This section features Ikeda Sensei’s seminal guidance to the members of the United States. The following is an excerpt of his speech given at the World Peace Ikeda Auditorium, in Santa Monica, California, September 29, 1991. The full speech can be found in My Dear Friends in America, fourth edition, pp. 152–65.
Winter Never Fails to Turn to Spring
The Buddha of the Latter Day, Nichiren Daishonin, more than anyone, warmly recognized people’s hardships and efforts. In a well-known letter to the lay nun Myoichi, who had suffered the loss of her husband, he writes: “Those who believe in the Lotus Sutra are as if in winter, but winter always turns to spring. Never, from ancient times on, has anyone heard or seen of winter turning back to autumn. Nor have we ever heard of a believer in the Lotus Sutra who turned into an ordinary person. The sutra reads, ‘If there are those who hear the Law, then not a one will fail to attain Buddhahood’ ” (“Winter Always Turns to Spring,” The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, vol. 1, p. 536).
In this passage, the Daishonin asserts that those who selflessly dedicate themselves for the sake of Buddhism will definitely become Buddhas just as winter unfailingly turns into spring. No matter what problems we may now be facing, we SGI members, who embrace the Mystic Law, will not be defeated and will definitely become happy. The spring of happiness and hope will definitely arrive.
“Then not a one will fail to attain Buddhahood” (The Lotus Sutra and Its Opening and Closing Sutras, p. 75), declares the Daishonin, citing the Lotus Sutra. Here he is explaining that Shakyamuni Buddha expounded the Law [the Lotus Sutra] to enable all people without exception to attain Buddhahood. It is therefore inconceivable that the children of the Buddha who earnestly practice this Law could not become Buddhas. He assures his lay follower Myoichi that those who have been persecuted because of their faith in the Lotus Sutra will receive the greatest blessing—that of attaining the state of Buddhahood.
As lay believers, we, too, may encounter persecutions or unpleasantness from others because of our correct practice of Nichiren Buddhism. But by overcoming these kinds of obstacles, we can develop great good fortune of a magnitude that truly defies the imagination. Viewed in this light, I hope you will be convinced that the current problems [with the Nichiren Shoshu priesthood] have profound significance for the further great advance of the SGI.
The Daishonin continues in the same writing: “[Your husband] is probably watching his wife and children in the heavenly mirrors of the sun and moon every moment of the day and night. Since you and your children are ordinary persons, you cannot see or hear him. … But never doubt that he is protecting you. Moreover, he may be close at hand” (WND-1, 536).
This passage is extremely profound. The friends of the Mystic Law belonging to the SGI family will continue their deeply meaningful and valuable journeys of life eternally while freely interacting with one another, transcending life and death. I cannot help feeling that the great pioneers of American kosen-rufu, whom I mentioned just a moment ago, are watching over this gathering today with serene, smiling faces. …
Life and Death: The Ultimate Human Frontier
All of you who embrace faith in, practice and study the Buddhist Law are great pioneers who are challenging this ultimate human frontier of life and death.
Dr. Linus Pauling (1901–94) and I discussed the notion that the 21st century would be a Century of Life. The focus of the world’s foremost thinkers is now beginning to turn to the problem of life and death and to the nature of life itself. Currently, I am also preparing a dialogue on the theme of life and health with Dr. René Simard (an authority on cancer research), vice rector of the University of Montreal in Canada. [This was eventually published as On Being Human.]
Nichiren states: “Today, when Nichiren and his followers recite the words Nam-myoho-renge- kyo, they are illuminating the darkness of birth and death, making it clear, so that the wisdom fire of nirvana may shine forth. … [When Nichiren and his followers recite Nam-myoho-renge-kyo], they are burning the firewood of earthly desires, summoning up the wisdom fire of bodhi or enlightenment” (The Record of the Orally Transmitted Teachings, pp. 10–11). This passage explains the principles of “the sufferings of birth and death are nirvana” and “earthly desires are enlightenment.”
While saving a detailed discussion for another occasion, I want to say that when I studied this passage under second Soka Gakkai President Josei Toda during my youth, I had the sense that I was awakening to the lucid, great philosophic principles of the Buddhism of Nichiren Daishonin, who revealed his teaching for the sake of all humankind.
Through my practice over the course of the 44 years since my conversion, I have grown steadily, ever more strongly and profoundly convinced that every single teaching of the Daishonin is true and valid.
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