I would like to talk about the book "Making the Impossible Possible," which is a compilation of short writings by Daisaku Ikeda. This book is on the six historic campaigns that laid the foundation for Kosen-Rufu in the Soka Gakkai, of which I am a member.
The campaign I wish to talk about today is The Arakawa Campaign of August 1957. The writings beginning on page 83.
This campaign went from August 8th through August 14th. Shin'ichi, the protagonist and pseudonym for Ikeda, led the week challenge by stating "Let's work together to open a new age for Arakawa!" And so in that one week the Arakawa Culture Center would see a 10% increase in membership, which comprised of over 200 households.
How did this happen? Shin'ichi says, "It was the single-minded wish for each person to become happy. At that time, everyone was overwhelmed by their own karma--struggling with problems such as poverty, unemployment, sickness, and family discord.
"I met members and continually tried to impress upon them that the only way for them to break through and transform their karma was to awaken to their mission as Bodhisattvas of the earth and make great efforts for kosen-rufu.
"Though the period of the campaign was brief, the members chanted intensely with the determination that they would use the campaign to share Nichiren Buddhism with many others and to overcome their problems. They challenged their problems courageously and strove all out. They made efforts not because they had been told to but because they were driven by a fighting spirit that welled up from the depths of their lives.
"The purpose of our faith and Soka Gakkai activities is to become happy. They're all for our own benefit, which in turn leads to prosperity in society...
"The summer of that year, Mr. Toda fell ill, the strain of the Yubari Coal Miners Incident and the Osaka Incident taking a toll on his health. As the members had reached 600,000 households at the end of June, the attainment of Mr. Toda's lifetime goal of 750,000 members was within sight.
"Achieving a membership of 750,000 households was the struggle of Mr. Toda's final years. I was determined for us to achieve it by 1957 so that his mind would be at ease...
"Before and after meetings, wanting to make the most of every moment, I went to visit one member after another at their homes. When I only had time for a short chat at the door, I always promised to stop by again. Making a note of everyone's name and address, I often sent them postcards later with an encouraging message...
"I wanted everyone to fully savor the joy of practicing Nichiren Daishoni's teachings.
"All people have a mission that is theirs and theirs alone. All are capable individuals; all are comrades who share profound karmic connections.
"The way to foster people is to meet people. It is important to actively reach out to and engage with others. Steady, ongoing, grassroots activities-- discussion meetings, home visits, personal guidance, questions sessions, informal meetings--are the key to victory. The SGI has been successful in its endeavors because of this solid track record of steady, consistent efforts, like flowing water...
"Kosen-rufu in our local areas is a movement to spread joy and hope toward life throughout our communities. We who uphold the Mystic Law are responsible for the happiness of our communities; we are the pioneers."
So there you have it, how to spread the joy of the Lotus Sutra, for as Nichiren Daishonin wrote in his letter to Sairen-bo Nichijo on May 17, 1273:
 |
| Nichiren Daishonin Statue |
"When praised highly by others, one feels that there is no hardship one cannot bear. Such is the courage that springs from words of praise."
So spread the love.
~~ Eso Terry
