"Become Pioneers of a Better Age"
SGI President sent the following encouragement as part the essay, "Winter Always Turns to Spring," published in the March 11, 2020, Seikyo Shimbun, the Soka Gakkai's daily newspaper.
The medical profession and society as a whole in Japan and around the world are making great efforts to stop the spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19). I have deepest gratitude for the countless individuals who are working tirelessly day and night on various fronts in this challenge. I am also chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo wholeheartedly with a fervent prayer for the quickest possible end to this threat and a return to normality and safety.
The eminent British historian Arnold J. Toynbee (1889–1975) said that those living in an age of crisis must become pioneers of a better age, striving to find positive solutions and thereby turning the age into one of achievement.
I am confident that our valiant young Bodhisattvas of the Earth will join hands with friends the world over and work together with strength, wisdom, and optimism to create a better age.
Let us once again engrave in our hearts the famous passage from "The Opening of the Eyes," which I have shared so many times with our members in Tohoku, Hokkaido and all around the globe: "Although I and my disciples may encounter various difficulties, if we do not harbor doubts in our hearts, we will as a matter of course attain Buddhahood" (The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, vol. 1, p. 283).
Facing "various difficulties" time and again, the mentors and disciples of Soka have never forgotten these words at crucial moments and have steadfastly pressed on. That is why we have been able, quite naturally, to manifest our Buddhahood.
As we continue to triumphantly overcome each difficulty arising in our path, let us extend throughout the world an ever-growing movement to unlock the life state of Buddhahood, the highest life state of all humankind!
