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2006 New Year's Address I would like to express my greatest joy as we welcome the New Year, the 755 years of the establishment of True Buddhism. Based on the unity of itai doshin, the Priesthood and Laity of Nichiren Shoshu is now ready to powerfully progress forward, day by day, toward the achievement of our goal of doubling the number of the Bodhisattvas of the Earth and gathering at the Great Assembly to celebrate the 750th Anniversary of Revealing the Truth and Upholding Justice through the Submission of the Rissho ankoku-ron in 2009. The Prophecy of Enlightenment for Five Hundred Disciples (Gohyaku deshi juki; eighth) chapter of the Lotus Sutra reads:
In the past I wanted to make certain you would be able to live in ease and satisfy the five desires, and so on such-and-such a day and month and year I took a priceless jewel and sewed it in the lining of your robe. It must still be there now. But you did not know about it, and fretted and wore yourself out trying to provide a living for yourself. What nonsense! (Lotus Sutra, Watson, p.151)
This passage is taken from the metaphor, “The parable of the gem in the robe.” As this passage states, many people in the world are completely unaware of the Buddha nature, even though this supreme life condition is inherent in their lives. In reality, people take a shortsighted view of things, and as a result, they toil for their living and suffer needlessly from various difficulties. The cause for inviting suffering and misfortune is, first and foremost, not knowing that one possesses the Buddha nature, which has the potential to lead one to the attainment of Buddhahood. However, merely realizing that the Buddha nature inherently exists does not result in this Buddha nature functioning as such. Forming a relationship with the Buddhism of Nichiren Daishonin, the True Buddha of the Latter Day of the Law, makes it possible for one’s Buddha nature to function as it should, and this will lead one to elevate one’s life condition. Nevertheless, the people in the Latter Day of the Law have difficulty understanding the benefits of True Buddhism due to the fact that they are deeply attached to heretical teachings. Therefore, when you teach others the True Law, it is important to carry it out only through the act of shakubuku. At the beginning of the “Year of Action,” I would like each individual to recognize this fact, so that each chapter or group can work together based on the unity between priesthood and laity. Take the real action of shakubuku, aiming toward the achievement of our goal of doubling the number of the Bodhisattvas of the Earth and gathering at the Great Assembly. If you carry out shakubuku based on your pledge to accomplish this goal, your action itself will be the best practice to repay your debts of gratitude to the Three Treasures, as well as the compassionate practice of saving all living beings. Furthermore, you will be fulfilling the supreme Buddhist practice. The deed of shakubuku will also strengthen your own faith, based on practice for yourself and for others. As a result, you will receive tremendous benefits from the Dai-Gohonzon. We have two years remaining until the achievement of our goal. With my sincere prayers for each of you to deepen your devotion to your practice, I conclude my New Year’s address |