Advancing With Optimism

and Joy

 

The Rocky Mountain Joint Territory

Cherry Blossom General Meeting

Denver Culture Center,

Denver, Colorado

June 9, 1996.

 

THANK YOU ALL for traveling such long distances to attend this meet­ing. I am truly delighted to have the chance to meet all of you at last.

I think you must be very tired after your long journeys. Today let's have a relaxed general meeting where everyone can get refreshed. All your efforts in traveling will turn into benefit. In the world of faith, absolutely no effort is wasted; there is no sacrifice. This is the profound working of the Mystic Law.

In the Gosho, Nichiren Daishonin teaches the benefit of trav­eling a long way to seek Buddhism, writing, "The distance of one's journey [in pursuit of Buddhism] is a sign of one's seeking spirit” (GZ, 1223).

 

Here are three waka I composed to commemorate this day:

     

At long last

Visiting Denver;

A city aflame

With pioneering spirit,

 I clasp the hands of friends.

 

. . .

Denver today

Is a bright land

Embodying the history

Of kosen-rufu in America

And the world.

. . .

Nichiren Daishonin,

With smiling countenance,

Protects and praises

My radiant friends

In Denver.

 

Also, I propose the following five-point motto for the Rocky Mountain Joint Territory:

 

1. Everyone in harmony.

2. Everyone cheerful.

3. Everyone safe from mishap.

4. Everyone healthy.

5. Everyone happy.

 

 

‘Wondrous Gifts’ of the ‘Golden West’

 

Denver is a wonderful city. The streets are broad, and the air is clean and fragrant-like your pure hearts. Gazing at the Rocky Mountains in the distance, I am struck by the vivid contrast between the white snow-covered peaks and the bright green slopes.

Denver, situated at the western edge of the Great Plains, is known as the "Queen City of the Plains." The American poet Laura DuVall beautifully sings of Denver:

 

There’s education, culture rare,

In schools the very best;

Oh, come the wondrous gifts to share,

Of this far Golden West!

Once here in Denver, you will stay

 For Colorado's air;

To bring you wealth along your way

And health beyond compare

"Queen City of the Plains, "proclaim:

For all delight to dwell

In Denver of illustrious fame­ ---

Beneath her magic spell!!

 

All of you practicing in this wonderful region of wide open spaces are most fortunate. I am overjoyed to meet you, who are working so energetically alongside Joint Territory Chief Brian Matsuo and Women's Division Chief Rita Risom.

I also have fond memories of my many friends from Denver. These include the late Alton Eastman and Ted Osaki, who made tremendous efforts to lay the foundation for our movement here, as well as Eileen Eastman, who currently lives in Dallas, and Alvah Allison, who is now at the SGI-USA Headquarters in Los Angeles.

Your joint territory chief, Mr. Matsuo, is fifty-two and a gradu­ate of Hiroshima University. He has worked diligently over the years. Mr. Matsuo was previously in Los Angeles and Arizona, and he came to Denver eight years ago. He has a fine personality and is well respected. He is committed to dedicating the rest of his life to working for kosen-rufu here with all of you. I ask that you con­tinue to support Mr. Matsuo as joint territory chief and to advance in harmonious unity.

 

To Lead Victorious lives Is the Purpose of Buddhism

 

Prayers based on the Mystic Law will definitely be answered. The twenty-sixth high priest, Nichikan, writes: "If you take faith in this Gohonzon and chant Nam-myoho-renge-kyo even for a short while, no prayer will go unanswered, no offense unexpiated, no good fortune unbestowed and no righteousness unproven."

"No prayer will go unanswered." We practice this Buddhism to make our prayers and dreams come true and to achieve the greatest possible happiness. The purpose of Nichiren Daishonin's Buddhism is to enable us to realize victory. The fact that our prayers are answered proves the correctness of this teaching.

When we plant the seed of happiness that is faith and care­ fully tend its growth, it will produce fruit without fail. We have to bear in mind, however, that we cannot plant a seed today and expect it to bear fruit tomorrow. That's not reasonable, and Buddhism is reason. If we persevere in the practice of "faith equals daily life" in accord with reason, then our prayers will definitely be answered. This is Nichiren Daishonin's promise to us, and his words are true beyond any doubt.

"No offense unexpiated." Any offense or slander will be cleansed from our lives through the power of the Mystic Law. It will disappear and turn into benefit.

"No good fortune unbestowed." Good fortune will be attract­ed to our lives in ever-increasing abundance, and in time we will definitely enter the path of life in which all wishes are fulfilled.

"No righteousness unproven." All correct reason and princi­ples will be clearly manifested and verified in our lives. We will definitely see actual proof and become experts of human exis­tence and masters of daily life.

I would like each of you to show glowing proof of these four            points in your own lives.

 

The Power of Daimoku

"Nam-myoho-renge-kyo is like the roar of a lion" (WND, 412), the Daishonin says. It is by chanting powerful daimoku, like a lion's roar, that we can move the Buddhist deities, the protective forces of the universe.

The voice is very important -- it has profound power. If a wife is scolding her husband, for example, her words won't have any effect if she speaks in a weak voice. To get his attention, she has to shout "Hey, you!" with a voice that reverberates throughout the house.

While naturally being careful not to disturb your neighbors, I hope you will try to chant cheerful and powerful daimoku that reaches all the Buddhist deities and Buddhas throughout the ten directions.

The purpose of life is to be happy. We should not be pes­simistic. Let us always be optimistic-joyful, strong and bright. That is why we practice the Daishonin's Buddhism.

 

A Celebration in the Great Outdoors

 

Yesterday, I was privileged to receive an honorary doctorate of education from the University of Denver, an institution of higher learning that abounds with a great pioneering spirit. No award is of more universal nature than one in education. This honor is shared by all of you who are great pioneers of saka, or value cre­ation.

The presentation took place at the university's graduation cer­emony, which was held outdoors in an informal yet dignified atmosphere. The sun shone brilliantly, and the moon was also faintly visible in the sky. The sun symbolizes passion; the moon, intellect. The Rocky Mountains evoked firm conviction; the wind, a respite from hard work; and the trees, the place of learning. The outdoor venue of the ceremony, meanwhile, was fittingly symbol­ic of young men and women poised to take their places on the forefront of society.

The academic gown and cap of the University of Denver that I wore are steeped in profound tradition. The gown symbolizes the egalitarian character of learning. When people don this gown, the clothes worn underneath and the differences in social status that they signify are covered up. This is symbolic of how, in the pursuit of learning, everyone is equal.

The significance of the cap goes back to Roman times. When slaves were liberated under Roman law, they gained the right to wear hats. Thus, the graduation cap symbolizes the responsibility and sanctity of learning, as well as intellectual freedom.

Regarding the significance of robes worn by priests, Nichikan says that they are "work clothes for carrying out Buddhist practice" and "active clothing for kosen-rufu." Somewhere along the way, however, they became symbols of authority indicating superiority over lay believers.

But the academic gown and cap of the university are not sym­bols of authority. On the contrary, they are permeated with a won­derful tradition bespeaking tile ideals of democracy, freedom and equality.

Chancellor Daniel Ritchie of the University of Denver is a rare individual who refuses all remuneration for his work in education. When the SGI-USA's ecology exhibition was held at the University of Denver two years ago, Chancellor Ritchie attended the opening and delivered a warm speech of praise. At the graduation cere­mony yesterday, he remarked:

 

We know that the best way to live a healthy, happy and satisfy­ing life is to have a purpose in your life more important to you than yourself. Self-centeredness isn't healthy, and it isn't much fun....

My charge and wish for each one of you is to find your pas­sion, if you haven't already-and go for it!

 

The chancellor's words no doubt made a deep impression in the hearts of the graduates. In the same spirit, I again express my praise for all of you who are devoting yourselves to lives of ser­vice.

Chancellor Ritchie and I had a warm, informal exchange fol­lowing the graduation ceremony. He has said: "Students' lives are not changed by lectures but by people. That is why it is important to have a faculty that constantly interacts with students." This is the spirit of the University of Denver.

 

Mentor in Learning

 

Dr. Ritchie was himself fortunate to have had a good mentor dur­ing his youth. When he was studying at Harvard University, he knew a student who had come from Asia. Sympathetic to the human rights activities of that student, he threw himself into the human rights movement. Filled with passion for this cause, he stopped attending classes and. almost had to drop out.

An advising professor who was worried about the young Ritchie's situation gave him guidance based on his wealth of expe­rience, telling him, "Right now is the time for you to study!" In addition, every day the professor tutored him. As a result, he caught up in his studies. That he did not drop out of school and instead went on to play an important role in society he attributes to the dedicated concern of that professor. Because of this powerful experience, Chancellor Ritchie is a strong believer in the need for young people to have mentors with broad life experiences. In his present dedication to education, he is motivated by the desire to repay his debt of grat­itude to the mentors he has had. This is Chancellor Ritchie's con­viction.

Human beings are raised by human beings. Only people can help other people become happy. I hope that all of you, as out­ standing humanistic educators, will also raise many fine individuals.

Denver, famous for the Gold Rush, is now experiencing the start of a "gold rush" of capable people for kosen-rufu.

You are all children of Nichiren Daishonin. You are all children of the original Buddha. You are incomparably noble and worthy of respect. As long as I live, I will continue to pray for your hap­piness and victory, your health and longevity. The infinite sky above the Rocky Mountains is the symbol of your infinite hope.

I hope that you, my friends in the Rocky Mountains, will always be optimistic, and that you will be the happiest and most harmonious people in the world.

Please convey my warmest regards to all those whom I could not see today. Until we meet again, please remain healthy and in high spirits.

 

NOTES

1. Laura S. DuVall, "Denver: 'Queen City of the Plains'" (1928), from Colorado

        in Verse and Picture, 1916-1928.

2. “Commentary on 'The True Object of Worship” Fuji Shugaku Yoshu, vol.

        4, p. 213.