Persevering in dialogue


In this section we offer resources for the SGEs discussion meetings; namely: a quote that sheds light on the relevance of the efforts that crystallise on these gatherings («Globally»), a presentation 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

“Nothing is more powerful than sincerity.
Although your sincere efforts may not appear to bear fruit for a time,
you will gain people’s trust over time and you will win in the end,
accumulating good fortune and benefits along the way.
A person of faith is a person of utmost sincerity.
Based on the principle of a single life-moment possessing three thousand realms,
our hearts will reach others without fail.
That is why we must pour our heart into every word we speak,
every letter we write, and every phone call we make.
From there, the way forward will open.
‘I will nurture friendships right where I am!
I will not let any misery come close to my hometown!
I will spread hope across my local community!’ –
The foundation for achieving kosen-rufu in reality
is built through dedicated efforts
to engage in dialogue with such determination.
These efforts will then contribute directly
to the development of our local communities. […]
To encourage the person in front of us, […]
that is something everyone can do, just as they are.”[1]

LOCALLY

Río de Esperanza Group

The experiences shared during the 16th June commemorative meeting of this group from Madrid encompassed the three decades which were celebrated. Experiences from three people who received Gohonzon a few days back, on the 30th May, in the Soka Cultural Centre, followed the one shared by a participant of the Tret’s event in 1991.

(Mailbox: prensa@ediciones-civilizacionglobal.com)

ADVANCING WITH THE GOSHO

If you meet someone by chance, even though you wish you hadn’t, you should acknowledge them. Even if there is nothing to smile about, smile.

(Tentative translation of a new Gosho passage to be included in the revised edition.)

“We may dislike some of the people we encounter, but the Daishonin instructs us to use our wisdom, urging us to be open and accepting and to greet them with a smile.

In a corrupt age rife with hatred and jealousy, the Daishonin said he had met with far more people than most [in the course of spreading his teaching] (cf. WND-2, 778). He was fully aware of the difficulties his disciples faced in society. Hence, he encouraged them to be pleasant and amicable in their interactions to help others form a connection with the correct teaching of Buddhism, however challenging the effort might be. This is the essence of a truly profound, openhearted human philosophy.

In this evil age of the Latter Day of the Law, the only way to guide others to happiness is to persevere with a ‘mind that is gentle and forbearing,’[2] as the Lotus Sutra teaches, sincerely and patiently sharing our convictions and beliefs through dialogue.”[3]

PERSPECTIVE

In another recent lecture, Ikeda Sensei talks about something related to the theme he touches upon in the commentary described above these lines. He states the following:

Nichiren Daishonin treasured the places to which he had a connection, and he cared about the people there and warmly embraced them.
.
In a letter to a disciple in his home province of Awa (present-day southern Chiba Prefecture), the Daishonin fondly recalls those he knows there, writing: “I never think lightly of the people from my native province, nor do I cease to care about what happens to them, even if they have caused me sorrow or treated me cruelly.”[4]
.
Inheriting this vast, all-encompassing spirit of the Daishonin and cherishing a deep love for their communities, the mentors and disciples of Soka have made the place where they are the starting point of their sincere, persevering efforts to realize the Daishonin’s ideal of “establishing the correct teaching for the peace of the land.”
.
By steadfastly chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo and engaging in dialogue with a deep wish for others’ happiness and a peaceful world for all, we are creating safe havens of hope, renewal, and good fortune.[5]

KEYWORDS

Sincerity · Dialogue · Local community · Patience · Deep wish


[1]IKEDA, Daisaku: “Sincerity is the power that leads us to ultimate victory”, Seikyo Shimbun, 30/5/2021.

[2]LSOC10, p. 205.

[3]See the section “Punto de partida” in this issue.

[4]Letter to Konichi-bo, in WND-1, p. 661.

[5]IKEDA, Daisaku: “Making the Joyous Song of Bodhisattvas of the Earth Resound!”, Daibyakurenge, May 2021.

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