A Breeze of Eternal Wisdom: Embracing Comfort and Strength in Time of Loss”
Dear Mrs. Ikeda
I extend my deepest condolences to you on the passing of your beloved husband, our mentor President Daisaku Ikeda. Words fall silent in describing the sorrow and empathy I feel for you during this difficult time. In the face of such profound loss, I find solace and inspiration in the teachings of Nichiren Daishonin.
As the Daishonin expressed in the Gosho;
“The life of a human being is fleeting. The exhaled breath never waits for the inhaled one. Even dew before the wind is hardly a succinct metaphor. It is the way of the world that whether one is wise or foolish, old or young, one never knows what will happen to one from one moment to the next. Therefore, I should first of all learn about death, and then about other things.” (“The Importance of the Moment of Death,” The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, vol. 2, p. 759)
The pain of parting with one’s husband, with whom you share a profound karmic connection since time immemorial, I imagine must be truly agonizing. I empathize deeply with your grief.
“Your husband gave his life for the Lotus Sutra Therefore he must certainly have received blessings as great as theirs [the boy Snow Mountains and Bodhisattva Medicine King]. He is probably watching his wife and children in the heavenly mirrors of the sun and moon every moment of the day and night. Since you and your children are ordinary persons, you cannot see or hear him. But never doubt that he is protecting you. Moreover, he may be close at hand. (Letter to Myoichi nyo -WND-1, 536)
What courage and strength these words must have given the lay nun Myoichi! The most miserable person deserves to become the happiest. This is Buddhism. This is the Daishonin’s spirit.
As with the lay nun Myoichi ,I believe strongly that these golden words certainly provides you boundless joy and strength as you navigate your way through the grieving process. We the SGI members all over the world are with you, ever supporting you in the powerful breeze of the daimoku.
Also, fortunately enough, we are not ordinary mortals since we have embraced the daimoku of the lotus sutra. Using the Buddha’s eye we can always see and hear our mentor preach the unsurpassed law and eternally guiding as to buddhahood moment after moment.
It is truly remarkable for me to also realize that while Sensei was nearing the end of his physical existence, I was immersed in his profound teachings found in “The Heart of the Lotus Sutra.” Specifically, I had just finished reading about the concept of the Buddhas adopting the course of extinction. It is intriguing to see how this coincided with my mentor’s passing.
This synchronicity allowed me to immediately grasp the profound reasons behind Sensei’s choice to adopt the course of extinction at this moment. It is a fascinating realization! As a result, I find myself naturally and joyfully skipping the stages of the grieving process, and instead, embracing directly the Buddhas’ awareness of the true nature of the thus come one’s lifespan.
In this way, I am filled with a sense of wonder and gratitude for the profound teachings that have guided me through this journey, bridging the gap between loss and enlightenment.
My fervent prayer is that, you also find solace in this remarkable insight and be guided by the teachings within “The Heart of the Lotus Sutra” to navigate through your own grieving process. May you be awaken to the profound wisdom and insights contained within the “The Heart of the Lotus Sutra” , allowing you to find comfort, strength, and a deeper understanding of the eternal nature of your husband’s existence. May these teachings as expounded in the lifespan chapter bring you solace and help you ever more embrace the transformative power of Nichiren Buddhism during this challenging time.
I sincerely acknowledge the fact that, in times like these, it can be challenging to find solace and comfort. However, this is not far fetched, as your husband, Sensei always teaches, we can achieve the state of absolute happiness in all situations. Thus we can always change poison into medicine, sorrow into happiness.
As stated in the Life span chapter, as follows;
“At that time I tell the living beings that I am always here, never entering extinction, but that because of the power of expedient means at times I appear to be extinct, at other times not, and that if there are living beings in other lands who are reverent and sincere in their wish to believe, then among them too I will preach the unsurpassed Law. But you have not heard of this, so you suppose that I enter extinction. When I look at living beings I see them drowned in a sea of suffering; therefore I do not show myself, causing them to thirst for me. Then when their minds are filled with yearning, at last I appear and preach the Law for them.” (LSOC, 271)
In the above lines, the Buddha emphasize the idea of never truly entering extinction but appearing to do so through the power of expedient means. He explains that he is always present, even though he may seem absent at times. The purpose behind this apparent absence is to generate a longing and thirst for his presence within the hearts of living beings.
And that when he looks upon living beings, he witness their profound suffering, and out of compassion, he chooses not to reveal himself immediately. Instead, he waits until the yearning for his presence is deeply rooted in the minds of those seeking solace. It is then that he appears and share the wisdom and teachings, providing guidance and liberation from suffering.
In relating this teaching to your husband’s passing, we can find reassurance in the notion that his existence transcends space-time. Although he may no longer be physically present, his essence, his impact, and the love he shared with you endure.
Just as the Buddha in the passage observes living beings from afar, your husband’s spirit, life-force, and buddha-nature continues to watch over you, supporting you in spirit and guiding you through your life’s journey.
And as the Gosho says, “He is probably watching his wife and children in the heavenly mirrors of the sun and moon every moment of the day and night.”
While it may be difficult to perceive his presence now, remember that the power of the Mystic law, love and connection is not bound by physical limitations. Your husband’s legacy, the memories you shared, and the lessons he imparted live on within you and those whose lives he touched.
In moments of yearning, when you long for his presence, know that he is with you in both body and mind. Draw strength from the love you shared and the teachings that guided both of you. Allow his memory to inspire you to embrace life fully, to find joy and meaning even amidst challenges.
Remember, just as the Buddha preaches the unsurpassed Law when the yearning is deep, your husband’s influence , life force and love will continue to guide you throughout your life. Take solace in the eternal nature of his impact and the enduring connection you share.
And as the sutra proclaims;
“For one who summons up one’s faith and chants Nam-myoho-renge-kyo with the profound insight that now is the last moment of one’s life, the sutra proclaims: “When the lives of these persons come to an end, they will be received into the hands of a thousand Buddhas, who will free them from all fear and keep them from falling into the evil paths of existence.” How can we possibly hold back our tears at the inexpressible joy of knowing that not just one or two, not just one hundred or two hundred, but as many as a thousand Buddhas will come to greet us with open arms!(The Heritage of the law-WND-1)
The above passage certainly shows that, countless Buddhas led by the Daishonin, Makiguchi and Toda have welcomed Sensei at Eagle peak and in other countless Buddha lands. How relieving this is!!!
“A person who can accept and uphold this sutra is likewise foremost among all living beings.” This twenty-two-character passage is the heart of the entire sutra, the eye of all living beings. Its meaning is that, while the votary of the Lotus Sutra is like the sun and moon, the great king Brahmā, or the Buddha, the votaries of the Mahāvairochana Sutra are like the stars, the streams and rivers, or like ordinary people. For this reason, the Buddha surely considers anyone in this world who embraces the Lotus Sutra, whether lay man or woman, monk or nun, to be the lord of all living beings, and Brahma and Shakra most certainly hold that person in reverence. When I think in this way, my joy is beyond expression.(The unity of husband and wife(WND1-p463)
From a profound point of view, Sensei’s demise is nothing other than an expedient means. A skillful means to expound the teachings. President Ikeda is an emanation of the Buddhas throughout the ten directions, he being a Buddha of kuon ganjo, and just like Shakyamuni Buddha, he employs an expedient means to expound the wonderful law..
And as the life span chapter proclaims;
“In order to save living beings, as an expedient means I appear to enter nirvana but in truth I do not pass into extinction. I am always here, preaching the Law. I am always here, but through my transcendental powers I make it so that living beings in their befuddlement do not see me even if close.”(LSOC)
How comforting, reassuring and joyful it is to hear this, “As an expedient means I appear to enter nirvana but in truth I do not pass into extinction. I am always here, preaching the Law.”
“Because of the befuddlement of ordinary people, though I live, I give out word I have entered extinction. For if they see me constantly, arrogance and selfishness arise in their minds. Abandoning restraint, they give themselves up to the five desires and fall into the evil paths of existence. Always I am aware of which living beings practice the way, and which do not, and in response to their need for salvation I preach various doctrines for them.” (LSOC, 273)
Indeed, Your husband, our mentor is literally always with us, never entering into extinction. But for the sake of causing us to deepen our faith and become more self reliant, although he enters nirvana, in truth he does not pass into extinction.
Shakyamuni, who attained Buddhahood in the remote past, numberless major world system dust particle kalpas ago, is the Buddha who eternally leads people to enlightenment throughout the past, present and future.
Why does a Buddha, whose life is eternal, pass into extinction?
The answer is that he does so as an expedient means “to save living beings.” The Buddha enters nirvana (that is, passes into extinction, or dies) as an expedient means to lead people to enlightenment.
This is same for our mentor, how wonderful and comforting this is!!!
“At that time I tell the living beings that I am always here, never entering extinction, but that because of the power of expedient means at times I appear to be extinct, at other times not, and that if there are living beings in other lands who are reverent and sincere in their wish to believe, then among them too I will preach the unsurpassed Law. But you have not heard of this, so you suppose that I enter extinction. When I look at living beings I see them drowned in a sea of suffering; therefore I do not show myself, causing them to thirst for me. Then when their minds are filled with yearning, at last I appear and preach the Law for them. He is like a skilled physician who uses an expedient means to cure his deranged sons. Though in fact alive, he gives out word he is dead, yet no one can say he speaks falsely. I am the father of this world, saving those who suffer and are afflicted.” (LSOC,271–73).
This is same for our Mentor, Sensei..!!! How wonderful this is.!! I deeply acknowledged my debt of gratitude to Sensei for his eternal and selfless dedication to kosen rufu.
I must say your husband, our mentor, personified this statement ;
“At all times I think to myself: How can I cause living beings to gain entry into the unsurpassed way and quickly acquire the body of a Buddha?” (LSOC, 273)
He has always demonstrated his insatiable desire to cause people throughout the world to transform their karma through human revolution.
Indeed our mentor has shown an irrevocable actual proof of the validity of the Nichiren Buddhism. And as Nichiren stated, nothing surpasses actual proof. He exemplified the principle of “ the Gohonzon is found no where but the mortal flesh of one who chants the daimoku”
To me, and arguably to all standard, Sensei is the epitome of brilliance within the realm of Nichiren Buddhism and modern Humanistic Philosophy..
In a similar vein to how Einstein revolutionized our comprehension of Newtonian gravity, Sensei has brought about a profound transformation in our understanding and application of the Mystic Law as bestowed by Nichiren Daishonin and propagated by Makiguchi and Toda, the founding presidents of Soka Gakkai..
His contributions have been nothing short of revolutionary.
Just as Einstein’s groundbreaking theories reshaped the foundations of physics, Sensei’s profound insights and teachings have reshaped our approach to Buddhism in the modern era and beyond. His wisdom and guidance serve as a beacon, illuminating the path towards attaining Buddhahood creating a peaceful society in the 21st century.
Sensei’s life and teachings embody the true essence of Nichiren Buddhism, providing a living example of how to navigate the complexities of our contemporary world while remaining firmly rooted in the principles of compassion, wisdom, and humanistic values.
Through his leadership and unwavering dedication, he has shown us the surest model for personal growth, spiritual development, and the realization of our highest potential.
Sensei’s influence extends far beyond his immediate community, touching the lives of countless individuals across the globe. His profound teachings, delivered with clarity and compassion, have resonated with people from diverse backgrounds, cultures, and walks of life. Through his tireless efforts, he has fostered a global community of practitioners who are inspired to embrace the transformative power of Nichiren Buddhism and make positive contributions to society.
In this way, Sensei stands as a true luminary, illuminating the path towards a more enlightened and compassionate world. His teachings continue to guide and inspire countless individuals, providing a roadmap for personal growth, social harmony, and the realization of our shared human potential.
In my eyes, Sensei’s impact on Nichiren Buddhism and modern Philosophy is unparalleled, and his contributions will be remembered as a milestone in the evolution of Buddhist thought and practice. He has truly embodied the spirit of a modern-day visionary, enriching the lives of his disciples and leaving an indelible mark on the history of Buddhism.
May his wisdom continue to guide us on our journey of self-discovery and toward a more harmonious and enlightened world.
Concluding with a passage from his(Sensei) lecture delivered at Harvard University, titled “Mahayana Buddhism and Twenty-First-Century Civilization,“ Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA, September 24, 1993.);
“Buddhism, states that the purpose of existence, the eternal cycles of life and death, is for living beings to “enjoy themselves at ease.” It further teaches that sustained faith and practice enable us to know a deep and abiding joy in death as well as in life, to equally “enjoy ourselves at ease” in both. Nichiren describes the attainment of this state as the “greatest of all joys.”
Wishing you comfort and strength during this time, Mrs. Ikeda.
With heartfelt sympathy, accept my condolences.
Nelson Gozah
Member, SGI-Ghana
Inspired by Yemokai SGI-Ghana vice general director