To My Friends (Feb. 25)

A translation of SGI President Ikeda's "To My Friends" published in the Seikyo Shimbun.

—TO MY FRIENDS—
Let us always exert ourselves to advance one more step,
going forwards even if only by half a step!
Those who challenge everything with a strong seeking spirit*
are indeed the ultimate victors in life!**

*A seeking spirit gives rise to courage and strength, and it is advancing with a seeking spirit that enables us to grow as human beings. (The New Human Revolution, Vol. 20, Chap. 1, Path of Friendship)

*"The Russian author Leo Tolstoy (1828-1910) said: 'Those who live life in perfection look only forwards, those who have stopped moving forwards look back on their achievements.' Moving forwards—this is what all of you are doing. Those who keep pressing ahead for their own growth, for the happiness of their friends, and for the development of kosen-rufu are the most praiseworthy; they are the ultimate victors in life. If, on the other hand, we become arrogant and self-satisfied, thinking that we've already done enough and can just sit back and relax, we begin to stop growing. Not advancing is regressing. (19th Soka Gakkai Headquarters Leaders meeting, June 18th, 2008)

—DAILY GOSHO—
"Believe in this mandala with all your heart. Nam-myoho-renge-kyo is like the roar of a lion. What sickness can therefore be an obstacle?"
(Reply to Kyo'o—The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, page 412)
Selection source: "Kyo no Hosshin", Seikyo Shimbun, February 25th, 2009