30

--September 30-- Each day, let us cheerfully meet with and encourage our fellow members, who are working so hard for kosen-rufu. Let us foster capable successors who will carry on our struggle. And let us vigorously enact a drama of continuous expansion.

29

--September 29--

Some people struggle in earnest. Some are defeated by struggle. And some give up without even trying. Only those who struggle until the very end can attain Buddhahood. Such people are life’s true winners.

28

--September 28-- What is the correct practice for us as practitioners of Nichiren Buddhism in modern times? It is propagating the Mystic Law. Nichiren Daishonin repeatedly emphasized that wide propagation of Nichiren Buddhism is the practice suited to the Latter Day of the Law.

27

--September 27-- The great champion of the American Civil Rights Movement, Dr Martin Luther King Jr, declared: “Religion endows us with the conviction that we are not alone in this vast, uncertain universe.” True religion teaches the basic principles of the universe; it teaches the eternity of life and a firm purpose for living. If we understand the true essence of life, we will never suffer from a sense of being all alone in this universe.

26

--September 26-- No matter how many fine words we may string together, they alone cannot produce unity or lead to victory. Unity comes from hearts joined together. The spirit of “many in body, one in mind” forms the basis for true unity.

25

--September 25-- Hard work is a priceless treasure for young people. Instead of putting on a performance to try to win popularity, please strive with all your might to protect your fellow members, and open the way for the triumph of kosen-rufu. Only through such genuine hard work will you earn the trust and confidence of the members of the Women and Men Divisions.

24

--September 24-- The 21st century is the century of the Youth Division. The full-fledged ascent of the lofty summit of kosen-rufu lies before you. There is no grander stage on which to live out your youth than that of the SGI. There is no stage of endeavour more wonderful – both from the perspective of its underpinning philosophy and its international scope. If you do not leave behind a great history now, when will you?

23

--September 23-- Small incremental efforts can lead to great victory in life. The same principle applies to our struggle for kosen-rufu. One-to-one dialogue sets the giant wheel of history in motion.

22

--September 22--

Nichiren Daishonin writes: “Life is limited; we must not begrudge it. What we should ultimately aspire to is the Buddha land.” (WND, p214) There is no retirement age in Buddhism. And there is no retirement from life. We must continue working all our lives, to our hearts’ content, for the sake of people’s happiness and for the sake of the Law. If we take ourselves away from the organization’s activities, our lives will only be empty and lonely. We must proceed to the end on the path of kosen-rufu that we have chosen to walk in this lifetime.

21

--September 21-- I have actualized, down to the letter, the vision cherished by my mentor for creation of a great path of education, peace, and culture. The entire heart and essence of the SGI can be found in this spirit of history. I wish to proclaim this for the sake of future generations.

20

--September 20-- Lies, no matter how small, that malign and discredit the just must not go unchallenged. It is crucial that we thoroughly expose all malicious false propaganda and defamatory statements for what they are, by speaking out vigorously in the spirit of "refuting the erroneous and revealing the true." Especially when youth rise to this challenge, the integrity and goodness of society as a whole will be protected.

19

--September 19-- In the course of our efforts to widely spread the correct teaching of Buddhism, it is only to be expected that the three obstacles and four devils will make their appearance. That is the time when youth should loudly proclaim the justice of our cause, when they should let forth a mighty lion’s roar. “Advancing bravely and vigorously” should be the perennial spirit of the SGI Youth Division.

18

--September 18-- President Toda declared: “It is not good to lead a life bound by the chains of suffering. Daimoku and the practice to propagate the Law constitute the sharp sword that can cut through those chains. The mission and spirit of the organization is to enable all our fellow citizens to attain a state of life unfettered by the chains of suffering.”

17

--September 17-- As Buddhist leaders, it is vital that we reach out and meet with others. In particular, I hope you will actively make a point of meeting with new members. I say this because Buddhism comes alive in just such human encounters. In his writings, Nichiren Daishonin emphasizes again and again the importance of meeting directly with others.

16

--September 16-- Life is a drama. Those who overcome life’s many ups and downs to emerge triumphant in the end are genuine victors. I hope you will cheerfully live out your lives of profound mission, devoting yourselves to the unsurpassed teaching of the Mystic Law, while transforming sufferings into joy and all adversities into nourishment for further growth.

15

--September 15-- The more we are oppressed, the more we must rise to the challenge and summon many times our ordinary strength. We must forge ourselves to become ever stronger and ever wiser. We must develop real capability so that we can confidently and fearlessly face anyone and anything.

14

--September 14-- Because we champion justice and the cause of good, we incur envy and persecution from others. But if we remain true to our convictions and continue to demonstrate our sincerity and integrity, we will definitely triumph in the end. It is important never to be defeated by any of the trials that may beset us. Such trials represent a golden opportunity for us to do our human revolution.

13

--September 13-- It is vital that leaders in the realm of faith, no matter what the circumstances, stand up with the strong determination to work for the happiness of their fellow members and citizens in their local communities, countries and the entire world. Kosen-rufu is the great path to peace.

12

--September 12-- Nichiren Daishonin teaches us that faith means establishing an indomitable self that is not swayed or shaken by any social crisis or external misfortune that may beset us. Buddha described in the Lotus Sutra by the phrase, “This, my land, remains safe and tranquil.”

11

--September 11-- The first freedom that humanity must aim for in the 21st century is “freedom from violence.” Violence is not acceptable in any form – whether war or terrorism or violence in society or the home. All our thoughts and actions must demonstrate a respect for the sanctity of life. Nor can we permit violent speech or a “terrorism of words” that violates human rights.

10

--September 10-- All life possesses the Ten worlds. Our lives, therefore are endowed with the world of Buddhahood is not something that we create; it is something that we manifest from within us. And the Gohonzon is the means by which we are able to do this. In addition, the lives of those who embrace the Mystic Law and dedicate themselves to kosen-rufu represent good – ultimate good.

9

--September 9-- Nichiren Daishonin revealed a fundamental solution to the ultimate problem of human existence. He taught that through chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo to the Gohonzon, we could break through any karma and build a state of indestructible happiness within our own lives. The Daishonin states: “Nam-myoho-renge-kyo, which I, Nichiren, now chant will enable all people throughout the ten thousand years and more of the Latter Day of the Law to attain Buddhahood.” (Gosho Zenshu, p720)

8

--September 8-- It is human beings who cause the horror of war; it is the insidious, destructive tendency inherent in human life. Therefore, unless there is a fundamental transformation within the lives of human beings themselves, we will never rid ourselves of war. To achieve that, we must foster global citizens, We must extend the network of global citizens who possess both a positive philosophy and true capability and who are dedicated to joining hands with all people on this planet and advancing with them.

7

--September 7-- Unless we eradicate the impurities and negative, destructive tendencies that exist within us, we cannot obtain true happiness. That is why we must strive against that which is evil and destructive.

6

--September 6-- Nichiren Daishonin says with regard to benefit (Jp.kudoku): "The ku[ of kudoku(benefit)] means to extinguish evil and doku means to bring forth good." (Gosho Zenshu, p762) One aspect of benefit, therefore, lies in eliminating evil. There is no more fundamental benefit than eradicating the impurities in our lives and gaining a pure and unsullied state of being.

5

--September 5-- Respecting others is an indication of one's depth as a person, the strength and profundity of one's character. If you are demanding of yourself, you can be kind to others. The person who works hardest is the most accepting of others. In contrast, those who are slipshod and undisciplined themselves are usually hard on others. Those who have never worked hard themselves tend to demand that others do so.

4

--September 4-- There is a saying: "The fish rots from the head." The higher your leadership positions, the more you must unite and work together. Those who have undergone suffering themselves can understand and empathize with the suffering of others. Those who have worked hard themselves can appreciate the value of others' hard work and effort.

3

--September 3-- The journey of kosen-rufu is long, extending into the distant future. There is no need to rush or be impatient. The important thing now is to foster talented individuals one at a time and build a firm and unshakable foundation.

2

--September 2-- The key in our endeavour for worldwide kosen-rufu is dialogue. Nichiren Daishonin urges us to speak with others to the best of our ability about Buddhism, even if we share only a single sentence or phrase. The more we engage others in dialogue, the more we can change the world. The more action we take, the more new frontiers, new possibilities will unfold.

1

--September 1-- A person's true worth is measured by the extent to which they live in the present while giving thought to the distant future, a hundred years, a thousand years hence. Please be assured that all of your commendable daily efforts will give rise to eternal good fortune and benefit, protecting your families, bringing prosperity to your communities and becoming the source for peace around the world.