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
“The great ideal upheld by the Soka Gakkai is to establish world peace.
It is to achieve the comfort and security of ordinary people
and happiness for all humanity.
We call this grand vision ‘kosen-rufu’.
The great purpose of our advance as the Soka family
lies in making a reality this (…) grand epic which is transmitted from mentor and inherited by disciples, passed on from parents to children and one generation to the next.”[1]
“Our actions to expand the solidarity of peace
where we are right now,
through striving to transform our lives and inspiring people around us,
may seem unglamourous.
However, herein lies (…)
the surest path to change the world.
As we tirelessly chant resounding daimoku,
(…) let’s reach out to others in courageous dialogue
and bring the sun of hope to rise in the hearts of all (…)!”[2]
LOCALLY
The Lotus Sutra states that “the Law preached by the Buddha is comparable to a great cloud that, with (…) rain, moistens human flowers.”[3] The first SGEs group in emerald Asturias was named Orbayu, which refers to Green Spain’s characteristic drizzle. After years of pioneering efforts, this soaked the land until it created, together with other new groups, the one we are featuring, which is truly a sea of joy.
(Mailbox: prensa@ediciones-civilizacionglobal.com)
ADVANCING WITH THE GOSHO
The wonderfully efficacious medicine of the Lotus Sutra [Nam-myoho-renge-kyo] will provide the cure for all these grave disasters.
(How Those Initially Aspiring to the Way Can Attain Buddhahood through the Lotus Sutra in WND-1, p. 879).
“In this age of turmoil and confusion, amid seemingly never-ending challenges, we of the Soka Gakkai dedicate ourselves to spreading the Mystic Law. With the same mind as the Buddha and the same spirit as the Daishonin, we strive to develop an unshakable, eternal state of happiness in the depths of our lives and help others do the same. And we take courageous, patient action to positively transform our communities and society––in the spirit of ‘purifying the land three times’ as described in the Lotus Sutra (cf. LSOC11, 212–13)––and realize the Daishonin’s ideal of ‘establishing the correct teaching for the peace of the land.’”[4]
“The Mystic Law is the great beneficial medicine that can lead all people—equally and without discrimination—to happiness and peace.
My mentor Josei Toda’s vision of bringing humanity together as one global family was infused with his impassioned wish that no people in any country would be driven into the depths of misery.
People everywhere long to live in happiness and peace. I hope that the greater the challenges, the more you (…) will unite your passion and power. Together, let’s keep reaching out to others in dialogue to create a better world. Let’s strengthen our united prayers to bring peace to our planet—the place we have gathered as Bodhisattvas of the Earth—and actualize the words of the Lotus Sutra ‘this, my land, remains safe and tranquil.’”[5]
PERSPECTIVE
Delving into the meaning of the “three transformations of the land,” Daisaku Ikeda observed that “even in international relations, human beings are the key. Countries are gatherings of people, and they are created by people. It is impossible, therefore, that people could be unable to change them. Moreover, one must realize that the state exists for the sake of the people, not the other way around. On account of various ‘enthrallments,’ people have lost sight of this simple and clear fact (…) [and] shut themselves up in their own narrow worlds. Only when we cut the chains of these attachments can we respect other people as human beings and begin to conduct truly humanistic dialogue.”[6]
KEYWORDS
Teaching the practise to other people · The surest path to change the world · Peace of the land
[1] ↑ IKEDA, Daisaku: “Youth, Create Peace on Our Planet Earth!” Seikyo Shimbun, 13/3/2022.
[2] ↑ IKEDA, Daisaku: “Spreading Flowers of Peace from the Place Where We are Right Now” Seikyo Shimbun, 27/2/2022.
[3] ↑ LS, chap. 5, p. 142.
[4] ↑ See the section “Punto de partida.”
[6] ↑ IKEDA, Daisaku: The Wisdom of the Lotus Sutra: A Discussion on Religion in the Twenty-first Century.