New Year’s Eve Gongyo Address
December 31, 2006
Reverend Shogu Kimura

            Good evening everyone. Together with you, I have just performed the last gongyo of the “Year to Stand Up and Take Resolute Action.” I thank you all for traveling long distances to attend this ceremony here at Myoshinji Temple tonight, in spite of your busy schedules on New Year’s Eve.

            As we look back upon this year, we recall that, in January, the “Kick-off Meeting” was held and was attended by our 68^th High Priest Nichinyo Shonin. Representative believers congregated from all over the world to pledge with one another to achieve the objectives of doubling the number of believers – the Bodhisattvas of the Earth – and the great assembly of these believers on the truly significant occasion of the 750^th Anniversary of Refuting the Truth and Revealing Justice through the Submission of the Rissho ankoku-ron.

            In April, towards the end of the cherry blossom season, 104 believers from Myoshinji Chapter were able to participate in the 4^th Overseas Believers’ General Tozan Pilgrimage. There were approximately 4000 believers who came together from 28 countries. As we celebrated the transfer of leadership to our 68^th High Priest Nichinyo Shonin, we participated in the magnificent Overseas Believers’ General Meeting.

            At the 16^th Chapter General Meeting in June, 184 individuals were in attendance. Then, the Oe-shiki Ceremony in October was attended by more than 200 persons. The number of believers attending the ceremonies is gradually increasing, as we all advance towards the year 2009.

            I am certain that you have all been able to initiate a launch that was appropriate for the “Year to Stand Up and Take Resolute Action,” as we proceed forth together towards the objectives of doubling the number of the Bodhisattvas of the Earth and achieving the great assembly.

            Needless to say, the most important element of our practice is to share the true teachings of the Daishonin with as many people as possible. In other words, it is none other than the practice of shakubuku. I know that you are all well aware of this.

            During the Kosenrufu Daimoku Meeting held in July of this year, our High Priest Nichinyo Shonin made reference to the following passage from the gosho, “How Those Initially Aspiring to the Way Can Attain Buddhahood Through the Lotus Sutra” (Hokke shoshin jobutsu sho):

As a matter of principle, in the world of the Latter Day of the Law, without considering whether or not it conforms to the capacity of ignorant persons, one should go ahead and teach them the five characters that compose the title of the Lotus Sutra and enable them to embrace it.

(Gosho, p. 1315; MWND-6)

Based on this passage, he instructed us that:

Our performance of shakubuku should not depend on the capacity of the person to whom we speak. The Daishonin stated that it is most essential to sincerely teach people the five characters of the Mystic Law (Myoho). In other words, we must not be influenced by or fear individuals because of their social stature. At the same time, we must never look down condescendingly upon others. No matter what opposition we may encounter, we must never fear the obstacles and devils. We must uphold strong faith characterized by compassion, firm resolve, and the spirit of single-minded determination to give our lives for the sake of the Law. It is essential for us to proceed forth in shakubuku, with true conviction, without hesitation, and with solid perseverance. To accomplish this, we ourselves must cultivate increased confidence in our capacity to perform shakubuku. We must hold greater conviction in our own power.

            The True Buddhism of the Daishonin will not spread automatically. Indeed, no one among the many people in this period of the Latter Day of the Law will voluntarily approach us and say, “I really want to hear about True Buddhism from you.”

            The first step that we must take towards our achievement of kosenrufu is to stand tall as individuals; furthermore, we must uphold a strong conviction and a solid determination to save the people who are confused and disillusioned in this world of delusion. With this firm resolve in our hearts, we must chant Daimoku.

            The coming year has been designated the “Year of Action.” Some of you may have been able to accomplish your objectives for this year, and others may not have been able to do so. Tomorrow, let us all make a fresh start with new goals and let us make the entire year a time of true fulfillment and enrichment.

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