The Osaka Campaign - Part 2

"In order to achieve victory, two things are vital: "strong daimoku" and "first-rate strategy and action."
... the "first rate strategy" was clearly shown in President Ikeda's behavior and in his 'Early Morning Gosho Lectures.' Simply put, the "first rate strategy is to be in complete rhythm with Sensei.
... The directions given by President Ikeda during the morning Gosho lecture was in-fact the "best strategy."
- Osaka campaign Value creation Jan 2007
I have come across this guidance each time while re-reading the Osaka campaign. While I kind of understood 'strong daimoku,' I could never wrap my head around 'first rate strategy and action.' What did it mean, I wondered. If I knew what the best strategy was, wouldn't I have already gone ahead and executed it? If it was so simple to take a certain action, would I not have already...well, taken that action?
The passage excerpt above explained what these terms mean at the most fundamental level for us as practitioners of Nichiren Daishonin's buddhism. 'First rate strategy & action' mean being one with out mentor. To strive each day to chant to be in same mind as him. To read the New Human revolution series to understand Sensei at a deeper level and learn how he lives and behaves in daily life.
Mentor disciple is a very difficult concept to understand..but striving to understand it is in fact a part of adopting first rate strategy and action. When we begin to understand our mentor, a lot of big words like 'kosen-rufu,' and 'bodhisattva of the earth,' will start to make that much more sense and our life will start expanding tremendously. So towards July 3rd, which is celebrated as Mentor Disciple day, let's try and chant this day onwards to connect with Sensei. It may not come naturally to you in the beginning and that's ok. The important thing is to have the ichinen to begin to understand Sensei's significance in our lives at some point and be able to follow him truly. Then we will truly be like a 'blue fly clinging to a thorough bred horse.' (will not explain that here...thats another post.)
You can read more about the mentor and disciple concept here

Eternal March 16

Excerpt paraphrased from July 2013 Value creation "Eternal March 16" By Shin'ichi Yamamoto

On the morning of 15 march 2013, Sensei received the happy news that two blossoms on the Youth Cherry Tree in front of the Soka Gakkai Visitors Centre flowered. "Undefeated by the trials of winter, the Youth Cherry Tree exudes a spirit of eternal youth. year after year, as if coming out to warmly greet neighbourhood residents and visitors, it blooms with all its might." Sensei likens the Tree to the youth division members contributing to their communities and society through dialogue.
"To be full of energy is the distinguishing characteristic of youth. Youth are the future; they are the embodiment of hope. They are challengers, pioneers, and builders."
March 16 1958, a 'dress rehearsal' for kosen-rufu. Sensei likened it with the same significance as the ceremony in the air, where Shakyamuni entrusted the law to his disciples as depicted in the Lotus Sutra. March 16 was a ceremony of entrustment from mentor to disciple as well as youth who rose up to respond to their mentor.
How best can youth respond to the mentor, how can they reassure their mentor? By "diligently seeking the buddha way." Diligently means to constantly make an effort to achieve something.
Our daily practice of Gongyo and chanting daimoku also has a significance linked to the Ceremony in the Air. The Daishonin writes: This mandala (the Gohonzon) is in no way my invention. It is the object of devotion that depicts Shakyamuni Buddha, the World-Honored One, seated in the treasure tower of Many Treasures Buddha, and the Buddhas who were Shakyamuni's emanations as perfectly as a print matches its woodblock."
As this passage indicates, the Gohonzon is a depiction of the Ceremony in the Air.
Through chanting earnestly before the Gohonzon, we make a vow for kosen-rufu and then take action in society. Because of that vow, limitless power wells forth within us as Bodhisattvas of the Earth, filling us with courage and wisdom.
"I will open the way for Kosen-rufu! I will challenge this task today! I will lead the way to victory!" - whenever I sit before the Gohonzon, I (Shin'ichi) deepen my pledge to Nichiren Daishonin and my mentor Josei Toda, who called forth vast numbers of Bodhisattvas of the Earth in the present age.

Power of Daimoku - Ikeda Sensei

Power of Daimoku

"If you underestimate the power of daimoku and use other strategies you will lose in the end. You can accumulate good fortune only when you fight for the kosen-rufu without begrudging your life. Unless your prayers are united, your fight for kosen-rufu cannot gain momentum. No matter what anybody says, or does, nothing can defeat the power of daimoku. But without action, you cannot call it faith. The Gohonzon can penetrate through everything.

The world of faith is very mystic and once you become serious, you can gain 1000 or 10000 times more benefits. When you chant abundant daimoku, you have the power to open even the heaviest iron-door that stands in your way i.e, you can overcome the most massive obstacles in your life. You can definitely change your negative karma. The world of faith is the place where many of us, all of us chant powerful daimoku in unity, thus creating power like the force of a huge wind. There is nothing but Daimoku. Daimoku determines everything. Daimoku has more power than 1 million guidance or a million books of philosophy.

Chant abundant Daimoku and pray to the Gohonzon. Ask the Gohonzon whatever you need. Everything will come true as your wish and the path of kosen-rufu will open up in front of you. Everything depends upon how much Daimoku you chant. When you chant a lot of Daimoku, you will naturally feel that you need to study more. When you chant Daimoku, your work will become more fulfilling.

There may be times that you will experience great sufferings and deep sorrow. There maybe nights when tears will not stop flowing. There may also be times when you are terribly hurt. At such times my heart will be open to you. I am always here to listen you. I, too, will share tears with you. You don't need to tell me anything if you are happy. I can tell just by looking at your face. Just tell me about the problems and pains that you have. I will carry half of your heavy burden and walk together with you."