Resources for the introduction of Soka Gakkai Spain discussion meetings
If you care anything about your personal security, you should first of all pray for order and tranquillity throughout the four quarters of the land, should you not?
↳ Passage from On Establishing the Correct Teaching for the Peace of the Land, in WND-1, page 24. This writing, which is commented in the section «Orientación» of this issue of the magazine, is a treatise which Nichiren submitted to Hojo Tokiyori, who was then living in retirement, but was still the most influential member of the ruling Japanese clan, on the 16th July 1260. In the writing, the Daishonin predicts that, if the teaching contained in The Lotus Sutra wasn’t followed, the calamities of invasion from foreign lands and of revolt within one’s own domain would befall upon Japan. These were the only two calamities of the “three calamities and seven disasters” to have yet to occur.
As long as war and natural disasters afflict the land, people cannot attain personal happiness. It is not just a matter of striving for one’s own happiness. True happiness can be attained only by praying for a peaceful and prosperous society for all and working to make it a reality.
In addition, by living this way, we can break free from the small shell of our lesser selves and achieve truly worthwhile and fulfilling lives.
Mr. Toda said to youth division members: “Think about how to change society and what you need to do to build an ideal society! I want you to base all your actions on that larger perspective.”
I’d like you, the youth, to lead the way in building an ideal society. I hope you will actively engage in society and do your utmost to help others and contribute to your community. This is the heart of Nichiren Buddhism.
People are the foundation of societies and nations, and people’s actions are shaped by ideas, philosophies, and religions.
The state of a society depends in large part on the guiding principles and goals that direct people’s lives. That’s why it is vital for each person to have a solid life philosophy. Our movement for kosen-rufu is, therefore, a struggle to realize the ideal of “establishing the correct teaching for the peace of the land.”[1]
The treatise which has been mentioned and commented in this section is mainly written in a dialogue form between a “traveler (…) in sorrow” and “his host.”[2] Daisaku Ikeda has written about this on several occasions such as the following:
Both deeply troubled by the natural disasters afflicting the land and bringing suffering to the people, the host and guest find in each other someone to share their thoughts with and naturally sit down to talk together. As their conversation progresses, the guest reacts angrily to the host’s criticism of the Pure Land (Nembutsu) teachings (widely accepted in Japan at the time) and stands up to leave, but the host, with a calm smile, urges him to stay and patiently explains the reasoning and truth underlying his remarks. His anger eased, the guest once again listens receptively (…) carrying on a dialogue that is honest, open, and free from prejudice. In so doing, he creates an “orchid room of compassion,” pervaded by empathy for those who are suffering.
The spread of such dialogue (…) throughout Japan and around the world will build a solid foundation for realizing the Daishonin’s ideal of “establishing the correct teaching for the peace of the land.” This is not a goal for the far-distant future; it is being actualized now.[3]
How much joy, vitality and harmony does this image that participants of this group from Barcelona took at the end of their discussion meeting irradiate! As they state, it is due to a sustained determination that is being translated from the start of the year into a wide attendance which includes youth and that makes everyone grow younger, no matter what their age is. This is based on prayer and on taking action with the spirit of “many in body, one in mind,” summarized in the naming of its group. Congratulations!
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[1] ↑ See the section «Orientación» of this issue.
[2] ↑ On Establishing the Correct Teaching for the Peace of the Land, in WND-1, page 6.
[3] ↑ See the section «Estudio» in CG magazine, issue 229, May 2024 (adapted text).