Discussion meetings – the driving force for peace!

‘Although a movement calling for a ban on the testing of atomic or nuclear weapons has arisen around the world, it is my wish to go further, to attack the problem at its root. I want to expose and rip out the claws that lie hidden in the very depths of such weapons.’

What does he mean by ‘attacking the problem at its root’ or ripping out the ‘claws that lie hidden in the depths of such weapons’? SGI President Daisaku Ikeda clarifies: ‘A defining feature of Toda’s declaration against nuclear weapons was that it called upon people to vanquish this devilish nature residing deep within the lives of human beings.’

As members of SGI, we have chosen to transform the negativity, or fundamental darkness, that has led to a universal belief that war and violence are a valid way to create or maintain peace. As we have witnessed in history, violence breeds violence and war only leads to more war. We, as a human race, are in a seemingly never-ending cycle of revenge and retribution. And who suffers the most? Ordinary people. 

In his 2002 Peace Proposal, written as a response to the 11 September 2001 attack on the World Trade Centre, President Ikeda issued a stark warning: 

In a sense, the dulling and numbing of our collective sensitivity to life itself is even more ominous than the cycle of violence created by terrorism and military action waged in response to it. In contemporary warfare, overshadowed by the demonic threat of nuclear, biological and chemical weapons, the workings of the human will and spirit are thoroughly marginalised. The human element has virtually no role to play, either for victor or for vanquished…  My point is not to convey a complacent and unconstructive opinion that places equal blame on acts of terrorism and the response to them. Rather, I think, we need to ask ourselves deeper questions: What is the true danger? What are the real enemies? The real enemies are, I believe, poverty, hatred and, most formidable of all, the dehumanisation that exerts a demonic dominion over contemporary society.[[1]]

If we are aware of the interconnectedness of all beings, then it is impossible for us to justify the use of violence, war and weapons of mass destruction. Attacking another is the same as attacking ourselves. 

The Soka Gakkai's efforts for peace are rooted in the unshakeable conviction that every single person in this world deserves to live and thrive, and to become absolutely happy. The only way that we can transcend the persistent trend that emphasises the differences that separate people is through dialogue and heart-to-heart communication rooted in respect for the inherent dignity of life. 

'Each person has a mission that is theirs and theirs alone'

Founding Soka Gakkai president Tsunesaburo Makiguchi created the perfect way for us to learn from others and transcend any superficial barriers that seek to divide people: small group discussion meetings. 

We are still in the midst of our SGI Europe initiative: ‘One Step for Peace’, centred around our wonderful monthly district discussion meetings. So I want to champion them once again, and challenge myself afresh to contribute joyfully to my discussion meeting each month. Let’s never underestimate how important these meetings are or what we are doing to create a peaceful world through our efforts to support them. As President Ikeda writes:

In the district, people can get to know each other and talk to each other personally, thus giving rise to deep and lasting bonds. A certain district women's leader said: ‘The key is to meet people directly, to take time to really talk with them, to chant with them, and to work together for kosen-rufu. That's the only way to make things happen at the district level.’ Our movement for worldwide kosen-rufu, too, has developed and won growing trust and understanding around the globe through the admirable efforts of SGI leaders everywhere who are putting this fundamental spirit of Nichiren Daishonin's Buddhism into practice in their local communities.[[2]]

The most beautiful meetings are the ones that are full of joy and warm exchanges, after which people leave feeling rejuvenated and ready to face anything that life throws at them. If your meetings are not like this, then please become the protagonist in your district and initiate change through chanting and discussing fresh ideas with your fellow members. As President Ikeda writes:

Each person has a mission that is theirs and theirs alone. All are capable individuals; all are comrades who share profound karmic connections.
   The way to foster people is to meet people. It is important to actively reach out to and engage with others. Steady, ongoing, grassroots activities – discussion meetings, home visits, personal guidance, question-and-answer sessions, informal meetings – are the key to victory. The SGI has been successful in its endeavours because of this solid track record of steady, consistent efforts, like flowing water. This formula will never change – and, I would like to say, we must never allow it to change.
   Kosen-rufu in our local areas is a movement to spread joy and hope towards life throughout our communities. We who uphold the Mystic Law are responsible for the happiness of our communities; we are the pioneers.[[3]]

This echoes with Nichiren Daishonin’s spirit when he says to one of his disciples: ‘I entrust you with the propagation of Buddhism in your province.’[[4]]

This month we also commemorate, and reflect on the importance of, the Tatsunokuchi Persecution. This is a name given to the events surrounding the failed attempt to execute Nichiren Daishonin on Tatsunokuchi Beach, which happened on 12 September 1271 according to the lunar calendar of pre-modern Japan. In ‘The Opening of the Eyes’, Nichiren Daishonin writes: ‘On the twelfth day of the ninth month of last year, between the hours of the rat and the ox (11.00pm to 3.00am), this person named Nichiren was beheaded. It is his soul that has come to this island of Sado.’[[5]]

This passage indicates that from that time onwards the Daishonin, while remaining a human being, had attained enlightenment as the Buddha of the Latter Day of the Law. As a result of the Tatsunokuchi Persecution, he ‘cast off the transient and revealed the true’, in other words, he revealed his true identity as the eternal Buddha. 

‘The Opening of the Eyes’ was written while he was exiled to the inhospitable island of Sado, where he had been sent immediately following the Tatsunokuchi Persecution. It is one of Nichiren Daishonin’s most important treatises, written at a time when his chances of survival seemed very slim. Another important writing is ‘Letter from Sado’, which he entrusted to his loyal disciple Toki Jonin, saying: 

There is very little writing paper here in the province of Sado, and to write to you individually would take too long. Nevertheless, if even one person fails to hear from me, it will cause resentment. Therefore, I want people with seeking minds to meet and read this letter together for encouragement.[[6]]

I can imagine his sincere disciples gathering together in small groups, as we do in our discussion meetings, to read, digest and discuss together the significant teachings he was transmitting to them. How encouraged they must have been by his strong and undefeated spirit in the face of extreme challenges. 

'Encouragement has the power to revitalise those crushed by suffering'

Regardless of his personal difficulties, Nichiren Daishonin continued to write letters of encouragement to his disciples throughout his time on Sado and beyond, after he had been pardoned and was residing on Mount Minobu. Talking about the letters, President Ikeda writes: 

‘I am concerned about you’ – this message encapsulates the Daishonin’s thoughtful solicitude and deeply moving care for its recipient. In many other letters, too, we find passages brimming with the Daishonin’s sincere compassion.[[7]]

This spirit of reaching out to others who are struggling and offering them words of encouragement continues today and underpins all our local activities, as President Ikeda states: 

In these times when divisive forces are on the rise, the ongoing efforts of Soka Gakkai members around the world, striving with the same spirit as Nichiren Daishonin to support and encourage people, are a great beacon of hope.
   We think of others, wondering how they’re feeling and how they’re doing. And with courage, we reach out and talk with them. Using our voices to do the Buddha’s work[[8]] we help one person after another form hope-inspiring connections to Nichiren Buddhism, embracing them with our heartfelt care.
   Encouragement has the power to revitalise those crushed by suffering.
   Encouragement has the power to awaken the Buddha nature in all people.
   Worldwide kosen-rufu starts with forging bonds of encouragement with those around us. Indeed, strengthening such bonds, one after another, is itself the driving force for worldwide kosen-rufu.[[9]]

As I mentioned in my article last month, the SGI-UK youth division have launched an initiative as part of ‘One Step for Peace’, determined to unleash a ‘Whirlpool of Joy’ through one-to-one encouragement. 

It is these grassroots efforts, alongside our precious discussion meetings, that President Ikeda states are the ‘driving force’ for creating peace in the world. Let’s once again give our all this month to support our discussion meetings and meet with others, with the conviction that these continuous efforts will ultimately tip the balance across our precious planet from a culture of war and violence to a culture of peace, respect for the dignity of life and value creation.●

References

[[1]]: Daisaku Ikeda, 'The Humanism of the Middle Way: Dawn of a Global Civilization', 2002 Peace Proposal. Available at:  https://www.daisakuikeda.org/assets/files/peace2002.pdf

[[2]]: SGI Newsletter No. 8713, 7 February 2013.

[[3]]: SGI Newsletter No. 8735, 18 March 2013.

[[4]]: Nichiren Daishonin, ‘The Properties of Rice’ (WND-1, p. 1117).

[[5]]: Nichiren Daishonin, ‘The Opening of the Eyes’ (WND-1, p. 269).

[[6]]: Nichiren Daishonin, ‘Letter from Sado‘ (WND-1, p. 306).

[[7]]: SGI Newsletter No. 11147, 16 November 2022.

[[8]]: In The Record of the Orally Transmitted Teachings, trans. Burton Watson, it states: ‘A commentary [On “The Profound Meaning,” volume one] says, “The voice carries out the work of the Buddha, and this is called kyo, or sutra.”’ (Soka Gakkai, 2004) p. 4

[[9]]: SGI Newsletter No. 11147, 16 November 2022.