Poetry by German writer Friedrich von Schiller, “Run Melos!”

Msg from Sensei: …”

There is so much to share with you all, please join us at our next and upcoming meeting.

Young Women, Bright Like the Sun    

 

Friday, July 10th, 2009

6:30pm
SGI Santa Barbara Community Center.
7433 Hollister Ave Goleta CA.
*******************************

If you have any questions, please email me at ttn.tami@gmail.com

Marie Curie was a great scientist that was committed to her mission in the area of science and education. Marie and Pierre, who later become her husband, both had problems with relationships in the past and diverted their love to the love of science. Through their shared commonality, both were able to learn and grow from each other. As a result, the bond and friendship between the two become genuine love. It was a great story that we shared but it was also an important topic to point out to young women that we should also strive to divert our passion to our mission in love, finding what it is that excites us that then just go for it! Sometimes, when we are caught up in love and when the relationship is not progressing in a positive directions, it is better to take a good look at ourselves and improve our character while we’re still young! We have a whole life still to live! I’ll just leave you gals with a quote from Marie Curie, a famous physicist that discovered Radium:
“The life of a great scientist in his laboratory is not, as many think, a peaceful idyll. More often it is a bitter battle with things, with one’s surroundings, and above all with oneself.

Between the days of fecund productivity are inserted days of uncertainty when nothing seems to succeed, and when even matter itself seems hostile; and it is then that one must hold out against discouragement.”

We will have our next mtg at Tami’s house. Please call for more info.

We will be covering Letter to Misawa and more!

Just recently, Melanie Merians, our West Territory Women’s Leader, shared her own experiences as a young woman who fought and won over tremendous suffering. Ms. Merians encouraged the young women to fight to fulfill their dreams alongside President Ikeda, no matter how severe their present circumstances (WT). She also relayed the message of Josei Toda, ” You have all forgotten just how great you are! It may be true that when you go home, no grand banquet awaits you. Your house isn’t as spacious as a palace. So you put yourselves down, filled with self-pity at your impoverished circumstances, but that’s ridiculous. It’s you as human beings who are great (April 10th WT, p5).

Wow…I’m so inspired. Please feel free to leave comments or feedback. We want this blog to be as great as it can be! Thank you!

PS. Next Kayokai Meeting is held at Asha’s House, May 17th at 5pm.

Also, on May 17th, Sunday, Jeff Krieger, Study Department Head, will be at the Santa Barbara Activity Center at 10 a.m. for a “General Lecture”.  Due to the economic crisis, the purpose is to encourage members to overcome any and all obstacles.

Please call me or email me at ttn.tami@gmail.com for more information.

Santa Barbara Activity Center

7743 Hollister Ave. Goleta, CA.

Region #1

Noriko Yamasaki

Kathy Nakanishi

Mika Searles

Renaissance Valley Northeast Region
Peggy Lo

Renaissance Valley West Region
Tammy Young

Santa Barbara Region
Lisa Valencia Sherrat
Hiroko Holt

Congratulations to those who received Gohonzon:

Gohonzon Conferral

Renaissance Valley Northeast Region
Nicole Capas

Renaissance Valley West Region

Rebecca

Santa Barbara Region

Oreo Sanchez

Again, thank you soo much to everyone who made this event possible.

16007 Crenshaw Blvd, Torrance, CA. 90506

The Light of the Century of Humanity

By Shin’ichi Yamamoto[1]

Celebrating the Start of the Ikeda Kayo-kai[2]

The sun shines

brilliantly

in your beautiful

flowerlike hearts,

filling you with radiance.

May 3 is upon us once more! It is a time when the heavens and our hearts rejoice. With appreciation for the dedicated efforts of our noble members around the world, I wish to express my warmest congratulations to everyone on Soka Gakkai Day and Soka Gakkai Mother’s Day. For Soka mentors and disciples, May 3 is a day of proud triumph, and a day when we courageously set forth toward fresh victories. Let’s advance forever, leading the way with a positive and dynamic spirit!

            The bright young women’s division members are working energetically for peace, their efforts heralding the arrival of a new age in our Soka movement. Brimming with joy, a solid network of young women—united with their mentor and committed to pioneering the second act of kosen-rufu—has now been firmly established. They form the Ikeda Kayo-kai. While the present members of the group constitute its first “class,” a second and a third and countless other “classes” will steadily follow, creating a beautiful, admirable, and mighty stream of capable individuals that will flow on into the eternal future. This group is truly sublime and noble.

            A new age has come. A new century has arrived. The soaring peaks of global kosen-rufu are now visible. How wonderful this is. I would like to congratulate you!

            To commemorate the establishment of their new group, the young women’s division members have presented us with an antique clock they have named the “Kayo Clock.” The word kayo is comprised of the Chinese characters for flower and sun, or sunshine; it is symbolic of flowers that are bathed in brilliant sunlight and are a boundless source of lofty inspiration for others.

            It is my wish that all our young women will play a wonderful melody of happiness and peace during this precious time of their youth, in rhythm with the Kayo Clock as it marks the passage of time. Watching over the activities and growth of these youthful, beautiful-hearted members together with my wife, I have also steadily begun to write a new page of great development for worldwide kosen-rufu.  

*

Spiritedly forging ahead

as noble heroines       

in the struggle of kosen-rufu,

Kayo-kai members will leave

their legacy in the citadel of Soka.

My mentor, second Soka Gakkai president Josei Toda, firmly believed that the realization of kosen-rufu depended upon women. In October 1952, he formed a young women’s division group called the Kayo-kai (lit. Flower-Sun Group), which he devoted himself personally to fostering.

In a letter to one of his followers, Nichigen-nyo [the wife of Shijo Kingo], Nichiren Daishonin writes:

Can anything exceed the sun and moon in brightness? Can anything surpass the lotus flower in purity? The Lotus Sutra is the sun and moon and the lotus flower. Therefore it is called the Lotus Sutra of the Wonderful Law [Myoho-renge-kyo]. Nichiren, too, is like the sun and moon and the lotus flower. (WND-1, 186)

The lives of the young women of Soka who uphold the Mystic Law and dedicate themselves to kosen-rufu just as the Daishonin teaches are like the brightest of suns and the purest of lotus flowers. In other words, their lives themselves are the epitome of everything the Kayo-kai stands for.

*

May each and every

Kayo-kai member,

a sparkling gem of

dedication to the Buddha’s decree,

shine throughout the three existences.

In April 1958, when my mentor passed away, the young women’s division was comprised of 38 corps. By May 3, one month later, when a new national young women’s division leader was also appointed, that number had grown to 50. My wife, incidentally, was a close friend of the new leader, having encouraged her in her faith since the beginning of her practice. This leader was none other than Tokiko Tada (nee Minato).

            The first Kayo-kai meeting I attended in my late mentor’s place was in October 1958. As I recall, it was a guidance meeting held on the shore of Lake Ashi in Hakone (in Kanagawa Prefecture). At the time, I was the de facto leader of the entire Soka Gakkai, its sole general administrator, bearing full responsibility for kosen-rufu. More than half of those in attendance on that occasion were new members of the group.

            The young women’s division continued to grow by leaps and bounds. By the time I was inaugurated as the third president of the Soka Gakkai two years later, on May 3, 1960, it had more than doubled to 108 corps.

            The ancient Greek poet Pindar sang: “Wonder at the courage and mighty strength of a woman, what a contest she is waging with undaunted [mind], . . . having a heart superior to toil.”[3]

The remarkable development of the young women’s division astonished all our members and filled them with immeasurable hope.

*

The dazzling

hearts of young women

united with their mentor.

When new capable people come to the fore, a new age opens. Future victory depends on successfully fostering young leaders.

            Florence Nightingale (1820–1910), founder of the modern nursing profession, is well known for her emphasis on the importance of training and lifelong learning. In particular, she warned her students not to let their “time of training slip away.”[4] Those who receive training in their youth move forward along the path to victory in life.

            In July 1960, an outdoor training session of the Kayo-kai was held at Futtsu Beach in Chiba Prefecture. Nearly all of the members of the group were new, so this gathering in effect marked the full-fledged start for the second “class” of Kayo-kai members. These gatherings of the Kayo-kai, which I personally attended, continued for 10 years until 1968.

            For a little more than a decade, I, too, received personal training and instruction from my mentor Mr. Toda on philosophy and leadership—lessons far more valuable than those found in mountains of books. In the same way, in the decade I spent training the members of the Kayo-kai, I did my best to fully communicate to them the essence of a life dedicated to kosen-rufu.

*

The Kayo-kai meeting conducted in Hakone in July 1966 was particularly memorable. I read aloud the short story Run, Melos! by Japanese author Osamu Dazai (1909–48), which the members had studied in advance.

            Incidentally, we were honored this year to have a member of Dazai’s family attend the exhibition Children and a Culture of Peace, which was organized by the Soka Gakkai Women’s Peace Committee in Tokyo.

            Based on a poem by the German writer Friedrich von Schiller (1759–1805),[5] Run, Melos! is well known in Japan. It tells the story of a cruel and tyrannical king who has lost faith in human goodness and loyalty and is executing many people. The young shepherd Melos rises up against the king in righteous outrage, but is apprehended and sentenced to death. He requests as his last wish that he be allowed to return to his village to attend his younger sister’s wedding. The king will not let him go without a hostage to remain in his place, and Melos’s dear friend Selinuntius volunteers. Melos leaves for his village, promising to return before sunset three days later as the king stipulates.

            If Melos keeps his promise, his friend will be freed while he will be executed. Will Melos go back by the designated time, or betray his friend to save his own life?

            After his sister’s wedding, Melos sets out to return to the king, intending to keep his promise and save the life of the friend who trusted him. But his way back is blocked by a raging flood caused by a torrential downpour. He eventually manages to swim through the flood, only to be attacked by bandits. He manages to escape from them, too, but as sunset approaches on the third day, Melos starts to waver as he is swamped by exhaustion and the desire to give up trying.

            Melos rallies his spirit, however, and, rejecting these cowardly inner whisperings, triumphs over temptation. “Someone waits for me,” he thinks. “I must prove worthy of his trust.” “Run, Melos!” he tells himself, spurring himself on until he arrives just in time to save his friend from execution. By remaining true to his promise and coming back to save Selinuntius, Melos demonstrates to the king that loyalty does exist, he and thereby succeeds in restoring the latter’s faith in human beings. [As a result, the king spares both Melos and his friend.][6]

            Before I began reading at the meeting, I said to the participants with deep emotion: “I would like to dedicate this story to all of you, in tribute to the Kayo-kai. The spirit it depicts mirrors my own history and my future course, as well as my personal determination. I hope that you will all struggle fearlessly, too, in your own personal battles!”

            Looking back, when President Toda’s businesses were in crisis and the very survival of the Soka Gakkai was threatened, I ran like Melos to protect my mentor. During the Osaka Campaign of 1956 as well, I fought and won with unswerving determination, as if I were Melos myself. After my mentor’s death, I overcame every fierce storm of adversity, and ran tirelessly to demonstrate the truth and victory of the Soka Gakkai to the entire world. With the indefatigable spirit of Melos, I dedicated myself to fulfilling the pledge I made to my mentor as his disciple.

            As Osamu Dazai proclaimed: “Do the right thing with a smile!”[7]

*

Rise above

the sad and foolish self-defeated ones

who have cast away their faith,          

and proceed to the jeweled summit

that awaits the Kayo-kai.

There have been many people throughout the history of our movement who have betrayed their mentors to whom they were greatly indebted, caused suffering to their fellow members, and tried to harm the Soka Gakkai. All of you have seen the wretched and hellish state of life into which these unfortunate individuals have subsequently fallen. No matter what clever arguments they might present to justify their actions, they have engineered their downfall through their own self-betrayal.

            I’ll never forget the words the youthful Mongolian president Nambaryn Enkhbayar shared with me during our meeting (in February 2007). They were some lines from a Mongolian folk song: “We speak of hell, but where does hell come from? / Breaking a vow you have made—that is hell.”[8]

            In the course of life, we are bound to meet with various hardships and occasional unexpected storms of destiny. It is also certain, in the light of the Lotus Sutra and the Daishonin’s writings, that the Soka Gakkai—an organization of votaries of the Lotus Sutra—will be targeted for attack by the three powerful enemies[9] of Buddhism. And it is also only natural that individuals who have abandoned and betrayed their faith out of envy or ingratitude will plot against us. Each such challenge presents what the Daishonin calls a “crucial moment” (WND-1, 283).[10] What counts at that time is whether one remains true to one’s vow for kosen-rufu—as the Daishonin declares: “This is my vow, and I will never forsake it!” (WND-1, 281). This is the key to attaining Buddhahood in this lifetime and securing a state of happiness that will endure throughout eternity. A passage in Run, Melos! states: “If I am to collapse here now, it will be as though I’d done nothing in the first place.”[11]

            With my heartfelt prayers, I shared the following guidelines with the Kayo-kai members: “Run, members of the Kayo-kai, like Melos—never doubting your fellow members or the Gakkai, or, most of all, the Gohonzon! Run, members of the young women’s division!” A life of commitment and deep gratitude is beautiful. Each step in such a life is a step toward victory and happiness.

            Today, former Kayo-kai members are still running at full speed on the path of mentor and disciple and working with youthful vigor on the front lines of kosen-rufu as women’s division members true to the vow they made during their youth. That’s why I have faith in the young women of Soka. As long as it has such committed young women’s division members, the Gakkai will grow and flourish forever. And the solidarity of Soka women—the women’s and young women’s division members working together in harmonious unity—is a source of limitless hope.

            Young women have myriad talents. They are a source of encouragement for their fathers, a source of support for their mothers, and a bright light in their families. Later, they can positively influence their partners, become wonderful mothers, and raise successors who have a great mission. In their own chosen spheres of endeavor, they can win the trust of others as genuine Gakkai members, and adorn their lives with good fortune, benefit, and success. It’s crucial to understand that the young women’s division provides the momentum for our entire movement.

*

No matter how difficult the challenges,

young women dedicated to kosen-rufu

travel a golden path.

Early in the 20th century, in April 1903, the German writer Malwida von Meysenbug (1816–1903) called out to the younger generation, the protagonists of the new century: “You still have work to do and things to accomplish. You still have some battles to fight out. One cannot live without struggle—without struggle and without love.”[12] How true this is. We must continue to fight on for our beliefs, striving with compassion for the people, love for our friends, and working to expand the circle of peace and friendship.

            Using the example of cherry, peach, plum, and damson blossoms, the Daishonin teaches that each unique entity, just as it is, possesses Buddhahood (cf. OTT, 200). The essence of Nichiren Daishonin’s Buddhism is for each individual to reveal from within their own true and highest potential. There’s no need to pretend, to try to be someone you’re not, to be impatient and anxious, or to doubt yourself. The Soka path of mentor and disciple is a great path of victory and happiness that will enable you to shine your brightest and in your own unique way.

            The important thing is uniting with your fellow members and moving ahead together with hope and confidence, respecting and encouraging each other and not being swayed by passing problems or events.

            As the English writer Emily Brontë (1818–48) said: “Kindness warms and courage cheers.”[13]

*

The world’s foremost

network of young women,

cheerfully

extending their hands 

to friends who are suffering.

A young women’s division member who had just joined the Soka Gakkai once asked Mr. Toda to explain the meaning of Nam-myoho-renge-kyo. Mr. Toda was pleased with her seeking spirit and replied:

When you get right down to it, you could say that Nam-myoho-renge-kyo is the life of Nichiren Daishonin. That being the case, our lives, as his disciples, are also Nam-myoho-renge-kyo. It’s just as he writes in a letter to Nichinyo: “Never seek this Gohonzon outside yourself. The Gohonzon exists only within the mortal flesh of us ordinary people who embrace the Lotus Sutra and chant Nam-myoho-renge-kyo.” (WND-1, 832)

Each of you, the young women of Soka, is a supremely noble entity of the Law of Nam-myoho-renge-kyo. As such, you cannot fail to become happy or overcome any challenge.

            The world today is thirsting for the great life philosophy of hope and happiness of Nichiren Daishonin’s Buddhism. Now is the time for us to sincerely reach out and share its tenets and ideals with as many people as possible.

*

The Daishonin

watches over and protects

the activities of

our spirited

young women.

The French author and feminist Olympe de Gouges (1748–93) declared:

As long as nothing is done to elevate the minds of women, as long as women themselves fail to make an effort to become more useful, more significant, and as long as men lack the courage to deal seriously with women’s true glory, the state cannot prosper.[14]

This is absolutely true. Be it in a family or a nation, where young women are vibrantly active, hope for peace and prosperity emerges.

            Ella Gandhi, a renowned South African peace activist and great-granddaughter of Mahatma Gandhi (1869–1948), viewed the Gandhi, King, Ikeda: A Legacy of Building Peace exhibition in Berlin (in 2003). On that occasion, she remarked that the more disciples a teacher of peace has, the wider the circle of people who seek peace grows. She also said that if the message of the successive Soka Gakkai presidents was put into practice, it would effect positive change in the world.

            I am filled with deep gratitude for the warm trust and expectations many thinking people worldwide have for our movement.

*

The Daishonin writes that women open the gateway (cf. WND-2, 884). There is profound significance in this.

            We are now looking toward the year 2030, which will mark the 100th anniversary of the Soka Gakkai’s founding. I’ve heard that the young women of the Ikeda Kayo-kai—living with a joyful sense of purpose and hope for the future—are planning to hold a reunion gathering at that time.

            Members of the Ikeda Kayo-kai, may you shine! May you advance triumphantly! Your victory will proudly open the gateway leading to the eternal victory of the Soka path of mentor and disciple.   

Noble

young women

aware of their mission,

winning victory after victory

and opening the path of kosen-rufu.

(Translated from the May 1, 2008, issue of the Seikyo Shimbun, the Soka Gakkai daily newspaper)