The Osaka Campaign - Part 1

Over the next few days I will be sharing Sensei's guidances from the Osaka campaign which we were studying towards Mar 16th. This campaign is one of my favourites. I find it abundantly encouraging. 

"When one comes to the end of one's good fortune, no strategy whatsoever avails. When one's karmic rewards are exhausted, even one's retainers no longer follow one." - The Gosho

Ikeda Sensei: "When you no longer have good fortune, nothing will go smoothly, no matter how hard you try or how excellent your strategies are. Good fortune means faith. As long as you doubt the Gohonzon, you won't accumulate good fortune or benefit. Buddhism is the body and society is the shadow."

My thoughts: Good fortune is integral to achieving happiness. While good fortune may be interpreted as good circumstances, it may also be viewed an ability to enjoy these circumstances. 

Sometimes one may feel that one has to 'accumulate' good fortune in the traditional sense by making causes on a day to day basis. While that is definitely true, Sensei here gives us very clear guidance that at the most basic level, good fortune is nothing but faith. The moment we determine and choose faith over doubt, we have hope. A shift in our ichinen, a shift in our minds from doubt, despair or hopelessness to belief, joy and hope causes us to obtain good fortune in that very moment. How hopeful! This definitely gave me courage and energy as I began to feel that I can have good fortune right now. Just by being hopeful. Just by believing in the Gohonzon. Just by believing in the infinite power of my life. 

How amazing! Thank you Sensei...