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UNTUK AGAMA BUDDHA SAHAJA / BUDDHIST LITERATURE

MAY 2020

CE 202005

Promoting Peace, Culture & Education v Pendukung Keamanan, Kebudayaan & Pendidikan

COSMIC is published by Persatuan Soka Gakkai Malaysia (SGM), Wisma Kebudayaan SGM, No. 243, Jalan Bukit Bintang, 55100 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Tel: 603-2141 2003

Printed by Percetakan Osacar Sdn Bhd, No. 16, Jalan IDA 1A, Industri Desa Aman, Kepong, 52200 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

B F MAY 2020 f COSMIC

Special Moments

Completed in 1971, Soka University, Tokyo, Japan aims to be the highest seat of learning for humanistic education.

(For further information, please see page 13.)

Photo: Seikyo Press

COSMICF MAY 2020 f 1

From SGM General Director2 Calamities Can be Changed into Good Fortune

4 Malapetaka Boleh Bertukar Menjadi Rezeki

From SGI President6 The Invincible Treasure Towers of Life by SGI President Daisaku Ikeda

Feature 8 The Brilliant Path of Worldwide Kosen-rufu: Learning from The New Human Revolution Commentary on Volume 15 by SGI Vice-President Hiromasa Ikeda

12 Chapter Summary for Volume 15 of The New Human Revolution from the Seikyo Shimbun

17 “Unforgettable Scenes” - Key Episodes from Volume 15 from the Seikyo Shimbun

21 Excerpts from Nichiren’s Writings Found in Volume 15 from the Seikyo Shimbun

Feature24 A Bastion of Life-Affirming Journalism by SGI President Daisaku Ikeda

30 Impressions on the 60th Anniversary of May 3, 1960 by SGM senior leaders

35 Excerpts from On Health and Long Life by SGI President Daisaku Ikeda

Halaman Kanak-Kanak39 Kura-kura Putih Membalas Budi

Experience 42 Create Victories with Firm Faith Lee Hooi Min, Selangor

Art 46 How Do Malaysian Artists Create Art? by Leong Tuck Yee

51 News

CONTENTS

We Want to Hear from YouIf you have any questions, comments or wish to send in an article, an experience, photographs or an activity report, please contact:

The Editor, COSMIC, Wisma Kebudayaan SGM, 243, Jalan Bukit Bintang, 55100 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Tel: 03-21412003 Email: [email protected]

Subscriptions EnquiriesFor enquiries on subscriptions, please contact:Email: [email protected]: 03-9075 6876 / 018-388 4997

Editor-in-Chief Koh Sia Feai

Editor Dinesh Chandren

Assistant Editor Leong Tuck Yee

Writers Hiromasa Ikeda Goh Lim Erng

Translator Tay Biby

Art Director Chew Meng Tatt

Designer Koh Wei Chaw

Photographer Lum Heng

Distribution Chai Siew Lin Ng Shy Huh

Cover PhotoSGI President Daisaku Ikeda wrote: “Though worries and troubles set upon us like rain and storm, as long as we continue moving forward, powerfully, tenaciously,…, a rainbow will emerge.” May is a month of great significance to the Soka Gakkai, and May 3 this year marks the 60th anniversary of President Ikeda’s inauguration as third Soka Gakkai president. Let us advance indefatigably towards victory, with the light of rainbows in our hearts!

From SGM General Director

2 F MAY 2020 f COSMIC

Calamities Can be Changed into

Good Fortune The COVID-19 outbreak that began last year has now become a global pandemic that has spread to over 200 countries and territories worldwide. It has transformed into a great global calamity.

This disease has become the common enemy of humanity the world over. Not only has it taken away precious human lives, it has affected the economies of countries worldwide and the livelihoods of numerous people. But at the same time, this pandemic has raised several questions that people all over the world are forced to urgently ponder.

First of all, through this experience, we must create an age where life has the highest value of all.

It is predicted that tens of thousands of people will lose their lives in this pandemic, which is comparable to the number of lives lost in a war.

One of the reasons for this is because the leadership of some countries did not make protecting people’s lives their priority and caused the outbreak to spin out of control.

Buddhism regards the life of each person as a “treasure tower” that possesses the incomparably precious Buddha nature. Once this Buddha nature is manifested, it can reveal the unlimited potential in our lives, thereby creating boundless value. This becomes the key to determining whether we live a happy life.

Each person’s life has boundless dignity; therefore, we cannot

allow lives to be destroyed. From now on, we must

strive hard in awakening society to the dignity of life and create an age where life has the highest value.

Secondly, we must put an end to foolishness and egoism.

Egoism and selfish behaviour have exposed the ugly side of human nature and created confusion, destroyed the environment, divided society and even harmed and destroyed life.

Nichiren Daishonin teaches us the philosophy of coexistence and caring for other people. The Gosho teaches: “If one lights a fire for others, one will brighten one’s own way.” (WND-2, pg 1060)

When we are concerned



Let us use the opportunity afforded bythis great disaster and rejuvenate the spirit of humanity

through the wisdom of Buddhism, and change calamities into good fortune

like the Gosho teaches.

for other people, we and others become happy. This is what true happiness means.

SGI President Daisaku Ikeda often reminds us that we cannot build our happiness upon the suffering of others.

In this pandemic, we see how medical personnel all over the world are exerting their utmost at the frontlines to save lives, manifesting the spirit of compassion and the greater self. There are also the volunteers and people developing vaccines for COVID-19, among others, who are saving lives all day and night. They have displayed the altruistic spirit and actions that we must strive hard to promote in the future.

Thirdly, we must promote the ideal of global citizenship. COVID-19 has spread to every corner of the Earth. This tells us

that we live in a borderless world and that humanity must transcend the boundaries of ethnicity, countries’ borders and all other differences, opening up a path of shared existence and prosperity based on the consciousness that we are one global family, one human family.

Buddhism speaks of dependent origination, which teaches that we do not exist simply on our own, but in relation with other phenomena. Each country is not a solitary island but exists interdependently with others. Human beings must care for and help each other, and thereby exist together.

We all place importance on the spirit of service and contribution. Through this, we build a society that serves others and is rich in humanism.

Second Soka Gakkai president Josei Toda promoted the idea of global citizenship in the previous century, and President Ikeda stressed that our lives must be as expansive as the universe and we must transform this Earth, our only home, into a borderless oasis and Buddha land.

Let us use the opportunity afforded by this great disaster and rejuvenate the spirit of humanity through the wisdom of Buddhism, and change calamities into good fortune like the Gosho teaches.

Photo: Leong Weng Hong



Malapetaka Boleh Bertukar

Menjadi RezekiWabak COVID-19 yang bermula tahun lalu kini telah menjadi pandemik sedunia yang telah merebak ke lebih daripada 200 negara dan wilayah di seluruh dunia. Wabak ini telah berubah menjadi malapetaka global yang hebat.

Penyakit ini telah menjadi seteru umum manusia di seluruh dunia. Penyakit ini bukan sahaja telah meragut banyak nyawa manusia yang berharga tetapi juga telah menjejaskan ekonomi di negara-negara di seluruh dunia dan juga kehidupan banyak orang. Tetapi pada masa yang sama, pandemik ini telah menimbulkan beberapa persoalan yang manusia di seluruh dunia terpaksa merenung segera.

Pertama sekali, melalui pengalaman ini, kita haruslah mencipta satu era di mana nyawa mempunyai nilai yang tertinggi daripada segalanya.

Memang diramalkan bahawa puluhan ribu manusia akan kehilangan nyawa dalam pandemik ini, bilangan nyawa yang hilang ini setanding dengan jumlah yang hilang dalam peperangan.

Satu daripada sebabnya adalah kerana kepemimpinan di sesetengah negara tidak

menjadikan usaha melindungi nyawa rakyatnya sebagai keutamaan mereka dan menyebabkan wabak ini menjadi tidak terkawal.

Agama Buddha menganggap nyawa setiap orang sebagai “menara khazanah” yang memiliki sifat Buddha yang sangat bernilai dan tiada bandingan. Sekali sifat Buddha ini dimanifestasikan, potensi yang tidak terbatas akan menyerlah dalam hidup kita, dan mencipta nilai yang tidak terbatas. Keadaan ini akan menjadi kunci untuk menentukan sama ada kita menempuhi kehidupan yang bahagia.

Nyawa setiap orang mempunyai maruah yang tidak terbatas; oleh yang demikian, kita tidak boleh membiarkan nyawa dibinasakan.

Mulai sekarang, kita hendaklah berusaha lebih gigih lagi untuk menyedarkan masyarakat mengenai maruah kehidupan dan mencipta satu era yang mana nyawa mempunyai nilai yang tertinggi.

Kedua, kita haruslah menamatkan kebodohan dan egoisme. Tingkah laku yang bersifat egoisme dan mementingkan

diri sendiri telah mendedahkan sisi buruk sifat manusia dan menimbulkan kekeliruan, memusnahkan alam sekitar, memecah-belahkan masyarakat, malah memudaratkan dan membinasakan nyawa.

Nichiren Daishonin mengajar kita berkenaan dengan falsafah kewujudan bersama dan mengambil berat tentang orang lain. Gosho ada mengajar: “Jika seseorang menyalakan api untuk orang lain, orang itu akan mencerahkan jalannya sendiri.” (WND-2, hlm. 1060)

Apabila kita prihatin terhadap orang lain, kita dan orang lain akan hidup bahagia. Inilah kebahagiaan yang sebenarnya.

Presiden SGI, Encik Daisaku Ikeda selalu mengingatkan kita bahawa janganlah kita membina kebahagiaan kita atas penderitaan orang lain.

Dalam pandemik ini, kita saksikan bagaimana ahli bidang perubatan di seluruh dunia berusaha dengan sedaya upaya mereka di baris depan untuk menyelamatkan nyawa, memperlihatkkan semangat belas kasihan dan yang bersikap prihatin terhadap orang lain dan tidak mementingkan diri sendiri sahaja (greater self ). Ada juga para sukarelawan dan orang yang menghasilkan vaksin untuk COVID-19, antaranya, mereka menyelamatkan nyawa siang



kita adalah satu keluarga sedunia, satu keluarga manusia. Agama Buddha menyentuh tentang kesalingbergantungan

(dependent origination), yang mengajar bahawa kita tidak wujud semata-mata dengan diri kita tetapi bersaling kait dengan fenomena lain. Setiap negara bukanlah sebuah pulau yang berasingan tetapi wujud saling bergantung dengan yang lain. Manusia haruslah mengambil berat dan membantu di antara satu sama lain, dan dengan itu wujud bersama.

Kita semua memberi tumpuan pada semangat untuk berkhidmat dan memberi sumbangan. Melalui usaha ini, kita membina sebuah masyarakat yang berbakti pada orang lain dan kaya dengan kemanusiaan.

Presiden kedua Soka Gakkai, Encik Josei Toda menggalakan idea kewarganegaraan global dalam abad yang lalu, dan Presiden Ikeda menekankan kehidupan kita hendaklah seluas alam sejagat dan kita hendaklah mengubah Bumi ini, satu-satunya tempat tinggal kita menjadi oasis yang tanpa sempadan dan tanah Buddha.

Marilah kita menggunakan kesempatan yang diakibatkan oleh bencana besar ini dan memberi nafas baharu kepada semangat kemanusiaan melalui kearifan agama Buddha, seterusnya mengubah malapetaka menjadi rezeki seperti yang diajar dalam Gosho.

dan malam. Mereka telah mempamerkan semangat altruistik dan tindakan yang kita harus bekerja keras untuk mengembangkannya pada masa hadapan.

Ketiga, kita hendaklah menggalakkan ideal kewarganegaraan global.

COVID-19 telah merebak ke seluruh pelosok Bumi. Keadaan ini memberitahu kita bahawa kita menghuni di dunia yang tanpa sempadan dan manusia haruslah melangkaui batasan sempadan perkauman, negara dan semua perbezaan yang lain, membuka jalan untuk kewujudan dan kemakmuran bersama berdasarkan kesedaran bahawa

Photo: Pexels

From SGI President


The Invincible Treasure Towers of Life

How incredibly noble, deep and strong are the ties shared by mentor and disciples who have overcome all kinds of adversity together, solidly united in spirit and commitment!

Nichiren Daishonin, the Buddha of the Latter Day of the Law, revealed his most important teachings specifically to disciples who remained undefeated by the hardships that beset them in the wake of the Tatsunokuchi Persecution and his subsequent exile to Sado Island.

In “Letter to Misawa,” in which he clarifies the significance of the teachings he expounded during and after his Sado exile, the Daishonin writes: “Only this great teaching [of Nam-myoho-renge-kyo]

will spread throughout the entire land of Jambudvipa [the entire world]. Since all of you have a bond with this teaching, you should feel reassured.” (WND-1, pg 896)

Throughout the nine decades since its

founding, the Soka Gakkai has triumphed over the onslaughts of the three powerful enemies and accomplished the propagation of the Mystic Law all across the globe, just as the Daishonin predicted. In so doing, its members have accumulated boundless good fortune and benefit. I read the Daishonin’s words “Since all of you have a bond with this teaching, you should feel reassured” as being addressed directly to all the noble members of the Soka Gakkai.

Pained by the conditions of the post-war period – rife with poverty, illness, natural disasters and conflicts – my mentor, Josei Toda, said to me with deep feeling: “Nichiren Daishonin

The following is SGI President Ikeda’s editorial published in the Daibyakurenge, the monthly study journal of the Soka Gakkai.


From SGI PresidentFrom SGI President


“three calamities and seven disasters” described in the Daishonin’s writings. Let us continue, limitlessly into the future, to forge ties of respect and trust among people far and wide, based on our conviction that “All people have the Buddha nature.” (WND-1,

pg 756)

I concluded my second lecture at Harvard University (in 1993), with the following words from The Record of the Orally Transmitted Teachings: “We use the [four] aspects of birth, aging, sickness, and death to adorn the [treasure] towers that are our bodies.” (OTT, pg 90)

United by the bonds of mentor and disciple, Soka Gakkai members are showing countless examples of victory in their human revolution, of positively transforming the sufferings of birth, aging, sickness and death into the hope-filled virtues of eternity, happiness, true self and purity.

Let us now each make our lives shine with ever-greater radiance while continuing our efforts to create a world in which the life of every single member of the human family, each an invincible treasure tower, is truly valued and respected.

My trustedfellow members of Soka,your lives shining with brilliant light,transform all hardships and sufferingsand illuminate humanity.

From the SGI Newsletter No. 10461 dated 17.4.2020.

lamented: ‘We live today in a time of trouble, when there is little that ordinary people can do [lit. when the

power of the people is weak].’ (WND-1, pg 1134) It is vital that we empower people and do everything we can to build solidarity among the global family to bring an end to these troubled times.”

Now, as the world confronts the coronavirus pandemic and other serious global challenges, our members everywhere are striving in the spirit of the Daishonin’s treatise “On Establishing the Correct Teaching for the Peace of the Land.” They are praying earnestly together, uniting across borders, to bring “order and tranquillity throughout the four quarters of the land” (WND-1, pg 24) and change poison into medicine, while making sincere and wholehearted contributions to their respective societies.

The powerful sound of chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo permeates the entire universe. We now have built a network of ordinary people, Bodhisattvas of the Earth, that is undaunted by any of the

Photo: Pexels


Let us now each make our lives shine with ever-greater radiance while continuing our efforts to create a world in which the life of every single member of the human family, each an invincible treasure tower, is truly valued and respected.

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In the “Flowering” chapter of Volume 15 of The New Human Revolution, SGI President Ikeda writes:

The most distinguishing characteristic of Nichiren Buddhism is its emphasis on kosen-rufu — the widespread propagation of the Mystic Law. . . .Nichiren Buddhism also stresses the importance of “establishing the correct teaching for the peace of the land.”

“Establishing the correct teaching” is the act of instilling the philosophy of Buddhism in each person’s heart, by which we strive to realise “the peace of the land” – social peace and prosperity. If “establishing the correct teaching” is the religious mission of those who practise this Buddhism, then “the peace of the land” is our social mission; only when peace is realised in the land can we consider our religious mission to be complete.

The “Revitalisation” chapter gives an account of the May 3, 1970, Soka Gakkai headquarters general meeting, at which Shin’ichi Yamamoto declares that kosen-rufu is “a great cultural movement unfolding on the vast spiritual earth of the Mystic Law.” With Shin’ichi taking the lead, the Soka Gakkai has promoted a movement of “positively influencing society through the humanistic power of culture” as a means of fulf illing its mission of bringing peace to the land.

The chapter goes on to detail how Shin’ichi begins to write poems and present them to members on various occasions as a form of encouragement. For Shin’ichi, poetry

Hiromasa Ikeda (2017)

Phot

o: S

eiky

o Pr

ess

SGI Vice-President Hiromasa Ikeda’sCommentary on Volume 15

The Brilliant Path ofWorldwide Kosen-rufuLearning from The NewHuman Revolution

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is a way of revealing “the great path to peace and happiness for all” and offering a Buddhist perspective of the world and its natural environment. The “Flowering” chapter also describes how Shin’ichi makes the effort to take photographs while in Hokkaido as another way of encouraging, praising and inspiring the members whom he regards as the flagbearers – the protagonists – of a humanistic culture.

Yoshikazu Shirakawa, a renowned Japanese photographer, once commented that President Ikeda’s photos reflect a very pure and sincere wish to inspire as many people as possible to become happy. Indeed, his photos are filled with a desire to encourage others. The Seikyo Shimbun has regularly published photographs taken by President Ikeda along with excerpts from his poems and other written works. This is his way of encouraging fellow members: “Do not be defeated! Be strong! Advance with me!”

Making concrete proposals

It is in the autumn of 1970 that the Soka Gakkai begins to earnestly engage in activities aimed at fostering a culture of genuine humanity in society. At that time, the Japanese people were engrossed by news about the pollution-related itai-itai and Minamata diseases that were afflicting parts of the country.

Shin’ichi sets about addressing the increasingly grave issue of pollution by contributing an essay titled “Is Japan a Pollution Laboratory?” in a leading Japanese monthly magazine. He also writes an essay on the subject for the autumn issue of the Soka Gakkai-affiliated Institute of Oriental Philosophy’s Toyo gakujutsu kenkyu (The Journal of Oriental Studies). In these articles, he discusses pollution from the perspective of how it relates to human society as a whole. They are considered unique because they trace the origins of the ways of thinking that have led to such environmental degradation and offer a clear direction towards a resolution.

In the “Vow” chapter of Volume 30, Shin’ichi recalls how Mr Toda had emphasised the importance of making concrete proposals for the peace of humankind and then taking the lead in realising them. He explained his reasons for this:

Even when such proposals are not fully or immediately accepted, they can serve as a “spark” from which a movement for peace will eventually spread like wildfire. Theorising that is not grounded in reality will always remain a futile exercise. Concrete proposals provide a framework for the transformation of reality and can serve to protect the interests of humanity.

President Ikeda’s articles on environmental pollution issues were a way of putting his mentor’s guidance into action. It is with

this spirit that he has also been issuing peace proposals on January 26, SGI Day, every year since 1983.

In an effort to realise and implement President Ikeda’s ideas and visions for peace expressed in these proposals, the Soka Gakkai youth division in Japan recently launched an initiative called SOKA Global Action 2030. The year 2030 will mark the Soka Gakkai’s centennial; it is also the target year by which the United Nations aims to achieve its Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Towards this milestone, the SOKA Global Action 2030 programme will engage in activities to expand global momentum for the abolition of nuclear weapons and the elimination of war, advance goodwill and friendship in Asia and widely promote the SDGs.

In this year’s peace proposal, President Ikeda comments on this new initiative for peace led by the youth and expresses his profound expectations for them: “I am deeply confident that as long as there is solidarity among youth, there is no impasse we cannot surmount.”

Young people hold the key to a brighter future. As President Ikeda writes: “When youth take action, the times begin to move in a new direction.” Let us sincerely pray that the youth division are able to freely take action to their heart’s content.

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Crystallisation of the mentor-disciple spiritThe “Soka University” chapter details the course of the university’s development from its opening until the graduation of its f irst class.

Today, the university’s main gate and central tower bear inscriptions of the Chinese characters for Soka University in the calligraphy of founding Soka Gakkai president Tsunesaburo Makiguchi. The establishment of a school system running to the university level was Makiguchi’s dream, a vision he enunciated in Soka kyoikugaku taikei (The System of Value-Creating Pedagogy).

Having inherited this vision, it was in November 1950, amidst the dire personal circumstances of having just been forced to suspend his business operations, that President Toda shared with Shin’ichi his hopes of establishing a Soka University. Shin’ichi accepted his mentor’s cherished wish and engraved it deeply in his heart.

Soka University eventually opens on April 2, 1971 – the year marking the 100th anniversary of President Makiguchi’s birth, and the date marking the anniversary of President Toda’s passing. The establishment of Soka University is indeed the “crystallisation of the mentor-disciple spirit spanning three generations.”

In a conversation with some of the students from the first class, he shares that just like him, they too are “the founders of Soka University.” Firmly believing in the students, trusting that they will rise to the challenge of building the university with the same awareness and sense of responsibility as their founder, he deliberately refrains from making off icial visits. Indeed, out of respect for the university’s autonomy, Shin’ichi held back

from attending its opening event and its f irst entrance ceremony despite his position as founder. It is not until the Soka University Festival in November, which becomes his f irst official visit to the campus, that the university’s ideal is revealed as a student-centred institution overflowing with the founder’s love for the students.

In addition, during his address at the first graduation ceremony, Shin’ichi refers to the Buddhist principle “the assembly at Eagle Peak has not yet dispersed,” explaining that, “though on one level we may part ways, we will always be together.” He then proposes that the graduating students “make a vow as Soka University alumni to live with the spirit that you will always remain connected in your hearts.” Having engraved these words in their lives, the graduates of Soka University now play active roles in various fields of society throughout the world.

Soka University will celebrate its 50th anniversary next year. It has been selected as part of the Top Global University Project initiated by the Japanese Ministry of Education, Culture, Sport, Science and Technology; its efforts to actively engage in the SDGs have also been recognised and praised by academic journals, including Times Higher Education, a British publication.

In all these ways and more, the mission of Soka University

Illustration: Seikyo Press

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continues to expand as it strives to forge a path for lasting peace by fostering outstanding individuals committed to making a positive contribution to society.

Key Passages from Volume 15Real humanism must promote harmony between humanity and nature, or, more correctly, must be based on the principle that humanity and its environment are one and indivisible.

(Revitalisation)

It is the people who change the course of society and the times. History is transformed when the people become wise and stand up as the protagonists of change.

(Revitalisation)

Academic study and achievements are not mere tools for personal advancement. They should be utilised in the pursuit of happiness for others, and university study should be devoted to serving and contributing to the lives of those unable to pursue advanced learning themselves.

(Soka University)

Education starts with teachers. Their character is the source of the value creation that is education. In that sense, teachers themselves constitute the students’ primary “educational environment.”

(Soka University)

A friendly greeting is a knock on the door of another person’s heart. Genuine humanity is found in the warmth of a pleasant salutation.”

(Flowering)

Summary of contents: Volume 15

Shin’ichi challenges problems arising from environmental pollution such as the outbreak of mercury poisoning in the Minamata area, and encourages the afflicted. Culture festivals are held across Japan. Shin’ichi publishes a series of poems including the “Song of Youth.”

(Revitalisation)

Soka University opens in April 1971. Shin’ichi takes part in various student festivals and unveils a path for humanistic education.

(Soka University)

Shin’ichi starts to take photos to encourage the members. Bonds of friendship are created in Kamakura and Misaki, Kanagawa Prefecture, through community events. Shin’ichi and local members support relief efforts for participants at the World Boy Scout Jamboree, which had been affected by a severe typhoon.

(Flowering)

Translated from the January 29, 2020 issue of the Seikyo Shimbun,

the Soka Gakkai’s daily newspaper.

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Chapter 1

Revitalisation

In 1970, the Soka Gakkai began full-fledged endeavours towards fostering a truly humane culture in society.

Soka Gakkai President Shin’ichi Yamamoto was painfully aware of the recent social trend to neglect the development of the human spirit in favour of convenience and wealth. The increasingly urgent issue of environmental pollution was most symbolic of this trend.

Using various forums, including writing essays in nationally-distributed magazines, Shin’ichi explained Buddhist perspectives and solutions for resolving this problem. He identified the cause of pollution as human beings’ blind faith in progress and an insatiable desire to dominate the environment.

In 1953, people in the city

of Minamata, a location that experienced untold suffering owing to environmental pollution, started joining the Soka Gakkai. While praying for the happiness of their friends, Soka Gakkai members, exemplifying lives of strength and conviction, became sources of hope for others in their community.

In 1974, Shin’ichi attended the first Minamata Friendship Gathering. He encouraged the members, saying, “I hope. . .that you will be the driving force for positive change in Minamata

This is a summary for each chapter in Volume 15, covering scenes that was originally published in the January 8, 2020 issue of the Seikyo Shimbun.

Chapter Summary (Volume 15)


Illustration: Kenichiro Uchida

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and create a brilliant history of revitalisation in your hometown year after year.” (The New Human

Revolution, vol. 15, “Revitalisation” chapter)

From 1970 to the spring of 1971, the Soka Gakkai hosted several events celebrating the arts and culture. Standing in the forefront of the Soka Gakkai’s great cultural movement, Shin’ichi composed a succession of poems, including the “Song of Youth.”

In 1971, the Soka Gakkai’s Year of Culture, he participated in the first Hokkaido Snow Culture Festival held in February. This festival included an ice sculpture, exhibition and group ski performances, among other events. Shin’ichi viewed the festival as the rise of a new culture created by the people and wholeheartedly praised all the members who worked hard to realise its success.

Chapter 2

Soka University

Soka University opened on April 2, 1971, in Hachioji, Tokyo. Shin’ichi Yamamoto had devoted himself wholeheartedly to the task of constructing this university, a vision he inherited from his mentors, f irst and second Soka Gakkai presidents Tsunesaburo Makiguchi and Josei Toda.

Acknowledging the university’s autonomy, however, Shin’ichi did not attend the opening or entrance ceremonies.

In May 1971, after a Soka Gakkai young women’s sports event at the university, Shin’ichi informally met with student representatives, encouraging them: “Soka University is a student-centred university. I therefore hope you will boldly take on every challenge with the awareness that you are the university’s leaders, you are its main


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went against the founder’s aim to create a student-centred university. As a result, the board cancelled the tuition hike.

After this, a student committee was established to assess the university’s f inancial situation, and eventually the students proposed raising the tuition to keep the university up to par with the changing economy.

In 1973, Shin’ichi attended the university’s entrance ceremony for the first time. On this occasion, he urged the students to become creative individuals who exemplify the university’s aim to foster individuals who contribute to humanity and the happiness of all people.

That July, at the Takiyama Festival, Shin’ichi performed the bon-odori folk dance with the students, and heartily hit the taiko drums until his skin began to peel. He poured his entire being into encouraging the students.

Later that fall at a reception for roughly 700

protagonists.” (The New Human Revolution, vol. 15,

“Soka University” chapter)

With this, students of the university’s first class strove to develop the school with the same sense of responsibility as their founder.

At the same time, however, a group of faculty members felt that the university should distance itself from Shin’ichi, as he was also president of the Soka Gakkai.

As a result, the students took the initiative to officially welcome their founder by inviting him to their student festival, the Soka University Festival, which he attended. The next year, in July 1972, Shin’ichi attended the Takiyama Festival, hosted by students living in the dormitories.

That fall, after agonising over the decision, Soka University’s Board of Directors informed the students of a plan to increase tuition. The students opposed this plan, explaining that they had not been included in the process and that this


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business leaders held during the Soka University Festival, Shin’ichi met with each of the guests. He personally greeted and handed his business card to each person, determined to make inroads for students’ employment prospects.

In March 1975, at the university’s first commencement ceremony, Shin’ichi called on the graduates to never forget the deep bonds they had created. Due to his tireless efforts to foster them, countless Soka University graduates have developed into leaders who are contributing to their respective f ields in cities all around the world.

Chapter 3

FloweringOn June 6, 1971, Shin’ichi Yamamoto attended an unveiling of a bronze bust of first Soka Gakkai president Makiguchi at the Seikyo Shimbun Building, marking 100 years since his birth. Paying homage to this founder of the “great river of Soka,” Shin’ichi vowed: “I will render powerless the devilish nature of authority that caused your death in prison. Forging a network of humanism and peace, I will bring down the arrogance of authority and build a society brimming with the people’s joy.” (The New Human Revolution, vol. 15,

“Flowering” chapter)

On June 8, he travelled to Hokkaido. During a spare moment in Onuma, he

captured with his camera a bright, beautiful full moon. After years of photographing landscapes amid his travels, Shin’ichi’s photos were eventually made into an exhibition titled “Rendezvous with Nature,” inspiring fresh waves of humanistic culture.

Based on his belief that the development of the Soka Gakkai had to be linked to the development of the local community, he proposed that the organisation hold friendship gatherings in the community to encourage more interaction between Soka Gakkai members and local residents. Eventually, activities such as the Kamakura Festival and Misaki Carnival took root in communities throughout Japan, bringing wonderful flowers of humanistic culture to bloom.

During the 1971 annual summer training course, as a major typhoon was approaching Japan, a request came from the organisers of the World Boy Scout Jamboree, being held at a nearby campground, to evacuate to the site of the Soka Gakkai training course. Shin’ichi took the lead to ensure all preparations were made to accommodate the 6,000 scouts. An off icial of the Scout Association of Japan expressed his deep appreciation for the great care and consideration given to the evacuees.

Shin’ichi responded: “Friendship is proof of our humanity. Our goal is to create a growing network of friendship to bring people together, and to forge an alliance dedicated to the peace and happiness of all humanity.” (The New Human Revolution, vol. 15,

“Flowering” chapter)

November 16, 1950: Josei Toda proposes the idea of founding a university to Daisaku Ikeda.

June 30, 1964: At the seventh Student Division General Meeting, the idea of building Soka University is officially announced.

November 8, 1965: A steering committee is created to plan the university’s construction.

April 2, 1969: President Ikeda attends the university’s ground-breaking ceremony.

May 3, 1969: President Ikeda announces Soka University’s founding principles: 1) Be the highest seat of learning for humanistic education; 2) Be the cradle of a new culture; 3) Be a fortress of peace for humankind.

February 11, 1971: President Ikeda attends a ceremony marking the completion of the campus.

April 2, 1971: At the school’s opening ceremony, two bronze statues gifted by President Ikeda are unveiled.

The Founding Years of Soka University

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A student bandages the founder’s hand after his skin began to peel from intensive drumming. (Soka University Central Gymnasium, July 15, 1973)

April 10, 1971: First entrance ceremony.

November 21, 1971: Invited by the students, President Ikeda attends the f irst Soka University Festival, delivering his f irst speech at the university.

April 10, 1972: Second entrance ceremony.

July 6, 1972: President Ikeda’s makes his f irst visit to the Takiyama Dormitory, attends the Takiyama Festival and also takes part in a commemorative tree planting.

November 24, 1972: Second Soka University Festival. With students’ approval, President Ikeda revises the lyrics to the new student song.

April 9, 1973: President Ikeda speaks at the third entrance ceremony.

July 13, 1973: President Ikeda attends the second Takiyama Festival, and delivers the lecture “Scholasticism and Modern Civilisation”; meets and encourages students as he attends the next two days of the festival.

As students enjoy the bon odori dance at the second Takiyama Festival, Soka University founder Daisaku Ikeda beats the taiko drum. (Soka University Central Gymnasium, July 15, 1973)

October 26, 1973: During the third Soka University Festival, at a reception with some 700 business leaders, President Ikeda strives to greet each of them.

April 18, 1974: President Ikeda attends the fourth entrance ceremony.

June 25, 1974: President Ikeda participates in the third Takiyama Festival.

October 25, 1974: President Ikeda participates in the fourth Soka University Festival; receives the university’s f irst honorary professorship.

March 22, 1975: President Ikeda attends the f irst graduation ceremony.

Spring, 1975: Soka University welcomes its f irst government-sponsored students from China.

Photo: Seikyo Press

Photo: Seikyo Press

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Magnificent Victors in LifeIn January 1974, Shin’ichi Yamamoto travelled to Kagoshima Prefecture to meet the members attending the first Minamata Friendship Gathering at the then Kyushu General Training Centre in Kirishima. Aware that many of the members suffered from illness caused by pollution from the local chemical plant, he wanted to do everything he could to encourage them.

With deep emotion, Shin’ichi said to them: “…I know that each of you has come here today after having triumphed over yourself, never shrinking from your own karma or allowing yourself to be defeated by despair. You are all magnificent victors in life! Please continue to become stronger and stronger and live out your lives to the fullest.…

“I’m sure that some of you are suffering from illnesses caused by pollution. But the fact that you continue to live your lives

energetically, without being defeated, is a source of hope for others and proof of the power of Buddhism.

“Having suffered so much, you have a right to become happy. You are the ones who will change our society. Let’s struggle together and crush the devilish nature pervading the universe and human life that created this pollution!”

“We will!” responded the members enthusiastically.“Now, how about giving three cheers to celebrate your

courageous efforts and your magnif icent victory!” Shin’ichi proposed.

This instalment of “Unforgettable Scenes,” featuring inspiring encouragement from volume 15,was published in the January 15, 2020 issue of the Seikyo Shimbun.

“Unforgettable Scenes” − Key Episodes from Volume 15



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The members raised their arms into the air as they vigorously cheered: “Hurrah! Hurrah! Hurrah!” Their rousing shouts echoed into the skies above Kirishima.

The New Human Revolution, vol. 15, “Revitalisation” chapter.

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Shin’ichi continued to encourage the Minamata members regularly. . . The damage caused by the pollution did not end with the

chemical plant’s acknowledgement of fault and its payment of substantial reparations to the victims; the suffering of those afflicted by the mercury poisoning persisted. That was why it was crucial to give the victims courage to go on living as well as hope for the future, an effort that required a network of human support. Moreover, resolving the pollution problem at its core called for a fundamental re-examination of the values of modern society and the establishment of a new humanistic philosophy. This was the Soka Gakkai’s mission.


“First Win with Your Minds, then with Your Ability”Soka University’s Baseball Club was founded in the same year as the university’s official opening in 1971. In May 1975, the team was invited to watch a friendly exhibition game between the teaching staff of Soka University and Soka Junior and Senior High Schools. At the event he gave them the following guidance.

Filled with high expectations for their futures, he said: “I hope you will become a team whose dynamic spirit is admired and appreciated

by all. Both Soka University and the baseball club are still in their infancy, and I’m sure you are undergoing much hardship. Experiencing such difficulty, however, is of utmost importance for your growth.”…

One member of the club spoke up to ask: “What should we do when a game is going badly for us and we are taking a real beating?”

“When you’re in trouble like that,” Shin’ichi replied, “you should all come together and renew your resolve to do your best. This is true in both baseball and life. When you are defeated in any struggle, it’s actually because you have defeated yourself before your opponent has. You mustn’t allow yourselves to succumb to pressure or adverse circumstances. That’s the time to refresh your commitment to winning and reignite your burning desire for victory.”

When the game f inished, Shin’ichi said: “Let’s practise together. I’ll hit balls to you.” The club members chased down Shin’ichi’s hits with all their might, firmly gripping each fielded ball.

With each catch, Shin’ichi would shout: “Great!” or “Nice catch!”

The club members may in fact have been catching the sincere hopes and expectations of their school’s founder. Some of them even had tears in their eyes as they f ielded Shin’ichi’s hits.


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The Soka University Baseball Club went on to establish an illustrious record, winning numerous league championships as well as making a good showing in the national tournament. Some of the club members even went on to become professional ballplayers.

In later years, as an expression of his hopes for the club’s victory and glory, Shin’ichi offered them the following guidance: “First win with your minds; then win with your ability. Practice is the game and the game is practice.” The tradition of building one’s character through baseball was steadily created at Soka University with the support of the school’s founder.

The New Human Revolution, vol. 15, “Soka University” chapter.

Soka University Students are My LifeIn the autumn of 1973, on the opening day of Soka University’s student festival, a reception was held for business leaders and representatives of the press. On arrival, Shin’ichi immediately started to greet the guests individually, exchanging business cards and engaging them in conversation.

class, so I hope you will support them and give them any advice you may have.”…

Shin’ichi was in earnest. He knew that if the students had attended more well-established schools, they would have had a greater advantage in job hunting and probably be able to gain employment in the company of their choice. He was also keenly aware that they had chosen to come to the school he had founded despite the fact that they were unlikely to enjoy such benefits. That was why he wished to meet directly with business leaders and sincerely ask their assistance in supporting Soka University graduates. He felt that this was his duty as the university’s founder, and he was deeply committed to carrying it out. …

Shin’ichi walked around the room in an attempt to meet each of the 700 guests in attendance. As he made his way, speaking with everyone, he began to perspire heavily.

Some people might question why he was exerting himself to the extent he was, but a new path cannot be blazed without such all-out effort. Opening a way forward requires changing one’s mindset.

Shin’ichi asked one of the guests: “Did you see any of the Soka University Festival? I’m curious to know your honest impressions.”

The guest replied: “At most university festivals these days, anything goes, as long as it is

Each time he handed someone his card, Shin’ichi bowed and said: “I am Shin’ichi Yamamoto. Thank you for coming. Next year our graduates will be looking for jobs. They are Soka University’s first


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entertaining. But this one was different. In many cases, the students clearly studied their chosen topics for their displays and presented their conclusions in a forthright manner. I also sensed their strong desire for social justice, which is how students should be. I am looking forward to Soka University graduates taking their place in society.”

“Thank you for your kind words,” Shin’ichi said. “I will share them with the students. Soka University students are my life. They are all very pure-hearted and have infinite potential. Please assist them in the future.”

The New Human Revolution, vol. 15, “Soka University” chapter.

Seize the moment!In June 1971, Shin’ichi visited Hokkaido to participate in the opening of the new Onuma Training Centre (now the Hakodate Training Centre). The night before the opening ceremony, he was taken on a drive to see the surrounding area. Looking beyond the mountains in the east, his eyes were drawn to a bright light.

Shin’ichi peered out the window again and gasped. Through a break in the clouds he saw a majestic full moon shining brightly. …

It was a masterpiece created by the universe.

“This is the moment!” Shin’ichi thought. He asked the driver to pull the car over and

reached for the camera on the seat next to him. …Opening the rear window of the car, Shin’ichi snapped the

shutter. He was keenly aware of the importance of seizing the moment. Both in advancing kosen-rufu and in every other aspect of life, it was crucial to win at each juncture. Whether he was encouraging members or engaging in his work, Shin’ichi always strove to do his best, as if this moment was all he had.

Life itself is just a series of moments. That is why a victory in the present is inextricably linked to total victory. …

Just then, a Seikyo Shimbun photographer in his early 20s, who had been riding in the car behind Shin’ichi’s, ran up. Asking the driver to stop the engine, he turned to Shin’ichi and said: “Sensei, place both your elbows on the window frame. That will keep your camera from shaking.”…

Looking through the viewfinder, he saw a golden band of moonlight cast across the lake’s surface. When the wind blew, ripples of gold danced and flickered. The sound of Shin’ichi’s snapping shutter echoed intermittently through the stillness.

He was driven to another part of the lake and continued to shoot film until he had used up several rolls. If the pictures came out well, he planned to give them to members as gifts. He wanted to encourage those working so hard day and night for the sake of society and the happiness of others by sharing the ephemeral beauty of nature with them.

The New Human Revolution, vol. 15, “Flowering” chapter.


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This instalment, published in the January 22, 2020 issue of the Seikyo Shimbun, focuses on passages from Nichiren Daishonin’s writings that SGI President Ikeda discussed in volume 15 of The New Human Revolution.


Passage 1

By offering their lives to the Lotus Sutra, they became Buddhas.

(“On Namu,” WND-2, pg 1073)

Spreading Buddhism to the very endWhen an informal discussion with student division members went from

Yukio Mishima, the acclaimed writer who committed suicide for his beliefs, to the Buddhist view of devoting one’s life, Shin’ichi Yamamoto shared the following thoughts.

From a Scene in the Novel

“So how should we use our lives? Nichiren concludes that we should use them for the sake of the Lotus Sutra…By devoting ourselves to the Lotus Sutra – to the correct teaching and to kosen-rufu – we establish the state of Buddhahood, of absolute happiness, in our lives. This is also the direct path to leading all people to happiness.

“To give one’s life does not necessarily mean dying. It means struggling with all our might in the effort to achieve kosen-rufu. Some

Excerpts from Nichiren’s Writings Found in Volume 15

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Tsunesaburo Makiguchi

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of us may die in that process, such as the three martyrs of Atsuhara or first Soka Gakkai president Tsunesaburo Makiguchi. At the same time, however, ‘devoting one’s life’ means working to fulf il our mission for kosen-rufu throughout our lives, taking action and telling others about Buddhism to the very end.

“The point is to strive to win each day, always asking ourselves if we did our best, if we compromised our beliefs, if we have any regrets. Those who do so are ‘devoting their life’…”

The students listened intently as Shin’ichi continued: “When I was younger, I recorded this determination in my diary: ‘Revolution is death. Our death will be our devotion to the Mystic Law.’ This was the moment I decided that I would dedicate my life to kosen-rufu and President Toda…

“From that moment, my commitment has never wavered, no matter what obstacles or threats I encountered. In fact, in such determination

lies the path to achieving one’s own human revolution and a state of absolute happiness.”

The New Human Revolution, vol. 15, “Realisation” chapter.

Passage 2

“It must be ties of karma from the distant past that have destined you to become my disciple at a time like this.”

(“The Heritage of the Ultimate Law of Life,” WND-1, pg 217)

Awakening to Our Eternal MissionIn August 1955, during the Sapporo Summer Propagation Campaign, Shin’ichi Yamamoto shares the following encouragement based on a passage from The Writings of Nichiren


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Daishonin, instilling courage in the members’ hearts.

From a Scene in the Novel

“These words describe the deep connection between Nichiren and his disciples who struggled alongside him. As such, it applies equally to us, who have inherited his spirit and are devoting our lives to kosen-rufu.

“The fact that all of us were born at this time and have gathered together now to unite our efforts in this campaign is the result of deep ties forged in the past. It is no accident. We promised Nichiren in a previous existence that we would carry out kosen-rufu. And in order to do so, some of us volunteered to be born poor and some to lead a life of illness.

“The place and time that we chose in the past to begin our great struggle is none other than Sapporo, Hokkaido, in August 1955. You have all assembled here to participate in this great campaign so that you can change your karma of poverty or illness and demonstrate the greatness of the Mystic Law. If you are firmly aware of this, you cannot fail to exhibit tremendous ability. With the Gohonzon, we will never be deadlocked. Let us f ight with zest and high spirits!”…

As [the Sapporo members] listened to him speak, they realised that their mission stemmed from the remote past and were thrilled to participate in this historic struggle that would determine the future of kosen-rufu. They rose to the challenge, their excitement fuelling their efforts.


Sea of Suffering into the Seaside Buddha Land

The “Revitalisation” chapter in volume 15 of The New Human Revolution details how Soka Gakkai members stood up amid the Minamata disease epidemic.

The Minamata disease was a pollution-related illness that emerged in Minamata, Kumamoto prefecture, caused by a chemical plant releasing mercury-contaminated waste into the ocean. The waste accumulated in the marine life, and people who ate the contaminated seafood experienced a series of neurological disorders and symptoms.

Outraged by this situation, SGI President Ikeda set about writing two essays on the subject of pollution. He also met with researchers studying the pollution problem and learned everything he could about the issue.

In August 1972, President Ikeda met with Jun Ui, a leading f igure in environmental research, engaging in a six-hour discussion on how to approach the issue of pollution.

At their meeting, Mr Ui stated: “When we become the hands and feet of the victims and work on their behalf, the wisdom to find a solution will well forth. But if we separate ourselves from the common people, our learning will end.” This belief of “together with the common people” deeply resonates with President Ikeda’s own conviction, and is the fundamental spirit of the Soka Gakkai.

Victims and their family members faced prejudice and were robbed of their lives. The suffering and anger they had to endure because of the careless pollution is immeasurable.

Amid this “sea of suffering,” the Soka Gakkai members of Minamata lived out their lives, dedicating themselves to the happiness of their friends.

President Ikeda composed the poem:

May my friends in Minamatabe happy and live long,enjoying their present existencein their seaside Buddha land.

To transform one’s beloved hometown from the “sea of suffering” into the “seaside Buddha land” – there is no doubt that this path of revitalisation, paved by friends in Minamata, is giving people all over the courage to live.

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This article was first published in the April 20 edition of the Seikyo Shimbun to commemorate the 69th anniversary of the paper’s establishment. Here, President Ikeda also discusses the 60th anniversary of his inauguration as third Soka Gakkai president on May 3, 1960. Let us embrace our mentor’s encouragement and continue to strive valiantly towards a brilliant future for all humanity, come what may!

A Bastion of Life-Affirming Journalism

by SGI President Daisaku Ikeda

I am chanting heartfelt daimoku for all those who have lost their lives to the coronavirus (COVID-19) around the world, and I wish to offer my deepest condolences to their families and loved ones.

I would also like to convey my sincere gratitude to all the medical professionals and healthcare workers battling tirelessly day and night on the front lines to save lives, as well as everyone carrying out their noble mission in different areas of society. I am praying earnestly for everyone’s health and safety.

Photo: Seikyo Press

President Ikeda continues to watch over and safeguard the development of the Seikyo Shimbun, the bastion of the pen of the people. In April 1988, he and Mrs Kaneko Ikeda were photographed in front of the old Seikyo Shimbun Building (the white building on the right, which was established in 1961, the year after President Ikeda’s inauguration as third Soka Gakkai president).

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In this spring of continuous trials, cherry blossoms continue to manifest their tenacity to the very end. (Photo by Daisaku Ikeda, April 4, 2020, Tokyo)

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Today, April 20, marks the 69th anniversary of the Seikyo Shimbun, the Soka Gakkai’s daily newspaper. I remember a conversation I had with my mentor, Josei Toda, in 1950, during the period when his businesses were in dire straits.

We were discussing the idea of founding the Seikyo Shimbun and he asked me: “Daisaku, why do you think it is that Nichiren Daishonin’s disciples were able to overcome the persecutions they faced for their beliefs?” Mr Toda then opened the Gosho to a letter the Daishonin had written from Mount Minobu to the lay nun Sennichi on distant Sado Island, at a time when Japan was racked by natural disasters, famine and epidemics. He pointed to the passage:

Though you remain in Sado, your heart has come to this province. The way of attaining Buddhahood is just like this. Though we live in the impure land, our hearts reside in the pure land of Eagle Peak. Merely seeing each other’s face would in itself be insignif icant. It is the heart that is important. (WND-1, pg 949)

Through the power of the written word, the Daishonin was able to encourage and communicate heart-to-heart with his disciples, just as if he were engaging with them in person.

Mr Toda said emphatically: “The Daishonin wrote letter after letter to encourage his disciples. That is why they were able to remain undefeated in the face of all adversity in both their personal lives and in society. Daisaku, let’s create a newspaper that fully embodies this spirit of the Daishonin!”

Nearly 70 years have passed since then. Every morning, every day, the Seikyo Shimbun brightly

Photo: Seikyo Press

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1. See FLOW No. 701 dated 01.06.2019.

illuminates homes and other places throughout the community with the light of the Daishonin’s Buddhism of the sun.

Though we may not be able to meet or gather together under the current emergency restrictions in place to prevent the spread of the coronavirus, our hearts as members of the Soka family are linked firmly together by the Seikyo Shimbun and its sister publications around the world. Through the inspiring articles and photos that appear in their pages, our precious members everywhere, who are facing this challenging time together, are strengthening their bonds of unity and shared purpose.

This is due, in no small part, to our noble “uncrowned heroes,” the men and women who deliver the Seikyo Shimbun, rain or shine. I would like to express my profound gratitude to them on this anniversary of the Seikyo Shimbun, the first to be celebrated since the completion of the new Soka Gakkai World Seikyo Centre last year (in

Shinanomachi, Tokyo). Thank you so much!

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Because the Soka Gakkai advances in accord with the Buddha’s intent, there is a wondrous rhythm in its progression.

Our founding president, Tsunesaburo Makiguchi, was born in Niigata Prefecture, Japan, in 1871 – 600 years after Nichiren Daishonin was exiled to Sado Island, located in present-day Niigata Prefecture, in 1271.

The Nichiren Daishonin Gosho Zenshu (Collected Writings of

Nichiren Daishonin) was published by the Soka Gakkai at the initiative of our second president, Josei Toda, in 1952 –the year in which the 700th-anniversary celebrations were held to mark the Daishonin’s establishment of his teaching (on April 28, 1253).

And as their successor and a representative of the youth, I became the third Soka Gakkai president and began to lead our organisation forward in 1960 – 700 years after the Daishonin submitted his treatise “On Establishing the Correct Teaching for the Peace of the Land” to remonstrate with the ruling authorities (on July 16, 1260).

Profoundly concerned about the “unusual disturbances in the heavens, strange occurrences on earth, famine and pestilence” (WND-1, pg 6) taking place in Japan, the Daishonin sought to “establish the correct teaching” – namely, the great principle of respect for the dignity of life – and realise “the peace of the land” – that is, building a treasure land of happiness and peace for people everywhere.

He thus threw himself even more earnestly into his struggle to transform the destiny of humankind. It was above all a struggle of words and ideas, powerfully championing truth and justice.

That is why, after my inauguration as third Soka Gakkai president, I put all-out effort into boosting the growth and expansion of the

Seikyo Shimbun, and resolved to write my serialised novel The Human Revolution.

In “On Establishing the Correct Teaching for the Peace of the Land,” the Daishonin states: “If you care anything about your personal security, you should first of all pray for order and tranquillity throughout the four quarters of the land, should you not?”

(WND-1, pg 24)

Our lives are inextricably connected: we cannot enjoy true happiness and security while others are suffering or imperilled. Based on this perspective of life, we are sharing in the Seikyo Shimbun the supremely humanistic philosophy of Nichiren Buddhism, of praying and working for peace and security for society and the world. With this newspaper, we have expanded dialogue and solidarity for peace, culture, and education far and wide.

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Celebrating its 70th anniversary next year, the Seikyo Shimbun is a proud bastion of life-affirming journalism illuminating the great path of happiness for both oneself and others and imparting courage and hope to its readers.

When I completed the 30-volume series of The New Human Revolution in 2018, I wrote an essay1 in which I called on our members to continue

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The painting perfectly embodied my spirit as I set out on

my voyage for kosen-rufu at the age of 32.

I was determined to navigate the roiling sea of

vicissitudes to reach the dawn of victory for all people

together with my mentor and my fellow members.

Reproduction of a painting by Hugo Schnars-Alquist (1855–1939) depicting a sailing ship riding over the rough seas. The original painting measures 66 x 46 cm.

Photo: Seikyo Press

together writing our epic story of kosen-rufu and the victory of ordinary people into the eternal future.

Each morning, f illed with deep appreciation and reverence, my wife, Kaneko, and I view the inspiring reports in the Seikyo Shimbun of the efforts of our members in Japan and around the world. They are a golden daily record of human revolution.

Today, in particular, when humanity is confronting an

unprecedented crisis, the Seikyo Shimbun has the incredibly important mission of transmitting the wisdom for changing poison into medicine and creating value. It must play a leading role in producing articles

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and writing that encourage and empower, and in uniting people’s hearts towards overcoming the challenges they face.

Every day, the paper brings news of the courageous struggles and selfless contributions to society of members throughout Japan and across the globe, serving as an inspiration for all who are fighting their hardest against adversity. It embodies the firm resolve of dauntless world citizens who are always thinking about how to uplift and bring joy to others.

This is synonymous with the Buddha’s constant wish to enable people to become wise and happy and to live in peace, as expressed in the Lotus Sutra: “At all times I think to myself: How can I cause living beings to gain entry into the unsurpassed way and quickly acquire the body of a Buddha?” (LSOC16, pg 273)

As the Daishonin affirms: “The wonderful means of truly putting an end to the physical and spiritual obstacles of all living beings is none other than Nam-myoho-renge-kyo.” (WND-1, pg 842) Through the great beneficial power of the Mystic Law, we of the Soka Gakkai are striving in every corner of the globe to bring forth the limitless wisdom and power of the Buddha from within our own lives and those of others in order to “put an end to the physical and spiritual obstacles of all living beings.”

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At my inauguration as third Soka Gakkai president six decades ago, on May 3, 1960, I gazed up at a large portrait of Mr Toda. In my heart, I could hear him urging me to lead boldly as I pledged to advance another step towards the realisation of worldwide kosen-rufu with the resolve: “This is my vow, and I will never forsake it!” (WND-1, pg 281)

To commemorate that May 3, the day I set forth into battle, I bought a painting from a shop near Nishi-Kanda, where the former Soka Gakkai Headquarters had been located. It was a reproduction of an oil painting by the German artist Hugo Schnars-Alquist (1855–1939), who excelled at maritime scenes, depicting a sailing ship riding over the rough seas. Fierce winds are blowing, and the sails are almost fully furled. The ship is tossed by the waves, the white foam drenching its deck. At risk of being submerged at any moment, it sails into the wind in a life-or-death struggle to overcome the peril.

The painting perfectly embodied my spirit as I set out on my voyage for kosen-rufu at the age of 32. I was determined to navigate the roiling sea of vicissitudes to reach the dawn of victory for all people together with my mentor and my fellow members.

To my great joy, not only the members gathered at my inauguration in Tokyo, but all around Japan and the world, sharing the vow of Bodhisattvas of the Earth, stood up with me to fulf il the Soka Gakkai’s mission.

They endured the raging onslaughts of karma. They experienced the f ierce winds of slander and abuse, of hatred and jealousy, that are described in the Lotus Sutra. Still, never forgetting the vow they made on May 3, they rallied and joined me in praying and fighting with an invincible spirit and achieved brilliant victory.

I wish to pass on this f ighting spirit of Soka Gakkai members – who are united by the bonds of mentor and disciple and share the vow of Bodhisattvas of the Earth – to our trustworthy young successors who are resolutely facing the daunting challenges of our times.

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Cranes soar across the Himalayas,the world’s highest mountain range,to fulfil their mission.

I composed this poem on the morning of May 3, 1960, the day of my inauguration.

When I was studying under my mentor at what I call “Toda University,” he shared with me the following passage from the

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2. According to The Treatise on the Great Perfection of Wisdom, living beings that approach Mount Sumeru lose their own colours and take on a golden hue.

With the most beautiful unity in all the world,

let us triumph over every difficulty to create a life-affirming

song of victory and impart the golden-hued light of

hope to illuminate the future of humanity!

The peaks of the Himalayas rise above the clouds and are continuously blanketed in snow. Mount Everest, the world’s highest peak, is in the centre of this photo. (Photo taken by Daisaku Ikeda in November 1995 on a flight from Nepal to Singapore.)

Photo: Seikyo Press

Daishonin’s writings: “Birds that approach Mount Sumeru turn golden-hued.” (WND-2,

pg 671)2 He said that Mount Sumeru is like the Himalayas, and that by setting our sights on such high peaks and giving our all to overcome the challenges along the way, our lives come to shine brightly.

How beautifully the birds flying towards snowy summits must shine! Mr Toda’s words evoked the image in my mind of cranes soaring majestically in formation, wings spread wide.

No matter how daunting the summits we encounter on our path to kosen-rufu, we the

members of Soka, united by the bonds of mentor and disciple, will spread our wings of compassion and wisdom and soar courageously onwards.

With the most beautiful unity in all the world, let us triumph over every diff iculty to create a life-aff irming song of victory and impart the golden-hued light of hope to illuminate the future of humanity!

From the SGI Newsletter No. 10468 dated 24.04.2020.

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May Chan Oi MooiWomen’s Division Leader

Nichiren Daishonin teaches in the Gosho: “A blue f ly, if it clings to the tail of a thoroughbred horse, can travel ten thousand miles.” (WND-1, pg 17) Even a small f ly, when it attaches itself to the tail of a swift horse, can travel even ten thousand

miles. Although I am just an ordinary women’s division member who can speak of no extraordinary ability, I have the great good fortune of having President Ikeda as my mentor in this life. This has allowed me to establish a correct way of thinking that makes the goal of kosen-rufu as the way of life.

President Ikeda is my eternal mentor. Thanks to his valiant efforts over the past 60 years, striving without begrudging his life for the sake of fulfilling his mentor’s wishes, he has established a strong foundation for worldwide kosen-rufu. Thanks to his guidance, we have been able to study this great religion, Nichiren Buddhism, in the Soka Gakkai, and learnt how to live a happy life full of value-creation through basing ourselves on the Gohonzon. Thank you Sensei!

In the “Humanistic Education” chapter of The New Human Revolution, Sensei wrote: “I want you to be my representatives and speak to them [the members], listen to their problems, rally them,

Impressions on the60th Anniversary of May 3, 1960

inspire them, and warmly encourage them. Please think about what I would do as the president of the Soka Gakkai, how I would encourage them.”1

Through embracing the above guidance, together with all women’s division members, I resolve to uphold the spirit of the oneness of mentor and disciple with a heart full of gratitude, and treasure every single person in front of us.

Finally, together with comrades in Malaysia, I vow to build a society that strives for happiness for oneself and others as a victory report for our beloved mentor President Ikeda.

May 3 this year marked the 60th anniversary of President Ikeda’sinauguration as third Soka Gakkai president. On this auspicious occasion,

senior leaders in SGM also shared their joy andmade resolutions to advance kosen-rufu.

1. The New Human Revolution, “Human-istic Education” SGM booklet no. 95 (Soka Gakkai Malaysia, 2011), pg 21.

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Dr Christopher Boey Chiong MengMen’s Division Leader

As a child I was very sensitive, keenly aware that everyone must die and yet completely ignorant of what would happen

after death. Profoundly troubled by this question, I frequently suffered from bouts of depression during childhood. I am deeply grateful to be able to practise Nichiren Buddhism under the guidance of President Ikeda, enabling me to overcome this depression, find meaning in life and joyfully fight for kosen-rufu.

I first met Sensei during a Youth Division Training Course in Japan on November 18, 1987. He concluded his speech that day with the following words which I have etched deeply in my heart, “In the course of one’s life, one meets innumerable people and establishes innumerable ties. However, among these, the meeting between mentor and disciple and the ties between mentor and disciple are the most meaningful.” Based on this guidance, I continue to exert myself to grow to become someone who is able to repay one’s gratitude to one’s mentor.

I am deeply grateful that in November 2005, I had the opportunity to join President Ikeda in a dialogue on birth, old age, illness and death.2 During the dialogue, I told Sensei that during my own childhood, I was profoundly troubled by the issue of death. His guidance during the dialogue deeply penetrated my life and I made a determination to respond to him by fulfilling my mission as a doctor of the Mystic Law to support people in bringing forth the power inherent in their lives to overcome the sufferings of illness and death.

On August 2, 2010, President Ikeda received an honorary doctorate in humanities from the University of Malaya where I work. I was overf lowing with gratitude as I sat listening to SGI Vice-President Hiromasa Ikeda read the acceptance speech. At that time, I resolved to

exert myself even more in the field of education both in the Tadika Seri Soka Board of Governors and in the University of Malaya where I serve as a paediatrician and a professor in the medical faculty.

I was appointed SGM men’s division (MD)

leader on November 18, 2015. On that day, three poems of Sensei were published in the Seikyo Shimbun. Deeply-moved and encouraged by the message contained in the poems, I engraved them deeply in my heart as Sensei’s guidance to me on my new departure as MD leader and determined that the MD will do our very best, in unity with all the other divisions, centring on SGM General Director Koh Sia Feai, for the development of SGM and the peace and prosperity of our home country.

Now as we celebrate the 60th anniversary of Sensei’s inauguration as Soka Gakkai president on May 3, I refresh all my resolutions above.

At the same time, humankind is now facing the unprecedented worldwide challenge of the COVID-19 pandemic. Sensei has said that his wish is that in response to this challenge, we must continue to strengthen the indomitable network of world citizens who are undefeatable no matter what happens.

I am f irmly determined, together with comrades in Malaysia and around the world, tostrive earnestly so that we can give Ikeda Sensei thecomplete reassurance that he can leave everything to us and that we will all win in solid unity.

Sensei once gave Malaysia the following poem:

May the brilliant flowers of Sokabloom in their full glory in Malaysia

I strongly believe that now is the very time, more than ever before, for us to actualise Sensei’s earnest prayer expressed in his poem, enabling every single member, without exception, to bloom to the fullest as an undefeatable champion with boundless actual proof of the benefits of the Mystic Law.

2. This dialogue is published in On Health and Long life (World Tribune Press, 2016).


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Andrew Looi Yeow LianYouth Division Leader

On May 3, 1960, President Ikeda became the third Soka Gakkai president. Five months later, he rose up and began his journey for worldwide kosen-rufu to spread Nichiren Buddhism throughout the globe. His compassion, which enabled the sound

of daimoku to resound throughout the world 24 hours a day and empowered millions of people to transform their family karma and become happy, will be eternally praised by future generations.

“As I serve my mentor / of an old mystic bond, / Unchanged will I myself remain, / though others may change.” This instance where President Ikeda responded to his mentor President Josei Toda – a dialogue between mentor and disciple – is deeply-etched in my heart. It made me resolve to follow Ikeda Sensei on the path of mentor and disciple – the most noble path in life – and live my life without regret. Without Sensei as my mentor in life, I would be like a ship that has lost its bearings. At the same time, President Ikeda’s large body of works and guidance has become the beacon within my life.

Sensei has boundless hope and expectations towards the youth and the future, which we can gleam from his essay, “A Path at Windsor”:

I wish to be a person who forges the path; a person who persists in walking the path.No matter what, until the end, I will keep walking, keep running. Even if I should fall along the way, and return to the dust of the land, because I believe in the youth who will succeed me along this path, I will have not a single regret.

And in the “India” chapter of The New Human Revolution,

President Ikeda calls out passionately: “I’ll do it. I’ll do it no matter what. If I fall along the way, I’ll entrust its completion to the youth, whom I consider extensions of my own being. Come forth, you Shin’ichi Yamamotos, in countless tens, hundreds of thousands!”3

It has been 60 years since President Ikeda became third president, and the youth division has already taken its place on the stage he built for us and making contributions to worldwide kosen-rufu as successors to his aspirations. Now is the time for his youthful disciples to inherit his spirit and repay our debt of gratitude to President Ikeda.

On behalf of the Youth Division, I resolve that the SGM youth division will foster even more outstanding, earnest, righteous youths who embody the oneness of mentor and disciple. We will become true disciples who will become the vanguards of kosen-rufu in Asia, establish a youthful SGM by 2022, and safeguard the Soka International School Malaysia.

3. The New Human Revolution, vol. 3, “India” chapter.


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Magdelyn Choo Paik HweiYoung Women’s Division Leader

I have spent over 30 years of my life alongside President Ikeda. He has been present at every stage, and I believe this is why we have a profound karmic bond. When I was in Standard One, my parents and I were in the audience of the Malaysia-Japan

Friendship and Cultural Exchange Show (held at the Putra World Trade

Centre during President Ikeda’s f irst visit to Malaysia in February 1988). I do not remember the performances, but there is one incident

that I could not forget. My mother took me to the washroom, and on the way there, we met Ikeda Sensei. He had just arrived at the venue and was about to go see the show. Although it was just an instant, nor did I feel anything special back then, I could never forget this moment.

My prime point with Sensei began in secondary school, when I began reading his works. The f irst book of his I read was Discussions on Youth. I f irst read an article titled “What is Happiness?” Since then the guidance found within has guided me, one of which says: Happiness is not something that someone else…can give to you. You have to achieve it for yourself.”

Because of this, I changed from someone who was weak and lacking in joy into a young women’s division (YWD) member who is optimistic, strong and not easily defeated – my greatest transformation. No matter what happens in life, President Ikeda’s guidance has always accompanied me, and encouraged me to head in the correct direction in life. For this, I am eternally grateful.

I have boundless gratitude towards President Ikeda. The vow and actions he made 60 years ago enabled me to become part of the Soka Gakkai and know Nichiren Buddhism. Because of this, I live a life filled with value, hope and joy.

In order to repay this debt of gratitude as a disciple who has a profound karmic bond with Sensei, I resolve to make him my role model in striving for the happiness of humanity and peace in the community, and to realise the SGI Asia Culture and Education Centre’s mission for kosen-rufu in Asia. This is the path I will walk on my entire life. I also resolve to strengthen the practice of President Ikeda’s five guidelines for the YWD with my fellow YWD members, achieving a life of absolute happiness and victory through pure faith, without a single exception!

The sincere daimoku of our women members, “the mothers of kosen-rufu,” in particular,

demolished all obstacles and negative forces andpaved the way for writing a history of

indestructible glory for May 3. It is vital that we always remember to have

the deepest respect and gratitude for the power offaith and practice – the lofty prayers and efforts –

of our great Soka women.

— SGI President Ikeda, The Light of the Century of Humanity, “Glorious May 3”

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There is a day towards which we always strive with tenacity and strength, no matter how difficult our situations; a day of celebration

with like-minded friends, when we praise and applaud each other’s struggles; a day of beginning, when we set forth once more

with fresh, vibrant energy. That day is May 3, Soka Gakkai Day. Our annual journey towards that landmark day brims with the

exhilarating and fulfilling rhythm of human victory.

— SGI President Ikeda, “Uniting with Eternal Friends towardsa New Age of the People’s Triumph” (Special lecture commemorating May 3, 2014)

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The following are excerpts from On Health and Long Life (World

Tribune Press USA, 2016), a collection of dialogues SGI President Ikeda conducted with Soka Gakkai members who work in healthcare. They explore Buddhist insights and practical medical knowledge to provide readers with useful information to lead a long and fulfilling life. In these excerpts, the interlocutors discussed influenza and ways to prevent its spread. Please take note that COVID-19 and influenza are not the same, though prevention methods of these diseases may be similar.

Excerpts from On Health and Long Life

by SGI President Daisaku Ikeda

SGI President Daisaku Ikeda: What is the meaning of the word influenza?

Dr Ryuto Hirasawa1: It comes from the Italian word for inf luence. In medieval Italy, it was believed that inf luenza was caused by the inf luence of the stars.

President Ikeda: It seems the people of those times believed that stars had mystical powers.

Hirasawa: That’s correct. They also calculated when the next inf luenza outbreak would occur according to the movements of the stars.

President Ikeda: How is inf luenza different from a cold?

Dr Chiaki Nishiyama2: The viruses that cause them are different, and the symptoms of inf luenza are more serious. In many cases, inf luenza causes a sudden fever of more than 100 degrees Fahrenheit, headaches, and aching joints and muscles.

Dr Shosaku Narumi3: Another characteristic of inf luenza, or the f lu as it is commonly called, is that it is highly contagious. It can spread through an entire family, and its outbreak in schools can result in the cancellation of classes.

Painstaking Care and Prompt Encouragement

Narumi: I have heard that Shakyamuni also advised his followers about matters of hygiene such as washing their hands and rinsing their mouths.

President Ikeda: That’s correct. The Buddhist scriptures go into considerable detail about such matters, indicating how

1. At the time of the dialogue, Dr Ryuto Hirasawa was the Tokyo No. 2 Area doctors division secretary.

2. At the time of the dialogue, Dr Chiaki Nishiyama was the Soka Gakkai Doctors Division women’s leader.

3. At the time of the dialogue, Dr Shosaku Narumi was the Soka Youth Physicians Conference Chair.

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important they were regarded. A mentor prays and thinks sincerely about how

to ensure that his disciples stay well and can carry out their Buddhist practice in sound health.

Nishiyama: Buddhist compassion is manifested in concrete behaviour.

President Ikeda: Nichiren Daishonin also concerned himself deeply with the health of each of his disciples and whenever one fell ill, he was quick to write a letter or send a message of encouragement. In one letter, he writes:

When someone reported to me, however, that you had been taken with this illness, day and night, morning and evening I addressed the Lotus Sutra on the matter, morning and evening I implored the gods of the blue heavens. And now today I have received word that you have recovered from illness. Could any tidings be more joyful than these? (WND-2, pg 1034)

True leaders go to great lengths to enable others to advance along the pathway towards happiness and experience a life of fulfilment. They also respond immediately to the reports they receive. Prompt action imparts courage and hope to others.

Hirasawa: You have taken the lead in demonstrating the essence of such humanism in Soka education, President Ikeda.

j j j

Always Take Precautions

Hirasawa: The most dangerous enemy is carelessness. When the Spanish f lu f irst erupted in 1918, the initial outbreak was from April through June. This preliminary inf luenza bout did not claim many victims in the US, leading many to conclude that it wasn’t a very serious illness and was only dangerous for the elderly. The government shared this opinion and took few precautions.

But in October that year, the number of cases and fatalities skyrocketed. More than 20 million US citizens were infected and some 675,000 died. Moreover, perhaps because the virus had mutated in the intervening months during this second outbreak many of the victims were young. By the time the government realised the seriousness of the situation, it was too late, and none of its countermeasures were effective.

President Ikeda: In far too many instances, accidents arise out of the arrogance or carelessness of thinking somehow we’ll be okay and that misfortune only befalls others. That’s why it’s important to always be alert and be f irmly resolved to take precautions against illness or injury.

Careful Preparations is the Key to Victory

Narumi: During the time of the Spanish f lu

But influenza has the potential to become a global threat. Unless we take responsibility to protect not only

ourselves but our families, neighbours and friends, we can contribute to a tragedy of universal proportions.

I am by no means exaggerating. A spiritual transformation in each individual – in other words, an elevation of their life-state – is the most important preventative measure.

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epidemic (1918–19), there was apparently a town in the US that, despite being located in an area infected by the virus, managed to escape a major outbreak.

President Ikeda: That’s an important fact. What happened?

Narumi: Learning of the f lu outbreak in the surrounding area, the town schoolteacher took prompt action. He employed all his knowledge and persistently advocated to the residents methods for treating and preventing the spread of the disease. Ultimately, he came up with a unique quarantine system for the town. As a result of these valiant efforts, the epidemic was kept at bay some 18 miles (29 kilometres) outside the town’s borders.

President Ikeda: It was a victory derived from the teacher’s unyielding determination and strong sense of responsibility to protect the town and

the children. One person of solid commitment is stronger than 10,000. The important thing is to have a constant sense of how to respond in a crisis and to prepare thoroughly in advance. If we casually presume that somehow things will work out, we’re already doomed.

Such precautions as gargling and washing one’s hands may seem like little things, but it’s just those little things that are important. It’s a mistake to minimise or overlook them. They can be the first step in preventing a widespread outbreak, and as such, they need to be taken seriously.

Nishiyama: Talking about this reminds me of the Hong Kong Soka Kindergarten. At the height of the fears surrounding the SARS (Severe Acute

Respiratory Syndrome) epidemic in 2003, the kindergarten was recognised by the Hong Kong government for its model sanitation education.

President Ikeda: That’s right. Teachers used a quiz format to teach sound health practices like hand-

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washing and gargling to the students. In addition to keeping the school spotlessly clean, every other precaution was taken to prevent infection and its spread.

Hirasawa: When Prof Arthur Kwok Cheung Li, Hong Kong Education and Manpower Secretary, visited the school, he remarked that it was indeed a perfect example of the educational ideal of making the growth of the children the top priority.

President Ikeda: As the school's founder, I was delighted by this, and deeply grateful to the teaching staff.

Narumi: A few years ago (in 2000), Prof Li, as vice-chancellor of the Chinese University of Hong Kong, presented you with an honorary degree of doctor of social science.

President Ikeda: I will never forget the vice-chancellor's kindness as well as the solemn ceremony that was held on that occasion.

So what should you do if you catch the f lu? I suppose rest is very important.

Nishiyama: That’s correct. You need to drink plenty of f luids, eat nourishing foods, and rest. There is also medicine that can control the virus to a certain extent, and its appropriate use can alleviate the symptoms.

Hirasawa: Another important thing is to avoid infecting others in your environment. If you have the f lu, you should stay home from work and meetings.

Narumi: That’s right. Even when you start feeling a little better, you should continue to avoid attending

meetings for a while, because the virus is still just as contagious. We strongly recommend that you stay in bed for two or three days after your fever has gone down.

Sympathy is the Foundation for a Healthy Society

President Ikeda: I hope everyone will observe this as the proper consideration we should show others. Earlier I noted that Shakyamuni had encouraged his disciples to take certain sanitary precautions such as washing their hands and gargling. At the time, Shakyamuni lived in a communal situation with his disciples. The illness of a single individual could easily have spread to the entire group. No doubt that concern was partially behind Shakyamuni’s focus on hygiene.

In many cases, people are highly-sensitive to their own sufferings while being oblivious to those of others. But inf luenza has the potential to become a global threat. Unless we take responsibility to protect not only ourselves but our families, neighbours and friends, we can contribute to a tragedy of universal proportions. I am by no means exaggerating. A spiritual transformation in each individual – in other words, an elevation of their life-state – is the most important preventative measure.

Nichiren says, “The varied sufferings that all living beings undergo - all these are Nichiren’s own sufferings.” (OTT, pg 138) The Buddhist spirit of sympathy, of placing yourself in another person’s shoes, is the foundation for creating a century of health and life. It is the spirit most needed by humanity today.

Nichiren says, “The varied sufferings that all living beingsundergo - all these are Nichiren’s own sufferings.” (OTT, pg 138)

The Buddhist spirit of sympathy, of placing yourselfin another person’s shoes, is the foundation

for creating a century of health and life. It is the spirit most needed by humanity today.

Halaman Kanak-kanak


Kura-kura Putih

Membalas BudiPada zaman dahulu, ada seorang pemuda yang bernama Mao Pao yang sangat baik hati.

Pada suatu hari, semasa Mao Pao sedang bersiar-siar di tepi sebatang sungai kecil, dia ternampak seorang nelayan sedang menjual seekor kura-kura putih yang kecil, yang ditangkap dengan jala.

Mao Pao mendongak sambil memandang pada rumah yang tersergam indah di depan matanya. Dia mengeluh.

Mao Pao ternampak kura-kura putih yang kecil itu yang kelihatan tidak henti-henti memukul-mukul kakinya. Walaupun Mao Pao berasa sangat kasihan tetapi dia

tidak mempunyai wang. Maka dia membuka bajunya dan menyerahkan baju itu kepada nelayan tersebut. Mao Pao membawa kura-kura itu pulang ke rumah. Kura-kura itu semakin membesar setelah berterusan diberi makanan.

Pada suatu hari, Mao Pao membawa kura-kura putih itu ke sebatang sungai yang besar lalu melepaskannya.

Selepas itu, bertahun-tahun lamanya masa berlalu.

Mao Pao sudah menjadi seorang Panglima. Pada suatu hari, semasa Mao Pao sedang mengawal sebuah kubu, tiba-tiba mereka dikelilingi oleh askar-askar pihak musuh. Oleh

Halaman Kanak-kanak


kerana tidak ada pilihan lain, Mao Pao dan kumpulannya terpaksa berlari keluar daripada kubu itu.

Semasa mereka melarikan diri, dalam perjalanan, mereka berhadapan dengan sebatang sungai yang besar, tidak ada lagi laluan yang lain.

Pada masa ini, setiap askar yang berperisai melompat ke dalam sungai itu, askar-askar itu kelihatan tenggelam ke dalam sungai dalam sekelip mata sahaja.

Mao Pao juga bertekad, akan turut melompat ke dalam

sungai itu. Tetapi tubuhnya tidak tenggelam ke dalam sungai, dia seakan-akan duduk di atas seketul batu putih yang besar. Kemudian, batu putih itu bergerak-gerak, membawa Mao Pao ke tepi sungai.

Batu putih yang besar itu sebenarnya adalah cangkerang kura-kura putih yang keras!

Kura-kura putih yang besar itu berkata: “Sayalah kura-kura lemah yang diselamatkan oleh Mao Pao daripada nelayan!”

“Di dalam sungai, saya menjadi lebih besar dan lebih kuat. Tetapi saya tidak pernah

Halaman Kanak-kanak


Kepada Ibu Bapa

Mao Pao yang muncul dalam cerita ini ialah seorang penglima perang yang hidup di zaman Dinasti Utara dan Selatan di negara China (pada abad ketiga hingga keenam). Cerita kura-kura putih dan Mao Pao ini berasal daripada A Collection of Stories and Poems. (cf. WND-1, hlm. 739)

Dalam Gosho, “On Repaying Debts of Gratitude,” menggunakan cerita ini dengan mengatakan bahawa

“Kura-kura putih membalas kebaikan yang diterimanya daripada Mao Pao. Makhluk yang lebih rendah pun tahu berbuat demikian, inikan pula manusia!” (WND-1, hlm. 690), petikan Gosho ini mengajar kita bahawa membalas budi adalah teladan yang paling asas sebagai manusia.

Mengenang budi dan tahu membalas budi adalah gaya hidup manusia yang paling bernilai.

Melalui cerita ini, diharapkan agar kita semua akan dapat belajar tentang pentingnya mempunyai perasaan yang berterima kasih kepada orang di sekeliling kita, tahu mengenang budi dan membalas budi dalam kehidupan sehari-harian kita.

Disesuaikan daripada FLOW (edisi Cina), majalah dwimingguan terbitan SGM, No. 717 (01.02.2020),

hlm. 39–41. Ilustrasi oleh Koo Yu Ying.

lupa akan jasa baik Mao Pao. Akhirnya, pada hari ini, saya berpeluang membalas budi Mao Pao. Perkara ini sangat menggembirakan!”

Selepas itu, kura-kura putih itu menghasilkan segerombolan ombak dan pulang

semula ke dalam sungai.Mao Pao yang membelajari tentang

pentingnya membalas budi daripada kura-kura putih itu kemudian menjadi Panglima yang lebih hebat.

Experience


Create Victories with Firm Faith Lee Hooi Min, Selangor

I was born in 1991 as a fortune baby as both my parents were then SGM members. I have a younger brother and we were a happy family.

As a child, I would stay with my grandparents in Kedah for a few weeks during school holidays. My grandmother and I would chant daimoku before the Gohonzon for a long time, sometimes more than f ive hours. Even though I didn’t understand the meaning of daimoku, I continued to do so as I believed that as long as I chanted, I would obtain good academic results. Mother’s constant

reminder with deep conviction that chanting could solve all problems also encouraged me immensely.

I began practising Nichiren Buddhism earnestly during pre-university. In the first exam of my foundation course, I failed three out of f ive subjects and the college issued me a warning letter.

I was devastated and desperate to keep my family from knowing. I sought advice from a senior-in-faith and she encouraged me to pray to the Gohonzon earnestly that

Lee Hooi Min

Experience


I would pass all my subjects at the next resit. Mother’s constant reminder that faith equals daily life came into mind.

Since that day, apart from going to school and doing revision, all I did was chant daimoku. I did so until I changed from one who cried bitterly during revision to one who walked conf idently into the exam hall, passing every subject taken – def initely the Gohonzon’s answer to my prayer.

I felt truly happy and was convinced that any prayers will be answered if we have absolute faith. Since then, I chanted with a heart full of gratitude and participated actively in SGM activities where I fostered myself into a better and stronger person, with Mother as the guiding light on my journey of faith.

However, due to serious financial difficulties, I had to halt my studies and work temporarily.

A Sudden Twist in Life

Then, in 2016, my family and I faced the greatest challenge in our lives. Mother suddenly fell ill and was admitted to the hospital. The doctor found out that due to kidney failure, her blood was contaminated with harmful viruses. She had to undergo haemodialysis to sustain her life. However, she also had heart disease and narrow blood vessels around her heart, giving her a diff icult time during treatment.

Then, without any sign, she fell into a coma. For weeks after that, she was in and out of coma repeatedly.

The doctor told us to prepare for the worst.We were all were taken aback. I couldn’t

believe that Mother could leave us so soon. Such an unexpected loss of a guiding light in our life was too shocking. Father was depressed but refused to give up on her and started chanting

earnestly. Wishing our mother to recover fully so

that we could share her near-death experience with others, my brother and I studied Nichiren Buddhism and SGI publications earnestly and shared what we learnt with her.

I remember reading a Gosho passage in FLOW that reads, “… first of all learn about death, and then about other things.” (WND-2, pg 759) At that moment, I realised eventually we will leave this world, that’s why I should focus on things that I can do right now. When we know the meaning of death, we will not be afraid of it anymore.

One day, a women’s division (WD) member visited Mother and encouraged me to chant daimoku with gratitude. I couldn’t understand why, but I still did so later.

Gradually, I started to feel a sense of gratitude to Mother for living a life dedicated to proving the greatness of Nichiren Buddhism. Her unshakeable faith had enabled us to face this diff icult situation as a united family and profoundly experience the great power of Buddhism.

When my thoughts changed, I stopped feeling anxious. Instead, I was sure that no matter what came next I would be able to accept it, turning all obstacles into a springboard for growth and move forward.

That night, as if Mother understood this transformation in me, and after listening to our sharing, she passed away peacefully.

Pulling Myself Together

I thought I could accept Mother’s death with an open heart, but I could not. My heart broke whenever I thought of her. Despite intensely studying Buddhism, I could not accept that she is

Despite grappling with uncertainty, I still continued home-visiting YWD members and

taking part in various SGM activities. Soon, I recalled what President Ikeda has said –

the real struggle is to set myself as an example to others.

Experience


gone forever.I started to avoid meeting people. I even

stopped chanting, doing gongyo and studying the Gosho and President Ikeda’s guidance. The only thing I deeply understood was that I had to at least drag myself to attend SGM activities because that’s the only means to pull myself out of this rut.

In the meantime, seniors- and comrades-in-faith never abandoned me or my family members, showering us with care and kept on encouraging me to hang on to faith.

Several months later, as I was lying in my bed thinking of Mother, I recalled President Ikeda’s guidance that said if we, the descendants of the deceased ones can gain happiness, then it will be the best proof that they attained enlightenment in death. That was truly heart-warming, to say the least.

It jolted me out of my low life-condition and awoke me to the need to rouse deep faith in the Gohonzon again above all else. Hence, I chanted daimoku for my beloved and dearly-missed Mother to attain Buddhahood. Gradually, as if

unconsciously encouraged by her example, I was determined to become the sun in my family. Her strong, doubt-free faith and the diligence with which she exerted herself in faith and practice right till the very end were unforgettable and inspiring. I wanted to fulf il my responsibility as a young women’s division (YWD) member. I also made a vow to strive to create victories Mother can be proud of and dedicate them to my mentor.

When my thoughts changed, my surrounding began to change. The f irst was my job. When I started this job a year ago, I was constantly scolded for not performing up to the mark. After deciding to become an indispensable employee whose capability is recognised by my boss, I was able to master my job scope besides forming good relationships with my colleagues in just one month.

Next, I listed down all the things that I wished to accomplish. One of them was to get a higher education. I had always regretted not f inishing my university course.

It was a tough struggle trying to resume my

Hooi Min (back row, left) and her family’s first and only overseas trip to Thailand.

Experience


studies, but I persisted with daimoku and reading my mentor’s The New Human Revolution serialised novel. Despite grappling with uncertainty, I still continued home-visiting YWD members and taking part in various SGM activities. Soon, I recalled what President Ikeda has said – the real struggle is to set myself as an example to others.

Then, time came when I was f inally able to grasp that I should create a life-changing experience with which I can encourage people and repay the debt of gratitude I owed to others. It was to form part of my mission-in-life. I was also aware that it was due to a lack of courage that I couldn’t decide when to enrol in a course.

Right after that, I searched various universities for a course which I could start in May 2019 but won’t affect my participation in SGM activities or my job. Eventually, I found one – Business Administration in Marketing – that met my requirements. I knew it was the right one for me and applied without any hesitation.

I was accepted by the college and the next thing was to apply for a loan from the National Higher Education Fund Corporation

Buddhism (protective functions) will always appear to help us. I had never gone through such a complicated application process before but with the help from people around me, including strangers, I f inished the process on time. Unexpectedly, I was able to obtain a full loan too. It was truly an anxious and exciting period.

Moving Forward Resolutely

Ref lecting on what has happened in the past few years, I don’t feel any regret or hatred at all. In fact, I am grateful for all the encounters and believe that everything occurs for a reason. I can now encourage and even inspire those who are struggling with what I went through with my own experiences, which I have done several times.

I am very certain that both Mother and my mentor will be happy and proud of me for having won the battle against my fundamental darkness, deepened my understanding of Nichiren Buddhism and grown up a lot. With Mother as the unifying factor, the whole experience has brought my family much closer together. Following her footsteps, I will become the sun of hope that illuminates people around me. I also vow to never leave SGM and always walk on the path of mentor and disciple, striving continuously for kosen-rufu and nurture the youth in my area.

Even though her mother will not be with them anymore, Hooi Min (left) and her family members will carry on to take a family photo during every Chinese New Year to commemorate her mother’s love and unshakeable faith in the Gohonzon.

(PTPTN). I was running late and if I missed the nearest deadline, I’d have to wait until September (2019) while forking out money I could ill afford. I was very worried but determined to put my trust in the Gohonzon and chanted with all my might.

Once again, I realised that as long as we are truly determined to achieve our goal, the heavenly gods and benevolent deities in

ArtArt


How Do Malaysian ArtistsCreate Art?by Leong Tuck Yee

For art lovers, especially aspiring artists, Emelia Ong’s book Living Art will provide them with precious insights into how some Malaysian art is created and will surely increase their appreciation of artworks.

Within the 136-page Living Art are 14 interviews with artists who work with various media including wood, oils, charcoal, performance art, printmaking, digital, metal, photography and conceptual art. The prominent artists are Mad Anuar Ismail, Noor Mahnun Mohamed, Sharon Chin, Abdul Mansoor Ibrahim, Hasnul J. Saidon, Gan Chin Lee, Jennifer Liu Hsin Ying, the late Roslisham Ismail (aka Ise), Elias Yamani, Eiffel Chong, Azzaha Ibrahim, Shia

Yih Yiing, Ilse Noor and art collective Pangrok Sulap, some of whose works have been exhibited at Wisma Kebudayaan SGM (WKSGM) or featured in COSMIC in the past. It’s good to see that they have continued with their art practice, going from strength to strength.

Each of the artists share intimate stories of their first exposure to art, revealing their learning process and creative strategies with rather detailed explanations of their ways of working, choices of space, materials and styles. Emelia Ong may be an academic but her book was written with the intention to let the artists tell their own stories directly to the readers. Note also that five of them are female and they come from various age groups.

Living Art by Emelia Ong(published by Areca Books)

Shia Yih Yiing (standing) with art students in her home studio.

Art


Their candidness in narrating their stories has given the book lively voices that speak volumes – a result of author Emelia Ong’s far-sighted vision. She is currently a senior lecturer in the University of Malaya (UM) teaching Malaysian Art History in the university’s Cultural Centre’s Master of Arts in Visual Arts programme.

She holds a PhD from Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM)

with a thesis on the construction of identities through art practice during the independence period of Malaysia. Her research interests include modern and contemporary Malaysian and Southeast Asian art and its intersections with culture, identity, tradition and nationalism.

The idea for this book was conceived after Ong did a review of the book entitled Contemporary Artists of Malaysia: A Biographic Survey (Asia Society,

1971) by Dolores Wharton, a civic leader and arts advocate who had served on the board of directors of Museum of Modern Art in New York and the National Council on the Arts in America. Ong then bemoaned the severe lack of writings on Malaysian artists and their work and went on to work on this book project. Under a UM research grant, she came up with Living Art in two years.

The book is a rare blessing indeed, considering the number of overseas books of the same nature – including those how-

to-paint, how-to-see and how-to-read-paintings books, e-books, videos and DVDs – available in the hundreds, many of which can be purchased and received almost immediately.

Apart from being enriched by these insights, readers can glean into what each artist uses to make art, how they personally feel and think about their styles or material and how they solved their problems to come to where and who they are today. In reality, most

“Creativity takes courage”

– Henri Matisse (1869–1954)

Multimedia artist Sharon Chin. Her work invites viewers to examine themselves.

Art


of the time, viewers only see the final product of their works on display which many will judge without giving a thought of the behind-the-scene struggles of the artists.

The case of creativity is vastly different from the mundane nine-to-five world. Only by getting heavily involved in this world can we begin to see the unique problems and its demands. For artists, only by throwing themselves fully into this task, with heart and soul, can they create something highly-artistic and original, something of lasting value.

Take the case of artist Noor Mahnun Mohamed, a Rimbun Dahan alumna, who wakes up and starts working at 5:00am and sometimes works all the way until 3:00am. As with many artists, it is this daily grind that keeps her creativity flowing endlessly and producing top-rate works regularly.

Eiffel Chong checking his photographic prints.

Ilse Noor working on a copperplate over an electric plate.

Art


Wasn’t it Michelangelo (1475–1564) who said, “If people knew how hard I worked to get my mastery, it wouldn't seem so wonderful at all.”

There is much in this book that shows that in order to succeed, artists have to steel themselves for the challenges. No shortcuts. As these artists have shown, bravely facing problems with patience and hard work has brought them wonderful fruits. It is through such struggles that they forge themselves to be better artists with more certainty of their

artistic powers and profound knowledge and feeling for art, materials and all art-related matters in their surroundings.

Before beginning to carve into a piece of wood, sculptor Mad Anuar Ismail first has to carry out the lengthy and tedious process of cleaning, drying, curing and getting it ready for use. The following process could be the most difficult as he has to get to know the material inside out, literally, to plan how the outcome will be. The different

Apart from being enriched by these insights, readers can glean into what each artist uses to make art,

how they personally feel and think about their styles or material and how they solved their problems to

come to where and who they are today.

Multidisciplinary media artist Hasnul Saidon in his home studio.

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shades of the wood would have to be taken into account to form a cohesive design. This reminds me of a good example of a stone-carving of an eagle and its babies in a nest once exhibited at WKSGM. Everything is planned meticulously and then carved in such a way that almost each item has different colours and texture, separating them from each other. It’s a marvel how the sculptor knows where to place the subjects and make the whole piece look lively and natural too.

That is a case of “Creativity takes courage”, according to Henri Matisse (1869–1954) and as such creativity leaves no room for mistakes, all the more courage is needed. Future artists, take heed.

There are also numerous anecdotes and stories to demystify the lives of artists, providing abundant hope to readers who may have certain stereotypes of artists’ lives. One of which may well be that artists are avid dreamers who work only when the

muse strikes them. What could be farther from the truth, to see that famous artists featured here actually use bits of their childhood memories, common scenes found at mamak cafes (as in the

art of Gan Chin Lee, who had his works exhibited at

WKSGM) or spoons as tools (used by Abdul

Mansoor Ibrahim) to create great art. Besides, you don’t have to paint epic works or paste 8,601 diamonds onto a skull to appear creative and innovative.

As for the general public, Living Art will be an informative and entertaining read and has much to offer. Most importantly, the book will make them view art in a different light, with eyes f illed with appreciation, wonder and delight. Hopefully we will see more of such books by Emelia Ong.

Living Art is available now at all good bookstores nationwide and www.arecabooks.com.

Architect, designer and artist, Azzaha Ibrahim in his office cum studio converted from a shophouse.

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March 5 marks the establishment of the men’s division (MD), whose members are regarded as the golden pillars of kosen-rufu. This year marks the 54th anniversary of the significant day.

Seeking to commemorate this day and share SGI President Ikeda’s guidance to MD members, SGM conducted an online study meeting on this day with some 140 MD representatives from all over the country.

In view of the COVID-19 outbreak and suspension of SGM activities, this online meeting featured only key speakers and personnel, with participants nationwide connecting online from their individual venues. As such, each person could interact with one another from their respective locations.

The meeting began with a speech by SGM Young Mister Committee leader Chia Kok Peng who stressed that Young Mister members are a vital force in the MD. Members need to base their lives on faith, strive to the very end and actively promote SGM activities and kosen-rufu. They should also promote peace, culture and education in the same spirit as our mentor SGI President Daisaku Ikeda.

He also called upon all MD members to support MD activities and be more active in the grassroots.

SGM MD leader Dr Christopher Boey Chiong Meng then conducted a study based on President Ikeda’s Gosho lecture entitled “To My Friends of Each Division Engaged in Our Shared Struggle (part 2): The

SGM Conducts Commemorative Study Meeting on

Men’s Division Formation DayMen’s Division, Invincible Pillars of Kosen-rufu – Create History and Be Victors in Life!” in the lecture series entitled The Buddhism of the Sun – Illuminating the World. (See

FLOW No. 717 for the full lecture).Dr Boey reminded the

participants of the significance of March which is the month of the establishment of the men's division which was formed on March 5, 1966. As such, March is a time of fresh, vibrant growth, and deepening their determination that they will be the ones to actualise kosen-rufu.

Following this, he outlined the roles MD members could play to achieve this, including staying united with our mentor, taking second Soka Gakkai president Mr Toda as a model of lifelong commitment to kosen-rufu with absolute conviction in the Gohonzon, and remaining undefeated in facing life’s challenges. Dr Boey also stressed the importance of thoroughly learning to live with Nichiren Daishonin’s immense courage and resolve in overcoming great obstacles, emerging victorious in life and kosen-rufu.

In ending his lecture, Dr Boey urged MD members to rise up and fulf il their supremely noble mission as invincible golden pillars of the SGI while striving for kosen-rufu with even greater vigour and energy.

Men’s division leader Dr Christopher Boey conducting a study based on President Ikeda’s Gosho lecture, urging the MDs to rise up as golden pillars of kosen-rufu.

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SGM Holds

March 16 Youth Division Great VowGeneral Meeting Online

Since March, SGM has temporarily suspended all its activities due to the COVID-19 pandemic. However, this has not stopped the youth division from strengthening their seeking spirit. From March 14 to 16, youths across the country used online platforms to participate in the March 16 Youth Division Great Vow General Meeting, with over 2,000 youthslogging in.

March 16, Kosen-rufu Day, marks the day the disciples of Soka inherit the mentor’s baton of kosen-rufu. It is a day for a new departure.

In the meeting, SGM youth division leader Andrew Looi announced that by November 18, 2022, SGM’s ranks of youth will expand to 50,000 youths from the current 25,000 – a 100% increase. In this first year of the campaign, SGM will successfully introduce 5,000 youths to the organisation by November 18.

He further urged the participants to uphold the spirit of the oneness of mentor and disciple, and said that he will lead the youth in advancing valiantly and courageously, establishing a youthful SGM.

SGM young men’s division (YMD) leader Tan Jun Kong and

young women’s division (YWD) leader Magdelyn Choo made their resolutions. Jun Kong said that YMD members will always uphold the spirit of being the first to take action and gain victory while Magdelyn stated that all YWD members shall gain great victories and grow into capable persons through overcoming difficulties and by taking actions with the spirit of leaving no one behind.

SGM youth division leader Andrew Looi expressing his determination to lead the youth division to double its membership by November 18, 2022.

SGM General Director Koh Sia Feai urging the youth participants to strive to widely propagate Nichiren Buddhism.

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Next, youth representatives led by Andrew, Jun Kong and Magdelyn recited “Our Vow as Disciples to Soar and Surpass Our Mentor,” the youth vow from the World Youth General Meeting held on March 11, 2018, an expression of SGM youths’ determination to be the flag-bearers of worldwide kosen-rufu.

The participants also watched a video of SGI President Ikeda encouraging youths in Kansai, Japan, urging them to “advance valiantly.” This video commemorates the 40th anniversary of the Kansai song “Ever-Victorious Skies.”

SGM women’s division leader May Chan later encouraged the youths to win over their own weaknesses and expressed her high hopes that the youth will gain total victory

Youth representatives taking a commemorative photo with Mr Koh and May Chan, embarking on a fresh journey to advance towards establishing a youthful SGM.

for SGM.In his speech, SGM General Director Koh Sia Feai mentioned

that the solution to various global issues lies in the humanistic philosophy of Nichiren Buddhism. He urged the participants to become flag-bearers and strive to propagate this Buddhism. He also asked them to respond to the youth division leader’s call to advance towards establishing a youthful SGM.

Fong Ngui Siong, a YWD member from Sarawak, said that she has strengthened her faith and vow to share the happiness of practising Nichiren Buddhism with others. Meanwhile Aw Tai Yong, a YMD member from Kelantan, also mentioned that he will work hard to realise all the goals and exert utmost effort in shakubuku.

A snapshot of the participants.

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SGM General Director’s Study Goes Online,

Urges Members to Strengthen Faith amidst COVID-19 Pandemic

Beginning March 18, the Malaysian government enforced the Movement Control Order (MCO) in order to contain the COVID-19 pandemic. Under the MCO, numerous restrictions were imposed, including closing all non-essential businesses, prohibition of mass assemblies and shutting down all nurseries, government and private schools, as well as public and private universities and vocational training centres. In view of the gravity of the situation, SGM has decided to suspend all its activities and close its centres and facilities since March 5.

The sudden movement has caught many unaware and struck the economy hard. Being unprepared, many businesses were badly-hit and some are facing serious financial loss. Not only was the global economy affected but our personal lives were also impacted.

Entire families listening intently to the General Director’s study lecture titled “Open Up a New Age of Shared Coexistence and Prosperity through Fighting COVID-19.”

In order to encourage SGM members and alleviate their suffering, SGM General Director Koh Sia Feai delivered a pre-recorded study lecture titled “Open Up a New Age of Shared Coexistence and Prosperity through Fighting COVID-19” on March 22 via online streaming. First of all, to contain the virus, he strictly advised

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carrying out good personal hygiene, such as diligently washing our hands with soap, gargling and wearing masks, besides having a balanced diet, and getting sufficient sleep and exercise to improve our immune system. He then called on the members to muster up a firm determination not to fall victim to the virus or infect others through irresponsible actions.

Mr Koh then stressed that as Nichiren Buddhism is the Buddhism of happiness for oneself and others, we must take fellow members’ sufferings as our own. In his hope-filled study, he likened this tragedy with the epidemic during the Daishonin’s time and reminded that the Daishonin’s Buddhism is also the Buddhism of the sun and of revitalisation which has the power to change poison into medicine and transform all difficulties into opportunities. He urged the members not to become discouraged, hopeless or retreat in faith, assuring us that we will never be deadlocked so long as we continue to have strong faith, cultivate an indomitable spirit and chant abundant daimoku.

He stressed that through fighting the COVID-19 pandemic, we can open up a new age of shared coexistence and prosperity for humanity and the whole world.

As of end-April, there were 6,002 cases of COVID-19 in Malaysia, with 102 deaths.

Youth division members listening intently to General Director Koh Sia Feai’s study session.

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On February 22, 2020, SGM organised an art exhibition by veteran artist Mohd Yusoff Osman at Wisma Kebudayaan SGM. Entitled “Continuum: Nite Rhona - Wetlands Dry Series 5th Solo Exhibition by Mohd Yusoff Osman,” the exhibition showcased 59 pieces of abstract artworks, mainly highlighting the issue of drying wetlands. The exhibition ran until March 15, 2020.

In his welcoming remarks, SGM Deputy President Johnny Ng Teck Sim mentioned that wetlands are currently drying at an alarming rate due to unregulated commercial activities, fast becoming “an environmental problem that is greatly impacting our lives.” He also mentioned that Yusoff recognises his inseparability with nature, has a strong sense of mission in raising awareness

on the importance of wetlands and strives to produce artworks that are meaningful to society. He pointed that this ideal is “similar to the concept of ‘Soka,’ which means value-creation, where we believe every single individual possesses the power to create value at each moment.”

Next, artist Yusoff Osman took to the rostrum and talked about his bitter-sweet journey in art, touching briefly on the art group Anak Alam, to which he is deeply indebted.

On hand to officiate the opening was Dr Nagulendran Kangayatkarasu, Deputy Secretary-General of the then-Ministry of Energy, Science, Technology, Environment and Climate Change (MESTECC). Graduating with a Masters in Environmental Management from the University

SGM Hosts Solo Art Exhibition on

Wetlands at Risk

Imbued with the ideal which is similar to the concept of "Soka", “Continuum: Nite Rhona - Wetlands Dry Series 5th Solo Exhibition by Mohd Yusoff Osman” was opened by Dr Nagulendran Kangayatkarasu, Deputy Secretary-General of the then-Ministry of Energy, Science, Technology, Environment and Climate Change (MESTECC) (fifth from right). (From left to right) Siti Zaiton Hamid, Datuk Ahmad Tarmimi Siregar, Prof Dr Ismail Abdullah, Datuk Dr Zurinah Hassan, artist Yusoff Osman, SGM Deputy President Johnny Ng, Tok Dalang Mohamed Nasir Yusoff, Datuk Dr Anwar Ridhwan and curator Tan Sei Hon.

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The Tok Dalang presenting a wayang kulit performance at the opening ceremony.

of Nottingham in 2003, Dr Nagu, as he is better known, also represented the government of Malaysia in numerous international conventions and treaties on the environment, negotiating Malaysia’s stand on issues related to biodiversity and access to benefit sharing and biosafety.

In his speech, Dr Nagulendran warned that we often forget about our interconnectedness with each other and that, due to rapid destruction and deforestation, species such as elephants, tigers and rhinoceros are becoming extinct. He also pointed out that plastics we throw away have seeped into our food and entered our bodies. He also touched on global warming and climate change and urged the audience to act, because as individuals, there is much they can do, perhaps more than governments. He lauded SGM’s efforts in promoting such awareness to make the world a better place for future generations.

Further enlivening the opening was a wayang kulit (shadow play) performance by the National Academy of Arts, Culture and Heritage (ASWARA), which delighted the audience.The specially-created performance was headlined by famous Malaysian master puppeteer extraordinaire (or Tok

Dalang) Mohamed Nasir Yusoff, better known as Pak Nasir. Datuk Dr Zurinah Hassan,

Malaysia’s 13th national literature laureate gave a reading of her own poetry about nature in suffering. Well-known local actor Datuk Ahmad Tarmimi Siregar recited one of Yusoff ’s poems. Also gracing the ceremony were tenth national literature laureate Datuk Dr Anwar Ridhwan and exhibition curator Tan Sei Hon.

Apart from that, Yusoff Osman also delivered two art talks on his work in advertising and f ine art on February 25 and March 3 respectively at Wisma Kebudayaan SGM. In his talks, attended mostly by art college students, Yusoff highlighted his achievements in the advertisement industry and f ine art. He shared with the audience the vast systematic knowledge (ilmu) he acquired on his journey, his attitude of learning and re-questioning accepted values and ways of working to achieve important milestones in his careers.

Dr Nagu stressing the danger of rapid deforestation on animals inhabiting the forest.

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Impressions

Datuk Ahmad Tarmimi SiregarKarya artis kali ini berbeza dengan siri lain kerana konsepnya gelap, tiada kecerahan seperti siri lain. Beliau bercakap tentang the darkness of wetlands dan sudut pandangannya pada waktu malam. Pelukis mempunyai

pandangan yang lain, dan kita lihat ialah warna gelap yang juga mempunyai garis-garis dan titik tumpuan yang baharu.

Jika wetlands tidak dilindungi, ia akan pupus. Kegiatan kesenian dan budaya yang dilaksanakan awal

oleh SGM harus diteruskan untuk meningkatkan kesedaran kita terhadap isu alam sekitar dan pemanasan global. Dengan ini, kita boleh terapkan kesedaran kepada anak-anak kita. Jika tidak, kita mungkin terlambat dan berdosa kerana tidak melakukan kerja kita.

Datuk Dr Anwar Ridhwan Pameran kali ini sangat penting kerana memberi kesedaran kepada penonton tentang pentingnya menjaga alam sekitar. Ia adalah warisan kita kepada generasi yang akan datang.

Saya sudah lama mengenal SGM walaupun ini kali pertama saya datang ke WKSGM. Saya kagum dengan aktiviti yang dijalankan oleh SGM kerana tanpa mengira apa-apa kepercayaan atau budaya, tetapi apa yang penting ialah kita boleh menghasilkan satu kehidupan yang baik berdasarkan budaya dan berperimanusiaan yang tinggi.

Saya sudah lama berkawan dengan Yusoff dan saya kagum dengan teknik dan komitmen beliau kepada tema karyanya.

Dr Choong Kam Kow The topic is well-related to the human activities towards nature and the

harmony of man and nature. After many years of effort, Yusoff has developed his own hallmark of his creativity. The colours are generally on the sombre side; perhaps he wants to expose the negative effects of humankind on nature, which has become his message to deliver through his artworks. The artist expresses his emotions towards the wetlands and results of human activities by using sombre, dark and sad colours.

Datuk Dr Zurinah Hassan

Saya berasa sangat kagum dan gembira dapat bersama menyaksikan satu

perasmian yang sangat menarik kerana ada sastera, wayang kulit dan pameran lukisan. Ini semua memperkatakan perasaan kita dan percintaan kita terhadap alam. Ini satu hal yang saya rasa kita mesti teruskan. Saya telah pun kenal artis sejak tahun 1970an.

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SGM General Director (far left) receiving the artwork from artist Yusoff Osman (far right) as the latter’s wife Siti Zaiton Hamid (centre) looks on.

Artist Yusoff OsmanPresents Artwork to SGM

Artist Yusoff Osman sharing his achievements in the advertising industry in a talk on February 25.

In an informal and friendly manner, artist Yusoff Osman relating his bitter-sweet struggles in his artistic journey on March 3.

In conjunction with the “Continuum: Nite Rhona - Wetlands Dry Series 5th Solo Exhibition by Mohd Yusoff Osman,” artist Yusoff Osman presented an artwork titled “Hijauan Buat Sementara (Satoyama)” to SGM’s permanent art collection. On March 3, 2020, a handing-over ceremony was held at Wisma Kebudayaan SGM where SGM General Director Koh Sia Feai, as SGM’s representative, received the artwork.

Yusoff Osman expressed his deep appreciation to SGM for holding his solo exhibition and further explained the gifted artwork. Meanwhile Mr Koh said that he resonated with the artist’s ideal of “when we respect Nature, it will respect us in return.” He also said that he will preserve the artwork carefully and promised to exhibit more great artworks for the benef it of society.

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Tadika Seri Soka Children

Visit MDPHseveral themes such as “never give up” to explain the meaning behind these wonderful photos. For example, a scene taken in Germany with double rainbows shows that rainbows will only appear after a storm or rain. Hence, the children should persevere in whatever they are doing without giving up easily.

Next, the group visited the Mentor and Disciple Peace Exhibition Hall where they learnt the history of Soka Gakkai and the contributions of the three founding presidents. Using vivid body movements and props, the teachers related to the students the struggles of these founders in realising world peace. At the end, all of them were surely able to exclaim, “I want peace!”

From March 10 to 12, 2020, Tadika Seri Soka (TSS)

organised several trips for its six-year-old children to visit the SGM Mentor and Disciple Peace Hall (MDPH) located in Wisma Kebudayaan SGM

(WKSGM). This time, a total of 115 children took part in this trip.

To start off the trip, they visited the “Our Beautiful Earth Photography Exhibition” by Daisaku Ikeda,” who is also the founder of TSS, located on the eighth floor. The teachers used

Yes, I want peace!

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GKL Vanguard Group Holds

General Meeting On February 29, 2020, Greater Kuala Lumpur (GKL) Vanguard Group members gathered at SGM Culture Centre to hold its general meeting. This day was also the eighth anniversary since SGI President Ikeda renamed the group as “Vanguard Group.” In total 162 people joined the meeting.

Committee member Chia Jing Ai elaborated on the origin, significance and vision of the group, while the Head of SGM’s Arts and Exhibition Department Vicky Ho announced f ive exhibitions that will be organised this year. [Editor’s note: Due to the impact of COVID-19, some of these exhibitions have since been postponed.]

Meanwhile, committee leader Yap Wai Wai added that each exhibition has a goal of achieving 3,000 visitors. Hence, she asked the members to actively promote these

exhibitions and invite their families and friends to join in the journey of discovery. At the same time, she urged them to enrich themselves by attending pre-exhibition talks.

Next, SGM General Director Koh Sia Feai spoke on the the significance of Wisma Kebudayaan SGM (WKSGM), and urged the members to become f lag-bearers by being the f irst to invite people to visit exhibitions where they can cultivate their character through viewing f irst-rate artworks. With this, WKSGM, the “Citadel of Culture”, will have a greater responsibility and mission in promoting peace through culture.

SGM General Director Koh Sia Feai (centre) taking a commemorative photo with the members of GKL Vanguard Group who are joyfully upholding Wisma Kebudayaan SGM as a “Citadel of Culture.”

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SGM Selangor Participates in

“Jom Gotong Royong” Event On March 1, 2020, SGM Selangor members participated in a gotong royong event. Held at Padang Taman Klang Jaya, Klang, the event was

organised by Persatuan Penduduk Taman Klang Jaya (Taman Klang Jaya Residents Association) with cooperation from Sentosa assemblyman YB Dr Gunaraj George, Klang Municipal Council (MPK)

councillor Sebastian Rao Pragasam, the Klang district health office, MPK and KDEB Waste Management Sdn Bhd.

Some 25 SGM Selangor members joined a gathering of 45 people to clear and throw away rubbish in this area, which was considered a hotspot for the breeding of the Aedes mosquito and dengue fever. The activity was aimed to educate the residents on how to stop these mosquitoes from breeding.

After a briefing on everyone’s duty for that day, a Klang district health office officer gave a talk on dengue and steps one should take to prevent it from spreading. Following that, the Selangor members were split into five groups and assigned to different locations in the residential garden and cleared rubbish together with the residents.

Chairman of SGM Selangor Chee Hoon Teck speaking to the participants about the interconnectedness of people and the environment in which they live in.

SGM members and residents of Taman Klang Jaya clearing a clogged drain.

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SGM PenangGreat Wall GroupHolds General Meeting

Tan Gee Seng (left) and Kong Teik Loong (right) sharing SGi President Ikeda’s guidance on the spirit of safeguarding the organisation vigilantly.

SGM Penang Great Wall Group (GW) members are determined to rise up to protect the organisation and become a role model to the young men’s division members.

On March 1, 2020, 335 SGM Penang Great Wall Group (GW) members gathered at SGM Penang Culture Centre to hold the Great Wall General Meeting themed “Great Wall Group of the Shared Struggle of Mentor and Disciple.”

In the meeting, SGM Penang GW main person-in-charge (PIC) Chew Khian Kee announced new appointments and made a review on the group’s establishment. He further expressed his appreciation for the members’ efforts throughout all these years and the participants responded by shouting the group’s slogans.

Next, PIC Kang Shao Chin spoke about several matters to note including the criteria to become a GW member, carrying out duty, uniform code and the importance of bringing along their identif ication card. He also urged them to

become role models for the young men’s division members.

The main activities this year were then announced, which include the Lotus Sutra Exhibition, Nationwide All Leaders Meeting and the opening of SGM Penang Members Service Centre. [Note: The Lotus Sutra Exhibition has been postponed

to end-2021. Updates are pending on other activities.]

Group members Tan Giap Beng and Leong Gin Pin shared their experiences, inspiring the participants to valiantly face obstacles they faced when performing duty. The participants later studied together the spirit of protecting the organisation.

Lastly, adviser Toh Keat Heng encouraged the participants to always remember the five eternal guidelines of the Soka Gakkai and “strengthen your faith day by day and month after month.” (WND-1, pg 997) He hoped that all members will become persons who are rich in the “treasures of the heart.”

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Tadika Seri SokaUndergoing Upgrading Works

environment and upgraded facilities will be able to inspire the children, parents and staff to learn even more effectively. She also said that she will work harder together with the other teachers to further promote the ideals of Soka education and ensure that all the children become happy.

It has been more than 25 years since Tadika Seri Soka (TSS) first opened on December 1, 1994. Beginning February this year, TSS is undergoing major renovation and upgrading works to provide a better learning environment for the TSS community. [Editor’s note: The project has been halted temporarily due to the Movement Control Order imposed by the government.]

The project includes repairing and repainting the building, expanding the staff office, adding toilets and a multipurpose room.

TSS principal Mdm Lye Loy Hou hopes that the new

TSS facilities at various stages of upgrading.


The problems that face our world are daunting

in their depth and complexity. Sometimes it may be

hard to see where – or how – to begin.

But we cannot be paralysed by despair.

We must each take action towards the goals

we have set and in which we believe.

Rather than passively accepting things as they are,

we must embark on the challenge of

creating a new reality. It is in this effort that true,

undying hope is to be found.

— SGI President Daisaku Ikeda


“It is through the use of words and letters that the Buddha saves living beings.”

(WND-2, pg 6)

SGM magazines are the “TORCH OF

WISDOM” for happiness and victory.

They are the “COMPASS” for human

revolution.

Using the inspiration found within them,

let’s infuse the hearts of one person after

another with courage and hope!

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