Splendid Lives of Victory

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.

PLEASE LIVE SPLENDID LIVES OF VICTORY

I sincerely thank each of you for your daily efforts. As champions of the SGI-USA Soka Spirit movement and Courageous Heart Group you are holding aloft the banner of justice for American kosen-rufu. I am well aware of your constant hard work, and you have my utmost appreciation. With my whole heart I respect each of you, leaders of kosen-rufu, who have gathered from all corners of the United States.

Nichiren Daishonin writes, Dewdrops, if gathered, make a great ocean. Dust, if accumulated, makes a great mountain (Gosho Zenshu, p. 1598). As the Daishonin states, your steadfast prayer and tenacious action, as if digging into a rock with your bare hands, will eventually become a vast ocean of happiness and move even a great mountain.

Cuban revolutionary Jose Marti stated, Those who are trying are already winning. Aiming toward the victory of Soka and the triumph of the just, you continue to struggle amidst your daily reality, in the here and now. Such a way of life in and of itself is your victory. Your benefit is absolute and immense. There is no doubt that the Daishonin would give you his utmost praise, and all the Buddhas of the universe throughout time will resolutely protect you.

Please be confident that your inconspicuous action brings about conspicuous benefit. I ask that you offer prayer upon prayer, hold dialogue upon dialogue and advance brightly with good cheer. Together, please live splendid lives of victory.

From the bottom of my heart, I am praying for the excellent health and great happiness of each of you whom I cherish most dearly. When you return home, please convey my sincerest regards to your fellow members and friends.

Daisaku Ikeda

2) 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.

AT LAST, THE CHAMPION IS FREED

At length the time arrives when Zeus [who has punished Prometheus for empowering humans], Sceptred Curse, falls from power [in Percy Bysshe Shelley's Prometheus Unbound,]. Just as he overthrew his father and stole his throne, so Zeus is sent to the hell of bottomless abyss by the hand of his own son.

Crying Mercy! Mercy! Mine enemy above / Darkens my fall with victory, in the end Zeus appeals even to Prometheus for help.

Even where he [Prometheus] hangs, seared by my long revenge, / On Caucasus -- he would not doom me thus -- / Gentle and just and dreadless, is he not / The monarch of the world? (Act III, Scene I, lines 66-69).

Without even composing himself, the authoritarian falls ignominously, in Shelley's words, trembling like a slave.

To the one who deposes him he shouts. What are thou? Speak. And no doubt his adversary replies, I am your evil deeds.

At last, the champion is freed. The world resounds with joy. Prometheus then rises as the sun of this rejoicing world.

The spirits of nature sing out:

We will take our plan / From the new world of man / And our work shall be called the Promethean (Act IV, lines 156-58).

A new world dawns. The song of victory resounds. The darkness clears. And the chains of old admonitions are cut.

In this way, Shelley sings of his own ideals: Sceptreless, free, uncircumscribed -- but man: / Equal, unclassed, tribeless and nationless, / Exempt from awe, worship, degree, -- the King / Over himself; just, gentle, wise -- but man: ... (Act III, Scene IV, lines 194-97).

Shelley bewailed the number of victims produced in the French Revolution and other revolutions fought in the name of great causes, saying: The Heaven around, the Earth below / Was peopled with thick shapes of human death (Act I, lines 587-88).

Believing that the struggle for human rights should be waged by peaceful, non-violent means, Shelley poured his passion into the verses he composed. He discerned the truth that because violence is against human nature, it will self-destruct.

Six in a series.


SOKA SPIRIT IN THE PUBLICATIONS

This section highlights articles published in the World Tribune and Living Buddhism related to the Soka Spirit movement.

April 19 World Tribune page 1: In his message entitled An All-out Effort To Share Buddhism, SGI-USA Youth Leader James Hermann encourages the youth of SGI-USA to make sure that new members understand the Soka Spirit movement, so that they are not confused by erroneous teachings.

April 19 World Tribune page 2: In his speech entitled Recognizing the Buddha Nature in All, SGI President Ikeda praises the courage and victory of SGI-Spain youth division members, whose former leader aligned himself with Nichiren Shoshu.

April 19 World Tribune page 10: In this installment of Q-and-A on the Gosho entitled Nothing Should Be Spared in Denouncing Injustice, SGI-USA Study Department staff member Alexis Trass expresses the importance Nichiren Daishonin's teaching of repudiating eminent priests who slander the Law.