In this section we offer resources for the assemblies in which each SGI Spain discussion group will commemorate the 60th anniversary of European kosen-rufu. These are: a “Perspective”, a passage from the writings of Nichiren Daishonin commented by Daisaku Ikeda (“Advancing with the Gosho”) and some “Keywords”. HAPPY ASSEMBLIES!
PERSPECTIVE
“Why do I scale mountains?
Because they are there!”
So declared a famous mountaineer.
We are about to scale the summit
Of the mountain of the twenty-first century,
The mountain of kosen-rufu![1]
These memorable verses are the opening of the long poem entitled “Youth, scale the mountain of kosen-rufu of the 21st century”, which Daisaku Ikeda composed at the end of 1981, four decades ago. He has dedicated a recent editorial to that appeal in which he states:
Since then, we have conquered numerous mountains of challenge and adversity, rising high above the clouds, and now our vision of worldwide kosen-rufu and ‘establishing the correct teaching for the peace of the land’ unfolds before us in the distance, as far as the eye can see. […]
To climb the mountain of kosen-rufu is to engage in ‘joyous and infinitely satisfying struggle on behalf of the Buddhist Law’ and savour that ‘there is no higher path in life than this.’ (…) [It] is the challenge to elevate the life state of all humankind to the highest life state of Buddhahood.[2]
This being so, it is clear that it is a long-lasting challenge. That climbing a mountain, once we reach the summit, encourages us to scale a new one, even a mountain that is of a bigger challenge… “Because they are there!”
In fact, in the aforementioned editorial, Ikeda Sensei refreshes his appeal by stating “Let us (…) of all ages (…) together, once again, (…) scale a new mountain of kosen-rufu.”[3]
By proposing us to do it “together” is vital. As stated in the section “Este mes” of this Civilización Global issue (pages 10-11), the 15th of October, the date in which Daisaku Ikeda visited Spain during his first visit to Europe in 1961, was later established as the Day of Mentor and Disciple for SGEs. Luckily, the practice of Nichiren Buddhism in Soka Gakkai is not a lonely practice, as we have a mentor and fellow members together which we can scale.
In a radio interview held in 1956, Toda Sensei answered a question related to the reason why there were so many youths in Soka Gakkai. He declared that it was because of the profound philosophy it embraces. The efforts of Soka youth to gain mastery of this philosophy—he explained—could be likened to climbing a mountain—the higher one gradually climbs towards the summit, the greater joy one feels. He also proclaimed: “I, myself am climbing towards this summit together with the youth. It is simply a matter of whether I am one or two steps ahead, and I have not expected to have reached the summit yet.”[4]
The last question of the interview was also interesting. To the question of what his greatest joy was, Toda Sensei replied that it was to always feel a sense of fulfilment, so that no matter what the circumstances, they were worth living.
During this October of celebrations, of this first year of the decade towards 2030, the proposal is that these general meetings act as base camps prior to the climbing—together and joyfully in spite of the difficulties—of a new summit in our lives.
ADVANCING WITH THE GOSHO
Nam-myoho-renge-kyo is the greatest of all joys.[5]
.
The greater the hardships befalling him, the greater the delight he feels, because of his strong faith.[6]
“A person who criticizes and complains constantly, without taking any actions, has no reason to be joyful. […]
Rejoicing together in everything we experience and undertake is what is important. […] The ones who can respond with joy to any circumstance are true ‘masters of life.’ This is the essence of Buddhism.”[7]
KEYWORDS
Climbing a new mountain together towards 2030 · Youthful spirit · The greatest of all joys · Conviction that it is worth living no matter what the circumstances
[1] ↑ See the section “Punto de partida” of Civilización Global, number 139, November 2016.
[2] ↑ IKEDA, Daisaku: “Together, Let’s Scale a New Mountain of Kosen-rufu!”, Daibyakurenge, September 2021.
[4] ↑ Tentative translation of Daisaku Ikeda’s speech shown during the 4th Headquarter Leaders’ Meeting of Soka Gakkai towards the 2030. Everything written about the radio interview to Josei Toda is based on this speech.
[5] ↑ OTT, p. 212.
[6] ↑ A Ship to Cross the Sea of Suffering in WND-1, p. 33.
[7] ↑ Ib., note 4.