Flame of Human Rights

The Justice Chronicle, provided by Soka Gakkai International-USA, is a free monthly e-mail in support of the Soka Spirit movement. Soka Spirit is the SGI's educational effort to create value and deepen our understanding of Nichiren Buddhism through increased awareness of issues surrounding the Nichiren Shoshu priesthood and the spiritual foundation of the SGI movement.

1) FILL THE WORLD WITH THE LIGHT OF WISDOM AND CULTURE

This series contains SGI President Ikeda's 1991 message to commemorate March 16, Kosen-rufu Day, which originally appeared in the May 1991 issue of the Seikyo Times. It was written shortly after the Nichiren Shoshu priesthood began taking action against the Soka Gakkai at the end of 1990.

A MARCH TO SPREAD THE FLAME OF HUMAN RIGHTS

The Greek hero Prometheus was the champion of culture and human rights who shared the sun's flames with humankind, bestowing on them wisdom and wealth.

Our movement for kosen-rufu will open up a century of humanity that will be characterized by unsurpassed wisdom and prosperity, unparalleled freedom and equality, bestowing upon humankind the flames of the sun of true Buddhism.

Ours is a march to spread the flame of the struggle for human rights, by illuminating the world with the light of culture, peace and education. Kosen-rufu is ultimately a struggle between compassion and authoritarian power.

Prometheus ran with a torch lit with a flame from the sun. I, too, have run carrying on the flaming torch of spreading the True Law handed to me by second Soka Gakkai president Josei Toda.

For carrying this torch of wisdom, President Toda was cruelly persecuted, suffering incarceration and physical torture that permanently damaged his health.

Similarly, because I, too, out of love for the people and love for humankind, have been carrying the flame of wisdom, I have been persecuted by those who find it displeasing. However, being a person of forethought, I have remained resolute.

This torch is the hope of humankind. At the same time, it is an exacting torch that can only be grasped by one who is prepared to be consumed in its flames.

Only those with the spirit of lion kings who fear nothing for the sake of the True Law, only those of noble spirit who can control their egos will be able to carry this torch of honor.

I pray that you, my beloved youth division members, will carry on this flaming torch of the spirit and, holding it high for all to see, will continue to forge ahead throughout the world into the new century.

According to Greek legend, when Prometheus created human beings and made them stand erect, he said: All other animals look downward. Man, you will live looking up at the sky. You will live and talk with the sky and the stars!

With the world as your stage and your gaze fixed on the eternal universe, youth, live boldly, rising above the insignificant vicissitudes of the world. Let us proceed with composure, afraid of nothing. Let us resolutely proclaim the truth.

Unless you young people are fired up with energy, we will not able to burn away the darkness of life that overshadows the times. Unless you advance, the flames of justice will not reach the people's lives. The true significance of March 16 lies in each of you standing up, taking action, praying and speaking out as a torchbearer in your own right.

At the end of your energetic advance will come the time when the mountain ranges and cities of the people's glory and triumph will emerge. That is the time when the ceremony of our eternal March 16 will come vividly to life in your hearts and begin to shine with a new and inextinguishable light.

At that time, the true bonds between us will be consolidated. I await and pray for that day. I wait with confidence. I wait as I continue my lone struggle.

Praying for your victory in life,
Daisaku Ikeda
March 15, 1991

This concludes this series.

2) SGI PRESIDENT IKEDA'S GUIDANCE ON PILGRIMAGE

The Nichiren Shoshu priesthood claims that physically chanting before the Dai-Gohonzon is a fundamental practice of Nichiren Buddhism. This series contains guidance from SGI President Ikeda addressing these claims in light of Nichiren Daishonin's true teachings. This excerpt appeared in the book My Dear Friends in America, pages 303-04.

THE GOHONZON IN YOUR ALTAR IS THE LIFE OF NICHIREN DAISHONIN

The Dai-Gohonzon, which Nichiren Daishonin bestowed upon all people of the world and which was the ultimate purpose for his advent in this world, is and will always be the basis of our faith. This will never change.

Sixty-sixth high priest Nittatsu remarked: The Daishonin has already died. His life, the life of Nichiren Daishonin, is the Dai-Gohonzon of the high sanctuary.... The Gohonzon enshrined in your altar is, itself, the life of Nichiren Daishonin. Your Gohonzon manifests the three enlightened properties of the Buddha -- the property of the Law, the property of wisdom and the property of action -- that is, Nichiren Daishonin himself (Sept. 7, 1962).

We should look upon the Gohonzon enshrined in each of our homes as the life of the Daishonin, the entity of the original Buddha. When we chant daimoku with that conviction, it is the same as if we are worshiping the Dai-Gohonzon itself right where we are.

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Twenty-sixth high priest Nichikan wrote of the benefit of the Gohonzon, If only you take faith in this Gohonzon and chant Nam-myoho-renge-kyo even for a while, no prayer will go unanswered, no offense will remain unforgiven, all good fortune will be bestowed, and all righteousness proven (Commentaries, p. 443).

Let us continue to advance confidently on the golden road to worldwide kosen-rufu, always basing ourselves on the Gohonzon and accumulating infinite benefit on our way.

Four in a series.