Helping Others Become Happy

The more that people believe in the inherent goodness of human beings, and the more we base our interactions on mutual respect, the stronger the current of respect for the dignity of life will become, spreading throughout the world. Ultimately, this will enable us to put an end to the cycle of conflict and hatred that seems to have defined the karma of humankind and open the way to a new era of mutual understanding and peace building.

The humanistic ideal embodied in the behavior of Bodhisattva Never Disparaging is the model for action our world so desperately needs.^[1]

2. A good friend helps another person uncover the treasure within.

All people possess the innate Buddha nature. But even gold, if it remains buried in the ground, cannot reveal its value. Likewise, to mine the gold of the Buddha nature, we need good deeds, or practice, to develop wisdom and uncover the gold. This wisdom is what enables us to perceive the lustrous gold within us and to recognize its true value.

The defining characteristic of Buddhism is that it clarifies the way to activate the Buddha nature that, though inactive at the moment, exists innately within all people.

The ability to awaken and reveal the Buddha nature exists potentially within everyone, but the influence of another person is required to make an ordinary human being aware of that. What Buddhism calls a good friend is crucial for bringing forth the three inherent potentials of the Buddha nature.

Only a good friend dedicated to the vow for kosen-rufu, who prays for a person’s happiness and teaches them about Buddhism, can awaken that person’s Buddha nature. In some cases, it’s as if that gold of the innate Buddha nature is buried deep in solid rock. But a good friend remains undeterred and keeps at it until they uncover the gold of happiness. Only through the patient, persevering efforts of such a good friend to connect them to Buddhism will a person finally awaken to their potential and become able to excavate their precious inner treasure with their own hands.^[2]

3. Courageous efforts to share Buddhism express the Buddha’s compassion.

Helping people from all walks of life form connections with Buddhism, even in challenging or adverse circumstances, exemplifies the spirit of compassion. This is the spirit of our dialogues as Soka Gakkai members. Sharing Buddhism to the best of our ability with courage, sincerity and genuine concern for the other person is an action embodying the Buddha’s compassion. We substitute courage for compassion.

Also, we mustn’t overlook that when people pelted him with tiles and stones, Bodhisattva Never Disparaging would retreat to a safe distance, then turn and call out to them in a loud voice, “I would never dare disparage you, for you are all certain to attain Buddhahood!” (The Lotus Sutra and Its Opening and Closing Sutras, p. 309). Resilient, bold, upbeat and wise, he was unperturbed by their angry and arrogant behavior. Crucially, his response came from an underlying compassionate prayer for others’ happiness. …

As the Bodhisattvas Never Disparaging of the Latter Day of the Law, in this saha world dominated by mistrust and antagonism, we continue to chant and spread Nam-myoho-renge-kyo and redouble our efforts to help others form connections with Buddhism for the sake of happiness and peace.^[3]

4. Taking action for others is how we attain Buddhahood.

Kosen-rufu is a struggle that advances through practitioners going out into society and, like Bodhisattva Never Disparaging, engaging with one individual after another and forging personal relationships. People who share and spread the Mystic Law for the sake of those who are suffering will attain Buddhahood. It has nothing to do with social status, titles or recognition. Action is most important. When we are active, the Mystic Law shines in our hearts.

Through his persistence in dialogue while showing profound respect for others, Bodhisattva Never Disparaging received the benefit of purifying his six sense organs and extended his life.^[4]

5. Helping others become happy advances our own human revolution.

Purifying the six sense organs—eyes, ears, nose, tongue, body and mind—means purifying one’s life. In contemporary terms, it is nothing other than human revolution. …

Second Soka Gakkai President Josei Toda said, “For the sake of kosen-rufu and establishing the correct teaching for the peace of the land, we strive to help one person after another form a connection with Buddhism and guide them to happiness, while grappling with our own problems and difficulties. That is why we can attain Buddhahood. Our efforts bring immeasurable benefit and assure victory.”^[5]

6. One young person after another can carry this practice into the future.

Continually taking the initiative and encouraging others toward their inner transformation is our noble mission as emissaries of the Buddha. It is the essence of the Buddha’s own behavior. When we pray with profound determination, courage rises and we come up with creative and innovative ways to actively engage with others. …

Believing steadfastly in our own and others’ Buddha nature and following through with actions expressing profound respect for people are key to transforming this age of the Latter Day of the Law.

The practice of Bodhisattva Never Disparaging is the path of dialogue to enable people to realize their full potential. When one young person after another embraces and carries on this practice, it will bring us steadily and surely closer to realizing world peace.^[6]

October 16, 2026 World Tribune, pp. 6–7