In this excerpt from The New Human Revolution, vol. 22, Shin’ichi Yamamoto, Ikeda Sensei’s character in the novel, speaks to young women’s student division members at the Soka Culture Center at the Soka Gakkai Headquarters in Shinanomachi, Tokyo.
Shin’ichi Yamamoto said with emphasis: “Nichiren Buddhism enables us to transform our karma, achieve our human revolution and contribute to creating a better society. The only way to establish a state of indestructible happiness for oneself and others and to realize lasting peace for all is to further kosen-rufu by sharing this Buddhism with others. Kosen-rufu is the vow of Nichiren Daishonin and the vow of the Soka Gakkai, which advances in perfect accord with the Daishonin’s spirit.
“In ‘The Opening of the Eyes,’ the Daishonin expresses his fierce determination to fulfill that pledge with the words ‘Let the gods forsake me. Let all persecutions assail me. Still I will give my life for the sake of the Law’ (The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, vol. 1, p. 280).”
Shin’ichi had engraved this passage deeply in his heart when he assumed leadership of the kosen-rufu movement at his inauguration as the Soka Gakkai’s third president on May 3, 1960. This passage resounds like a lion’s roar, conveying the Daishonin’s deep convictions.
To attain Buddhahood in this lifetime—in other words, to establish a life state of indestructible happiness and open the way toward peace and happiness for all—it is essential to live one’s life true to the commitment of kosen-rufu. Great persecutions and obstacles, however, lie in the path of those who seek to fulfill this vow. Therefore, the resolve to never abandon faith is crucial.
Each young woman in the room would face numerous turning points and important changes in her life—such as landing a job, getting married, having children and so forth. She might find herself drawn to glamour and excitement and be put off by the steady effort of Buddhist practice. She might get so busy with her job and other matters that, before she noticed it, she’d stopped taking part in Soka Gakkai activities. Perhaps her husband or family members would oppose her faith. She might have a hard time with personal relationships within the organization and get discouraged by that. If she allowed such things to defeat her and alienate her from her Buddhist faith and practice, she could fall away from Buddhism completely.
In “The Opening of the Eyes,” the Daishonin writes about Shariputra and other figures from the sutras who abandoned bodhisattva practice.
In past lives, Shariputra practiced the bodhisattva way for a period of sixty kalpas, making offerings to people. When a Brahman appeared and asked him for one of his eyes, Shariputra responded by giving him his eye. The Brahman smelled it and, declaring that it stank, threw it on the ground and crushed it. This convinced Shariputra that it was impossible to save people of this sort and that he should concentrate on seeking only his own enlightenment instead. In spite of having practiced almsgiving for sixty kalpas, Shariputra discarded his bodhisattva practice and lapsed into the Hinayana teachings. This is an instance of abandoning faith.
The Brahman’s act was so cruel and arrogant that Shariputra’s response would appear reasonable from an ordinary perspective. But Buddhism, which teaches that the Law exists within each person’s heart, does not view things from the relative perspective of whether others or one’s circumstances are good or bad. From the standpoint of the eternal and indestructible Law of life, all that matters is what one does oneself, whether one wins over oneself. That is the measure of everything.
Shariputra’s heart was being tested. He had practiced for many kalpas, but at the crucial moment he was unable to believe in the profound Buddhist truth that indeed all people have the potential to attain enlightenment. He was unable to maintain conviction in the Lotus Sutra’s fundamental tenet that all living beings possess the Buddha nature. Encountering this evil influence, the delusion of fundamental ignorance arose in his heart and shook his faith in the truths of Buddhism. At the crucial moment, Shariputra essentially forgot Shakyamuni’s teaching and was defeated by his own negativity. Shin’ichi added: “In ‘The Opening of the Eyes,’ Nichiren Daishonin also writes, ‘Whether tempted by good or threatened by evil, if one casts aside the Lotus Sutra, one destines oneself for hell’ (WND-1, 280). To cast aside one’s Buddhist faith and practice for any reason is to succumb to defeat. This leads to unhappiness, and one will fall into a state of hellish misery. Please never forget this teaching. The Mystic Law is the fundamental Law of the universe. The Daishonin inscribed this in the form of a mandala, which is the Gohonzon. The great path to eternal happiness is found in thoroughgoing faith in the Gohonzon.
Stepping Out of My Comfort Zone
Name: Charmaine Yuen
City: San Jose, Calif.
School: San Jose State University
Living Buddhism: How did you start practicing Buddhism?
Charmaine Yuen: I was born in Hong Kong into a family that practiced Buddhism. When I moved to the U.S. in 2022, I strengthened my faith and started prioritizing SGI activities. I could see the mental and physical benefits within my own life, for example, in how I started to handle challenges. Because of my Buddhist practice, I always have confidence that everything will be fine. Also, having the SGI community is really amazing. My district and my leaders have supported me so much.
You support a campus club at San Jose State University. What inspired you?
Charmaine: In 2023, when I started at San Jose State as a transfer student, I joined the SGI campus club. My friend was the club leader at the time. She is what I call my “Buddhist practice buddy.” We would often do Byakuren shifts together at the center and formed a deep connection and friendship. That year, she asked me to support her efforts in the campus club.
We would print out flyers for our club meetings and hand them out to students around campus. In college, it’s hard to find students that you can randomly start a conversation with. Everyone has on head phones and keeps their head down. But I found a lot of joy in striking up conversations with strangers and saw changes within myself.
After my friend graduated, I took on the role as president of the club. Currently, we have four active SGI members in the club.
What are your club meetings like?
Charmaine: Icebreaker games usually start our meetings, followed by some discussion on Buddhist study and experiences. Most of the time, we meet in a reserved room in the library, but if the weather is nice, we meet picnic-style on the campus grass. Other days, we have socials where we sit, talk, play games and get to know one another. We want the students to feel comfortable at our meetings, so we try to keep it informal.
What do you think students are struggling with?
Charmaine: I think students in my environment are often struggling with their academic performance or landing a job. Many times, college students are living on their own for the first time, so they are also dealing with economic hardships. Young people also struggle with deciding on future career paths and identity. I think, overall, people are looking for a space without any judgement.
I have a friend who does not practice Buddhism and is struggling with schoolwork. I think we were both burned out, and I asked her if she wanted to chant with me. She did, and she told me she felt a lot more calm, less overwhelmed.
Is it easy for you to share Buddhism with your friends?
Charmaine: I struggle with getting out of my comfort zone, but I think with young people these days, the key to sharing Buddhism is having a foundation of trust and friendship. It may take time, but our relationship with and care for them will touch their hearts. Most of the people I share Buddhism with are curious about what it is.
Sharing Buddhism motivates me to have the courage to step out of my comfort zone. That’s one of my goals this year, to courageously break through my own limitations.
Do you have any other goals?
Charmaine: To stay healthy and get more sleep. Also, to meet deadlines ahead of time. I’m supposed to graduate next semester, so I’m determined to also graduate on time.
For the club, we are still meeting unofficially, so I’d like to prepare the paperwork for the club to become official. I’ll be pursuing my master’s here so I have another year to find a successor for the club, which I’m determined to do!
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