To My Friends 09.26.2010

Ikeda Sensei:

"In a letter sent to Toki Jonin, one of the central figures among his lay followers, Nichiren Daishonin sternly cautions: 'You must not spend your lives in vain and regret it for ten thousand years to come' (WND-1, 622). And he adds in the postscript: 'I hope all those who are serious in their resolve will gather in one place and listen to this letter [being read]' (WND-1, 622)."

"As disciples, it's not enough that we simply read the Daishonin's writings or our mentor's guidance in quiet solitude. We should have the spirit to gather together in one place with our fellow practitioners. The earnest resolve in making an effort to assemble in this way has the power to defeat negativity and devilish functions. And by joining together with others to study the Daishonin's writings and our mentor's guidance, we can summon forth lion-like courage to undertake the task of actualising the great vow of kosen-rufu.

"Even if beforehand we don't really feel like attending a meeting, once we get there we invariably find ourselves refreshed and invigorated. Meetings have a wondrous power to draw us towards happiness and victory."