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
«There is an unforgettable passage from the writings of Nichiren Daishonin that I studied together with my mentor, Josei Toda […]: “Abutsu-bo appeared. I asked him first how you were, and how the lay priest of Ko was. He told me that neither of you had fallen ill.”
As epidemics raged throughout the land, the Daishonin was deeply concerned about his disciples and had been praying wholeheartedly for their safety. After thanking Abutsu-bo for making the long journey to see him, the Daishonin inquires about each of his disciples on Sado and takes delight in learning that they are safe and well. In the letter, he also asks Sennichi to pass on a message of condolence and encouragement to another practitioner who had recently lost her husband.
After having me read this letter aloud, Mr. Toda said: “Here we see the profoundly humane behaviour of Nichiren Daishonin. It is also the spirit that we should bring to our discussion meetings.” […]
Let’s start the coming Year of Advancement and Capable People by launching a new “discussion meeting revolution”!».
(IKEDA, Daisaku: «Our Hope-Filled Soka Discussion Meetings», Daibyakurenge, November 2019, translation available in www.sgi-es.org/publicaciones/editorial/noviembre-2019/. The quote is from WND, pp. 933-34).
LOCALLY
This dicussion group is the first one created on the Canary island of La Palma, one of the westernmost points of the archipelago, Spain and Europe. In line with its name, the group has flourished exuberantly and, coinciding with the Soka Victory Assembly celebration,the fourth discussion group in the island has already been born! Congratulations!
(Mailbox: prensa@ediciones-civilizacionglobal.com)
ADVANCING WITH THE GOSHO
You should therefore strive in faith more than ever to receive the blessings of the Lotus Sutra. […] The greater the hardships befalling him, the greater the delight he feels, because of his strong faith.
(Passage from «A Ship to Cross the Sea of Suffering», WND, p. 33).
«THE DAISHONIN ALWAYS STRESSED to his disciples the importance of strengthening their faith and making ever greater efforts in their Buddhist practice. […]
In the face of severe hardships, we need to look ahead with a positive attitude and joyfully take them on. Those with the “heart of a lion king”[1] possess the courage to create and spread hope, no matter how adverse their circumstances. They can tap the wisdom to overcome every obstacle and sever the heavy chains of negative karma. They have an invincible power. This absolute conviction is the spirit of true cause.
[…] In other words, instead of being imprisoned by the past, by transforming our mind-set, or deep-seated resolve, we can change the meaning of our past; through our actions, we can create value and open the way to a new life starting from this present moment.
The philosophy of true cause means striving to build a brighter future.
The Daishonin declared that his life was not passively subject to “the general law of cause and effect”,[2] the traditional theory of karma. What can we do to change our karma on a fundamental level? We can dedicate our lives to the great vow for kosen-rufu as practitioners of the Lotus Sutra. The Daishonin personally demonstrated this in the way he faced great persecutions in his own life. And we, the mentors and disciples of the Soka Gakkai, are his direct disciples. […]
Start from where you are now! Keep moving forward! Continue striving forever!».
(Excerpt from «Embodying the Spirit of “True Cause”»).[3]
PERSPECTIVE
In the same dissertation from which the Gosho passage and the previous comments have been extracted, Daisaku Ikeda collects two inspiring references about the importance of living the present in a renewed spirit. First he quotes Tolstoi who wrote: «The past does not exist. The future has not begun […]. Therefore, a person should concentrate all his spiritual force only on this present.»[4] Later evokes a discussion he had with Larry Hickman, American educator and former president of the John Dewey Society, who remarked: «It is said that when a traveler arrived in a town in the American frontier, the first question put to him would be not ‘Where are you coming from?” but “Where are you headed? What are your plans?”.»[5]
KEYWORDS
Strive in faith more than ever · Spirit of true cause · Self renewal
[1] See WND, pp. 302-03.
[2] Ib., p. 305.
[3] See this issue, section «Estudio mensual».
[4] Ib.
[5] Ib.