WORDS OF THE WEEK - August 2, 1999
Life is full of challenges. Society, too, is filled with challenges. Become victors and lead lives of freedom and fulfillment.
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Tuesday, September 21, 1999 SGI Newsletter No. 4023
SGI President Ikeda's Speech
Youth, Stand Up and Effect Change!
I fear nothing. All that a human being should fear is how they will be judged by justice. I would like the youth of Japan as well to firmly inherit my spirit in this regard. It is deplorable if youth stand by and condone the behavior of those who arrogantly hold their fellow citizens in contempt, who have no scruple in twisting and misrepresenting historical facts, and who are authoritarian to the very core. It is up to you, the members of the youth division, the youth of the SGI, to change the way things are.
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To My Friends - August 1, 1999
Summer has begun! Like a refreshing breeze, a sincere message rejunevates the heart. Let's remember to write to our friends.
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Tuesday, September 7, 1999 SGI Newsletter No. 4014
SGI President Ikeda's Speech
A Declaration of Victory: "We Have Won!"
The men's division is the golden pillar of kosen-rufu. I hope all of our men's division members will lead positive, youthful lives, always taking the initiative in working for others' welfare.
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To My Friends - July 31, 1999
We are in an age of intense competition. Desperate struggles are all around us. Always seize the initiative and triumph.
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Tuesday, September 7, 1999 SGI Newsletter No. 4014
SGI President Ikeda's Speech
A Declaration of Victory: "We Have Won!"
There are those who have no solid philosophy to guide them in living their lives. And they have no interest in seeking one. Yet they are cocky and arrogant. Aren't such people complete failures as human beings? Whatever power or authority they may have, it is as evanescent as a dream.
But the lives of you who live in accord with and dedicated to the Mystic Law, the eternal and imperishable Law of the universe, are eternal and imperishable in return. By comparison, social status and material wealth are insignificant. I want you to be confident that you are leading the greatest of all lives.
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To My Friends - July 30, 1999
Don't give into illness under any circumstances. Let's live out our lives with the SGI family.
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Tuesday, September 7, 1999 SGI Newsletter No. 4014
SGI President Ikeda's Speech
A Declaration of Victory: "We Have Won!"
What is crucial is the vibrant energy and momentum of the central figure.
Mr. Toda also often used to say if the leaders at the top are truly serious in their commitment, any vital areas for reform would naturally become apparent to them.
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To My Friends - July 29, 1999
Our organization will develop to the extent leaders can expand our life conditions. The basis for growth lies in our sincere prayers!
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Tuesday, September 7, 1999 SGI Newsletter No. 4014
SGI President Ikeda's Speech
A Declaration of Victory: "We Have Won!"
"Do not be afraid! Do not retreat!"-this message is the essence of Nichiren Daishonin's Buddhism. No matter how high your position in the organization, you disqualify yourself as a leader the moment you lose your determination to go on fighting for kosen-rufu.
The Daishonin was a lion king. We must follow directly in his footsteps, and in those of Mr. Toda. We must wholeheartedly pursue the path of mentor and disciple of the SGI.
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***21st September 1999***
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Today in 1279 the Atsuhara Persecution begins with arrest of twenty farmers.
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Hoki-bo and Sado-bo and the believers at Atsuhara, united in their courageous faith, proved the true strength of itai doshin.
If itai doshin (many in body, one in mind) prevails among the people, they will achieve all their goals, whereas in dotai ishin (one in body, different in mind), they can achieve nothing remarkable.
On Itai Doshin, MW-1, 153
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To My Friends - July 27, 1999
The stronger our prayers, the stronger the protection of the shoten zenjin. Let's triumph with resounding daimoku, that evokes response from the Gohonzon.
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Thursday, August 26, 1999 SGI Newsletter No. 4005
The New Human Revolution-Volume 7: Chapter 3
"It's very true that it is important to undergo hardships in one's youth," Shin'ichi responded. "It becomes a lifelong treasure. Mr. Toda always used to say, 'Experience hardships in your youth.' He was very strict in my education and training, too. When his business was in trouble, we sometimes went for several months without receiving our pay. I spent an entire winter without an overcoat. Sometimes Mr. Toda would call me at 2:00 or 3:00 in the morning and tell me to come over right away.
"But the truly great mentors are deliberately strict in training their disciples, setting many tough hurdles for them. They do it for their disciples' sake. I understood that perfectly, and I was proud to serve Mr. Toda. I wrote in my diary at the time: 'Whatever difficulties may continue to beset me in the future, in the course of my life, my greatest and supreme happiness will have been the honor of studying with this mentor.'
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WORDS OF THE WEEK - July 26, 1999
You yourself should burn with passion in our struggles and challenges for kosen-rufu! Your joy and conviction will instill courage and hope in all!
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Tuesday, August 24, 1999 SGI Newsletter No. 4003
Discussions on Youth
SGI President Ikeda's Discussions on Youth-For the Protagonists of the Twenty-first Century
Life is about winning. Buddhism is about winning, too. Society is concerned with reputation; government is concerned with punishment and reward; and Buddhism is concerned with winning or losing.
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To My Friends - July 26, 1999
Leadership in the SGI denotes "responsibility." Earnest efforts to fulfill our mission leads to great benefit.
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Tuesday, August 24, 1999 SGI Newsletter No. 4003
Discussions on Youth
SGI President Ikeda's Discussions on Youth- For the Protagonists of the Twenty-first Century
It is vitally important, I feel, that we help students develop a questioning mind, so that they will always ask themselves why and for what purpose a given thing is being done or pursued.
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To My Friends - July 25, 1999
Let's move! Let's move for the sake of friends! That is the path of the cause of justice.
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Tuesday, August 24, 1999 SGI Newsletter No. 4003
Discussions on Youth
SGI President Ikeda's Discussions on Youth-For the Protagonists of the Twenty-first Century
Knowledge gives rise to wisdom. If you like, knowledge is the pump, and wisdom is the water that we get from the pump. If we can't obtain water, the pump is useless. At the same time, without knowledge, without the pump, we won't be able to obtain water.
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***14th September 1999***
To My Friends - July 23, 1999
Fill people's hearts with abundant hope! That is the responsibility of a Buddhist leader!
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Tuesday, August 24, 1999 SGI Newsletter No. 4003
Discussions on Youth
SGI President Ikeda's Discussions on Youth-For the Protagonists of the Twenty-first Century
A society that values only knowledge and lacks wisdom is bound to reach a dead end. A certain philosopher has pointed this out as the fundamental failing of Japanese culture.
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***13th September 1999***
To My Friends - July 22, 1999 Don't begrudge hardships. A life that regresses is empty and void. A life that advances is thoroughly fulfilling.
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Tuesday, August 24, 1999 SGI Newsletter No. 4003
Discussions on Youth
SGI President Ikeda's Discussions on Youth-For the Protagonists of the Twenty-first Century
One of the causes of the chaos in Japan today is a confusion between knowledge and wisdom. Knowing how to apply the knowledge we have acquired-that is where wisdom comes in. We can accumulate all the knowledge we like, but without guiding wisdom, it is useless; it produces nothing of value. Memorized information always remains on the level of the conceptual. Wisdom, in contrast, operates on the level of real life. It is a source of power for living, for surviving and coping. It is wisdom that leads to success and happiness. Knowledge alone cannot produce happiness. Most people don't really understand this; they are sadly deluded on this point.
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***10th September 1999***
To My Friends - July 22, 1999
Let's care for our friends as members of our family, having warm consideration for their health and well-being.
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Tuesday, August 31, 1999 SGI Newsletter No. 4007
SGI President Ikeda's Poem (An extract)
SGI President Ikeda composed and dedicated the following poem to the members of the Men's Division on March 26, 1999.
The Noble Voyage of Life
Dedicated to my most respected and esteemed men's division members He was a nameless elementary school principal; He was unknown, yet a master geographer; He was a hero of kosen-rufu, Who practiced as the Buddha taught. And he was the founder Of the Soka Gakkai With its tradition of shakubuku, The practice of the Lotus Sutra. He died a martyr to his beliefs As a towering practitioner of the Mystic Law, The ultimate law of life Revealed by Nichiren Daishonin.

***9th September 1999***
To My Friends - July 20, 1999
Let's challenge ourselves! Let's exert wholehearted efforts in our struggles! Then take a rest. Therein lies fulfillment in life.
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Friday, August 20, 1999 SGI Newsletter No. 4000
Discussions on Youth
During your youth, study as hard as three people and have the faith of one-no, for that period of your life, to have the faith of even half a person is fine. Even if you can't do a full morning and evening gongyo right now, you can strive to challenge yourself gradually in this area and eventually be able to develop a consistent and confident practice.

***8th September 1999***
This day in 1957, 2nd President Toda made declaration against the use of nuclear weapons. "on September 8, 1957, Josei Toda, second president of the Soka Gakkai, made his proclamation against the use of nuclear weapons. Firmly believing that any threat to humanity's right of survival is diabolic, satanic and monstrous, he declared the use of nuclear weapons to be absolutely evil and entrusted the young men's and young women's divisions with the task of carrying out an antinuclear campaign. Mr. Toda considered the use of nuclear weapons diabolic in that they take life and criticized attempts to justify the possession of nuclear weapons from a fundamental Buddhist standpoint." from President Ikeda's 1987 Peace Proposal
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To My Friends - July 19, 1999 Leaders should take the lead and teach our children the spirit of the SGI! Let's talk to them about faith and kosen-rufu!
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Friday, August 20, 1999 SGI Newsletter No. 4000
Discussions on Youth
Mr. Toda often used to say, "You need to have the faith of one, and to work as hard as three, if you're going to succeed in life." The opposite just goes against reason. It's just fanaticism. The Gosho tells us quite firmly that faith that is not related to society diminishes the true greatness of Buddhism.

To My Friends - July 16, 1999
Advance boldly from where you find yourself right now. The more your worries, the more you can expand your life condition!
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Friday, August 20, 1999 SGI Newsletter No. 4000
Discussions on Youth Nothing great is achieved without serious effort. There is no easy road to learning. Study so hard that you surprise everyone. This is the way you should be thinking. That tremendous effort will become a wonderful, noble, fulfilling memory of your youth. It will be a proud medal of honor of those days.
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To My Friends - July 15, 1999 We should follow through with promises, no matter what. Being true to one's word is a requirement of a leader.
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Friday, August 20, 1999 SGI Newsletter No. 4000 Discussions on Youth The important thing is to always concentrate fully on the challenges at hand. If you do that, your mission will reveal itself to you naturally over the course of time.
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To My Friends - July 14, 1999 A person imbued with vitality and refreshing sparkle naturally gains the trust of others.
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Friday, August 20, 1999 SGI Newsletter No. 4000
Discussions on Youth
Never forget that other people are other people, and you are you. You mustn't feel envious or jealous of others, thinking, "I wish I was like him, or like her." Please forge your own solid and unshakable self-identity. Success or failure in life is decided in the final chapter, not the opening page. ============================

To My Friends - July 13, 1999 Let's cherish those who come to meetings. Let's cherish even more those who are unable to attend.
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Friday, August 20, 1999 SGI Newsletter No. 4000
Discussions on Youth
There are many complex situations in life. Sometimes things don't work out as we'd like. The same is true in society. The important thing is not to be defeated by such setbacks. Life is long. Things won't always go our way. Indeed, it's a fact of life that things often don't go the way we'd hope. That's why life is a struggle and we suffer so much inner torment. How can we reach our own personal summit of achievement that we can be satisfied with? That challenge is what life is all about. ============================

WORDS OF THE WEEK - July 13, 1999 Do not be swept under by your destiny! Buddhism enables you to change it. Arouse the great powers of the Buddha and the Law with robust faith and practice!
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Friday, August 20, 1999 SGI Newsletter No. 4000 Discussions on Youth Your future is not determined by the school you graduate from. It's determined by you and who you are as a human being.
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To My Friends - July 11, 1999 Those who challenge to live earnestly always seek out religious faith. Let's conduct dialogue on Buddhist philosophy with great conviction.
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Friday, August 20, 1999 SGI Newsletter No. 4000
Discussions on Youth
You're absolutely free to choose your own path. It's your life. You yourself have to decide what's best for you. Certainly, there is some truth in those seniors' words, but the school you graduate from doesn't determine your entire life. Far more important is that you have the strength and depth of character to earnestly ponder the question of how you should live your life. How much inner strength and depth you possess will determine how fulfilled and satisfying your life will be.
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To My Friends - May 22, 1999 At large meetings, be careful when using the stairs, of congestion by the exit, and keep an eye out for children and elderly. ============================

To My Friends - May 20, 1999 "How can I bring my friends joy?" Such a rich imagination qualifies one as a person of faith! ============================

To My Friends - May 20, 1999 A single convincing word is the product of wisdom! And wisdom comes from sincerity! ============================

To My Friends - May 19, 1999 Cherish the Many-Treasures Group members (members in their senior years) who have provided great distinguished service. Their veteran experiences and wisdom are treasures for kosen-rufu! ============================

To My Friends - May 18, 1999 Resounding voice,brisk responses, spirited action; Leaders should always be lively! ============================

To My Friends - May 16, 1999 Before going out to an activity, take some time to think! Meticulous caution will protect against fire and accidents. ============================

To My Friends - May 10, 1999 Ironclad unity starts with dialogue. Let's frankly share our opinions with one another! ============================

To My Friends - May 8, 1999 Members of the future division, do your best! Let's all encourage the future divisions members! Those taking care of them should put all their effort into protecting and raising them! ============================

To My Friends - May 8, 1999 The most ordinary personal encouragement accumulates to build a castle of victory! ============================

To My Friends - May 7, 1999 Even if no one tells you what to do, or no one is watching you, quietly work to accomplish your mission! One who does so is a great victor! ============================

To My Friends - May 5, 1999 Let's give people confidence! Let's provide them with a mission! That is how capable people of the new century will grow! ============================

To My Friends - May 4, 1999 Faith directed toward kosen-rufu is genuine faith! Those who work hard for kosen-rufu are true practitioners! ============================

To My Friends - May 3, 1999 The dazzling century of "Soka" is opening! We, Bodhisattvas of the Earth, will advance with courageous and assiduous practice! ============================

To My Friends - May 2, 1999 Without a sense of fulfillment, one cannot say that one is happy. Have your heart! Have a new goal for yourself! ============================

To My Friends - May 1, 1999 Our month of May! By forming solidarity with thousands of fellow Bodhisattvas of the Earth, let's advance again and march joyously forward! ============================

To My Friends - April 30, 1999 Study is a compass for our life and faith! Read the Gosho every day, and make a fresh start! ============================

To My Friends - April 29, 1999 Let's have another great victory together! To create the greatest joy, let's examine and discuss the tasks before us. ============================

To My Friends - April 28, 1999 Let's praise our victorious comrades! Praise will bring about even greater benefits. ============================

To My Friends - April 18, 1999 Those who fight enthusiastically are ultimately building their own fortune. ============================

To My Friends - April 18, 1999 Let's deepen our connections based on Buddhahood with many friends! If there is mutual understanding, everyone will become a protective Buddhist god! ============================

To My Friends - April 17, 1999 To bring out the best from each person is kosen-rufu. Let's advance by declaring that everyone has a profound mission! ============================

To My Friends - April 16, 1999 For a great life and an everlasting history, become a person who always improves even a step beyond where you are today. ============================

To My Friends - April 15, 1999 Cherish one person! Make one person into a person of courage! That is where the momentum for kosen-rufu emerges! ======================

To My Friends - April 14, 1999 A single sincere word has a great power! And there is limitless power in the unity of faith! ======================

To My Friends - April 13, 1999 Let's advance again today! Those who have fought to the fullest develop a state of life that transforms the joy of victory into benefit. ======================

To My Friends - April 12, 1999 Kosen-rufu is a drama of the people's victory. Future generations will definitely praise our great achievement! ======================

To My Friends - April 11, 1999 Move fully! Speak positively! That is where our victorious, great revolution lies! ======================

To My Friends - April 9, 1999 Action! Here lies the pride of a winner, the joy of human revolution, and our golden diary! ======================

To My Friends - March 27, 1999 To struggle is unity! No matter how busy you may be, maintain close communication and reports; and experience great victory! ======================

To My Friends - March 25, 1999 Key to success lies more with great passion than with ability! ======================

To My Friends - March 20, 1999 Any problems we face are all part of our mission! Therefore, those who overcome them are victors who can enjoy a free and self-determined state of life. ======================

To My Friends - March 20, 1999 Let's live each day conscientiously! To cherish yourself is to live this day earnestly. ======================

To My Friends - March 20, 1999 Do not yell at children in front of people. Do not hurt their pride. Children also have their own character or personality. Give them the utmost respect! ======================

To My Friends - March 19, 1999 Helping to lighten your friends' hearts is like lubricating heavy gears this hard work is itself "guidance." ======================

To My Friends - March 17, 1999 Please take care of the homes that are being offered as meeting places. Let's all clean the homes that are used as personal community centers. ======================