Message from President IkedaTo my dear, noble friends of the SGI-USA’s South Asian Group, who are building the bridge of hope between the lands of your birth and your new chosen land of America — my sincerest congratulations on your first South Asian general meeting with SGI-USA Men’s Leader Tariq Hasan! I am praying for the great success of today’s historic meeting. Please make this gathering most meaningful and joyful.
From throughout South Asia, including countries such as India, Pakistan, Iran, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Bhutan and Bangladesh, among many others — all of you have gathered here and begun advancing hand in hand for the sake of worldwide kosen-rufu. This gathering is a miniature model of world peace. It is a great sign that the sun of Nichiren Buddhism is rising magnificently over the horizon of humanity.
Nichiren Daishonin explains that Nam-myoho-renge-kyo will enable all living beings of the Latter Day of the Law to attain Buddhahood. Those who carry out this faith will, without fail, reveal the supreme brilliance of their innate dignity and enjoy victorious lives filled with the Buddha’s virtues of eternity, happiness, true self and purity. Moreover, Nichiren Buddhism will definitely enable you to guide your families, friends and all those connected to you in the direction of eternal happiness and enlightenment.
Perhaps, many of you in attendance today are the only Buddhists in your families. But you need not be hasty or impatient. Also, you should never fight with your families on account of your Buddhist practice. All you must do is show splendid proof of faith and accomplish your own human revolution. This alone will eventually give rise to people’s understanding toward the SGI.
Each of you are shouldering an important mission. Please support and encourage one another as friends in faith and advance cheerfully along the most valuable path of widespread propagation — for the peace and prosperity of society, for your and your families’ most fulfilling lives.
Every day I am earnestly praying for your excellent health and great happiness. Please convey my sincerest regards to friends in your districts and all your families. Take care!
October 3, 2004Daisaku Ikeda