In this section we offer resources for the SGI Spain 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
In his last book, the Professor of Philosophy at the University of Barcelona, Josep Maria Esquirol, makes an appeal to “intensify the humane, deepen in what is most human,”[1] based on the conviction that “the most important horizon is not found beyond–further away–but inwards.”[2] If this goal resonates strongly with the humanism that characterises Nichiren Buddhism, the terms in which the author, who is a clear-eyed defender of a “philosophy of proximity,” addresses human relationships help to highlight the value of the discussion meetings in Soka Gakkai and are related to the themes addressed in this section’s special instalment included in the previous issue; namely: “only with the encounter and the words one hears, human beings will become creative. Only with the encounter and the words one hears, there will be sense.”[3] “Herein lies the veritas. Logical truths are one thing, and another, above that, is the truth of life, of the situations that take place and of the personal faces that have and take a name.”[4] “And there will only be true speech when we have listened. Words that come, go in through the ears as well as through the skin. Words that come and reach you do not make you silent, they do not condemn you to mutism, on the contrary, they make you responsible, in other words, they ask you to respond. The words that come do not prevail over yours, they give you yours. And beware, keeping quiet is also typical of the one who responds.”[5]
LOCALLY
This SGI-Spain group from Pamplona responded with joy[6] to the proposal of commemorating the 75th anniversary of the 14th of August 1947, with discussion and friendship meetings. They did it on the 15th of August, meeting in person for the first time after two and a half years and in an extraordinary venue which was none other than Yamaguchi Park in the capital of Navarre. The park gave them sun and shelter at the same time. The excitement of meeting again personally and the joy of the dialogue, managed to light up their faces, even under the shade, with “the greatest of all joys.”[7]
(Mailbox: prensa@ediciones-civilizacionglobal.com)
ADVNCING WITH THE GOSHO
Although I and my disciples may encounter various difficulties, if we do not harbor doubts in our hearts, we will as a matter of course attain Buddhahood. Do not have doubts simply because heaven does not lend you protection. Do not be discouraged because you do not enjoy an easy and secure existence in this life.
(The Opening of the Eyes, in WND-1, 283).
“‘I and my disciples . . . will as a matter of course attain Buddhahood’ means that the life state of the Buddha of time without beginning inherent within the Daishonin is also inherent within every one of us.
But as long as the delusion and suffering that cloud people’s lives control them, they will fail to perceive their inner Buddhahood.
That is why the Daishonin tirelessly encouraged his disciples through his own example and behavior, through his guidance and instruction. He also wrote countless letters to them, engaging in dialogue through the written word, to inspire and support them in faith and practice so that they could reveal the same inner life state of Buddhahood he had. In essence, he taught his disciples that by summoning the heart of a lion king and persevering through all with unwavering faith, they could manifest the same vast life state of wisdom, courage, and compassion as the Buddha.
From this, it is clear that the key for ordinary people to attain Buddhahood is to practice just as the Daishonin teaches. In the concluding section of “The Opening of the Eyes,” he calls on us to engage in spreading the Mystic Law, a struggle to combat the destructive tendencies arising from fundamental ignorance, the ultimate cause of people’s suffering. We can see this as expressing his wish for us to follow his example and ‘cast off the transient and reveal the true’ in our own lives.”[8]
PERSPECTIVE
In the lecture from which the above quote and commentary have been extracted, Daisaku Ikeda also clarifies the meaning of “casting off the transient and revealing the true” from the perspective of our practice. He states that it “means to awaken the awareness that we are heirs to the Buddha’s eternal vow [of helping all human beings build an unshakable happiness] and begin our own dauntless efforts for people’s happiness. It starts with one person confidently setting forth on the same great path… When such deeply committed individuals unite and launch a movement to ‘establish the correct teaching for the peace of the land,’ they will build a Buddha realm, a realm of security and happiness for all. This is the true meaning of ‘casting off the transient and revealing the true’ in Nichiren Buddhism.”[9]
KEYWORDS
Harbouring no doubts · Attain Buddhahood · Revealing the true
[1] ↑ Tentative translation of ESQUIROL, Josep Maria: Humano, más humano, Barcelona: Acantilado, 2021, p. 9.
[2] ↑ Ib., p. 11.
[3] ↑ Ib., p. 25.
[4] ↑ Ib., p. 26.
[5] ↑ Ib., p. 58.
[6] ↑ See The Lotus Sutra, chapter 18.
[7] ↑ OTT, p. 212.
[8] ↑ IKEDA, Daisaku: “Awakening to our ‘Greater Self’ and ‘Greater Mission,’ Daibyakurenge, September 2021.
[9] ↑ Ib.