The Japanese word for mission means to “use one’s life.” Ikeda Sensei says that we were each born with a unique mission to fulfill and those who remember it are strong. The following excerpts are from Ikeda Sensei’s guidance in Discussions on Youth, new edition, pp. 9–11.
A: The important thing is to be patient, to have the confidence and determination that you will achieve something meaningful in the future. Youth is not a time for impatience. Your true substance as human beings will be determined 10, 20 or 30 years from now. What matters is the kind of people you become and whether you are fulfilling your mission then. Each of you has a mission that only you can fulfill. If you did not have such a mission, you would not have been born.
There are many kinds of mountains in this world. There are high ones and low ones. And there are a great many different kinds of rivers. There are long and short rivers. Despite their differences, however, we cannot dispute the fact that all mountains are mountains and that all rivers are rivers. … Each of them has its own special beauty.
The same is true of people. Each of you has a unique mission in life. Moreover, you have encountered the Mystic Law while still young. You have a mission that is yours and yours alone. That is an indisputable fact, one in which I would like you to have conviction and pride.
Q: How do we become aware of our own unique missions in life?
A: You won’t find them by standing still. You must challenge yourselves in something, it doesn’t matter what. Then, by your making consistent effort, the direction you should take will open up before you quite naturally. It’s important, therefore, to have the courage to ask yourselves what you should be doing now, this very moment.
The key, in other words, is to climb the mountain before you. As you ascend its slopes, you will develop your muscles, increasing your strength and endurance. Such training will enable you to challenge still higher mountains. It is vital that you continue making such efforts. Chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo will enable you to bring forth the life force necessary to succeed.
Chant Nam-myoho-renge-kyo and climb the mountain in front of you. When you reach the summit, wide new horizons will stretch out before you. Little by little, you will understand your own mission.
Those who remember they have a unique mission are strong. Whatever problems they have, they will not be defeated. They can transform all their problems into catalysts for growth toward a hope-filled future. …
Life is about scaling one mountain, then facing the next one, and the one after that. Those who persevere and finally succeed in conquering the highest mountain are victors in life.
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