Resources for the introduction of Spain Soka Gakkai’s discussion meetings
The ‘great vow’ refers to the propagation of the Lotus Sutra.
↳ OTT, page 82. The Orally Transmitted Teachings are a compilation of Nichiren Daishonin’s oral teachings about the Lotus Sutra which he expounded during his years at mount Minobu, where he established himself in May 1274 until the 8th September 1282, just a few weeks before his death. These teachings were registered and compiled in two volumes by his disciple and successor Nikko Shonin.
The Soka Gakkai alone has spread Nichiren Buddhism, the great teaching of universal enlightenment, around the world, fulfilling the Daishonin’s words «The ‘great vow’ refers to the propagation of the Lotus Sutra [Nam-myoho-renge-kyo]».1
With courage and patience, we have widely spread the message that all people embody the Mystic Law and possess the infinitely noble life stat of Buddhahood. Everyone, without exception, can bring their limitless potential to blossom, carry out human revolution, and build a life state of solid happiness without fail.
The faith and practice of Soka mentors and disciples is true and correct, directly connected to Nichiren Daishonin, the Buddha of the Latter Day of the Law. (…) Throughout, the Soka Gakkai has striven with the same spirit as Nichiren Daishonin, when he declared: «I will never follow him in my heart»2 and «So long as persons of wisdom do not prove my teachings to be false, I will not yield! All other troubles are no more to me than dust before the wind».3
As long as we proceed with correct faith, nothing can destroy our movement. Soka Gakkai members know this. That’s why they are strong, never defeated or swayed, and always bright and upbeat. It is on these powerful spiritual wings that the Soka Gakkai has soared to become a global religious organization.
All those who play active roles in opening the way for their own and others’ happiness through faith in Nichiren Buddhism, a solid teaching for human victory, while living bravely in these turbulent times of the Latter Day of the Law, are Bodhisattvas of the Earth. They are you, my beloved fellow members of Soka.4
With courage and patience, we have widely spread the message that all people embody the Mystic Law and possess the infinitely noble life stat of Buddhahood (…) (and) can bring their limitless potential to blossom.
In the lecture from which the above commentary of the Gosho has been taken from, Daisaku Ikeda recalls an episode related to a passage that is included in it:
More than five decades ago [in 1969], UNESCO published a book titled Birthright of Man to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. It was a compilation of inspiring quotes on the subject of human rights from great thinkers of East and West over the ages.
A passage from Daishonin’s writings was among those selected (…): «Even if it seems that, because I was born in the ruler’s domain, I follow him in my actions, I will never follow him in my heart.»5 It is included in chapter 3, «Limitations of Power,» in the section subtitled «Conditional Submission, Supremacy of Conscience» under the heading «Limits to Authority.6
Those words that the Daishonin uttered in the 13th century are without doubt an undying declaration of the «supremacy of conscience,» a powerful signal that the freedom of religion, though, and conscience are inviolable. His spiritual struggle reverberates deeply with the ideal of universal human rights.7
Mailbox: prensa@ediciones-civilizacionglobal.com
- Please see the reference above these lines. ↩︎
- The Selection of the Time, in WND-1, page 579. ↩︎
- The Opening of the Eyes, in WND-1, page 280. ↩︎
- IKEDA, Daisaku: «Let’s Make a Triumphant Song of Human Dignity Resound to Change History and the Future», Daibyakurenge, November 2021. ↩︎
- Ib. note 2. ↩︎
- Please see Birthright of Man: A Selection of Texts, edit. Jeanne Hersch, Paris: Unesco, 1969, page 128. ↩︎
- Ib. note 4. ↩︎