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Ikeda Sensei

Taking Another Step Forward!

Chuck Gomez

This monthly encouragement by SGI President Daisaku Ikeda was originally published in the January 2020 issue of the Daibyakurenge, the Soka Gakkai’s monthly study journal.

A treasure trove of hope for opening the way forward for humanity is actually to be found quite close at hand. It is the youth—young people who are ready to take on any challenge.

How unfortunate it is to spend one’s youth unaware of the precious treasure one possesses within! Also, if we do not nurture the vibrant inner potential of youth with genuine care and concern, it will be an immeasurable loss to society.

Nichiren Daishonin clearly states: “The character myo [of myoho, the Mystic Law] means to open.

“If there is a storehouse full of treasures but no key, then it cannot be opened, and if it cannot be opened, then the treasures inside cannot be seen” (“The Daimoku of the Lotus Sutra,” The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, vol. 1, p. 145).

The Mystic Law—Nam-myoho-renge-kyo—is the key that opens the infinite potential of all life. The practice of Nichiren Buddhism enables young people to bring forth their passion and power limitlessly, and to create value freely in the form of happiness and peace.

Precious young people must never be exploited, drawn into divisive struggles or sacrificed.

In describing the three meanings of myo, in addition to its meaning of “to open,” the Daishonin says: “Myo means to be fully endowed, which in turn has the meaning of ‘perfect and full.’ … Myo means to revive, that is, to return to life” (WND-1, 146; 149).

Young people who embrace the Mystic Law, therefore, will never be deadlocked, no matter what daunting obstacle they face. They will never lose hope. They will illuminate their lives and those of their families and friends, as well as their workplaces, communities and society, with the light of good fortune and benefit as bright and fresh as the spring sunshine.

My mentor, second Soka Gakkai President Josei Toda, often encouraged young people to the effect: “Develop yourselves by making harsh difficulties nourishment for personal growth! That’s what being young is all about.”

I hope you will cheerfully open the way to a victorious life with such an invincible life force.

On my inauguration as third Soka Gakkai president in 1960, I declared, as a young Bodhisattva of the Earth, to lead our organization in making another step forward.

In the six decades since then, my dear fellow members have continued to advance steadfastly alongside me with an unflagging youthful spirit and to foster many successors in the youth division. They have done so while transforming the sufferings of birth, aging, sickness and death into the hope of eternity, happiness, true self and purity.

Our Soka network of youthful global citizens has now grown magnificently.

With the vibrant spirit of youth, let’s join together again in taking another step forward!

Aligned with the Mystic Law—
the rhythm that reverberates
throughout the universe—
we advance, fostering capable people,
sending hope to the world.

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