Goal of World Peace Reaffirmed

By Daisaku Ikeda
Soka Gakkai President
Feb. 5, 1979 Soka Gakkai World Tribune
Copyright, World Tribune

Honored by the presence of High Priest Nittatsu Shonin and honorable priests from across the nation who came despite their busy schedule we have had a most meaningful special representative leaders meeting of the Soka Gakkai here at the Grand Lecture Hall of the Head Temple. On behalf of all Soka Gakkai members, I sincerely thank all of you very much.

The correct lineage of the Buddhism of Nichiren Daishonin, the True Buddha of Mappo, exists, needless to say, in our Nichiren Shoshu. It has been handed down only through the lives of successive high priests who received the pure lineage of true Buddhism directly from Nichiren Daishonin.

As believers of Nichiren Shoshu, which inherits the pure lineage of the Daishonin's Buddhism, we have been allowed to take part in the propagation of the Supreme Law thus far. I proudly believe that it has been our greatest honor and fortune to have been able to spend years in engaging ourselves in this unparalleled task to the best of our ability.

Keeping In our hearts a Gosho passage which High Priest Nittatsu Shonin referred to at the 700th anniversary of the Atsuhara Persecution celebrated on october 15, 1975, "No one can escape death ... Since you must die all the same, dedicate your life to the Lotus Sutra. Think that (your death would be as if) you were to cast a dewdrop into the ocean or throw a dust particle on the earth" ("Reply to Lord Ueno". We are determined to further dedicate ourselves to protecting Nichiren Shoshu, thus accomplishing the great desire for Kosen-rufu based on the DaiGohonzon which Nichiren Daishonin inscribed on October 12, 1279 for all mankind in Mappo.

In almost no time, we will witness the most memorable occasion of the 700th anniversary of the passing of Nichiren Daishonin In 1282. It is as meaningful an occasion as the one-eyed turtle encountering a piece of floating sandalwood. At this most important time we would like to straighten our attitude of faith and commence the kind of commitment which will be praised by Nichiren Daishonin and the high priest.

Today at this meeting, General Director Hojo and Vice President Tsuji made statements to confirm the basic guideline toward the establishment of the harmonious relationship of the priesthood and laymen, as well as toward the solution of several other issues. The points they made today are based on our unanimous decisions reached by the board of general administrator. The prefecture chiefs' conference, and also by the top conferences of each division. Following this basic guideline, we are resolved to further our efforts to protect true Buddhism and achieve kosen-rufu. So I sincerely ask the honorable priests of Nichiren Shoshu to strictly yet warmly guide us, as we are all common mortals. Once again, let me ask you to ex- tend your favor to us on this point.

Please accept my deep apology for our excesses in various matters which deeply disturbed Nichiren Shoshu. I also have to apologize for failing to completely fulfill my responsibility to end these turmoils as General Chief of All Lay Organizations of Nichiren Shoshu.

Since its reconstruction the Soka Gakkai has been totally committed to propagation and other activities for kosen-rufu totally devoted to this cause that we did not even have enough time to look back or to think about anything else but kosen-rufu. As a result, we have been able to see definite growth, which is evidenced by today's remarkable rise of the Soka Gakkai and Nichiren Shoshu. I am convinced that it was all thanks to the power of the Dai-Gohonzon and great virtue of High Priest Nittatsu Shonin. It was also thanks to the support we received from the honorable priests of Nichiren Shoshu. I express my sincere appreciation to them all on this occasion.

In the process we met a number of great difficulties on each occasion Nichiren Shoshu spared nothing in protecting the Soka Gakkai. We will never ever forget these favors extended to us. We are also resolved only to further our dedication to Nichiren Shoshu.

Anyway, because of the changing times, we have encountered a number of trials. Steering a difficult course, we have came this far. Many things will await us from now on, too, because we all are merely common mortals who are fated to make mistakes.

I don't believe it would be proper for us to say much now at this meeting. Rather, I believe, we should first of all receive guidelines from the high priest and honestly convene with all the honorable priests of Nichiren Shoshu and people outside of our organization as well. In this way, I would like to blaze the correct, sure path toward kosen-rufu. Doing so is the way which we should take now, I believe. For this reason, I think we should for the time being aim at deepening our faith and straightening up problems within the organization rather than taking a gigantic step forward toward the superficial development of kosen-rufu. I hope guiding ourselves in this direction will be the first step forward toward perpetuating the foundation of the harmonious unity of priests and laymen.

Once again etching deep in my heart the prime point which former President Toda mentioned in 1951 by stating, "I am determined to protect the head temple and shoulder the responsibility to cope with all difficulties on my own feet." I am also resolved to further brace up my powers of faith and practice to accomplish the great wish of kosen-rufu.

Kosen-rufu is a long journey which will last tens of thousands of years. I perceive the true stage of kosen-rufu will be set from now on into the last century. I sincerely hope that all the Soka Gakkai members will forge ahead in sound, beautiful unity based on faith with a state of life as broad as the ocean. Let's plunge ourselves in among the suffering people so that we can help them change their miserable course of life into one of absolute happiness. Let's forge ahead together along the path of rekindling the beacon of the world's greatest law, for society and for the sake of all humanity.

I heartily pray for the goad health of High Priest Nittatsu Shonin and for the prosperity of the honorable priests of Nichiren Shoshu, who embrace and protect the Supreme Law. Hoping that all Soka Gakkai members will confidently advance with strong faith along the road of Buddhist practice which leads to enlightenment in this lifetime, I will conclude my words. Thank you very much.

Next Speech: High Priest Calls for New Unity