Invincible Spirit—Be Champions Who Are Never Defeated

In Buddhism, the term lion king is a metaphor for the great life state of the Buddha. A lion is never defeated. It always wins. Lion is another name for those who are unbeatable. The words invincible spirit succinctly express this magnificent state of life. 

Sixty-five years ago, in 1953, as acting leader of Tokyo’s Bunkyo Chapter, I urged the members there to strive with pride, confidence and an invincible spirit. They stood up in response, and this small chapter, whose growth had stagnated, became the top chapter in the country and gained everlasting renown. 

Unyielding Resolve Produces Monumental Achievements

Another example of victory through an invincible spirit is the February Campaign of the previous year. Taking Mr. Toda’s spirit as my own, I strove, determined to make a breakthrough toward his cherished goal of a membership of 750,000 households. I was 24. 

In those early years, many people misunderstood and discriminated against the Soka Gakkai. Members who visited people to talk about Buddhism often met with curses, or even had water or salt thrown at them.^[2] Nevertheless, they pressed on with an unyielding fighting spirit, visiting one home after another to share Nichiren Buddhism. The greater the difficulties they faced, the brighter their flame of faith.

I praised those who did their best to share Nichiren Buddhism. Citing the Daishonin’s writings, I assured them that, whatever their results, all their efforts would bring them wonderful benefits and that they had done an incredible job. 

Although many of them battled karma in the form of financial hardship, illness and other challenges, they refused to be defeated. Through these struggles, they experienced the benefit of faith, which they couldn’t wait to tell others about. Their lives shone with an invincible spirit. 

The unforgettable struggles of such awakened individuals live on as monumental achievements in the annals of kosen-rufu.

The First Key Is Believing In Yourself

In this chapter, wishing to encourage our youthful members taking on challenging goals in life and kosen-rufu, I will explore what it means to have an invincible spirit, which is the essence of Nichiren Buddhism and the core of the Soka Gakkai spirit.

The first key to sustaining an invincible spirit is believing in yourself—having absolute faith in your inherent Buddha nature. This is the primary requirement to fearlessly practice Nichiren Buddhism. Let us begin by affirming this principle.

Persevere and Win Against the Odds

Even though you chant and believe in Myoho-renge-kyo, if you think the Law is outside yourself, you are embracing not the Mystic Law but an inferior teaching. “Inferior teaching” means those [Buddhist teachings] other than this [Lotus] sutra, which are all expedient and provisional. No expedient or provisional teaching leads directly to enlightenment, and without the direct path to enlightenment you cannot attain Buddhahood, even if you practice lifetime after lifetime for countless kalpas. Attaining Buddhahood in this lifetime is then impossible. Therefore, when you chant myoho and recite renge, you must summon up deep faith that Myoho-renge-kyo is your life itself. (“On Attaining Buddhahood in This Lifetime,” The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, vol. 1, p. 3)^[3]

In this inspiring, hope-filled letter, Nichiren Daishonin reveals the way for all people to attain enlightenment in their current existence. The Daishonin promises that no matter what our past or present circumstances, by chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo we can open the path to eternal happiness. 

Our victory or defeat in life isn’t decided halfway through. Whatever the hardships, as long as we continue to chant Nam-myoho-renge-kyo and dedicate our lives to kosen-rufu, we can positively transform everything in accord with the principle of changing poison into medicine.^[4] True success in life comes through persevering amid difficulties and winning against the odds. This is the direct path to attaining Buddhahood in this lifetime.

Believe In Your Own Potential

Faith in Nichiren Buddhism begins from realizing that the great life state of the Buddha exists within each of us. As such, Nichiren Buddhism is not a dependent faith, in which we appeal to some external power for help. In Nichiren Buddhism, we struggle to believe in our own potential and manifest our inherent Buddhahood. This is why the Daishonin states, “Strengthen your faith day by day and month after month” (“On Persecutions Befalling the Sage,” WND-1, 997).

Nichiren goes so far as to say that if we seek the Law outside ourselves, we will not attain Buddhahood, no matter how much we chant; instead, our practice will become an “endless, painful austerity” (“On Attaining Buddhahood in This Lifetime,” WND-1, 4). Seeking the Law outside ourselves means looking for the causes and effects of happiness and misfortune outside our own lives. This includes shifting responsibility or blame to other people or circumstances. It also refers to the doubt that arises when something terrible and unexpected happens, causing us to waver in faith, become fearful, bemoan our situation or resent others.

We Possess the Same Life State as the Daishonin

People with an invincible spirit are never pessimistic, even when things don’t go as they hoped. Mr. Toda once said to some young women: “You should be proud that you have within you the same life state as Nichiren Daishonin. Maintain a noble spirit and triumph in life. Never belittle yourselves.” 

Nichiren Buddhism enables us to confidently overcome life’s problems without becoming discouraged, feeling sorry for ourselves, or thinking “I’m no good!” or “I can’t do it!” The power of the Mystic Law enables us to vanquish the fundamental darkness or ignorance^[5] that tries to diminish our supremely noble lives. 

In other words, when we chant Nam-myoho-renge-kyo we battle against the darkness that shrouds the truth that we ourselves are Buddhas. That’s why it requires serious dedication. Through chanting, we can conquer our doubts and break through the shell of our lesser selves. Nam-myoho-renge-kyo is the fundamental power that can transform even sorrow into a wellspring of creativity. 

The Daishonin writes, “When you chant myoho and recite renge, you must summon up deep faith that Myoho-renge-kyo is your life itself” (WND-1, 3). In our Buddhist practice of chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo, we struggle to return to our true, original selves. We strive to tap the innate life force we have possessed from time without beginning by summoning deep faith and praying with focused resolve. 

While unjustly imprisoned during World War II, Mr. Toda steadfastly chanted Nam-myoho-renge-kyo and had the profound realization that the Buddha is life itself, and that he himself was a Bodhisattva of the Earth. He later explained to us in an accessible manner the basic attitude we should have in our prayers, saying, “You have to decide that your life itself is Nam-myoho-renge-kyo!”^[6]

Everyone Is Precious 

Those who firmly believe that they embody the Mystic Law have nothing to fear.

During an unforgettable winter guidance tour to snowy Akita Prefecture in January 1982, I attended a youth division general meeting and candidly shared my thoughts with the successors there, who were carrying on in the footsteps of our dedicated pioneering members. “Whether you think so or not,” I said to them, “I fully trust all of you as my disciples.” 

To this day, my feelings have not changed in the slightest. No matter what anyone might say, each of you is precious, with a great mission for kosen-rufu. Each of you is noble, with a circle of friends only you can connect to Buddhism. I believe in young people. I am praying with the hope that you will stand up and take action for kosen-rufu without fail. 

There’s no need to let other people’s opinions sway you. Just press forward with cheer and confidence on the path of your unique mission, in accord with the principle of cherry, plum, peach and damson. Strive in a way that’s true to yourself, befitting youth division members and young successors of the Soka Gakkai.

The Second Key Is the Vow for Kosen-rufu

This I will state. Let the gods forsake me. Let all persecutions assail me. Still I will give my life for the sake of the Law. … Whatever obstacles I might encounter, so long as persons of wisdom do not prove my teachings to be false, I will never yield! All other troubles are no more to me than dust before the wind.

I will be the pillar of Japan. I will be the eyes of Japan. I will be the great ship of Japan. This is my vow, and I will never forsake it! (“The Opening of the Eyes,” WND-1, 280–81)^[7]

When I became the third Soka Gakkai president at age 32, I engraved in my life this passage from “The Opening of the Eyes,” which expresses Nichiren’s great vow. Resolving to never forget or forsake our vow for kosen-rufu is vital to sustaining an invincible spirit. It’s important that we stay true to our vow and keep striving to fulfill it, no matter what the obstacles. This resolve is the second key to the invincible spirit that lies at the heart of Nichiren Buddhism. 

By describing in this passage his personal resolve and his readiness to face any obstacle, the Daishonin seeks to tear out the doubts that have taken root in his disciples’ hearts. He is saying to the effect: “Because of my vow to realize kosen-rufu for the eternal future of the Latter Day of the Law, I will not be the least concerned even if the heavenly deities abandon me. I don’t care how much I am persecuted. Since the beginning, I have prepared myself to give my life for this vow.” This unwavering commitment exemplifies the quintessence of a genuine practitioner of the Lotus Sutra. It epitomizes an invincible spirit. 

Manifesting the Life State of Buddhahood

Since first proclaiming his teaching in 1253, the Daishonin had overcome a series of major persecutions. These culminated with the Tatsunokuchi Persecution, ^[8] when he cast off his transient status and revealed his true identity as the Buddha of the Latter Day of the Law.^[9] He writes: “I survived even the Tatsunokuchi Persecution and emerged safely from other great persecutions. By now, the devil king must be thoroughly discouraged” (Gosho zenshu, p. 843).^[10]

To Nichiren, even life-threatening persecutions were no more than “dust before the wind” (WND-1, 280). Not even the most powerful devilish functions could cause him to break the vow he cherished in his heart. It is in this spirit that he declares his vow to relieve people of their suffering: “I will be the pillar of Japan. I will be the eyes of Japan. I will be the great ship of Japan” (WND-1, 280–81). These describe his great vow to open the path for kosen-rufu and for all people to attain enlightenment into the eternal future. He is unequivocal: “This is my vow, and I will never forsake it!” (WND-1, 281). When we make this vow of the Buddha our own and live out our lives with steadfast faith, we will attain the life state of Buddhahood. We will bring forth unequaled courage, infinite wisdom, boundless compassion and limitless strength.

Shijo Kingo—A Person of Invincible Spirit

Shijo Kingo fought to protect his fellow practitioners and led efforts for kosen-rufu despite facing great adversity himself. “He is a man who never gives in to defeat,” the Daishonin writes, “and who greatly values his friends” (“On Prolonging One’s Life Span,” WND-1, 955). 

An unshakable commitment blazed in Shijo Kingo’s heart. It was his refusal to retreat a single step for the sake of his fellow believers and the Mystic Law. Because of his faith in Nichiren’s teachings, those around him maligned him, he incurred the disfavor of his feudal lord and he found himself in the most difficult circumstances. Even so, he followed the Daishonin’s instructions and, through sincerity and perseverance, regained his lord’s trust. In the end, he received lands three times the size of his former holdings and won a resounding victory. 

Striving for kosen-rufu is not distinct from striving to carry out our human revolution and transform our own karma. Rather, when we live with unyielding dedication to our vow for the sake of the Law, for our fellow members, and for kosen-rufu, we will display an invincible spirit we didn’t know we had and tap the power of the Buddha within our lives.

The Starting Point for Eternal Victory

“Never be defeated!” The starting point of this invincible Kansai spirit was the Osaka Rally, on July 17, 1957.^[11] We held it at the Nakanoshima Civic Hall on the evening of my release from jail following my arrest on trumped-up charges. At the rally, I kept my remarks brief. “In the end,” I said, “the correct teaching and those who strive with tenacious faith, steadfastly upholding the Gohonzon, will definitely emerge victorious!”

To not let any obstacle defeat us, to repel every attack, and to open broad new paths for the development and success of kosen-rufu—this is the invincible spirit of Soka mentors and disciples.

Mr. Toda later presented me with a poem:

Winning and losing
are both  
part of life,
but I pray to the Buddha
for final victory. 

Buddhism is about winning in any challenge. That is why Buddhist mentors and disciples must keep fighting to the end. No matter what successes or setbacks we experience along the way, the essence of the “strategy of the Lotus Sutra” (WND-1, 1001) is that we can, without doubt, achieve ultimate victory.

It gives me great joy that not only the Kansai youth division members but Soka youth worldwide have inherited this solid commitment and awareness. Today we are constructing the foundations for perpetual victory around the globe.

Lead An Undefeated Life

In November 1978, when fierce obstacles [because of the first priesthood issue]^[12] beset the Soka Gakkai, I called out to the young people who would shoulder the future. “Leading an undefeated life is eternal victory,” I said. “Not being defeated, never giving up, is a greater victory than winning.” 

Not being defeated means having the courage to rise to the challenge. However many times we’re knocked down, the important thing is that we keep getting up and taking one step—even a half step—forward. The Daishonin states: “Because I have expounded this teaching, I have been exiled and almost killed. As the saying goes, ‘Good advice grates on the ear.’ But still I am not discouraged” (“The Essentials for Attaining Buddhahood,” WND-1, 748). 

Even if great difficulties arise, we must have the spirit “But still I am not discouraged.” This fortitude, this invincible spirit, is the essence of Nichiren Buddhism.

‘Just Wait!’

During World War II, Japan’s militarist authorities persecuted the Soka Gakkai. Mr. Toda’s voice shook with rage as he spoke of his feelings on learning that Mr. Makiguchi had died in prison. “Never in my life had I experienced such grief,” he said. “At that moment, I said to myself: ‘Just wait! I will prove to the world whether my mentor was right or wrong. If I were to adopt a pseudonym, I would call myself Monte Cristo. In that spirit, I will achieve something great so that I might repay my mentor.’”^[13]

Alexandre Dumas’s novel The Count of Monte Cristo ends with the simple words “‘Wait’ and ‘hope.’”^[14]

Those who know what it means to persevere have the wisdom and strength to create the future. The Bodhisattvas of the Earth are champions of hope who have “the power of great perseverance” (The Lotus Sutra and Its Opening and Closing Sutras, p. 256). They are champions of spreading the Mystic Law in this troubled age, people with the ability to persevere for their great purpose. Their victory proves their underlying power.

That is why nothing can defeat the mentors and disciples of Soka dedicated to realizing the vow of the Bodhisattvas of the Earth. We were all born to win, each of us carrying out our mission from the remote past. We are guaranteed to show actual proof of victory.

In the tough economy after World War II, when Mr. Toda’s businesses faced dire circumstances, I wrote the following in
my diary:

In society, we find those who win and those who lose. Fortune and misfortune cannot be calculated. Even if we win, however, our elation will not last indefinitely. But a person of self-awakening, even if temporarily defeated, can go on to build a future vaster, broader, deeper and greater than that of the person who originally won. As long as we are not defeated fundamentally, we should continue to advance step by step, confident of our eventual victory.^[15]

That is still my belief today. 

Self-awakened people are those awakened to the vow that mentor and disciple share, to their mission as disciples. They are individuals whose sense of purpose has become one with their mission for kosen-rufu.

Soka Youth—The Protagonists of Our Never-Ending Epic

An invincible spirit is one and the same as the vow of mentor and disciple. It is another way of describing the life state of Buddhahood. It is the driving force for the victory of humanity.

As long as an invincible spirit pulses in the Soka Gakkai, we will continue writing a triumphant history of the people into the eternal future. You, our youthful successors, are the protagonists of this never-ending epic. 

Our invincible spirit is the key to tomorrow’s victories. With pride in dedicating our lives to the great vow of mentor and disciple, let us unite to create a record of brilliant achievement that will shine for all time!

From the February Living Buddhism