In this section we offer resources for Spain Soka Gakkai discussion meetings; namely: a quote that sheds light on the relevance of the efforts that crystallise on these gatherings (“Globally”), a presentation of one of the groups that sustain them (“Locally”), a passage from the writings of Nichiren Daishonin commented by Daisaku Ikeda (“Advancing with the Gosho”), a “Perspective” and some “Keywords.”
GLOBALLY
“Mr. Toda often said that all it takes is meeting one person, having one person listen to what we have to say.
It’s not a numbers game. Everything starts from giving top priority to one-on-one dialogue and making a connection with each person we meet.
Discussion meetings, where we can interact more personally with fellow members, are the essence of the Soka Gakkai, and the districts[1] are the home bases of our network of encouragement.
Our districts are castles of humanity nurturing and spreading friendship and trust in our communities. They are gardens of joyful harmony and beautiful diversity in accord with the principle of ‘cherry, plum, peach, and damson’ (cf. OTT, 200).
‘The district is the assembly on Eagle Peak’—with this conviction, I have striven since my youth to make our precious discussion meetings assemblies brimming with hope and energy.[2]
LOCALLY
This group was one of the pioneers in the Soka discussion movement in Alicante. Its expansion led to the birth of new groups. After a period in which, due to various reasons, the participation in its meetings was low, the perseverance in Buddhist practice and study has given rise to a new and continuous growth. One of the key elements of the appearance of capable people of all ages which has driven it has been the spreading of joy and determination with which its preparation meetings are distinguished by.
(Mailbox: prensa@ediciones-civilizacionglobal.com)
ADVANCING WITH THE GOSHO
And without labor or trouble, without religious practices or good deeds, this cluster of unsurpassed jewels can come into our possession through the single word “faith”. That is why the passage says that it has “come to us (jitoku) unsought.”
(From The Record of the Orally Transmitted Teachings, p. 59).
“‘Without labor or trouble, without religious practices or good deeds’ does not simply mean without any effort or exertion in practice.
The pre–Lotus Sutra teachings taught that enlightenment could be attained only by undergoing countless eons of Buddhist practice. Nichiren Daishonin, in contrast, in revealing the essence of the Lotus Sutra, taught that anyone can attain Buddhahood in this lifetime. By upholding the Mystic Law, in which both cause and effect are present simultaneously, we can readily obtain these unsurpassed jewels ‘without labor or trouble, without religious practices or good deeds’ carried out over countless eons of seeking enlightenment. We can instantly attain the life state of Buddhahood.
In addition, the Daishonin says: ‘This cluster of unsurpassed jewels can come into our possession through the single word ‘faith’.’ Nichiren Buddhism teaches that, for ordinary people in the Latter Day of the Law, embracing the Gohonzon of Nam-myoho-renge-kyo is in itself the practice for observing one’s mind, or attaining enlightenment.
By embracing faith in the Gohonzon and steadfastly carrying out our Buddhist practice, we can place ourselves on a sure path to happiness and attain the unsurpassed treasure of enlightenment even without consciously seeking it.
This treasure ‘comes to us unsought,’ meaning it is not given to us by anyone. We attain it ourselves. (…) we can attain a vast state of life beyond our imagination in which we can ‘enjoy ourselves at ease’ and savor the ‘boundless joy of the Law.’
The experiences of countless Soka Gakkai members (…) attest to this truth.”[3]
PERSPECTIVE
In the lecture from which the above quote and commentary have been extracted, Daisaku Ikeda also writes that “Ultimately, enabling an inner transformation in people’s lives through one-to-one dialogue is the foundation for transforming the karma of humankind. When people change one by one, the spiritual basis of society will change, too. (…) Dr. Ela Gandhi, the granddaughter of Mahatma Gandhi, commented on the Soka Gakkai’s activities to spread the philosophy of respect for the dignity of life. She observed that the SGI shared many of the values that guided Gandhi’s actions, including his nonviolence, conscience, and spirit of self-discipline.”[4]
KEYWORDS
Attaining Buddhahood in this lifetime · Faith in the Gohonzon · Boundless joy
[1] ↑ The role which the districts play in the Soka Gakkai in Japan is shared by the SGI Spain discussion groups.
[2] ↑ See the section “Punto de partida” in this issue.
[3] ↑ Ib., section “Estudio mensual.”