Resources for the introduction of Spain Soka Gakkai discussion meetings
If the spirit of many in body but one in mind prevails among the people, they will achieve all their goals, whereas if one in body but different in mind, they can achieve nothing remarkable.
↳ Passage from Many in Body, One in Mind, in WND-1, page 618. It is believed that this letter was given to the lay priest Takahashi, whose wife was Nikko Shonin’s aunt. Takahashi was a central figure amongst the lay believers of Fuji district and his home was an activity hub during the persecution against the lay believers in Atsuta village, located in the area. Although the year it was written is not known, it is believed that it was between 1275 and 1280, the period in which this persecution took place.
A passage from [The Opening of the Eyes] perfectly expresses the determination I felt when I became the president [on the 3rd May 1960]—a determination that has never left my heart: “Let the gods forsake me. Let all persecutions assail me. Still I will give my life for the sake of the Law.”[1] I was proud to have been trained by my mentor, Josei Toda, to possess the invincible spirit to remain undefeated by any onslaught or obstacle.
The road to accomplishing a great endeavor is never smooth. I am reminded of the words of the president of a certain country to the effect that to walk the road of your mission, you need three things: perseverance, perseverance and still more perseverance. Giving up leads to misery and defeat, but perseverance always results in hope and victory.
It has been my destiny since becoming Soka Gakkai president to surmount an unending series of perilous, towering peaks stretching as far as the eye can see. (…)
Why has the Soka Gakkai been able to prevail over such trying obstacles and write such a triumphant history? Because of the spirit of “many in body, one in mind” taught by Nichiren Daishonin. (…)
It is impossible for me to advance kosen-rufu without fellow members who struggle alongside me for this cause. It is not me who is important but the members.
Time and time again, Mr. Toda told us, “If the members all support the third president, kosen-rufu will surely be achieved.” And it has proved to be just as he said.
True to my mentor’s assertion, the Soka Gakkai has succeeded in spreading our movement for kosen-rufu across the globe, precisely because our dedicated members and I, the third president, have struggled together in the spirit of “many in body, one in mind.”[2]
In a radio interview to Josei Toda, Soka Gakkai’s second president, held in 1956 he answered a question related to the reason why there were so many youths in the organization. He declared that it was because of the profound philosophy it embraces. The efforts of Soka youth to gain mastery of the humanistic philosophy of Nichiren Daishonin’s Buddhism—he explained—could be likened to climbing a mountain—the higher one gradually climbs towards the summit, the greater joy one feels. He also proclaimed: “I, myself am climbing towards this summit together with the youth. It is simply a matter of whether I am one or two steps ahead, and I have not expected to have reached the summit yet…”[3] Recalling this episode years later, Daisaku Ikeda (who was next to him on this day) stated that he treasured the same feeling, namely, the desire to “climb together” with the youth and with his dear fellow members the mountain of kosen-rufu.
[1] ↑ In WND, page 280.
[2] ↑ Passages from the article published in the section «Orientación» in this issue.
[3] ↑ Please see Civilización Global, number 198, October 2021, «Para dialogar» section.