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New Year’s Message I express my heartfelt congratulations to all the Nichiren Shoshu believers around the world, as we welcome the New Year of 2008. At the beginning of the year, I would like to make a vow together with the resident priests in the overseas countries as well as all the Nichiren Shoshu believers around the world to make further efforts toward the achievement of doubling the number of the Bodhisattvas of the Earth and gathering at the Great Assembly, and furthermore, to advance Kosen-rufu in each country in celebration of the 750th Anniversary of Revealing the Truth and Upholding Justice through the Submission of the Rissho ankoku-ron in 2009. The commemorative projects that were announced for this auspicious occasion are progressing smoothly, under the leadership of Sixty-eighth High Priest Nichinyo Shonin. I think many of you saw with your own eyes the restoration work being done on the Mieido and Tatchu temples when you visited the Head Temple. Both the priesthood and laity will continue to work together toward the completion of the commemorative projects as well as the successful achievement of the Commemorative Tozan and the Grand Ceremonies. This year, kick-off meetings are planned at four locations in Japan, in preparation of the Great Gathering in 2009. All of the priests and the lay believers in Japan are working hard to successfully carry out these kick-off meetings. Nichiren Shoshu has designated the slogan for 2008 as “The Year of Great Advancement.” Next year will be the year before the 750th Anniversary of Revealing the Truth and Upholding Justice through the submission of the Rissho-ankoku-ron. Therefore, the Hokkeko members all over the world must vigorously make great advancement. This is why the Head Temple chose this slogan for 2008. The Overseas Department has set forth the following three objectives for the members to follow next year: 1. To earnestly do Gongyo and chant Daimoku. 2. To constantly take action to do shakubuku. 3. To develop capable members and promote the 2009 General Tozan. Earnestly doing Gongyo and Shodai is the foundation of the practitioner’s life, and this is the source that leads to all other activity. Through seriously doing morning and evening Gongyo, chanting more and more Daimoku, and making benefits and joy as a source of power, I would like you to then put shakubuku into practice and strive to propagate the True Law. We must constantly take action to do shakubuku, because this is the only way to achieve the objective of doubling the number of the Bodhisattvas of the Earth. I would like priesthood and laity, united together, to strive to achieve the goal of doubling the number of the Bodhisattvas of the Earth without fail. Regarding the objective of cultivating capable members and promoting the General Tozan, we are expecting 20,000 people from all over the world to visit the Head Temple in 2009. In order for each country to achieve it’s own goal, we have to start now to continuously promote the Tozan to the Head Temple. For this purpose, we should give guidance to the members and do home visitations. Through these activities, we will discover new, capable members and cultivate them, as they grow into respect-worthy believers who propagate the True Law. This is the significance of these three objectives. The three objectives are annual plans of action designated by the Overseas Department. We hope that each of you will work toward these goals and make further progress toward Kosen-rufu. Nichiren Daishonin teaches in “On the Three Great Secret Laws” (Sandai hiho bonjo-sho): There are two methods for the practice of Daimoku. The first was used during the Former and Middle Days of the Law, and the second is to be used during the Latter Day of the Law. Although Bodhisattvas Vasubandhu and Nagarjuna themselves chanted the Daimoku during the Former Day of the Law, they did so for their own sakes only, and did not tell many others about it. So did Nan-Yueh and T’ien-t’ai during the Middle Day of the Law. This method might be called practice in principle only. Now, in the age of the Latter Day of the Law, the Daimoku that Nichiren chants is different from that in the previous ages. It is the Nam-Myoho-Renge-Kyo of both practice for oneself and for others. (Gosho, p.1594) Regarding this Gosho passage, High Priest Nichinyo Shonin gave the following guidance at the Hokkeko Believers Summer Study Tozan last year: One’s faith must be based on the practice for oneself and others (jigyo keta). Therefore, chanting the Daimoku alone does not fulfill one’s practice. As the Gosho passage says, “This method might be called practice in principle only,” leading one to only practice for oneself.…When you chant the Daimoku, it is important that you carry out shakubuku, based on the merit and joy you have gained, in order to save others. Shakubuku is the practice to develop compassion. It is a profound Buddhist practice. Furthermore, through doing shakubuku, one can overcome various problems. Both the problems you are currently facing, and those you have carried over from the remote past can all be solved through practicing shakubuku. In short, it is important to chant the Daimoku for oneself and others. One should chant the Daimoku, and at the same time, conduct shakubuku wishing for the happiness of others. Let all of us, the overseas believers who are striving to uphold and propagate the True Law in each country around the world, unite together and work toward the 750th Anniversary of Revealing the Truth and Upholding Justice through the Submission of the Rissho ankoku-ron in 2009. I conclude my New Year’s address with my prayers for your abundant happiness, the advancement of the propagation of the True Law in each country, and peace in all of your nations throughout the New Year. |