My dear friends in America, it is with profound hope and a deep sense of shared mission that I address you, drawing upon the spirit of our gatherings between 1990 and 1996. Each visit to these vast and vibrant shores was an opportunity to reaffirm the boundless potential within each of you and to discuss the profound path of Nichiren Buddhism. We spoke of the unwavering spirit required to surmount life's inevitable obstacles, the joyful pursuit of personal happiness, and the crucial work of fostering a movement for peace and human dignity across this great nation.
You, my friends, are not merely practitioners of a faith; you are philosophers of life, creators of value, and leaders of happiness in every sense. Your role is unique and immensely significant. We explored how to deepen this awareness, to exert yourselves in the practice and study of Buddhism, and to cultivate profound wisdom coupled with human warmth. It is through this continuous effort that you will become the very architects of a new era, not just for the SGI-USA, but for the world.
We discussed the essential nature of faith, the consistent effort in practice, and the diligent pursuit of study, recognizing these as the three pillars upon which a truly victorious life is built. From the power of chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo to the importance of building inner conviction, maintaining confidence in the face of difficulties, and fostering lasting friendships, these teachings are not abstract theories but living principles to be applied to the realities of your daily lives. The spirit of offerings, too, was illuminated, not as a burden, but as an expression of gratitude that opens your life to the entire universe.
Remember, the essence of Buddhism is humanity itself. It exists for the happiness of each person, and likewise, the organization exists for the sake of its members, never the other way around. Our purpose is to embrace and protect every individual, leading them toward absolute happiness and the attainment of Buddhahood. This humanistic principle extends to the very core of our relationships, especially within the family, where love, harmony, and consideration are the true bonds, making every joy more than doubled and every sorrow more than halved.
We also looked to the future, to the younger generations who hold the key to a hopeful tomorrow. My expectations for you, the youth, are immense. It is never too late to encourage and nurture the young, to instill in them the courage to stand up for hope and respect, and to become people of great wisdom who can illuminate the hearts of their friends with the teachings of peace. Through education, which I consider the most crucial undertaking of my life, we can foster global citizens imbued with a profound respect for the sanctity of life, capable of creating value and pursuing lifelong happiness.
In those precious moments together, we touched upon the fundamental issues confronting humanity - war, environmental degradation, societal divisions - and affirmed that human transformation, a human revolution, is the only means, however slow, to achieve lasting social change. It is about believing in each person's potential, extending compassion to alleviate the suffering of others, and fostering a spirit of empathy that transcends culture and time. A new era, truly, is opened through great conviction, and it is this conviction that I entrust to each of you.
