Successors—Live Out Your Lives Upholding and Fulfilling Your Vow

The Lotus Sutra recounts a majestic ceremony of entrustment from teacher to disciples. In other words, it’s a solemn life-to-life transmission. The disciples’ words, with which I opened my lecture, are the vow they made after Shakyamuni had completed transferring his teachings. 

The first three presidents and all Soka Gakkai members have made this same passionate vow reverberate in modern times through faith and practice directly connected to Nichiren Daishonin.

On March 16, 1958, the last year of his life, my mentor, second Soka Gakkai President Josei Toda conducted a ceremony in which he entrusted kosen-rufu to us, the youth, who were his successors. I have always firmly believed that this ceremony had profound significance, comparable to the entrustment that takes place in the Lotus Sutra.

Positively Transforming Our Communities

Now, six decades later, young people all around the globe embrace the Mystic Law. They are advancing along the noble path of worldwide kosen-rufu. They burn with the vow to take full responsibility for spreading the Mystic Law in their countries and to transform their communities into enlightened realms of happiness. Their dedication clearly demonstrates that their vow equals that of the Buddha’s disciples. It embodies the proud commitment of successors. 

Our theme in this chapter is successors. Together with our youth, the heirs to the Soka Gakkai spirit, I would like to study two passages from Nichiren Daishonin’s writings to reaffirm the spirit we need to have in spreading Nichiren Buddhism.

A Battle Against Fundamental Darkness

Strengthen your faith now more than ever. Anyone who teaches the principles of Buddhism to others is bound to incur hatred from men and women, priests and nuns. Let them say what they will. Entrust yourself to the golden teachings of the Lotus Sutra, Shakyamuni Buddha, T’ien-t’ai,^[3] Miao-lo,^[4]Dengyo,^[5] and Chang-an.^[6] This is what is signified by the expression, “practicing according to the Buddha’s teachings.” (“The Embankments of Faith,” The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, vol. 1, p. 626)^[7]

The first requirement of a successor in this Buddhism of the people is to inherit the spirit of propagation. This entails vowing to fight fundamental ignorance,^[8] the root cause of unhappiness and suffering in people’s lives. 

The first passage I will discuss is from “The Embankments of Faith,” which the Soka Gakkai’s first president, Tsunesaburo Makiguchi, also underlined in his personal copy of the Daishonin’s writings. Composed at Mount Minobu,^[9] he addressed it to a follower on Sado Island, the lay nun Sennichi. 

Nichiren extols Sennichi’s seeking spirit and says that the Buddha taught the Lotus Sutra to enable all living beings to attain Buddhahood, and that those who have faith in it are certain to do so. He encourages her to rouse even stronger faith and continue speaking to others about Buddhism, even if she meets with hostility. 

‘Practicing According to the Buddha’s Teachings’

Even in science, those who advocate ideas that overturn established theories meet with criticism and opposition. Nichiren Buddhism enables people to overcome the negativity or destructive impulses inherent within human life. It’s only natural, then, that obstacles and devilish functions will assail those who spread it. Precisely because the principles of Buddhism are true and unerring, opposition and criticism are inevitable. Those dominated by fundamental ignorance shun the correct teaching. 

It is not hard to imagine that, as a result of sharing the Mystic Law with others, Sennichi and her husband, Abutsu-bo, met fierce opposition from followers of the Nembutsu (Pure Land) and other Buddhist schools, which all denigrated the Lotus Sutra. 

The Daishonin encourages the couple, teaching them that those who strive in faith even more fearlessly despite such opposition are “practicing according to the Buddha’s teachings.”

In the Lotus Sutra, Shakyamuni urges his disciples to practice in accord with his teachings (see LSOC, 316).^[10] The Daishonin notes in “On Practicing the Buddha’s Teachings”:

In the more than two thousand years that have passed since the Buddha’s advent, Shakyamuni himself, T’ien-t’ai, and Dengyo were the only three who perfectly carried out the Buddha’s teachings. Now in the Latter Day of the Law, Nichiren and his disciples and lay believers are just such practitioners.  (WND-1, 395)

Here, Nichiren declares that he and his disciples, who persevere in spreading the Mystic Law, are the ones practicing in accord with the Buddha’s teachings in the Latter Day.

Creating a World Where All People Are Celebrated

The Lotus Sutra makes it possible for anyone to bring forth the supremely noble Buddha nature that all inherently possess. It is a teaching of the triumph of ordinary people. 

It is a teaching for all humanity to live together in peace, transcending differences, upholding human dignity and fostering social harmony. 

It is a teaching of lasting peace, proclaiming the power of the Mystic Law as a force for building a peaceful society, for transforming the troubled saha world^[11] in which we live into the Land of Tranquil Light.^[12]

Therefore, to practice in accord with the Buddha’s teachings as a successor means for each one of us to firmly establish the treasure tower of Buddhahood in our life. And it means to expand our positive network to create a world in which all people are celebrated.

Fulfilling Our Vow From the Remote Past

Today, the Soka Gakkai, which spreads the Mystic Law as the Daishonin instructs, is the sole organization that practices in accord with the Buddha’s teachings.

While imprisoned for his beliefs by the Japanese militarist authorities during World War II, Josei Toda awakened to his identity as a Bodhisattva of the Earth. And after his release, he took the lead as the teacher of propagation, calling forth one fellow Bodhisattva of the Earth after another. 

Now, countless members awakened to their mission as Bodhisattvas of the Earth have appeared all around the globe. By practicing according to the Buddha’s teachings, the Soka Gakkai has made real the Lotus Sutra’s depiction of these bodhisattvas emerging.

Youth With Strength of Character and the Ability to Share Nichiren Buddhism

Our efforts to spread the Mystic Law are noble. We challenge our human revolution and help others do the same. Our work involves us encouraging others through dialogue based on our conviction that everyone has potential. Ours is a movement to spread the philosophy of respect for the dignity of life in order to build a realm of true happiness and prosperity for all. 

We can trace the development of our global SGI network today back to the tireless efforts of ordinary men and women. In speaking with others, they refused to be defeated by the prejudice, criticism and abuse they encountered along the way. They continued to talk about their faith and convictions with the bold spirit to “Let them say what they will.” I hope that all of you, youth division members, will acquire that same ability to spread Buddhism and that same strength of character. 

At essence, the spirit to teach Buddhism to others is the compassionate wish to help people become happy. All such efforts arise from the courage to free the person in front of us from the chains of negative karma. The important thing, first and foremost, is to chant seriously to share Nam-myoho-renge-kyo with those who are struggling or suffering. Then go out and speak about Nichiren Buddhism with people around you with sincerity and confidence.

You Will Be Praised by Others In the End

Mr. Toda declared that when we teach others about Nichiren Buddhism we embody Nam-myoho-renge-kyo. He added, “Propagating the Mystic Law in the Latter Day simply means deciding, ‘My life is none other than Nam-myoho-renge-kyo!’”^[13] Taking these words to heart, I, too, have dedicated myself wholeheartedly since my youth to sharing the Mystic Law with others. Those efforts enabled me to build an unshakable foundation of faith.

When I lived in the Aoba Apartments in Omori, in Tokyo’s Ota Ward, Mr. Toda’s businesses were in crisis. To support him, I would leave for work early each morning and not return home until late at night. Even so, I always made a point of greeting my neighbors cheerfully and politely. I saw them all as people I shared a connection with. And I strove to build and deepen friendships with them. Whenever I held discussion meetings in my apartment, I also invited neighbors to attend. I am always delighted when I hear news of those who joined at the time enjoying many benefits. 

Sharing Nichiren Buddhism with others “will remain as the only memory of your present life in this human world” (“Embracing the Lotus Sutra,” WND-1, 64).  They are eternally indestructible “treasures of the heart” (“The Three Kinds of Treasure,” WND-1, 851). 

Even if the person you are sharing Buddhism with doesn’t start practicing right away, the benefit of teaching another about the Mystic Law in the Latter Day is immeasurable. In addition, your actions based on your wish for that person’s happiness will forge a deep life-to-life bond between you. True friendship is built through such consistent and cheerful efforts to help others form a connection to Buddhism. 

In the end, you are sure to win admiration and appreciation, and be spoken of with praise.^[14]

Be People of Courage Who Can Protect the Soka Gakkai

Be resolved to summon forth the great power of faith, and chant Nam-myoho-renge-kyo with the prayer that your faith will be steadfast and correct at the moment of death. Never seek any other way to inherit the ultimate Law of life and death, and manifest it in your life. Only then will you realize that earthly desires are enlightenment, and that the sufferings of birth and death are nirvana. Even embracing the Lotus Sutra would be useless without the heritage of faith. (“The Heritage of the Ultimate Law of Life,” WND-1, 218)^[15]

Next, let us look at a passage from “The Heritage of the Ultimate Law of Life.” The second requirement for a successor is courage. It’s to be a person of courage resolved to protect the Soka Gakkai, which carries on the heritage of faith of Nichiren Buddhism. 

In this work, the Daishonin clarifies the essence of correct faith for inheriting the ultimate Law of life and death and manifesting it in our lives. Here he explains that when we chant Nam-myoho-renge-kyo with strong faith, we can attain a state of life in which we realize the truth that “earthly desires are enlightenment” and “the sufferings of birth and death are nirvana.”

“Earthly desires are enlightenment” (Jpn bonno soku bodai) means that the Buddha’s enlightened wisdom (bodai) manifests in the lives of ordinary people controlled by their earthly desires, or deluded impulses (bonno). “The sufferings of birth and death are nirvana” (shoji soku nehan) means that the Buddha’s enlightened state of true ease and tranquillity (nehan) is also manifested in the lives of ordinary beings, who are afflicted with the sufferings of birth and death (shoji).

Transforming Earthly Desires Into Enlightenment Through the Power of the Mystic Law

The word soku appears in both principles and is translated as “are.” Nichiren says that the word corresponds to Nam-myoho-renge-kyo (see The Record of the Orally Transmitted Teachings, p. 72). This means that we can positively transform anything through the great power of the Mystic Law. 

These two principles are other ways of expressing “attaining Buddhahood in one’s present form” and “attaining Buddhahood in this lifetime.” They therefore represent hope-filled principles teaching us that we can shine just as we are. They teach that we can change and others can too. And they teach that all of us have the capacity to attain the lofty life state of Buddhahood. 

Many young people, it is said, struggle to find their place in society amid the dizzying pace of change we see today. This seems to indicate that many find it difficult to feel hopeful about their lives. But amid such challenging times, the youth of Soka can deliver a powerful message of limitless hope.

Turning Sufferings Into Precious Treasures

The point is that we all have within our lives a life state bigger than the ocean and the sky, as vast as the universe itself. The Buddhist principle of three thousand realms in a single moment of life^[16] teaches that changing our fundamental mindset through faith enables us to transform our lives and even our environment.

The Daishonin writes: 

Life at each moment encompasses the body and mind and the self and environment of all sentient beings in the Ten Worlds^[17] as well as all insentient beings in the three thousand realms, including plants, sky, earth, and even the minutest particles of dust. Life at each moment permeates the entire realm of phenomena and is revealed in all phenomena. (“On Attaining Buddhahood in This Lifetime,” WND-1, 3)

Our lives, as Bodhisattvas of the Earth, encompass everything in the universe and have the power to transform the place where we are into a treasure land.

In light of this hope-filled principle, any difficulty becomes a precious treasure. It enables us to forge and polish our lives so they shine all the brighter. The greater the problems we challenge, the more we can bring forth our inner potential. That is the purpose of our faith. 

The Daishonin concludes, “Even embracing the Lotus Sutra would be useless without the heritage of faith” (WND-1, 218). The “heritage of faith” is key. This heritage remains vibrant when we steadfastly embody correct faith and practice, just as the Daishonin instructs. 

In another passage of “The Heritage of the Ultimate Law of Life,” the Daishonin writes, “Nichiren has been trying to awaken all the people of Japan to faith in the Lotus Sutra so that they too can share the heritage and attain Buddhahood” (WND-1, 217). As this indicates, the heritage of the Law is open to all people and is ultimately synonymous with faith. The heritage of faith does not exist among those who go against the Daishonin’s spirit. Without faith and practice dedicated to actualizing kosen-rufu, there is no heritage or attainment of Buddhahood. 

The mentor in Buddhism, through personal example, demonstrates this fundamental spirit of faith, which is why the existence of a mentor is crucial in passing on the heritage of faith.

Faith Exists In the Struggle for Kosen-rufu

My mentor, Josei Toda, said, “You need to be aware that faith exists only in striving for kosen-rufu.” 

The heritage of faith cannot exist without prayers and efforts to spread our movement for kosen-rufu. The mentors and disciples of Soka have carried on this heritage of faith with unsparing dedication. As long as we continue to follow the path of faith of Soka, uniting in the spirit of the oneness of mentor and disciple and “many in body, one in mind,” capable individuals awakened to their mission as Bodhisattvas of the Earth will continue to emerge in growing numbers. 

It is my wish that you will steadfastly protect the Soka Gakkai, the noble, pure-spirited realm of Soka. I hope you will always treasure your fellow members. The true path of successors of kosen-rufu is found in such dedicated and persevering actions. The trailblazing efforts of youth will open inspiring new horizons of worldwide kosen-rufu.

The Direct Road to the Realization of Youthful Potential

People around the globe are expressing their high hopes for Soka youth.

Dr. N. Radhakrishnan, a noted Indian human rights activist, declared: “The SGI gives young people, who today often can find no role to play, a place to develop and create new values by struggling with the task of self-reform. A movement to create new values is indeed a battle to reform life itself.”^[18]

Dr. Lou Marinoff, founding president of the American Philosophical Practitioners Association, has also demonstrated a deep understanding of the activities of our young people: “The youth of the SGI are overflowing with vitality. This is because they possess both youthful passion and a mature spirit. Practicing Buddhism puts them on the direct road to realizing their potential.”^[19] 

Mr. Toda constantly said: “The future is up to you, the youth. I’m counting on you!” I feel exactly the same way now. 

If our youth division members, the successors of kosen-rufu, make a vow, remain true to it and fulfill it no matter what, the Soka Gakkai will continue to triumph and flourish forever. All of you are youthful Bodhisattvas of the Earth with an unsurpassed mission who have assembled at this important time of great development in our movement for worldwide kosen-rufu.

Working Together In Harmony and Trust

The path of successors who carry on the heritage of faith is found in embracing and spreading the ideals of Soka humanism.

After the immortal ceremony of March 16,^[20] Mr. Toda said: “Keep pressing forward without end. Never relax in the struggle against injustice. Let’s make sure that the Soka Gakkai endures for countless millennia! … Let’s always advance together harmoniously based on ties of genuine trust.” 

Striving with the united spirit of many in body, one in mind, just as Mr. Toda instructed, the Soka Gakkai has continued to advance triumphantly, vanquishing the three powerful enemies^[21] along the way. We have overcome attacks by corrupt and self-serving priests of Nichiren Shoshu, celebrated the victory of our Soka Renaissance and established a solid foundation for worldwide kosen-rufu shining with the humanistic principles of Nichiren Buddhism.

Flag Bearers of the Century of Life

I would now like to entrust you, the youth in whom I have the greatest confidence, with the long journey of completing the second series of Seven Bells,^[22] which began in 2001. That journey is a fresh challenge toward building the foundations for peace in Asia and the entire world—something that all humanity longs for. 

When you have finished ringing in the second series of Seven Bells in 2050, I am confident that the current members of the future division and successive generations will ring the third series of Seven Bells in the second half of the 21st century. 

You, my young friends, possess the noble mission of creating an age of respect for the dignity of life. You are all courageous young Bodhisattvas of the Earth who have appeared at this wondrous time in accord with your vow for kosen-rufu. To you, I entrust the future of Soka!

From the March 2026 Living Buddhism