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
“Our fellow members, each standing up
to fulfil their mission for kosen-rufu
in their respective communities,
are pillars of hope.
Their strength never to be defeated by any hardship,
and their way of life dedicated to serving others—
their very presence itself is a pillar of peace.”[1]
“The dialogues for kosen-rufu that you tirelessly engage yourselves in
are filled with deep understanding and empathy,
compassion and respect, sincerity, perseverance, and courage.
Your dialogues are imbued with justice, philosophy, and faith.
(…) Peace is not found somewhere in the distance.
No matter how mundane your efforts may seem
let us cherish, encourage, and empower one person,
to help them become wise and strong,
as this is the surest way
to create a peaceful world.
The place you are right now
is the great earth from which the flowers of peace will bloom magnificently.”[2]
LOCALLY
The joy which arose from the Garden of Peace opening, which was shared with all Soka Gakkai Spain members, with the citizens of Rivas-Vaciamadrid and furthermore, was reflected in this group’s June discussion meeting, the closest one to the Soka Centre. The value of the contributions to peace made by women, which was highlighted during the meeting, was also applauded by men and children.
(Mailbox: prensa@ediciones-civilizacionglobal.com)
ADVANCING WITH THE GOSHO
I, Nichiren, conscious of the age we live in, now wish to give wide propagation to this doctrine.
(Passage from On the Receiving of the Three Great Secret Laws in WND-2, p. 988).
“‘Think globally, act locally’—the microbiologist René Dubos (1901–82) (one of the many intellectuals introduced to me by British historian Arnold J. Toynbee) advocated this important guideline for action. This spirit has never been needed more than now. Even if the road is long and challenging, the committed actions each one of us takes in our immediate environment are a source of hope for changing the world as a whole. (…)
Treasuring each human connection and fostering trust on the individual level is how we create the right time for spreading our movement.
Today, our members, like Bodhisattva Never Disparaging who treated everyone with respect, are courageously reaching out to people in their communities and fostering friendships. I firmly believe that connections forged through sincere dialogue are a force for change.
Dr. Dubos said: ‘Crises are practically always a source of enrichment and of renewal because they encourage the search for new solutions.’
We can transform our karma and change poison into medicine by courageously standing up in times of crisis. This is the ‘heart of a lion king’ (WND-1, 302) that overflows in Soka mentors and disciples.”[3]
PERSPECTIVE
In the essay from which the above quote and comment have been taken from, Daisaku Ikeda makes reference to a dialogue he had with a district women’s leader who asked about the meaning of the passage “Nam-myoho-renge-kyo is the greatest of all joys” in relation to our daily life. He states, “I responded to this earnest question: ‘Whatever problems you may face, if you continue chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo with the spirit of ‘regarding both suffering and joy as facts of life’ (cf. WND-1, 681), joy will well forth within you. When you are filled with joy, you will ignite the same joy in all those who see you. Not only will you yourself savor a joyous life state and daily existence but you will help others do the same. This is surely ‘the greatest of all joys,’ don’t you think?’”[4]
KEYWORDS
Think globally, act locally · World peace from our immediate environment · Kosen-rufu
[1] ↑ IKEDA, Daisaku: “Let’s Create an ‘Eternal City’ Based on Respect for the Dignity of Life,” Seikyo Shimbun, 15/5/2022.
[2] ↑ IKEDA, Daisaku: “The women of Soka are ‘monarchs of flowers’ who foster peace!,” Seikyo Shimbun, 29/5/2022.
[3] ↑ See the section “Punto de partida” in this issue.