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Brief Guidances

Fighting Disrespect for Human Life

Words of Encouragement From Ikeda Sensei

The fundamental nature of enlightenment [or Dharma nature][1] manifests itself as Brahma and Shakra [protective workings of the universe], whereas the fundamental darkness manifests itself as the devil king of the sixth heaven.

“The Treatment of Illness,” The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, vol. 1, p. 1113


“Abolish nuclear weapons!” “Repudiate the insidious disrespect for human life that underlies their creation!”—we of the Soka Gakkai are ceaselessly striving to fulfill these injunctions of second president Josei Toda.

This is the struggle of the Bodhisattvas of the Earth to vanquish fundamental darkness or ignorance and bring forth the fundamental nature of enlightenment—the Buddha nature—inherent in all people, building an indestructible fortress of peace in each person’s heart. It is a spiritual struggle to establish respect for the dignity of life as a core tenet of global society.

Today again, let’s challenge ourselves in dialogue, sharing the humanistic ideals and principles of Nichiren Buddhism, for that is the surest way to achieve that goal.

Translated from the September 6, 2019, issue of the Seikyo Shimbun, the Soka Gakkai daily newspaper

References

  1. Fundamental nature of enlightenment, or Dharma nature: The unchanging nature inherent in all things and phenomena. It is identified with the fundamental Law itself, the essence of the Buddha’s enlightenment, or ultimate truth, and the Buddha nature inherent in life. ↩︎

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