Nothing can defeat us.
Nothing can hinder our progress.
Nothing can hold us back or tie us down.
Nothing can sully us.”

• even though we may confront a wall, a life lived through and through chanting the Mystic Law and living for kosen-rufu will definitely see no deadlock.
• with our daimoku of courage and conviction, let us show to all the greatness of the Mystic Law!

.......

2011年12月座谈会御书学习：“贯彻唱念妙法不会走投无路！”

1. 座谈会主题：

• “贯彻唱念妙法不会走投无路！”
• 御书：《法华经题目抄》．御书975页。
• 參考：《流》 515期 24-26页。

2. 御文：

妙者，开之谓也。世间积财之藏，非钥不开，不开则不见藏内之财。

3. 白话文

• 所谓的妙， 就是开的意思。在世间而言，积存财富的宝藏没有钥匙难以开启。不能开启， 就看不见宝藏里的财富。
• 《日莲大圣人白话御书》第3册120页。

4. 背景

• 著作时间，相传在1266年1月，虽不清楚收信人是谁，但从内容判断，推知是曾信仰念佛的一位女性。

5. 大意

• 明示：信奉与唱诵题目南无妙法莲华经的功德莫大！
• 大圣人设定一个问题：“ 不了解题目的意思之下，唱诵题目是否有功德？”
• 借此确认法华经题目正是佛庞大经典的肝心，一切佛的眼目，所以功德广大无边，强调实践的根本，就是“信”！
• 即使不了解法门的深奥，只要有信仰之心，就能成佛，无论如何都要坚定信心，勤励唱题。
• 接着教示：要自觉能值遇妙法，唱诵题目，是多么难能可贵的一件事，当欢喜勇敢地唱念题目。
• 大圣人进而又设定一个问题：“ 妙法莲华经五字，究竟收纳多少功德？”
• 借此教示：“南无妙法莲华经”并非徒有其名，而是九界及佛界的众生，以及十界依存的环境（国土），所有一切的根本法理。
• 解释：“妙”之一字具有三个深远的意义。
• 一、开之义：打开诸经的宝库，显现佛之真意的妙法。
• 二、具足、圆满之义：包含一切功德，具有使一切众生成佛的力量。
• 三、苏生之义：能使过去被认为无法成佛的恶人、女人、二乘们都成佛。
• 最后强调：《法华经》是唯一说示“女人成佛”的经典，不要受到恶知识影响，唯有唱念南无妙法莲华经！

6. 内容重点

• “妙法莲华经”的“妙”字，具有“开之义”“具足、圆满之义”和“苏生之义”，这里谈到“开之义”！
• 大圣人作一个比喻：纵使拥有积存众多财宝的宝库，如果没有钥匙开启，也见不到里面的财宝。
• 说示：在未说出《法华经》之前的尔前诸经时候，佛最高悟达（妙法）此财宝被锁在宝库内。即使明知有宝库，却没有人见过其中的财宝。
• 说示：当佛说出万人成佛的《法华经》之后，才开启所有经典的宝库，其中的财宝 — 释尊真正想说示的“妙法”才现身。
• 从我们的实践来看这御文，可知所谓“开”，就是“打开信心之眼，确信自己生命中具有的妙法”！
• 透过唱念题目“南无妙法莲华经”，胸中的“财宝”就会显现。
• 所谓“开之义”，正是显现我们自身生命中有如宇宙般伟大的妙法力量，打开成佛的大境涯！
• 只要能涌现自身生命中具有的根源力量，不论目前是面对何种逆境，也能获得苏生。
• 诚如大圣人在本抄教示：“妙者，苏生之义；苏生者，复苏之义。”（御书9 7 9页）

池田先生：

“唱念永远不灭之妙法的生命，能循着永远不灭的大欢喜韵律前进。
弘扬宇宙根本法则之妙法的人生，能打开与宇宙一体的大境涯。
贯彻广宣流布大愿的我们，不会输给任何困境，也不会穷途末路；不会受束缚，也不会受污染。 ”

• 不管面对任何障碍，都能唱诵妙法，彻底活在广宣流布的人生，绝对不会有走投无路的时候！
• 现在，就让我们以充满勇气与确信的题目，展现妙法的伟大吧！

。。。

The Five Kinds of Heart! Nam-myoho-renge-kyo Signifies the Four Virtues of Eternity, Happiness, True Self, and Purity!

[Tonight, attended KL 552 chapter English Discussion Meeting at Choong's place in Bandar Sungai Long...]

Shared some of my thoughts with all present...

1.  The Quintessence of Buddhism is the Oneness of Mentor and Disciple!

• I went as the leader of the group of 24 SGM members, 6 from each of the four divisions of MD, WD, YMD and YWD, to the SGI October Autumn Seminar in Japan from October 7 to 11...
• We didn't meet Sensei or Mrs Ikeda, but all of us always felt the presence of Sensei, as if he was all the time with us, showering us with his messages of care and concern for all of us!
• As it is, the quintessence of Buddhism is all about the oneness of mentor and disciple, as concretely exemplified by Nichiren Daishonin and Nikko Shonin, Makiguchi Sensei and Toda Sensei, Toda Sensei and Ikeda Sensei...
• And now, Ikeda Sensei and all of us, his disciples, if we count ourselves as one...
• The likes of the five senior priests and the present priesthood led by Nikken were and are going against this very essence of the Daishonin's teachings on the oneness of mentor and disciple!
• We should be very proud to call ourselves Ikeda-ians, just like Gandhi's disciples calling themselves Gandhians, like Prof Dr Radhakrishnan!

2.  "Winter Will Never Fail to Turn into Spring!"

• During our seminar, Hasegawa Vice GD related to us his experience during his visit to the disaster area in Tohoku (North-eastern Japan) to encourage our Soka comrades who were going through such overwhelmingly painful experience in their life...
• Many of them lost their beloved ones, their houses and property, almost everything that belonged to them, but they stood back up, and stood tall, ensuring Mr Hasegawa and asking him to report back to Sensei that they are not only alright but will fight to reconstruct what they have lost...
• One gosho passage, "Winter will never fail to turn into spring!" has since become the slogan for not only our Soka comrades but all the people there in Tohoku!!!

3.  The Five Kinds of Heart!

• Mr Hasegawa related to us the five kinds of heart that our Soka comrades there in Tohoku have to weather such great disasters of the devastating earthquake and tsunami which claimed the lives of about 15,000 people!
• (1) The heart to look ahead, the heart to look forward!
• Turning crisis into opportunity for growth!
• Wanting and desiring to contribute something to the society, to somebody, even though our members themselve were also victims!
• (2) The heart to encourage others!
• Wanting to warmly encourage those who are suffering, who are facing tremendous difficulties after the earthquake and tsunami!
• It shows the renaissance of the human spirit!
• (3) The unrelenting, undaunted heart!
• Inside their hearts, our comrades vowed never to be defeated, even in the face of tremendous difficulties!
• No matter how overwhelmingly painful, they vowed never to be defeated by their own selves!
• (4) The heart of the sun, with hope in our heart, a smiling heart!
• Even though they were victims, still in their hearts, they are having hope, they are smiling in their hearts, they are letting the sun shine in their hearts!
• (5) The heart to immediately take action!
• They felt that they cannot just sit there and lament, but must take immediate action, to encourage others, to give others hope, to help others rebuild!

4.  Nam-myoho-renge-kyo Signifies the Four Virtues of Eternity, Happiness, True Self, and Purity!

• "Nam [meaning 'to devote one’s life']" corresponds to the "paramita (or virtue) of happiness!"
• More often than not, when we are facing problems, we are all worked up and agitated, not able to calm ourselves down...
• In such adverse situation, we need to calm ourselves down, and look for a solution to our problem.
• That is why we need to go back to the Gohonzon, and chant Nam-myoho-renge-kyo!
• When we invoke "Nam," we are welling forth this virtue of true happiness, true calmness, true tranquility, manifesting this virtue so that we can become composed and calm to look truly at our problems!
• "Myoho" corresponds to the "paramita (virtue) of true self!"
• When we invoke "Myoho," we are revealing our true Buddha self, we gain true autonomy, we see our true identity as a Buddha!
• And, what can't a Buddha do!
• We come to realise our Buddha potentiality!
• And, we can go on to solve our life's problems!
• "Renge" corresponds to the "paramita (or virtue) of purity!"
• So, when we invoke "Renge," we are purifying our life from within, we are transforming our karma and revealing our pure self!
• "Kyo" corresponds to the "paramita (or virtue) of eternity!"
• So, when we invoke "Kyo," we are eternalising our life and securing a state of true eternity in the depths of our lives!
• That is why, as the Daishonin teaches, it is very important that we chant Nam-myoho-renge-kyo to secure true calmness and tranquility, to reveal our true Buddha self, to purify our life from within by transforming our karma, and to eternalise our life!
• Further reading, please click here!

.....