The Power of Words

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"Sincere one to one conversation can soften and melt even hearts that are completely frozen."

By Daisaku Ikeda

I have vivid memories of encounters with people whose voices or words have moved me over the years. One that springs to mind happened during a visit to the Guilin region of China, a beautiful land of craggy mountains, mists and rivers. Walking along, we met two young girls, no older than 15 or 16, selling medicinal herbs near a river. They carried a large basket filled with herbs, inviting passers by to buy their goods with vibrant voices.

"Ni hao! [Hello!]" I called to them. "Ni Hao!" They smiled back. "We offer every kind of medicine: choose the one you want."

I smiled at their high spirits and asked, "Do you have anything to make me smarter?" They seemed taken aback, but only for an instant. "I'm sorry," one of them replied in a clear, firm voice, "We just sold out of that one."

Our group burst into laughter at this witty reply, and we felt as warm inside as if a gentle spring breeze had touched us. As a Chinese saying puts it, "Even a single word uttered out of goodness can warm the heart in the bitterest winter."

I fondly recall that my wife and I ended up buying some herbs as souvenirs, and I sometimes wonder how the girls and their families are doing. I believe that sincere one to one conversation can soften and met even heart that are completely frozen. By talking with someone face to face, you can actually change that person's life and your own.

Today, we live in the midst of a flood of soulless information. And, the more we rely on one-way communication, like radio or TV, or static and unmoving words in print, the more I feel the need to stress the value of the sound of the human voice: The simple but precious interaction of voice and voice, person to person; the exchange of life with life.

In a face to face conversation, the listener can ask questions or disagree, and this in turn may make the speaker rethink his or her own views. The process is dynamic and multi-faceted, creating mutual joy and understanding. For myself, I love talking with a wide range of people from all over the world.  I always learn something new and I find it inspiring to be exposed to different ways of thinking. This is the kind of spiritual nutrition for me. My experience is that no matter how strong the initial uncertainty, ot even hostility another person may feel towards you, if you approach them with complete sincerity and speak the truth, they will invariably respond in kind. 

I remember several years ago suggesting holding a dialogue with representatives of Islam. Some of my friends tried to convince me this would be difficult. But I felt we should not let ourselves be held back by such preconceptions. We never know what is possible until we try. I suggested that the dialogue did not need to be a debate over religious doctrine. We could start talking about the problems that we all face as human beings, focusing on culture and education, or we could discuss the desire for peace, something shared by people all over the world. I am Happy to say that I have since carried out dialogues with several highly respected representatives of the Islamic world, and SGI members in many countries have also carried out interfaith dialogues wth Representatives of Islam among other faiths. 

Face to face conversation may seem like something very ordinary, but it is in fact the most powerful tool for positive change we possess. We can exchange ideas on a very human level, with a basis of respect and faith in each other's essential goodness. Everyone involved is equal: their is neither superior nor inferior.

The French thinker, Montaigne, loved discussion, and he always kept an open mind, saying "no proposition astounds me, no belief offends me, however much opposed it may be to my own. Contradictions of opinion only arouse and exercise my mind." To him, dialogue was the search for truth, and he claimed that he welcomed and embraced the truth, in whoever's hands he found it. 

As we have two ears and one mouth, maybe we should listen twice as much as we speak. Certainly if we are self righteous or prejudiced, no one will approach us with an open heart. 

Sometimes our attempts to start a discussion or talk things over may be slighted ignored. Then we should remember that rejection and disappointment are inevitable in life, and just keep on trying. Maintaining dialogue takes great patience and perseverance. We need to develop a strong sense of self, so that although we can clearly see the emotions of the other person, we keep on calmly and steadily 'rowing' closer to their heart. 

The biggest obstacle to successful dialogue is usually excessive attachment to one;s own point of view. For Instance, a rift between a parent and child will not be easily healed as long as the parent only sees things as a parent and the child only from his or her own viewpoint. 

In a genuine discussion, it is best if we can see any confrontations that arise as just another from our connectedness. If both parent and child can see themselves as sharing common ground-making up a family together- things can take a surprisingly easy turn for the better. The deeper the common feeling that binds us, the more we can embrace those who differ from us and ensure that dialogue will lead to a fruitful outcome. 

Whether the problem is that of a single family, or international in scope, if those involved can view things from a higher perspective, with a sense of shared purpose, the gears of dialogue will always start to turn in a positive direction. 

If more people were to pursue dialogue in an equally broadminded and persistent manner, I am sure that the inevitable conflicts of human life would find easier resolution. Prejudice would give way to understanding and war to peace. Genuine dialogue results in the transformation of opposing viewpoints, changing them from wedges that drive people apart into bridges that link them together. 

Like a Lion's Roar

A Conversation with the Gohonzon

By Anonymous

Me: GOHONZON!!!! !!!!!

Gohonzon : Hello. Did you call me?

Me: Called you? No.. who is this?

Gohonzon : This is GOHONZON.. I heard your prayers. So I thought I will chat.

Me: I do pray. Just makes me feel good. I am actually busy now. I am in the midst of something.

Gohonzon : What are you busy at? Ants are busy too.

Me: Don't know. But I cant find free time. Life has become hectic. It's rush hour all the time .Gohonzon : Sure. Activity gets you busy. But productivity gets you results. Activity consumes time. Productivity frees it .

Me: I understand. But I still can't figure out. By the way, I was not expecting YOU to buzz me on instant messaging chat.

Gohonzon : Well I wanted to resolve your! fight for time, by giving you some clarity. In this net era, I wanted to reach you through the medium you are comfortable with.

Me: Tell me, why has life become complicated now?

Gohonzon : Stop analyzing life. Just live it. Analysis is what makes it complicated.

Me: why are we then constantly unhappy?

Gohonzon : Your today is the tomorrow that you worried about yesterday. You are worrying because you are analyzing. Worrying has become your habit. That's why you are not happy.

Me: But how can we not worry when there is so much uncertainty?

Gohonzon : Uncertainty is inevitable, but worrying is optional.

Me: But then, there is so much pain due to uncertainty. .

Gohonzon : Pain is inevitable, but suffering is optional.

Me: If suffering is optional, why do good people always suffer?

Gohonzon : Diamond cannot be polished without friction. Gold cannot be purified without fire. Good people go through trials, but don't suffer. With that experience their life become better not bitter.

Me: You mean to say such experience is useful?

Gohonzon : Yes. In every terms, Experience is a hard teacher. She gives the test first and the lessons afterwards.

Me: But still, why should we go through such tests? Why cant we be free from problems?

Gohonzon : Problems are Purposeful Roadblocks Offering Beneficial Lessons (to) Enhance Mental Strength. Inner strength comes from struggle and endurance, not when you! are free from problems.

Me: Frankly in the midst of so many problems, we don't know where we are heading...

Gohonzon : If you look outside you will not know where you are heading.Look inside.. Looking outside, you dream. Looking inside, you awaken. Eyes provide sight. Heart provides insight.

Me: Sometimes not succeeding fast seems to hurt more than moving in the right direction. What should I do?

Gohonzon : Success is a measure as decided by others. Satisfaction is a measure as decided by you. Knowing the road ahead is more satisfying than knowing you rode ahead. You work with the compass. Let others work with the clock.

Me: In tough times, how do you stay motivated?

Gohonzon : Always look at how far you have come rather than how far you have to go. Always count your blessing, not what you are missing.

Me: What surprises you about people?

Gohonzon : when they suffer they ask, "why me?" When they prosper, they never ask "Why me" Everyone wishes to have truth on their side, but few want to be on the side of the truth.

Me: Sometimes I ask, who am I, why am I here. I cant get the answer.

Gohonzon : Seek not to find who you are, but to determine who you want to be. Stop looking for a purpose as to why you are here. Create it. Life is not a process of discovery but a process of creation.

Me: How can I get the best out of life?

Gohonzon : Face your past without regret. Handle your present with confidence. Prepare for the future without fear.

Me: One last question. Sometimes I feel my prayers are not answered.

Gohonzon : There are no unanswered prayers. At times the answer is NO.

Me: Thank you for this wonderful chat.

Gohonzon : Well. Keep the faith and drop the fear. Don't believe your doubts and doubt your beliefs.


Life is a mystery to solve not a problem to resolve. Trust me. Life is wonderful if you know how to live. "Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take but by the moments that took our breath away! " Remember GOHONZON is in our Inner Soul and GOHONZON 

is the POWER WITHIN, It is your True self; believe that all powers are within ourselves.

(Submitted by Saahil Kalvani) 

Thoughts on Peace

by Daisaku Ikeda

"No matter what justifications maybe offered, in my view, there is absolutely no such thing as a just and correct war."

Some people who have seen war stories in the movies or on TV may have been impressed by it; finding it somehow attractive and feeling that the actors looked glamorous and brave.

The reality of war, however, is completely different. It is cruel and filthy and filled with sadness and misery. Anyone who has actually experienced war knows it must never be repeated. I saw more than enough of the horror of war when I was young, living through air raids in which explosives and incendiary bombs fell like rain. Wandering in a sea of fire; worried out of my mind about my family, feeling terrible sadness and helplessness as I saw people dying around me.

No matter what justifications maybe offered, in my view, there is absolutely no such thing as a just and correct war. War treats human life as a means to an end, and it brings only terrible suffering and unhappiness to ordinary men and women on both sides. Each person who has died in war was irreplaceable and precious-someone's parent, child, or friend. That is why we must always oppose war. All conflicts should be resolved, not with violence and brute force, but with wisdom and sustained dialogue.

It may be tempting to think that wars are started by state, or an alliance of countries. However, in fact, wars are started by the workings of the individual human heart. Buddhism teaches that war is the result of anger and egotism. To overcome the threat of war, we must conquer and subdue the selfish nature that lurks in every human heart.

Natural disasters such as floods or earthquakes cannot be prevented by human reason or wisdom. But problems which are caused by human beings can be resolved by human beings themselves.

Two-time Nobel Prize winner Linus Pauling wrote in his book, No More War: "I believe that there is a greater power in the world than the evil power of military force or nuclear bombs-there is the power of good, of morality, or humanitarianism. I believe in the power of the human spirit." 

I also hold that an inner change in the depths of people's lives can transform egoism and replace it with a loving humanism that seeks peace and coexistence among all people. So what keeps this 'power if good' from having a greater impact on the world? What hinders progress towards peace? In a single word, it is mistrust. It is the prejudice and preconceptions that grow from mistrust. Often these have roots in past conflicts and rivalries. Without removing this wall of mistrust, and with the effort to discover the goodness that shines in every single human being, no progress towards peace will be possible.  

When I first traveled to the Soviet Union in the early 1970s, people wondered why, as the leader f a religious movement, I wanted to visit a communist country that did not recognize religion. I responded, "because the citizens of the Soviet Union are people, fellow human beings like myself," I wanted somehow to create a new path, to transform mistrust into trust, fear into confidence, an unhealthy lingering over the past into a commitment to the future. In every country I have visited, I have always felt how earnestly people everywhere yearn for peace.

The first condition for world peace is for people to really learn about each other, to start to really understand and appreciate each other. The surest way of melting the 'ice' of mistrust is to promote interaction among ordinary people- through meetings, visits and cultural and educational exchange. Young people who are not caught up in the part can often lead the way.

Many years ago, it was tradition among Canandian Indian indigenous people to hold great celebrations when a daughter came of age. Two daughters of a great chief had reached adulthood and a feast was being prepared. But news arrived that enemies to the north were preparing for war. The daughters went to the father and said, "Dear father! Someday we will become mothers and will give birth to children who will grow up to be strong chiefs like you. For their sake, please invite the people of the north to our celebration." The chief could not refuse his daughters, so reluctanly he sent a message to his long time enemies and invited them.

They came in great numbers, bringing their wives and children and many gifts. War songs changed into songs of joy.

Later the two sisters each gave birth to a son, and they became chiefs called Peace and Brotherly Love. bear Vancouver there is a beautiful twin-peaked mountain and according to legend, the two girls who loved peace became these peaks and still watch over Vancouver today.

I believe it is far too risky to leave the world's future in the hands of politicians., People must be wise and take action themselves to create peace. We must unite across borders: unite in our rejection of the idea of watr itself. When the people of one country communicate with those of others, they can create a current towards peace. It is vital to create a network of people that transcends national borders so that a small number of corrupt leaders cannot break the webs of friendship and solidarity that join us.

Peace can never be attained by passively waiting for it. it is necessary for each of us, no matter how weak we feel we are, to build deep within our hearts a stronghold for peace that can withstand, and in the end silence, the incessant calls of war.  

As Chilean poet Gabriela Mistral has written, "Have courage, my friends! For pacifism is not a sweet jam as some may think...Continue speaking out for peace, against the wind and the waves...Pacifism is not something easy. One must not abide injustice in silence. My friends, continue to cry out, until the circle of peace is expanded."

Real peace is only to be found in the realities of daily life. We must plant the seeds of a fundamental peace in the daily life of individual, in  our hearts and inner lives. And, we must protect and foster these seeds until they grow into the firm reality of peace for all.
Thus, it is up to us to construct a world without war. Whether we give up on this as an impossible goal, or whether we continue the challenge. However great the difficulties involved-on this the fate of the entire twenty-first century depends.

Capability in Buddhism

Culture Department meeting at FNCC

President Ikeda's Guidance to Soka High School Baseball Coach:

SHS finally made it to the playoffs, only to lose in the first round.

The Coach wrote to PI:
"Our ace pitcher was drafted and is gone. We are not as strong as we
were; I believe our capability is lower, but we will chant and become
a greater and more capable team."

President Ikeda: "You are wrong. You should have enough capability to
win without having to go back and chant. Become capable and then your
Daimoku will become a strong wind behind your capability. If you are
relying on Daimoku to make it happen rather than on your own
capability, then you are just using faith like a superstition. 

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You should practice, and therefore, become capable. The team which
becomes the most capable will be the one which practices and works
hardest and has the most perseverance. Capability is very important
because it requires constant courage and training, but if your
capability counts only 50% and you base the other 50% on Daimoku to
the Gohonzon to bring it about "somehow", then your religion has
become a crutch for you. Religion is not there to hide your
shortcomings, but to strengthen you as a human being."

Bart Simpson's Blackboard Lesson

Use Buddhism Teachings for Better Relationships

Applying the Principles of Nichiren Buddhism to All Personal Interactions 

Sources: Hochswender, Woody. Martin, Greg. Morino, Ted. The Buddha in Your Mirror: Practical Buddhism and Search for the Self. CA: Middleway Press (a division of the SGI-USA), 2001.

Nichiren Buddhism is a faith that lays a lot of stress on personal development and self-improvement. So, even when it comes to fostering strong and positive relationships and develop lasting bonds, it is essential that one makes the desired effort and brings forth a change in one’s attitude and perspective, a process known as Human Revolution. Learn how to use the principles of Nichiren Buddhism to improve relationships and engage in mutually beneficial interactions.

Respect for Everyone

One of the fundamental principles of Nichiren Buddhism is to see the inherent Buddha nature in everyone and therefore, give due respect.

Nichiren Buddhism stresses that everyone has the inherent wisdom and compassion to be a Buddha and that is the reason one must not disrespect or malign another person, because it would be akin to maligning Buddha himself. Relationships would improve dramatically, if everyone could accord the other person proper respect and dignity.

Oppose Evil and Corruption

While Nichiren Buddhism does emphasize respect for every human being, it also, stresses standing up for what is right and opposing injustice and corruption. It teaches that everyone should exercise courage and strength in supporting the right and good.

However, the way to fight is not violent and aggressive; rather it is peaceful and based on effective communication and dialogue. All relationships would benefit greatly if conflicts are resolved in a peaceful, non-confrontational manner.

Being Compassionate and Considerate

One of the foremost qualities of Nichiren Buddhism is to have immense compassion and consideration for everyone. Chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo for the happiness of others is something that most Nichiren Buddhists do on a regular basis.

Meeting members who need support, encouraging members and simply, paying attention to others are just some of the things that Nichiren Buddhists do and that is one reason why relationships between the members are strong and close-knit.

Taking Responsibility for Your Actions

Being accountable for one’s actions and not blaming others or circumstances is integral to Nichiren Buddhism. This ensures that every individual learns to introspect and works at becoming a strong, confident person who knows that every action, thought and word would have a corresponding consequence or result. This leads to relationships that are free of blame, guilt and any negativity.

Improving and Changing Ourselves

According to the principles of Nichiren Buddhism, human revolution or self-improvement is at the foundation of all successful relationships. Since the only person upon whom one has real influence is one’s own self, therefore, it makes sense to improve and change oneself to change one’s relationships. This could involve becoming strong enough to move out of an abusive relationship or becoming adaptable and open to a different perspective.

It is easy to see how simple principles of Nichiren Buddhism can enable individuals to form strong, meaningful and mutually beneficial relationships with others around them.