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2006 New Year's Address I would like to express my heartfelt congratulations to all Nichiren Shoshu believers around the world, as we welcome the New Year, the 754th anniversary of the establishment of True Buddhism. I have received the Heritage of the Law from High Priest Nikken Shonin, inheriting the Lamp of the Law as the Sixty-eighth High Priest of the Head Temple. I have humbly accepted the position of Kancho, to oversee all matters within Nichiren Shoshu. Although I am lacking in virtue and purity, and unworthy of this great honor, because I have received the Heritage of the Law, I have awakened to my important responsibility. I will exert myself for the achievement of Kosen-rufu, with the determination to discard my life for the sake of propagating Buddhism. I am truly overjoyed that Nichiren Shoshu is so valiantly advancing toward Kosen-rufu, upholding Sixty-seventh High Priest Nikken Shonin’s great, wise decision to strictly keep the pure tenets based on the legitimate Heritage. Nichiren Daishonin states in “The Selection of the Time”: The seventh volume of the Lotus Sutra says, "In the fifth five hundred years after my death, accomplish worldwide kosen-rufu and never allow its flow to cease." This indicates that "worldwide Kosen-rufu" will be accomplished in the time after "the Pure Law becomes obscured and lost," as the Sutra of the Great Assembly puts it. (Gosho, p. 837) Also, “The Selection of the Time” reads: The Lotus Sutra was destined to be propagated and spread widely on two occasions. The first was the last eight years of the Buddha's life [when he preached the Lotus Sutra], and the second is the five hundred years at the beginning of the Latter Day of the Law. (Gosho, p. 838) Nichiren Daishonin determined that the Latter Day of the Law is the time of Kosen-rufu. In other words, he declared that Kosen-rufu would be accomplished in the Latter Day of the Law without fail. However, it is certain that Kosen-rufu will not be achieved without our tireless efforts. If I apply this to the faith of each and every one of us, Kosen-rufu should be established based on our strong and firm faith and constant practice. We must keep this in mind. The Daishonin states in “On Persecutions Befalling the Buddha”: Each of you should summon up the courage of a lion and never succumb to threats from anyone. The lion fears no other beast, nor do its cubs. Slanderers are like howling jackals, but Nichiren's followers are like roaring lions. (Gosho, p. 1397) The courage of a lion means the strong spirit to refute evil and reveal justice, and the bravery to fearlessly defeat any obstacle. It is the immovable conviction that cannot be pushed back even an inch. It is the valiant faith to advance toward Kosen-rufu. This is not merely a spiritual issue or superficial matter. It is the mind of fulfillment with which one carries out the actual practice for Kosen-rufu, based on a tenacious and unyielding spirit. This immovable faith arises from absolute faith in the Dai-Gohonzon. The Daishonin states in “Reply to Kyo'o”: Muster your faith and pray to this Gohonzon. Then what is there that cannot be achieved? You should believe the Lotus Sutra when it says, "This sutra fulfills one's desires. It is the pond's cool, clear water that quenches thirst," and "They will have peace and security in this life and good circumstances in the next." (Gosho, p. 685) Upholding these golden words, you should stand up for the vow to save all mankind, based on absolute conviction in the Dai-Gohonzon. As we look toward the distant future, you must exert your utmost efforts into practicing with great unity in order to achieve worldwide Kosen-rufu of the True Cause. As we look toward the near future, you must take the same action toward the great celebration of the “750th Anniversary of Revealing the Truth and Upholding Justice through the Submission of the Rissho ankoku-ron” in 2009. This is what is important now. It is impossible, however, to accomplish your goals by only vaguely staring into the distance. You must reflect on where you stand, and then determinedly move forward by doing what you should do at present, step-by-step. In order to do this, all Nichiren Shoshu believers around the world must, without fail, succeed during this “Year to Stand Up and Take Resolute Action” (“Kekki no Toshi”). In order to be successful this year, each Nichiren Shoshu believer around the world should take concrete action. "Kekki" means to take resolute action based on making a strong determination. We would like to repay our debt of gratitude (to the Three Treasures) and encounter the boundlessly joyful occasion of the “750th Anniversary of Revealing the Truth and Upholding Justice through the Submission of the Rissho ankoku-ron” in 2009 through achieving the goal set for us by 67th High Priest Nikken Shonin. This will be accomplished through never forgetting the great spirit of “kekki,” and standing up to unite and take action with fellow believers from countries all over the world. The golden words state: The Law does not spread by itself. The Person spreads the Law; therefore, both Person and Law should be revered. (Gosho, p. 1687) Keeping these golden words in mind, I will pray for your assiduous practice. Here, I conclude my New Year’s message. |