“It is the lack of courage that prevents one from attaining Buddhahood, although one may have professed faith in the Lotus Sutra…” (The three obstacles and four devils, WND-1, pg637). This is one quote that is the answer whenever I find myself wondering why I am in a deadlock, even though I practice Nichiren Buddhism. If I was asked to sum up all my weak moments, reasons for all past failures, in one word, it would be ‘fear.’
During a discussion meeting I attended in January, everyone was asked to write down one of their goals for this year. The unique thing about this activity was that we also had to write down what the realities of our lives were, in relation to that goal. Holding that piece of blank paper, I realized everything inside of me was screaming- I want to rid my life of fear!! I cannot even count how many times in my life I have been afraid to do something because “what will other people think of me”, or afraid to start something new out of fear of ‘I’m not ready yet or not prepared enough’, or ‘what if this doesn’t work’ etc. etc. etc. In the “Youthful Diary”, President Ikeda says, “Courage is the hallmark of youth.” I would keep reading this, and think “not me”. I am quite the opposite in fact! It is very suffocating, all this time to live under constant fear. So, at this discussion meeting, I determined to start a personal campaign: Replace fear with trust. Trust in my daimoku! By worrying about whether or not I will be able to achieve my goals, even though I am chanting to achieve them, I realized, I am only diminishing the power of my daimoku.
What made the most difference though, is realizing that my victory over this fear is ensured when I base my practice on the oneness of mentor and disciple. The Summer Family Festival held at the Seattle Culture Center this past August, has helped me so much in understanding what it means to be a disciple of Sensei; true to the theme of the festival: Together with our Mentor, Expanding our Path of Eternal Victory. Throughout all the preparations for this festival, and then later attending the Soka Spirit conference, I have started to understand the need for me to continually strive to understand the oneness of mentor and disciple. Through these activities, I have come to understand Sensei’s words, “the mentor-disciple relationship is the heart of Buddhism; it is the key to limitless growth and self-improvement ….. I would be satisfied if I could set an example for future generations of how a true disciple of Mr. Toda, a mentor without parallel, should lead his or her life. My mentor poured his heart and soul into fostering me, and I responded by replying to his expectations with the whole of my being.” (Sept 3, 2004 WT, Special Pullout, p II). THIS IS OUR TIME TO RESPOND, TO SHOW HOW GENUINE DISCIPLES OF IKEDA SENSEI LEAD THEIR VICTORIOUS LIVES!!!!!!
Reeteka Sud, South King Area Young Women’s Leader
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