Today’s future division members will be leaders of kosen-rufu in the future. Helping them engage in Buddhist practice and nurturing them in faith through our Soka Gakkai activities is crucial for their development. Ikeda Sensei says:
It’s important to raise our children within the garden of the Soka Gakkai. As part of that process, please share with your children how your family came to join the Soka Gakkai. Talk to them about the roots of your family’s Buddhist practice, about family members’ past efforts for kosen-rufu and significant turning points or events that inspired them in their practice. Hearing members at discussion meetings and other gatherings relate experiences of how they have turned their lives around through practicing Buddhism can also be a major source of inspiration and encouragement. (May 2017 Living Buddhism, p. 47)
At our monthly discussion meetings, let’s create warm environments for our elementary school and junior high and high school division members to freely participate. They can be emcee, share their faith experience or read their favorite quote from the World Tribune or Living Buddhism.
Here are some tips to keep in mind when asking our future division members to take part in our discussion meeting activities:
1) Rehearse with them before the meeting day.
2) Read Sensei’s guidance together.
3) Challenge them to chant Nam-myoho-renge-kyo toward the meeting.
Their involvement not only becomes a golden memory for them but also contributes to the joy of the meeting!
—Prepared by the World Tribune Staff
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