Swans: Soaring Into the Skies of Hope
Some of you may have seen them on lakes, ponds or in rice paddies. They are large, beautiful and snowy white. From long ago, people have loved and cherished swans. I myself have taken photographs of them in Japan and in various places around the world. I also wrote a children's picture book, The Snow Country Prince, which tells the story of an injured swan, who wishes to fly again. In addition, there is a well-loved Soka Women's College song called "Oh Swans."
Their journey from Siberia is about 2,485 miles. It takes them two weeks, flying with all their might, to arrive here.
When swans fly long distances, they do so in what is called a V-formation. The air movement created by the wings of the lead swan reduces wind resistance, making it easier for the swans in the formation to fly. When the lead swan tires, one of the other swans takes its place. They help one another out in this way as they fly together.
When we help and encourage one another, our strength multiplies. That's the wonderful thing about teamwork.
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The whooper swan, the species that migrates to Japan, weighs between 17 and 26 pounds. How can such a heavy bird take off from the water?
It's like jumping over a gymnastics vault. To clear the vault, you need to make a running start to gain momentum. In the same way, these swans run at full speed on the water's surface for about 32 feet while flapping their wings, until they finally take flight and begin the long journey to their destination.
I'm sure many of you have dreams for the future, such as the kind of a person you want to become or the things you want to do. You may be worried whether you can fulfill your dreams. But what matters is having the courage to simply try. That will become your running start toward your dreams.
Even if you don't have clear dreams for the future right now, why not try setting yourself a goal that you are comfortable with? It could be something like going to bed earlier and rising earlier, tackling a school subject you find difficult or helping your parents out. The important thing is to set a concrete goal.
Once you've decided, your running start begins. One day of success will equal one day of growth. If you continue challenging yourself in this way, you will eventually discover your dream and soar high into the future.
What matters is having the courage to simply try. That will become your running start toward your dreams.
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Birds have their own paths they follow in the sky. People also have paths to follow: the path of learning, the path of effort, the path of truth and justice, the path of happiness, the path of peace and the path of victory toward realizing their dreams.
Chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo gives us the strength to spread our wings broadly so that we can follow these paths wholeheartedly together.
In his writings, Nichiren Daishonin talks about swans in illustrating the power of chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo to invigorate our lives (see "King Rinda," The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, vol. 1, pp. 985–86).
In my mind's eye, I can see all of you, my dear friends of the elementary school division, soaring through the skies of hope in a V-for-victory formation, just like the swans.
Together, let's take the first courageous step in our running start toward the new year!
There is nothing I look forward to more than being able to converse with you, my precious friends, and to see how much you have grown.
Please have a wonderful, healthy New Year!
