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 SGI Representatives Conference in Miami, Florida, February 3, 1993. The full speech can be found in My Dear Friends in America, fourth edition, pp. 251–57.
I am sure that the just-announced decision to found the SGI-USA future division1 will shine with increasing significance as time goes by. My most heartfelt congratulations.
Nearly 30 years ago in Japan I founded the high school division [1964], the junior high school division [1965] and the boys and girls division [1965], and I devoted my full energies to the cultivation of these young members.
Today, the former members of these divisions are active in Japan and around the world. They are diplomats, government officials and leading figures in industry. They are scholars, doctors and lawyers, and they are leaders of our esteemed Soka Gakkai. Friends committed to kosen-rufu work in every field.
I also believe that in the same way, or to an even greater extent, humanistic leaders will emerge like a glittering galaxy of stars from the future division of the SGI-USA in the 21st century. I firmly believe this.
The Joy and Good Fortune Derived From Raising Successors
Those who will be responsible for the new divisions will have much work to do, but the law of causality guarantees that all your efforts will definitely adorn your own future with blessings and good fortune. Please also be assured that your benefits will be passed down generation after generation to your descendants.
Let me now say a few things that are on my mind concerning what we should teach our children in the home. I have observed many families and experienced many situations, and what I offer are my own conclusions. I will be most gratified if they are of some use to you.
Study First
First, the members of the future division should make study their first priority. It goes without saying that faith is important, but faith is something we practice throughout our entire lives. There is a certain period and age when we should study. If we do not work hard during that period, we may fail to acquire important knowledge and skills, and we may come to regret it deeply later.
Faith manifests itself in daily life. For the members of the future division, faith manifests itself in their studies. During this period, to devote themselves to study represents an important part of their practice of faith.
It is certainly not right for them to use faith as an excuse to neglect their studies, saying they are too busy doing gongyo or attending meetings.
Sometimes your children may not be able to do gongyo, but there is no reason for parents to become overconcerned or agitated about this. There are times when chanting only three daimoku is sufficient.
To continue practicing is far more important. What matters is that the children maintain their connection to the Gohonzon and the SGI for their entire lives. They can make gradual improvements in their practice. Parents should be broad minded on this matter. They might even sometimes reassure a child who is busy with studies by saying, “Don’t worry, I’ll do gongyo for you today.”
In fact, putting too much pressure on children to practice may only alienate them from faith. I hope you will lead them wisely so that they will mature in the best direction and in a relaxed and natural manner.
Communicate With Your Children
Next, I would like to request that, no matter how busy you may be, you find the time to get together and talk with your children. The length of time is not important. What matters is that parents use their wisdom. …
Faith manifests itself as wisdom. The purpose of our faith is to become wise so that we can live wisely. The desire to save others becomes merely an abstract goal if those who practice faith cannot communicate with their own children or build strong and happy families.
The good fortune that accrues to parents who apply themselves diligently to SGI activities will protect their children without fail. Nonetheless, you must still make positive efforts to open and sustain dialogue with your children, not allowing yourselves to neglect them, claiming that you are too busy or it cannot be helped or telling yourselves that somehow things will be taken care of. Unless you exert yourselves in this way, you are irresponsible parents who lack compassion.
Telling Our Children About the Joy of Faith
We SGI members devote ourselves to serving the Law, serving humanity. Ours is not an egocentric life. That is why we are busier than others and perhaps do not have as much opportunity for relaxation with our families. Nevertheless, we continue to devote ourselves to others.
Ours is the most noble way of life. We must make sure our children can understand and respect our beliefs, our way of life and our dedication. It is a mistake to assume that they will somehow come to know we love them or to understand our commitment to kosen-rufu on their own, without us having to say anything. We must make conscious efforts to verbalize and communicate our thoughts and feelings to them—and to do so wisely, in a relaxed and open manner, without undue haste. Finding the wisdom for this task is an expression of our faith. …
One of the SGI’s eternal guidelines is for its members to create happy and harmonious families through faith. Visualizing the day when the youngsters produced by your warm and delightful families grow to become outstanding leaders of the 21st century, who will illuminate America and the entire world like a brilliant constellation of stars or the dazzling sun, I conclude my speech.
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