Day 83 - Laying the Eternal Foundation

I remember at the beginning of this year when I first heard that Sensei declared by January 2nd, 2008, he will have laid the eternal foundation for world-wide kosen-rufu. What!?! To me, that was a big statement, which I could not seem to wrap my head or heart around.

I began chanting to figure out for myself what Sensei meant. Was it that every person on the planet would be practicing Nichiren Buddhism by New Year’s 2008? Was it that this Buddhism would be practiced in every country in the world? Nothing seemed to make sense.

Recently, I received a copy of Sensei’s message for the 2007 Mentor & Disciple FNCC Conference and with it came my answer. “Kosen-rufu means that each of you must become a victor in life”, Sensei wrote. My answer: If I challenge, this year, every aspect of my life with earnest prayer, all-out effort and gratitude to my mentor, I will have laid the foundation for my own eternal happiness.

In these next 83 days, I can choose one of two options: total victory or defeat. I have been internally battling with my fear of not only looking at what it is in my life I need to change, but more so, owning up to the realization that I owe nothing less to myself but to “win without fail and without exception”.

Please see part of Sensei’s message from the 2007 Mentor & Disciple FNCC Conference:

“The way of the mentor and disciple is not mere idealism. It is reflected in the way you live your lives. It is the challenge of maintaining a seeking spirit throughout your lives. I believe that the spirit of the oneness of mentor and disciple is manifested in the hearts of my comrades.

In living my life, I am constantly engaged in a dialogue with my mentor, President Toda, who is always alive in my heart. Disciples are the most important. That is what President Toda taught. I am certain that all of you, disciples of the essential teaching of the second act of kosen-rufu, will win without fail and without exception. Kosen-rufu means that each of you must become a victor in life. No matter what problems you may have at this moment, please continue to advance strongly and cheerfully.” (Mentor & Disciple FNCC Message Daisaku Ikeda, Sept 21, 2007)

Justine Piontek, Seattle Metro Region Young Women’s Leader