Showing posts with label daisaku ikeda nmrk. Show all posts
Showing posts with label daisaku ikeda nmrk. Show all posts

Friday, January 1, 2016

Fascinating Experience - Happy New Year!


 Happy New Year! 

Welcome to the 
Year of Expansion 
in the New Era of Kosen Rufu! 

I greet this New Year with optimism and hope. I continue to chant every day with strong determination to fulfill my vow of kosen rufu, for my family, for you and for the SGI. 

I just read an experience in the World Tribune, January 2015, page 25. 

It's about a gentleman names Joe Perez. 
He was born in the 1930's in Cuba, and wanted to come to America, but had no funds to do so. He found a way to come here by enlisting in the United States Army, and met his wife Junko while stationed in Japan. She practiced Buddhism, and he became an SGI member in 1972. 
Through his business relations he traveled with the Mayor of San Antonio to Japan, and was intent on introducing the Mayor to SGI President Daisaku Ikeda, the man many of us call Sensei, or teacher. 

I don't have time to detail what happened, but there was a backlash in San Antonio for making this introduction because the Japanese companies in San Antonio were caught up in anti SGI sentiment, and his business in San Antonio ended, so he had to start over. 

Through his darkest times he says:

"Sensei's example to use faith first
and take action to change my situation 
is what sustained me. 
When I received guidance from a senior in faith 
he encouraged me to read The Human Revolution. 
He said that while reading, 
I should replace Shin'ichi yamamoto 
(the pen name of Daisaku Ikeda) 
with Joe Perez. 
Studying about the history 
and conviction of the founding SGI presidents 
inspired me to deepen my shared vow 
with Sensei to advance kosen-rufu - 
a grand undertaking that, 
because of its goal to empower humanity, 
is fraught with obstacles. 
I determined to prove to the world 
that my mentor is a great man 
who has benefited humanity in irreplaceable ways, 
and that we all can - and should - do the same!"

Because of his strong determination, 
Joe Perez was able to 
introduce Daisaku Ikeda to Rosa Parks, 
and Fidel Castro, 
and eventually helped the United States and Cuba 
restore diplomatic relations through his travel company. 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Mr Perez's experience really inspires me. 

When Rosa Parks and Sensei met the world shifted a bit. Do you know she said meeting Daisaku Ikeda gave her great hope for this planet...the first great hope she had had in some time? And it inspired countless people worldwide. Daisaku Ikeda meeting Castro was also truly inspirational. And this man made it happen. 

We can all be sharing in Daisaku Ikeda's vision  - not just from the sidelines. We can all be taking steps to actualize kosen rufu every day. 

I'm running to the Chicago Culture Center now to take part in the 1:00 New Year's Day Gongyo, along with my son and fellow members. I hope all of you are able to join with your Gakkai family today! Nam-myoho-renge-kyo! Here's to a powerful new year for us all! 



Wednesday, January 22, 2014

Living Life in Ecstasy


After writing the last blog post this morning, and chanting an enlivening hour of Nam-myoho-renge-kyo I walked into the Assisted Living area where I work. I saw a gentleman in a wheelchair and I greeted him, introduced myself and asked how he was. He looked up at me with laughing eyes and said 
"I woke up this morning! And I have woken up EVERY MORNING for the past 96 years!!!"

What an attitude! He kind of put it all into perspective, didn't he?  His joy was found in just being alive! I shared his quote with countless people throughout the day. 

In Faith in Action (pg. 68) Daisaku Ikeda says:

"What is success in life? 
Who are the truly successful? 
There are famous and powerful people 
who become pitiful figures in their old age. 
There are people who die alone, 
feeling empty and desolate inside. 
Just what is success? 
The English write Walter Pater (1839-94) wrote: 
"To burn always with this hard, gemlike flame, 
to maintain this ecstasy, is success in life." 
The person who lives life fully, 
glowing with life's energy, 
is the person lives a successful life."