“A person who makes a firm determination to work for kosen-rufu is strong. From such determination wisdom, life force, success and victory in life are born.”[1]
—SGI President Ikeda
Mexico, home of one of the six “cradles of civilization,” has a rich culture reflecting its complex history. Blending its indigenous roots with Spanish and Asian influences, it is considered a melting pot of all races.
In August 1965, SGI President Ikeda visited Mexico City, fulfilling a dream of his mentor, second Soka Gakkai President Josei Toda. By then, President Ikeda had traveled extensively around the globe, spreading the humanistic philosophy of Nichiren Buddhism and empowering the members abroad to awaken to their mission.
What began with 26 members on his first visit to Mexico expanded to a membership of 700 households in just three years. This was the result of the members’ passion, united vision and effort, traveling, at times, over 600 miles to meet with one person. In the following excerpt, President Ikeda recalls his mentor’s dream of visiting Mexico and his injunction that his disciple travel the world in his stead.
The World Is Your True Stage
In volume 10 of The New Human Revolution, SGI President Ikeda visits Mexico City during his travels to the Americas. This visit held special significance, as it was his beloved mentor’s dream before his passing. President Ikeda appears in the novel as Shin’ichi Yamamoto.
At the end of March 1958, Shin’ichi [Yamamoto] went to see his mentor [second Soka Gakkai President Josei Toda], whose ill health was keeping him on a futon on the second floor of the Rikyo-bo lodging at the head temple . . . When Shin’ichi entered the room, Toda began to speak softly: “Shin’ichi, yesterday I dreamt I went to Mexico. They were all waiting.
Everyone was waiting. They were all seeking Nichiren Daishonin’s Buddhism. I want to go—to travel the world on a journey for kosen-rufu. Shin’ichi, the world is your challenge; it is your true stage. It is a vast world.”
Toda reached his hand out from beneath the covers and Shin’ichi silently grasped it in his own. Then, as if squeezing out every last ounce of his energy, Toda said: “Shin’ichi, you must live! You must live as long as you can and travel the globe!”
These words continued to echo within Shin’ichi’s heart, ever rousing a new flame of a fighting spirit.[2]
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