First, on behalf of our Myoshinji Hokkeko Chapter I want to thank you Reverend Kimura for conducting this morning’s Oko Ceremony and for your inspiring message, and very strict guidance. We also want to thank Reverend Arima for his very able assistance.

I’m sure all of us have had many opportunities in our day to day socializing with friends and family to inject the topic of Buddhism in the conversation. I have found that most people are very interested but think mostly of Zen or Tibetan Buddhism. But this is good as it opens up the conversation and we have the opportunity to explain the difference between the provisional and true doctrines. Also when mentioning we are Nichiren Shoshu Buddhist some have said “oh you are SGI.” Of course this also give us an opportunity to explain the difference between the heretical teaching and True Buddhism.

Reverend Kimura mentioned in his address at our Chapter General meeting on June 18, 2006 about the numerous religions that exist in the world and that the assertions of every religion may, in fact, contain a partial truth, but they definitely do not portray the entire true perspective.

I would like to quote further from Reverend Kimura’s message.

“Shakyamuni studied various teachings 3,000 years ago, and the True Buddha, Nichiren Daishonin did the same during the Latter Day of the Law. They realized that ultimately there is no Law other than Nam-Myoho-Renge-Kyo to achieve the salvation of all mankind. In the erroneous religions and sects that proliferate around the world, the believers are oblivious to the heresy of their teachings; they uphold an illusion that their doctrine is true, when in fact they have a perspective on only a part of the teaching.”

We as Hokkeko members, and followers of Nichiren Daishonin have a tremendous challenge to advance forth towards our objective to achieve Kosenrufu, the worldwide propagation of True Buddhism.

I would like to conclude my message by reading one of my favorite quotes from MW Vol. 5, pp 27-28.

“When one has had the rare good fortune to be born a human being, and the further good fortune to encounter the teachings of Buddhism, how can he waist this opportunity? If one is going to take faith at all, then among all the various teachings of Mahayana and the Hinayana, provisional and true doctrines, he should take faith in the one vehicle, the true purpose for which the Buddhas come into this world and the direct path to attaining enlightenment for all living beings.”

Thank you for your kind attention.