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 some of the groups that sustain them (“Locally”), a passage from The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin commented by Daisaku Ikeda (“Advancing with the Gosho”) and a “Perspective.”
GLOBALLY
This month’s discussion meeting is a perfect place to appreciate and share our “dynamic progress” in 2022. In some cases, the result of this exercise may be an experience more or less complete. In other cases, it is possible that it is more difficult to distinguish the progress or, even though we recognise a certain progress, we do not think it is enough to celebrate it. That’s why we think the comment by Daisaku Ikeda shared in the section “Advancing with the Gosho” is especially meaningful. In it, he refers to the disappointments he himself experienced during different times of his life, even though he was exerting himself in his Buddhist practice, and he interprets them as part of a continuous trial and error process. When things didn’t go as he hoped, he used to tell himself “I can’t let (…) [this] bring me down”[1] and the feeling of gratitude drove him again with renewed life force. There is no doubt that because he persevered with this attitude, he advanced…
Having said this, in an editorial that Ikeda Sensei has written for the last month of this year, he suggests another refreshing perspective, which is that when assessing our progress during this year that is ending, we don’t have to limited ourselves to the individual! If we observe what we have done collectively, in our discussion groups, in SGI-Spain, in the global Soka movement, we can say that the result is “truly astronomical” and has a value which “is higher than the heavens and deeper than the ocean.”[2] Now that the 2023 SGI theme is starting to inspire us,[3] the article also invites us to become aware that we are in “the runway to soar to a life of triumph.”[4]
LOCALLY
These are some of the brilliant images of the discussion meetings commemorating SGI-Spain’s Future División Day that we have received. Congratulations!
(Mailbox: prensa@ediciones-civilizacionglobal.com)
ADVANCING WITH THE GOSHO
If Nichiren’s compassion is truly great and encompassing, Nam-myoho-renge-kyo will spread for ten thousand years and more, for all eternity.
(On Repaying Debts of Gratitude, in WND-1, p. 735).
“In accord with Nichiren Daishonin’s vow, which he made with a view toward the eternal future of the Latter Day, we of the Soka Gakkai have stood up to fulfill the mission of the Bodhisattvas of the Earth, raising high the banner of kosen-rufu through the compassionate propagation of the great Law.
(…) 75 years ago, Mr. Toda wrote an article about propagation (…); Japan was still experiencing the turmoil and devastation of the postwar period. He expressed profound concern for his fellow citizens, who were struggling with the three calamities highlighted by the Daishonin in his treatise “On Establishing the Correct Teaching for the Peace of the Land”—high grain prices or inflation (especially that caused by famine), warfare, and pestilence. And he called out to the youth: ‘The benefit of upholding the Mystic Law is that it invigorates the life force of all people. . . . That is why enabling as many people as possible to embrace this teaching through propagation is important. They will then go on to realize their full potential in various fields, such as business, culture, and the arts, opening the way for rebuilding our nation.’ (…)
Sharing Nichiren Buddhism with others is the most difficult of all undertakings. I recall many times in my youth when I was unable to clearly convey what I wanted to say, or when the other person wasn’t interested, no matter how earnestly I spoke about our practice. It was an ongoing process of trial and error. There were also letters I sent that were returned unopened, and times when I waited at an agreed-upon meeting place for someone who ultimately never showed up.
But I burned with fighting spirit, wishing to please Mr. Toda by expanding our movement for kosen-rufu. My gratitude and appreciation for my mentor drove my efforts. (…)
Sometimes our efforts to share the Daishonin’s teachings produce immediate results and sometimes they don’t. But just speaking to others about Buddhism is itself the noble practice of sowing the seeds of enlightenment.”[5]
PERSPECTIVE
In the essay from which the quote and commentary above have been extracted, Daisaku Ikeda directly addresses himself to the youth in several passages, such as the following: “The future of Soka opens expansively wherever capable young people are fostered. Your passion and power will boundlessly spread security throughout society and peace throughout the world.”[6]
[1] ↑ See the section “Punto de partida” in this issue.
[2] ↑ IKEDA, Daisaku: “The Path of Soka Is the Runway to a Life of Triumph,” available in Spanish as additional material in the online edition of Civilización Global.
[3] ↑ The 2023 theme is “Year of Youth and Triumph”. Please see the section “Este mes” in this issue.
[5] ↑ See the section “Punto de partida” in this issue.
[6] ↑ Ib.