Wednesday, September 28, 2011
Sunrise Group’s PIC Kick off meeting
‘Some of the very best leaders in the world started to established life sound philosophies and beliefs when they are in their teens and twenty years of age as a result laying the foundation of success when they reach age thirties and forties’.
For the sake of the expansion of the organization and the great cause for koserufu movement, Mr. Ikeda wholeheartedly resolved to foster capable successors who are high spirits in value creation. Therefore after his inauguration as the third president of Soka Gakkai he established Future Division. The growth of the Future division determines the future development of the educational institutions and universities. And because of establishment of these academic foundations, future division’s growth, visions and aspirations can be actualize.
Ever since the opening of the Mentor and Disciple Peace Hall, we have received many good reviews from the visitors. One of which happened during last month visit where I was fortunate to witnessed, I was there when the group of six years old children from Soka Kindergarten visited this Hall. As we were touring the 9th Floor and upon reaching Mr. Ikeda’s humanistic education section, the teacher and children suddenly burst out singing their school song! I was deeply moved by that scene. When the teacher asked the children whether Mr. Ikeda had attended any university before, all the children unanimously replied never. Then the teacher pointed to a photo and asked them who the person in the picture was. The children replied that it was Mr. Ikeda’s teacher, Mr. Toda. Their teacher then continued to say that although Mr. Ikeda didn’t have the chance to go to university but because he encountered a great teacher who taught him so many things about life that set him off in his earnest endeavours in establishing the Soka institutions. And for this reason all of you have the opportunity to study in the most profound humanistic education in Malaysia!
Because we value ‘humanity’ and the ‘future’ and because we hold aspirations for the ‘future’ that’s why we put into practice our study and faith as our basis in order to foster more capable people for the development of our organization, as well as establishing the foundations for the world peace.
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One of the main objectives of the establishment of the Mentor and Disciple Peace Hall is to perfectly conserve all our mentors’ meticulous contributions for us through the Mentor Disciple Peace Hall. Thus, enable our successors from countless generations to come, surpassing time and space to personally experience and inspired by the core essence of our mentors’ spirit. And as a Buddhist practitioner, a change in a single individual will enable a change in the destiny of humankind.
Hence, Mentor and Disciple Peace Hall is not built for us at present but for our children’s future.
Once Mr. Ikeda who was overwhelmed with mixed emotions said:
‘Future Division (Editors note: comprises of Primary School, Middle School and High School) each Division, I single handedly found them.’
Since his inauguration as the third president of SGI, President Ikeda placed importance on the ‘future’.
For that reason, ‘Future Division’ was the first group he established.
SGI President Ikeda said: ‘on the 3rd of May 1960, since the day I took up the post as the third president, I resolved that: ‘The 21st century will determine the success or failure of my life.’
Hence, envisaging the future of kosen rufu movement, Mr. Ikeda set up High School Division, Junior High Division and Junior Division.
One famous writer who have always paid close attention to SGI’s development said: ‘Ah! SGI is carrying out another big strategy. This line of approach is truly noble! I believe from now on, your organization will further grow and expand tremendously.’ (The Dawn of a Century of Humanistic Education essay)
How do we open up the pathway of kosen rufu for the next ten thousand years to come? My first step was establishing Soka institutions. (The Dawn of a Century of Humanistic Education essay)
One Youth Leader of the grassroots stage said:
‘When Mr. Ikeda was inaugurated as the third president, he already has the idea of wanting to establish Soka institutions and university.
I heard that there have been numerous times where leaders requested sensei to become the president but he always politely turn down their offers and as a result he felt very miserable: ‘If you asked me what made me distressed, it’s regarding what I should do to enable the organization to advance vigorously after taking up the post as president and the question is what should I do to realize it? For the sake of the future, I decided to wholeheartedly put in strenuous efforts on education and established Soka institutions and university! Once made this firm conviction, I then took up the post. ‘
Shortly after his inauguration, he has already made big decisions for the future ten years of the organization.
How should we foster SGI’s capable successors? What sort of strategy should we implement? That point is the most important matter after his inauguration as president.
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Hence, like our sensei we are gathered here today to earnestly start to strive for the future! We must carefully reflect on how to foster these Sunrise Group members for the sake of the future.
At the beginning of our meeting I have already make known and shared all the plans pertaining to Sunrise Group. But however it is the most important is actually everyone’s ‘heart’.
At the sixth memorial ceremony in 1964, University Division Chief proposed to Mr. Ikeda saying: ‘Numerous candidates who are going to retake their exams as well as third year high school students expressed their desire to participate in our University Division meetings after being inspired by our momentous approach . Hence, we hope that the University Division can take the responsibility to nurture the exam candidates as well as the third year high school students.’
Mr. Ikeda seemed like he had always been expecting this opportunity, he answered: ‘Not just third year high school students, why not let us include the entire high school students as our prospects and establish a group!
‘High School Division is the first division established as we step into the present era. They are the youthful group who will bear the heavy responsibilities of the present era.’
That same year on 1st of June, at a Young Men Division leaders meeting conducted at Taito Ward Gymnasium in Tokyo, Youth Division Chief Goro Watari stated: ‘Now is the time, establishing High School Division and Junior High Division as a youthful group!’ Mr. Ikeda recalled back the time when he once pleaded Youth Division Chief: ‘You must pick out the finest capable person to be in charge of the High School Division.’ It is because I anticipate the following generations of young phoenixes are inspired by outstanding seniors who will impart them with a learning environment where study is the first priority and a place of exuberant growth.’ (New Human Revolution)
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Therefore as what as Sensei has pointed out; you are the role model of the children. All of our words and deed will determine the end future of these successors. If we do not resolve to be Mr. Ikeda’s outstanding disciples, we cannot expect the children to be one too. Without hesitant, let us all be the children’s best role model. Our unwavering and assiduous commitment will bring about another future development for SGM kosen-rufu for the next 50 years.
Hiromasa Ikeda once said:
I was only Primary 5 when I attended the inauguration ceremony. My first impression was that the centre was over crowded with lots of children. During that time children who are in Primary five and six are considered Junior High Division members.
Before the establishment of the Junior High Division, I was brought along to participate in many numerous meetings. My family has always adhered to Mr. Toda’s guidance: ‘To let the children to grow up in the grounds of our organization’ and for the first time in my life I participated in that meeting proactively and not self-effacing.
During that meet, I learnt the five guidelines of Junior High Division shared by Goro Watari.
1. Keep up a consistent practice of gongyo.
2. Study hard.
3. Have good school attendance.
4. Don’t cause your parents to worry.
5. Live each day honestly, strongly and cheerfully.
If these words were said by our parents, we may get stubborn and won’t listen to them but if it’s said by our seniors, we’d readily accept it.
From then on, I resolved earnestly to do my gongyo. When I got home, I praised myself for being ‘the first batch of Junior High Division’ and cheerfully started my practice of gongyo.
It is very difficult to give encouragement on faith when it’s between a parent and child, if it weren’t through our organization and learning from our seniors, I’d say it’ll be difficult to accept any encouragement given.
For this reason, dear future division’s PIC, you need not worry when you’re facing with the leader’s children.
Below I’d like to share with you all a few examples on how Mr. Ikeda fosters children:
Dai-byakurenge February 2010 (Cosmic July 2011)
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truly great philosophy is always dedicated to the cause of creating the future. A truly great leader is always devoted to fostering youthful successors and ensuring their well-being - this was what I witnessed and reaffirmed during my youth as a Future Division leader, through the action of President Ikeda.
It was on the evening of February 11, 1969, after a post-event discussion on the Chubu Leaders Meeting which was held earlier in the day at the Aichi Prefecture Gymnasium, when President Ikeda took out two envelopes from his pocket and said to a Future Division leader: “Can you hand this to the two High School Division members who sang in the choir today at the meeting?”
“Two members?” For a moment. all of us present were dumbfounded as we did not have the slightest idea which “two members” President Ikeda was referring to. Sensing our bewilderment, President Ikeda said, “Don’t you know which two members I’m referring to? Remember? There were two children in the choir who were not wearing their own shoes. One was wearing a pair of over-sized leather shoes. It must have been his father’s shoes. Another child was wearing a pair of terribly worn-out canvas shoes. Go find these two members and hand these envelopes (containing money) to them so that both students can buy a pair of new shoes.”
The following morning, the leaders went round asking the choir members, “What kind of shoes were you wearing yesterday?” Finally, we managed to find the two students that President Ikeda was looking for.
Both were in their final year of study in high school and both were studying hard for their university entrance examinations while working part-time as their families were experiencing financial difficulties. Both students were initially taken aback and moved to tears when they received the unexpected gift from President Ikeda.
Quotation from the author: “After this experience, I thought to myself, who would ever notice the shoes worn by high school students? This is how President Ikeda cherishes and creates the future. The future is always in his heart. President Ikeda himself is an embodiment of the future. “
Dai-byakurenge March 2010 (Cosmic August 2011)
“Why does he treasure youthful successors to this extent?”
This is my honest feelings when I had the opportunity to work alongside SGI President Ikeda during my youth.
It was in winter 1988. President Ikeda received a letter from a primary school in Aizu-wakamatsu city located in the northern part of mainland Japan (Editor’s note: Due to the fact that the city is known for its cold, harsh winter, it is often referred to as a “Snow Country”). It was sent by three Primary Six female students from the school.
“Dear President Daisaku Ikeda,
We are three good friends who are members of our school library committee .... “ The letter began with these words. They were handwritten neatly with great care and sincerity.
The letter continued to explain that the girls were planning to hold a “Library Festival” so that students in their school can spend a fruitful harsh winter in our snow country in high spirits. The girls elaborated that they would like to set up a “Letter from the Author Section” at the “Library Festival” and requested President Ikeda to write a letter for their upcoming event. Apparently, the three students who wrote the letter were deeply moved when they read President Ikeda’s book titled, Rainbow over the Pacific Ocean, This book belonged to their classmate, who was a member of the Primary Division in the Soka Gakkai.
They were so inspired by the book that they decided to request the author, President Ikeda, for a letter.
President Ikeda received the letter one day before he was scheduled to depart for a guidance trip to Asia in 1988. One can imagine how tight his schedule was for the day. Nevertheless, President Ikeda responded by writing a letter as requested by the students. It was on the morning of the day of departure that President Ikeda handed me a long letter that covered three pages of Japanese manuscript paper he had written to the students. He must have worked till late in the night.
“I was overjoyed to receive your letter it was as if I had just received a letter from a fairy tale wonderland. Colourful flowers of spring began to bloom in my heart as I read on ..... For all of you right now, reading books is just like embarking on a ‘wonderful spiritual journey’ .... “
I heard that upon receiving the personally handwritten letter from President Ikeda, the entire school was engulfed in excitement and joy. It was in a state of irrepressible jubilation for this was completely out of their expectations. Much as they wanted to, they did not expect President Ikeda to actually respond to their request.
I was deeply moved by President Ikeda’s action. It is said that the best way to judge the validity of the philosophy and movement that one advocates is to see if that individual treasures children. The only way to foster the Future Division members correctly is to base ourselves on President Ikeda’s spirit and action and this is the strong belief and a personal vow I uphold even till today.
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This passage is excerpted from the New Human Revolution novel.
Youth Division Chief said to Sinichi: ‘Sensei it is truly astounding and admirable the way you’ve repeatedly proposed decisive measures one after another. How do these ideas come about?’
This arises from earnest contemplation! I’ve put in a lot of heart, thinking about matters of the 21st century. Because at that time, who would be the one propagating kosen rufu movement shouldering the great responsibilities for world peace? Who could propagate the true spirit of Soka in the 21st century? It is through the Senior High Division and High School Division members. Inevitably, we must enable each and every one of them to valiantly grow and become outstanding capable people and leaders.’
Therefore, how could we achieve it? If we sit idle and do nothing, they would not grow into prolific individuals. They need to be constantly inspired and what stimulate them to gain inspiration are our earnest daily prayers; chanting for their growth as well as giving serious thoughts on how to encourage everyone? How to give them hope? How to enable them to be person of courage?
Our strong prayers with an unyielding ichinien will bear fruits of wisdom and in turn enable us to burst out with new ideas to foster them. In conclusion, the power of our ‘ichinien’ determines how strong our sense of responsibility is.
Junior Division Chief
Foo keh chong
Foo keh chong
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Labels: f. thoughts of chief
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