Thoughts On Our D4, Looking Back 2012 : Dec-12

Time flies..  It is Victor's and my second December in this English District 4.  This is such a happy and delightful place, I think another word for it should be the Buddha Land! (^_^)

Nichiren Daishonin's Buddhism enables us to transform the place where we are now into a 'Land of Tranquil Light' and there construct a palace of happiness..

If you are courageous in faith,
there is nothing to fear,
for the entire world
is a Buddha land.

Indeed, District 4 is such a Buddha land!!  All our members have become or are becoming champions in faith, and thereby transformed our district into a Buddha land.  The next step forward should be to open our doors wide and for all of us to invite more of our friends and family into our Buddha land whereby we will all embrace and encourage one another to be victors in life, learning from our mentor of life, Ikeda Sensei.

As Ikeda Sensei says..
"The essence of faith is courage, is bravery.  As Mr Toda's disciple, I summoned all of my courage to fight back against the devils of sickness and death.  At the same time, I also chanted and exerted myself with the resolve to use the 'sharp sword' of faith to cut through all obstacles that might beset the Soka Gakkai and my mentor."
"I am sure Mr Toda would be amazed and delighted to see that I am still taking the lead for worldwide kosen-rufu in such good health and high spirits.  This is all a result of my selfless dedication to the shared struggle of mentor and disciple to realize kosen-rufu -- a struggle through which I have gained the benefit of 'prolonging my life through faith'."

I am extremely touched by this above paragraph.. I want to call myself a proud disciple of Ikeda Sensei.. but in order to do that, I must first win.. win in all aspects of my life..

** ** **

For the new year, together with all my district leaders and members, I want us to share and inspire and encourage one another, to truly seek out our mentor and advance together with him, for kosen-rufu, for world peace.  Starting from me, us, our home, our community..

Looking back at 2012, we seemed rather busy and eventful.. and Victor did a wonderful montage to help us recap.. (^_-)  I'm looking forward to an even more eventful and victorious 2013!!