Offering service, help or assistance to others; such people are the noblest and far greater than any famous person or people with power. One who obtains people’s admiration and respect at the final stage of their life where people will say: ‘Because of him, I am happy! Because of him, I manage to pull myself together!’ Such person is the greatest and happiest of all!

-    Mr. Ikeda

In life, we will often receive help or support offered by others where people who helped us never ask for anything in return but discreetly carry on contributing themselves helping others. Do we who have been helped, bear the sense of gratitude towards them? Did we become someone like them who discreetly helps others too? Perhaps we may misunderstand thinking why there are such stupid people who are so willing to contribute themselves without asking for anything in return?

Say for an example. When we perform on stage or watch a performance, to be able to stand on the stage and shine out with charm and beauty, as a matter of fact in reality, have you ever wondered who the mastermind behind the scene are? They are the anonymous makeup artists and stage workers. Regardless how beautiful our steps may be, how fascinating our drama may be, we need the makeup artists and stage spotlights to add on the special effects. When you come to think of it, these makeup artists used three to four hours of their time to help us makeup where some may sit too long that their feet went numb or stand until their feet are sore, however, they never utter a word of complain. Whereas the stage crew members had to sacrifice their time to join us for our rehearsals for the smooth running of our performance. Besides that, actually there are many others, say for example the Men and Women Division members who helped us to prepare food as well as the cleanliness group who helped us to maintain the cleanliness of the stage. All these people are the great workers working behind the scenes.

Mr. Ikeda once said: ‘How we live our life? What sort of contributions have we offered to this world? Even though you are unknown or even though you may not live in a luxurious mansion, but one who sincerely works for the sake of others can truly accumulate the treasures of the heart. Such people can truly experience true happiness.’ The heart of one who constantly thinks about helping others is rich where the joy and happiness in their heart can only be heartfelt, they definitely lived a happy life. Although they may not gain any reputation or acknowledgement, their efforts and contributions are already their greatest treasure. Are we someone like them?

The great masterminds and contributions behind the scenes doesn’t just limit to stage performances but one’s entire life. Great people are successful because they have people around them who are relentlessly supporting them and for that reason they are able to attain such exceptional success. Two such examples are their teachers and parents. Without being taught by their teacher with systematic guidance and tolerance or patient upbringing from their parents, they will never be able to learn and grow. Hence, we must be grateful and strive to become someone like them. Prudently learn and concentrate on moulding ourselves and study earnestly, this way, we will definitely open up a victorious path leaving brilliant histories in our lives!

Some people seek reputation while some seeks wealth, in the end, they will be lost in the world of extravagance. Because of their impoverished hearts, they will never find balance in their inner soul and they’d always feel that something is amiss in their life. We are very fortunate that we have a great mentor – Mr. Ikeda and the Mystic Law. We can assiduously study the world’s foremost philosophy – Gosho. Mr. Ikeda also said: ‘The most important thing is to live with dignity, for the world and for humanity and to live one’s life with such resolve and determination.’ Hence, no matter where we are, whether we are in our organization, school, home or workplace, we must always do our utmost in our entire endeavor, to help others, not fearing to be taken advantage of, and instead make every effort to do our best in our respective roles. This is the best way to repay society. Isn’t this Mr. Ikeda’s hope that we become such individuals?

Sustaining and supporting the world we live in isn’t merely reliant on those small groups of leaders who flaunts their power, but those people who are discreetly working hard unnoticed striving all out to realize their own mission. For that reason, we must always bear gratitude in our hearts and become a trustworthy person!

Labels: e. Words of mentor