I have logged in today to write this line on 8th May 2020 after almost 12 years. Life has happened and has revealed more ever since ... I can vouch for it.

Herbie Hancock creates history in the world of music, Takes album of the year award at Grammy

LOS ANGELES - In a shocker, Herbie Hancock took album of the year for “River: The Joni Letters.”

“You know it’s been 43 years since the first and only time that a jazz artist got the album of the year award,” Hancock said, then proceeded to honor “the giants upon whose shoulders I stand, some of whom like Miles Davis, John Coltrane ... unquestionably deserved the award in the past. But this is a new day, that proves that the impossible can be made possible.”

http://www.showbuzz.cbsnews.com/stories/2008/01/29/music_grammys/main3767308.shtml

http://www.cnn.com/2008/SHOWBIZ/Music/02/04/herbie.hancock/index.html

Herbie is a practicing SGI member.

THE 21ST CENTURY IS THE CENTURY OF WOMEN

SGI PRESIDENT IKEDA’S POEM

—With Deep Appreciation for All the Noble Mothers of the World

—Praying for the Happiness of All Women

By Shin’ichi Yamamoto [the name President Ikeda uses for his character in the Human

Revolution novels]

I know

And you know

The secret

To why we were born with

a shared destiny

As human beings

And became friends of

profound connection

And comrades in faith.

In our own unique way,

You and I

Strive to fulfill

The wondrous dream

And the wondrous mission

That pervade our lives

Across eternity.

We decisively embrace hope,

We feel no anxiety.

Toiling with every ounce of our beings,

Our hearts sing,

We who have stood up

For world peace,

For a philosophy of happiness

Based on the eternity of life.

Though nameless ordinary people,

We will be remembered in history

Under the noble name,

Victory.

My home

Is humble, but

It is one of true humanity,

Filled with many resolute dreams.

This is

My greatest source of pride.

I have no need

To look in a clouded mirror.

With the power to change my karma,

A bright future awaits me;

Once colored by a bleak outlook

on life,

The past and all its attendant

sufferings

Have now vanished.

I am living my life.

I am free of anguished dreams.

With high spirits,

I live in and gaze upon

A beautiful earthly kingdom.

I have many

Wonderful friends.

I have many

Wonderful books.

My life is removed

From the pitiful self-conceited.

Not for me

A life of vanity

That brings only darkness.

I will not fall into those insidious

Hidden traps.

We who gravitate toward happiness and good

Are greeted by friends who sympathize with our ideals,

Always respecting the beauty

within us,

And by a paradise tremulous

with hope.

Our doubt and anxiety

Toward a society rife with

contradictions

Have been replaced by

an unshakable faith

That we have always longed for.

We have won!

Our unimaginably painful struggles

Have also given way

To a state of life

In which we gaze upon all

from a lofty height.

Nichiren Daishonin writes,

“A woman who embraces

The lion king of the Lotus Sutra

Never fears any of the beasts of hell

Or of the realms of hungry spirits

and animals.”

(The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, p. 949).

We are saddened

That many people

Lead miserable existences,

Allowing themselves

To be dragged about

In the pitch-black darkness

of delusion,

Slavishly following force of habit.

Our lives

Are always a vibrant dawn.

They are a realm

Of mothers’ youthful affection,

Forever harkening to morning’s song

Drenched in golden sunlight

And golden rain.

The eternal and unique power

of mothers.

Their great presence

Is more powerfully attractive

Than any adventurer.

Women are truth incarnate.

Mothers are victory personified.

No matter how they may be deceived

Or attacked by devilish forces,

They command the power to,

In the end, adamantly indict

the offender.

With mental wheels of wisdom

ever spinning,

They possess the courage to

see through deception.

This awe-inspiring beauty

Is the strength of mothers, of women,

That fills their lives with happiness.

Come!

The century of women

Has dawned,

The sun rises on the horizon.

Instead of the pallid,

Dim light of old,

Now the fiercely burning sun

Has begun to light the way ahead

For these extraordinary mothers.

These praiseworthy mothers

Must never be imprisoned

By the iron bars of misery.

Let us all live noble lives,

Brimming with golden affection,

Comforting these mothers in

their loneliness

And strongly supporting and

protecting each other!

Let us make mothers the queens

Of this empire of supreme happiness.

And

With a stylus,

Let us inscribe an epitaph

In tribute to these mothers

As great immortal nameless actors.

O the century of women!

Now we close the curtain

On a long history of misfortune,

Letting it sink

Beneath the tides of time,

And allowing a drama

Of genuine human happiness

To unfold without end.

Repeatedly

Throughout past ages,

An unjustifiable history

Of sadness

Has flowed continuously,

Like so much flotsam,

In the beautiful hearts of mothers.

No matter what insult

We suffer in society,

Our vision is

To vanquish without fail

The shadowy knaves of hell

And create everywhere

A world abloom with the flowers

Of love and laughter

Of mothers, those heavenly beings.

There are people who grow jealous

At the sight of others’wealth.

Jealousy has the power

Of a devil’s sword

To make people unhappy.

There are those who grow jealous

At the sight of mothers

enjoying success,

And who resort to spreading

false rumors,

Inflicting pain and anguish

On these golden-hearted ones.

But

Mothers are made of

greater substance.

They possess a profound,

abiding strength.

That is why

They pay no heed

To petty rumors or malicious gossip.

We must change this base, arrogant,

Almost insane society in which we live,

And

With a new spirit,

With a new philosophy,

Create an age

Which eternally honors mothers.

This

Is the century of women,

A wise person said.

Even if they are poor,

Even if they are sick,

Even if they have lost their partners,

In the dauntless hearts of mothers,

Citadels of happiness and victory

Are forged.

The Daishonin said,

“The woman who upholds the

Lotus Sutra

Is like clear water,

In which the moon of

Shakyamuni Buddha

Is reflected” (Gosho Zenshu, p. 1395)

Mothers!

Clever mothers.

Mothers!

Gentle mothers.

Mothers!

Unlearned mothers.

Mothers!

Nagging mothers.

Mothers!

Wise mothers.

Mothers!

Mothers of strong faith.

Mothers!

Unaffected and talkative mothers.

But

In the hearts of mothers

Who have been buffeted by storms,

There is always

Fresh and passionate

Determination and love

Born of profound life experience.

Mothers unadorned

By expensive jewels—

Who instead wear only

A simple brooch,

Far from regal,

Yet rich in sentimental value.

Even so,

Stroking

Their children’s heads,

They possess the beauty of triumph,

Ever shining,

Towering over a life of misery,

And even more a life of folly.

Mothers!

You are great uncrowned queens of life

Living with a firm purpose

That nothing can destroy—

A life which shines

With awesome beauty.

The youthfulness of a mother

Who turns up at a meeting

In a hastily borrowed blouse

Of her daughter’s.

The endearing mother who,

After borrowing her daughter’s

high heels

With a quick “I’m sorry,”

Rushes to a meeting,

Only to complain for a week after

About how much her feet hurt!

Yet she doesn’t make

a single complaint

About not being able to afford

A new pair of shoes for herself,

She lives so frugally

That it is touching.

Late returning from a meeting,

She is scolded unreasonably

by her partner,

But she retains her dignity

And defends herself ably, saying:

“It’s for the sake of justice and

our good fortune”—

With a skill outrivaling

Any politician on the House floor.

The confident spirit of a mother,

Who is the embodiment of love itself.

Like the Count of Monte Cristo,

She finally draws an admission from her partner,

“All right, all right, I was wrong.”

A mother whom all praise

As being more eloquent

Than any prime minister.

Though her partner the scholar,

Her son the student,

And her daughter the genius,

Start out thinking they can best

Her in an argument,

In the end

They are no match

For her intelligence and wisdom.

The proud mother retorts:

“That is an argument

You’ve learned somewhere,

But it is not real life.

It has no flesh or blood.

Words you’ve read are just pouring

From your heads.

I am waging a real-life struggle

For survival

In daily life,

In actual society.

That’s why I am strong.”

As Goethe said:

“Trust in life!

It teaches us more

Than any orator or book can!”

How true!

Mothers

Are fearless.

They are invincible victors

Who have won the quintessential

triumph

Of the human spirit.

A famous poet asserted

That this formula—

In every time and place—

Is the hidden essence of

Human history.

Though a mother may

Be bedridden, exhausted and feverish,

She says to others,

“Please take care.”

Though no one pampers her,

She encourages

Her partner and children,

and her friends.

How noble these actions of

the Bodhisattva!

The infinite strength of mothers who,

Even if they have lost their partners,

Live courageously,

Like the immortal phoenix,

Working actively

Amid the harsh realities of society.

Children grow up

Looking at the example of

their mothers.

That is without a doubt

An eternal truth.

The century of women

Is truly a period

Of the ripening of democracy.

Elections are the first step

To the sovereignty of the people.

Elections are the right of all citizens

And their duty.

For the sake of kosen-rufu as well,

For the unbounded expansion

Of those who share our ideals,

Let us carry out a cheerful struggle

To redraw the face

Of Japan.

Mothers, living in the real world,

Work tirelessly to advocate our cause,

Talking cheerfully about many issues.

A learned scholar has praised

their efforts

As a movement to realize

True sovereignty of the people.

Seemingly foolish yet wise mothers.

Seemingly cranky yet pure-hearted mothers.

Mothers who, though on occasion

Incur people’s dislike,

Can be counted on in a crisis.

Mothers who put on airs

But privately reflect on their own folly.

Mothers whose lives are modest

But whose hearts

Are as rich as billionaires.

Mothers who are like queens.

Mothers who, deceived by seemingly valid arguments

Despite glaring contradictions,

Stubbornly set about proving

The righteousness of their position.

And mothers without children,

They, too, are not lonely in the least, exclaiming,

“I have so many friends;

There are so many young people

in my life

Who will carry on in the future.”

And, with cheerful laughter,

They say serenely:

“There are too many people in Japan,

Too many people on our planet.

We don’t need so many people!”

When mother is in a good mood,

Everyone is bright and happy,

Like the sun.

When mother is irritated,

It is like a sad and lonely night

Lashed by cold winds and heavy rain.

Glad when her children’s

grades go up,

Sad when her children’s

grades go down,

But in the end, she gives up and,

Turning the report card upside down,

Smiles and says with humor,

“Now these are good grades!”

Mothers who know

The rules for living

Honest and decent lives

With a spirit of generosity, enthusiasm

And diligence.

Mothers who treasure

Boys and girls who have no hope

or love

As if they were her own.

And life’s quintessential mothers,

Always strict yet compassionate,

Who, when children are suffering

Through disaster or disease,

Search for the cause

And fight against inhumanity.

The compassion of mothers

Who can love

Children who have lost hope

And been abandoned by society

As if they were their own.

Idealistic mothers

Filled with courage

Who, like great liberators,

Extend staunch protection to children

Who have fallen into cruel,

human hells.

These uncrowned mothers

Are far, far greater

Than those who stand

In the vanguard of the revolutions

Of the world’s renowned thinkers.

They are greater

Than any eminent political leader,

Yet nations do not bestow

Upon these mothers

Even a single medal.

O the courage of mothers

Who carry out orderly humanitarian efforts

In the cause of justice,

Naturally and without pretension,

On the world stage.

A certain distinguished educator noted

That even the president of a country

Has the highest respect for mothers.

I agree.

This is life.

This is humanity.

Those whose hearts

Are ruled by Animality

Are pitiful wretches

Who have strayed

From the path of humanity.

Mothers who are natural pacifists,

Opposed to war.

Mothers who hate cruel deception.

O the inner flame of love

With which mothers make their way

Through life’s sorrows and

disappointments,

Hurt by their partners,

Or weeping over the delinquency

of their children!

The vast, expansive realm

Of Buddhahood,

That enables all mothers

To lead truly happy lives

Is a global, borderless nation

Of genuine happiness.

There can be no discrimination

Among mothers.

Just because one has a luxurious house,

Or money,

Or social status,

Or smart children,

Or a partner with a prestigious job,

Or a noble lineage—

All such things

Are completely irrelevant.

Being alive

Is itself

The greatest joy.

This is true happiness.

This is a mother’s wish.

Not wealth.

Not honors.

Not vanity.

Not fame.

Not social status.

A true mother—

No matter how humble her existence,

Her love as a mother

Shines.

This is an eternal

And indestructible treasure.

There are occasionally

Mothers

Who commit terrible acts,

But this springs from immaturity;

It is not the true reality of motherhood.

Children

Respect their mothers

When they see

The beautiful way they exert

themselves

On behalf of others in society.

Mothers

Are the primeval sun.

And

Our deceased mothers

Are always alive in our hearts.

We converse with them

Throughout our lives.

Mothers desire

A world of eternal harmony and peace.

In Buddhism,

This is called kosen-rufu.

To achieve this

The SGI women’s division members

Have launched a momentous struggle.

The history

Of this strong and beautiful alliance

Now marks its glorious 50th year,

Now marks its proud 50th anniversary.

At times scolded by their seniors,

At times teased by their juniors,

At times criticized by people in

their community,

At times abused by their next-door neighbors,

At times ridiculed by their

old school friends

As “religious fanatics”—

Amidst all this,

They have worked tirelessly

To realize world peace,

The dream of all humanity.

This is the reality

Of our noble and lofty women’s

division members.

If the Buddha’s teachings are true,

How highly these hard-working women

Must be praised

By all Buddhas and bodhisattvas

Throughout the three existences

And ten directions.

The citadel of life that brings

Eternal prosperity, glory and victory

To their families and relatives

Is without a doubt

Everlasting and indestructible.

I have won.

You have won.

We have definitely won!

That is the declaration

Of the Daishonin and Shakyamuni Buddha.

We do not need

The praise of fools.

We do not need

The praise of the envious.

The wonderful praise

Of the Buddhas and heavenly deities

Is shining brightly,

Enfolding our mothers’ lives

In its brilliant illumination.

Our mothers are strong,

Our mothers are wise,

Our mothers have won!

May 8, 2001

In commemoration of Mother’s Day

And the 50th anniversary of the women’s division

SGI President Ikeda is recognized throughout the world as a poet laureate.

An account of my sister Suman's heart-warming effort to vitalize her new SGI district in New Delhi, India

I came to this district less than a month ago. After my first meeting it became clear to me what my mission here is. To wake up the district, connect members and leaders to the Gohonzon, connect them to Sensei and to ensure tremendous benefits for everyone. Since that day, I started chanting with the mind to understand the heart of everyone in the district, to be able to see what areas need to be challenged, to be able to form bonds with everyone so that we can work together towards this mission. All of this through trying to align myself with Sensei's heart. I started chanting regular hours everyday, reading Gosho everyday, reading Sensei's guidance to really truly see how I could make his vision mine. Everytime I felt low, I would study. I took guidance from my leaders from my previous Area and tried to really apply.

With every interaction with members/leaders and with every meeting, I was able to learn more about members, leaders, and generally the pulse of the district. I started struggling more and more in every way. The first study meeting had 4 members. I chanted that the next one should have 10 members at least, and it did. One day, as I was chanting I got a call from the MD chpt chief. He said he could feel my daimoku making a difference already. I had not told him that I was chanting for the district. He said we should together make this district strong and vibrant and connect all to Sensei.

On this sunday, I was visited by an active member. I knew her and had been chanting for her too. In the course of the visit, she shared about her prayers and asked me to chant for her. On her own, she also brought up the topic of how our district is sleepy and that it needs to be woken up. She suggested that we should chant together more often. Before I knew it, she had decided to bring together all active members to chant for the district as often as possible.

Today we had the first of those daimoku sessions. I am filled with appreciation for the Gohonzon. As a proof that our prayers are already reaching, an extremely inactive member also joined us today. (She has not attended a single meeting in a long time.) We are meeting again soon.

There is nothing that is not achievable when we put our heart to it and when we follow Sensei and pray wholeheartedly to the Gohonzon.

I am determined to show amazing actual proof by May this year.

- Suman Mishra

My nephew Manu's experience from Manipal in India

Experience in faith by Siddharth Manu

- Shared on January 20, 2008

Good Morning Everyone! This is Siddharth Manu, presently a 1st Year Engineering Student at MIT, Manipal. I remember the day in 1995, when coming back home from my school, I first found my mother chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo. I can proudly proclaim that since that day, the life of me and my family has been transformed for eternity.
I was indeed fortunate to be brought up in this very small and cozy Soka family at Ranchi, where on Sundays we would have meetings and I would readily accompany my mother and my father(who joined a year later in 1996). As a small child, I was shy, introvert but quite bright. Initially, I just used to participate in various cultural items like dance, skit, songs etc and also chant a few minutes daily, though just for minor things as I was too small then. I grew up, receiving numerous big and small benefits, which I would happily share in meetings, though with trembling hands and reading as fast as possible to rush off from the stage. I did not know, that those days were actually nourishing the roots of a Bodhisattva, who would become a Vanguard of Soka in the future.
Being a small kid, I wanted to become a Computer engineer, as it fascinated me a lot. I started cherishing the dream of getting into IIT, as does any other engineering aspirant from India, even though just from hearsay. Through the blessings of the Gohonzon, almost always I would stand first in my class and get extraordinary praise from all my teachers and family members. I kept growing in faith and learning the wonderful virtues of being an SGI member, something so wonderful and noble. I got many conspicuous and inconspicuous benefits throughout, which I was always encouraged to share.
I passed 10th with an excellent percentage, which made me somewhat easy going. Time went by, but I couldn’t realize that I was no more a child, but an adolescent or a teenager, and the time had come for me to walk into the real & cruel world, where we have to fight for every loaf of bread. I had somewhere become a bit complacent, and I was sort of fooling myself, that since I was chanting Nam myoho renge kyo, I would get whatever I wanted, even if realities deny it. I idly thought ‘the Gohonzon will take care, I need not worry’. But faith must manifest in our daily life, or it remains a mere ideology. Gohonzon is nothing outside, but our enlightened existence within, which helps us give our best, tapping out the immense courage, compassion and wisdom of a Buddha. In classes 11th and 12th, when I was supposed to work the hardest, I didn’t and breaking the expectations of many, I could not clear IIT JEE. But it was my good fortune that I could get admission in MIT, Manipal, a decent engineering college. Sensei says we must become indispensable wherever we are and I had this place Manipal as my place of mission as a Student division SGI member.
I came to Manipal in July 2007 as one among many, as many as a thousand freshers. With my deluded mind, I could not comprehend where I belonged in those many people. And also, even though I had enrolled into this Engineering College, somewhere in my heart, I did not seem to have any more interest in engineering, because it seemed purposeless. Life seemed a struggle, a struggle that seemed to have only darkness ahead. I was petrified to see the perverted people in this college, many who had sold their conscience to drugs, drinking, promiscuity, hatred, ill and illicit mentality, vandalism, lobbying and virtually everything in the world of animality, hunger and hell. I felt in hell, surrounded by all sorts of troubles and darkness. I could not find anyone like me over there. I felt lonely, like a deer trapped by all sorts of dangers. It seemed I’m trapped in this hell for 4 long years, away from my parents, who were unaware of my life condition at that time. Also, I had no BSG (SGI in India) here till then, which had been the source of light all my life. As negativity invites more negativity with it, I started thinking that even after those 4 years of struggle, I could only get some ordinary job and will have to live away from home, working 9 to 7, a life dull and joyless. I would be just one of those billions of ordinary citizens, who face the harsh realities of life, get defeated by them, feel impotent to change the world, but just remain good enough to complain and despair. Besides these clouds of misery and loneliness, I was also faced with Engineering Branch shuffling problem which further terrified me, as I had taken some actions impulsively during this period. People with varying and distorted opinions would leave terrifying impacts on me, and I could not help feeling miserable about myself, shaken like a pendulum in every direction possible. Intellectual thinking is always shallow and partial and doesn’t stand anywhere near the discerning wisdom of the Buddha, that which we can tap from within our lives. I was giving in to the negative thoughts of people, likes a puppet in the hands of my circumstances, unaware of my true self.

Sensei (SGI President Daisaku Ikeda) says "When you face your fear, most of the time you will discover that it was not really such a big threat after all. We all need some form of deeply rooted, powerful motivation -- it empowers us to overcome obstacles so we can live our dreams.”

Suddenly, I stopped and thought - This was not the way I was supposed to be. I wasn’t helpless. I had the law and the SGI with me. I was probably the only one in Manipal who had the noble mission of Kosen rufu in my heart.

I took guidance from my Uncle who is a member of SGI-USA. He said that being SGI members, being Bodhisattvas of the Earth, we can’t possibly ‘predict’ what our lives will be like in the future. We can’t apprehend our immense potential as it lies hidden in our lives, clouded by self pity and ignorance. I was a human being with infinite possibilities in me, which I could tap out only through devoting my life to the mystic law. I also got the support and guidance of BSG members, particularly from Delhi and Mumbai, who cared for me like their own family members.
The Gosho states : “ When deluded, one is a common mortal, but when enlightened, one becomes a Buddha”. I was just looking intellectually at myself, having shallow, partial and in fact, incorrect understanding. Introspection occurs at the level of human thought, but prayers go deeper than that. I realized that I was no one ordinary, but a Bodhisattva of the Earth, someone with a great mission, the mission of Kosen Rufu, the peace and happiness of the entire world, which might sound strange and unrealistic to some, but it is a truth which only the wise can grasp. I realized that I was not a commodity, whose quality and price is determined by the trademark it carries. No matter what sort of college I study in, whatever the circumstances I may face, however bad the things may seem to be now, whichever branch I was in, I could win! And I must, being the Daishonin’s disciple.

So I stood up with all my strength, to fight the innermost devil in my life, chanting to the Gohonzon as my only resort from this hellish life condition. I started reading Sensei’s Youthful Diary, the diary which he wrote when he just joined the Soka Gakkai under his mentor President Toda. I could feel the severity of the struggle of my mentor. But his heart was full of hope for the future, even in those ruined times. The spirit of Mentor and Disciple is the essence of Nichiren Buddhism, and I decided to follow this path till the end, not just in words but in action. I had to stand up, like my Mentor did. I had to become a true disciple of his.

Since then has started a continuous struggle of Human Revolution, to polish the tarnished mirror of my life. Challenging my weaknesses to develop my self, I am striving to overcome my negativities night and day.

I started getting up as early as 5 in the morning everyday, when everyone else would be asleep, so that I could have time to chant 1 hr of daimoku everyday, followed by a day of hard work and study. Although others would suggest me to concentrate just on my studies, but only I knew in my heart that I, and in fact everyone if he tries to, can expand his life state to do whatever he wants. What is required is a really strong ichinen. Nothing is an excuse for a SGI member. I started giving my hundred percent to faith, also ensuring that I give my best to my studies as well. Whenever I got the opportunity to speak in class or to make a presentation, I would give my heart and soul to it, to convey my Mentor’s noble vision to all others. I had to struggle to break the shackles of mediocrity and complacency, which chains most of us.

But our faith helps us to develop the capacity to extract more and more out of our lives, filling us with inexhaustible vitality and freshness. I determined to not to miss any Zadenkai at Mangalore, even though I had to travel 70 kms by bus on an unpleasant road. Even if there would be an exam just the next day, I wouldn’t ever miss a meeting. I made it a point to finish my studies before Sunday so that I could attend the Zadenkai (SGI monthly discussion meeting) , without hampering my studies and in full spirit. Sometimes, I had to travel all alone, but never once did I look back or think twice. When the meeting would be over, I was fortunate enough to get to chant in the Kaikan and this filled me with tremendous hope and happiness for the future. I started praying for doing well in my course as I didn’t want to end up being an escapist. I started chanting to regain interest in engineering and to give my best. I didn’t care for the branch I was in or what I had been doing. I wanted to study well, to become an outstanding disciple. All the time in my life, I had chanted for results, but this time, I only chanted for the process, not results. Sensei says “Study is the topmost priority for a student”. I had to give my best. Also, I prayed that I could help all my friends, just like a Bodhisattva should. As I was good in Comp. Programming and fairly good in Basic Electrical Technology, the two subjects considered tough, I studied these together with my friends with a motive to help them. Never did I miss a single gongyo. I was also connected to the SGI members from across the globe, with whom I was always in sync and who would keep guiding me. I also started developing deep, strong, heart to heart bonds with people, whom I cherish, including my parents, whom I seldom confided to before. Furthermore, I was able to shakubuku (initiation to Nichiren Buddhism) friend in college, by sincerely sharing Sensei’s words and guidances, when he seemed to be broken.

In my semester internal exams, though I got below average scores in maths, I kept striving and working harder towards my goal.Earlier, I had always feared and ran away from practicing maths sums but this time, with faith as my basis, I chased my fears away squarely.

The joy started showing in my life. I could enjoy the daily struggles, each based on daimoku and study. My final exams started, and I gave my best in each of them, helping my friends in preparations, with a solemn sense of responsibility and gratitude. In the computer programming exam, when I could relax all the time, I studied with my friends till late hours for their sake.

The semester exams were over. Just before leaving for home, I got a wonderful actual proof. I knew a friend named Karan in our college itself, whose parents are BSG leaders at Chandigarh. But he was never into this faith, even though his parents always insisted him to. He even didn’t want to chant. I understood his scenario and kept sending him daimoku and would always encourage him but never taunt him for faith. On the night when I was supposed to leave for home, I sent an sms to Karan to chant with me. He said he wasn’t there, which I took as just another excuse. But 10 minutes before I was leaving, he texted me, calling me to his room, for he wanted to chant! I was overjoyed. He said he had even forgotten how to chant, but he chanted 10 minutes with me joyfully. It was a big actual proof for me and I know some day, he’ll be here with us.

When I reached home, Ranchi, I unexpectedly got the opportunity to become the Emcee in the District General Meeting there, which I did with pride and gratitude. I could also work with the YMDs and YWDs of Ranchi, learning from their struggles. These new members at Ranchi, most of whom were from very humble backgrounds made me deepen my faith and I personally strove with and thanked every one of them for this.

In Buddhism, it is said “Unseen Virtue brings Visible Reward”. When my 1^st semester results came out, I was delighted to get a GPA of 9.15 and I am among the toppers. I had done this with full participation in SGI activities and selfless work for my friends. I got another great actual proof that my Study loan got sanctioned without any hassles and in just 1 day, which is remarkable indeed.

I, now can feel the Shoten Zenjin with me at every point and everywhere. I don’t feel lonely anymore. I have developed a very strong network of genuine friends from throughout the world, all having the vision for Kosen Rufu. I also feel the struggle and importance of each and every person in my life and I’m grateful to each one of them. I am also very thankful to the BSG leaders from Mangalore and my parents, who always encouraged and guided me and continue to do so now as well. BSG Manipal is growing and we have vibrant youth division members here, who can share this wonderful life philosophy with so many young people at Manipal and work together for building invincible castles of happiness in their lives.

I would like to quote Toda Sensei here:

THE LION GOES ALONE ON HIS THOUSAND MILES JOURNEY. HE SEEKS NO COMPANION. I TOO WILL GO – TOWARDS KOSEN RUFU, I WILL WEATHER THE STORM, I WILL FIGHT OBSTACLES AND DEMONS, I WILL RIDE THE RAGING WAVES AND I WILL FORGE ON, NO MATTER WHAT. I WILL GO, I WILL FIGHT.

I can proudly say that my life has been transformed and I now have just one mission in my life, the noble mission of worldwide Kosen rufu. I will strive harder and harder each day for it, till my last breath, and beyond... for eternity!

Thank you so much

Words to live by ..

SGI President Ikeda’s encouragement to the Future Division

First, I would like you to be diligent in the practice of gongyo and daimoku so that you can lead a life of ultimate satisfaction. The Gohonzon embodies the supreme Law. No path in life is more rewarding than one based on chanting Nam Myoho Renge Kyo to the Gohonzon. I think you will gradually come to understand this as you grow up.

Imagine cherry tree. When spring comes, it bursts into full bloom. But if only a half or a third of its buds should blossom and be blown off by storms, then the full potential of that cherry tree’s existence is not being realized. We could say that this tree is unhappy. There are all too many people who, in a similar way, life out their lives without ever coming into full bloom.

However, a person who chants Nam Myoho Renge Kyo to the Ghonzon can realize his full ability, accumulate good fortune and enjoy happiness to the greatest possible extent, blooming and sending forth a fragrance, so to speak, ‘like a cherry tree in full bloom’.

Next you should respect and honor your parents. Both Nichiren Daishonin and Shakyamuni Buddha taught that this is important. At your age, I think, feeling responsibility towards your parents means that before everything else you do not cause trouble for them. One way you can avoid making them worry is to stay healthy and not become ill.

Another is to attend school diligently. Do no choose delinquents as your companions. Least of all, do not run away from home. Moreover, be careful not to get involved in traffic accidents. In any event, common sense in such matters is important. One could say that no one is as happy as the parents of good children who do not cause them needless anxiety. (‘Do not worry your parents’, p 31-31, Buddhism in Action, Vol 2)

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The last of the ‘One Hundred and Six Comparisons’ says: “One must distinguish essential and theoretical, superior and inferior, in all things, even the swelling waves and the blowing wind”(GZ, p.869). This passage tells us that the essential and theoretical are to be found in our own lives, and that we must draw a distinct line between them.

“For example, when we are sleeping, we are in a ‘theoretical’ phase of our existence, but when we are awake, we are in the ‘essential’ phase. For students, whose job is to study, indulging in fun and entertainment is the theoretical, while studying hard is the essential. In addition, those who are studying with the sole aim of making money or gaining status are living only for themselves and are thus choosing a ‘theoretical’ way of life that is caught up in the pursuit of worldly things. In your case, as members of the student division, the essential is to be studying with a deep sense of purpose to develop yourselves so that you can contribute to kosen rufu.

Our real identity is that of Bodhisattvas of the Earth who have come forth to carry out the widespread propagation of the humanistic teachings of Buddhism. For us, the essential way of life is to dedicate ourselves to that endeavour. In contrast, no matter what kind of social status or position you may acquire later on, that is all just the theoretical. I hope you will never make a mistake about this.

The way that we can distinguish between the essential and the theoretical in our lives is by asking ourselves, ’Am I living for the sake of kosen-rufu and striving to do my Human-Revolution? Am I thoroughly resolved to realize my goals?’ The person who does this will triumph in life.(Jewelled Sword, p136-138, The New Human Revolution, vol.8)

All human beings have a good side and a bad side. From now on, as you grow, you will be having to choose which of these directions you will go in. If you pursue the positive side, the path of happiness will gradually open up for you. If you choose the negative side, it will inevitably eresult in a life of hellish suffering.

Therefore, at this point, whether you enjoy your studies or not, you must persevere with diligence and graduate from elementary, junior high and then high school. Afterwards, while you attend a university or work as members of society, you will come to understand for yourselves what particular path you should follow. (‘Do not worry your parents’, p 31-31, Buddhism in Action, vol 2)

Recently, we have seen a frightening tendency towards suicide among elementary, junior high and high school students. You must absolutely never take your own precious life, no matter what the reason may be. That would be the most cowardly, defeatist way you could choose. Buddhism strictly forbids destroying life, which is the vessel of the Law. Therefore, no matter how painful or disagreeable your situation may be, survive through it and triumph over it. I hope you will bear firmly in mind that this is the proper path for a human being. (‘Do not worry your parents’, p 31-32, Buddhism in Action, vol 2)

It is important that youth in particular activity seek challenges to forge and strengthen themselves. Those who enjoy material luxury from a young age and do not work hard cannot become people of outstanding character. They cannot become great leaders who protect the people. I hope that you will work hard, sparing no effort, and develop yourselves as indomitable champions, shaken or disheartened by nothing.

Young people in school should make study their first priority. It goes without saying that faith is important, but faith is something we practise throughout our entire lives. There is a certain period and age when we should study. If we don’t work hard during that period, we may fail to acquire important knowledge and skills, and we may come to regret it deeply later. Faith manifests itself in daily life. For young people in school, faith manifests itself in their studies. During this period, to devote themselves to study represents an important part of their practice of faith. (For Today and Tomorrow, SGI President Ikeda’s Daily Encouragements for July 11)

History is created by people. Each of you is a key protagonist of that endeavour. Don’t rely on others. Enact your own thrilling drama of creativity! Rise up resolutely! Break through the shell of your lesser self! A new age is opened by taking on new challenges. Advance and improve yourself day after day! If you become complacent and forget the spirit of struggle, only stagnation and defeat will await you. Resolve to become better than you were yesterday. Boldly win today! That is the formula for achieving total victory. (Soka University chapter New Human Revolution, vol. 15)

Protecting SGI from media distortion

My letter to Forbes that published a misleading article about the SGI. Forbes printed my concerns in its next issue of the magazine:

To

The Editor
Forbes magazine

60 Fifth Avenue
New York, N.Y. 10011

Subject: The article titled " Sensei's World" by Benjamin Fulford and David Whelanin in the 'International' section of September 6, 2004 issue

Dear Editor

As a business professor, I encourage hundreds of students each year to read Forbes magazine for it can be trusted. This article casts a serious doubt on the magazine's longstanding integrity. As an active member of the Soka Gakkai, I have seen substantial transparency within the organization and in my assessment its transactions are legal, accountable and morally sound. Soka Gakkai has a unique stance on Buddhism and an equally committed non-sectarian pursuit to benefit larger society comes from its religious philosophy.

I often have contributed financially to the development of the Soka University of America (SUA) from my modest income. What attracts me to SUA is a small student teacher ratio, its humanistic ideals, and an environment for students to develop a broad global and yet a humane perspective. Like other admittedly small-scale philanthropists, I get satisfaction in contributing from afar for a good cause.

On Daisaku Ikeda, I trust the inclusive tone in his writings and the assessment of world leaders like Linus Pauling. Arnold Toynbee and scores of other renowned philosophers from around the world who acknowledge Ikeda's efforts for peace, culture and education. Also, please visit the SGI website for more evidence and information at www.sgi.org .

Sincerely

Harsh Mishra

Assistant Professor
Strategic Management and International Business
School of Business
State University of New York
New Paltz, New York