A Religion that Creates Genuine Value

How do we overcome the sufferings in our lives? How can we attain an unshakable state in which we savour the true joy of living? A religion that creates genuine value is defined by its ability to transform people’s actual lives and society. This guiding belief informed Mr. Makiguchi’s lofty ideals and actions. (…)

Jao Tsung-I (1917–2018) was one of China’s most preeminent sinologists. We forged a deep friendship and even published a dialogue together. Dr. Jao inscribed and presented me with a marvellous calligraphic work of the Lotus Sutra passage “At all times I think to myself: How can I cause living beings to gain entry into the unsurpassed way and quickly acquire the body of a Buddha?” (…)

At that moment, I was reminded of Presidents Makiguchi and Toda.

Mr. Makiguchi identified the purpose of religion in society as “working for the happiness of humanity and making the world a better place,” and Mr. Toda repeatedly voiced his impassioned wish to eradicate misery from the face of the earth.

The Soka Gakkai’s emergence is connected directly to the Buddha’s constant thought or wish, encapsulated in the words “At all times I think to myself.” It is an organization in perfect accord with the Buddha’s intent, carrying out the sacred and compassionate work of leading people to enlightenment as the shared vow of mentor and disciple. Mr. Toda regarded each Soka Gakkai member who dedicates themselves to sharing Buddhism as a Buddha.

As ordinary individuals, our members always dive in among the people and seek to elevate the life state of all humanity—to realize what we call worldwide kosen-rufu. They are noble practitioners of the bodhisattva way participating in a great religious movement. No gathering is more lofty or profound.[1]

The passage and the commentary mentioned above are part of a study lecture by Daisaku Ikeda published at the beginning of the month in which he would later pass away, already one year ago. As an additional gesture of gratitude towards him, below we publish another passage from the same lecture where he reflects upon his own efforts to continue Tsunesaburo Makiguchi and Josei Toda’s endeavour. In doing so, he summarises the legacy of the three founding presidents of the Soka Gakkai from the perspective of The Lotus Sutra and Nichiren Daishoinin’s teachings. Furthermore, he links it to the disciples’ mission:

Mr. Makiguchi issued a sharp and fundamental challenge to the traditional philosophical notion of a religious “value of holiness” divorced from the real world. My mentor, second Soka Gakkai president Josei Toda, also often made clear that we are not spiritual opportunists who take advantage of religion for personal gain.

Inheriting the teachings of Presidents Makiguchi and Toda, I have striven together with my fellow members to expand our solid alliance for peace, culture, and education based on Buddhist humanism. The true aim of religion must be to make people strong, good, and wise.[2]