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UNTUK AGAMA BUDDHA SAHAJA / BUDDHIST LITERATURE

JUNE 2020

CE 202006

Promoting Peace, Culture & Education v Pendukung Keamanan, Kebudayaan & Pendidikan

B F JUNE 2020 f COSMIC

Special Moments

During his visit to London to meet historian Prof Arnold J. Toynbee, SGI President Ikeda captured the Big Ben, the 19th century clock tower that stands next to Westminster, the British Parliament, United Kingdom. (May 1989)

(For further information, please see page 15.)

Photo: Seikyo Press

COSMICF JUNE 2020 f 1

From SGM General Director2 Precautions During the Recovery Period

4 Langkah Berjaga-jaga dalam Tempoh Pemulihan

From SGI President6 The Unwavering Commitment of Bodhisattvas of the Earth by SGI President Daisaku Ikeda

Feature 8 The Brilliant Path of Worldwide Kosen-rufu: Learning from The New Human Revolution Commentary on Volume 16 by SGI Vice-President Hiromasa Ikeda

12 Chapter Summary for Volume 16 of The New Human Revolution from the Seikyo Shimbun

17 “Unforgettable Scenes” - Key Episodes from Volume 16 from the Seikyo Shimbun

21 Excerpts from Nichiren’s Writings found in Volume 16 from the Seikyo Shimbun

Special Feature24 Holding High the Torch of Soka Education in Malaysia by Dinesh Chandren

26 Makiguchi’s Lifelong Pursuit of Justice and Humane Values (Simon Wiesenthal Centre, 1996) by SGI President Daisaku Ikeda

36 Striving for the Sake of their Students by SGM Educators Group members

41 Bringing the Light of Education to the World – An Ode to Peace and Fellowship by Shin’ichi Yamamoto

46 Striving on the Frontlines against COVID-19 by Dr Seet Jia Sheng, Penang

Halaman Kanak-Kanak49 Raja Pemilik Sifat Baik yang Berjuang Demi Keadilan

Experience 52 From Trauma to Drama Gerrit Versteeg, Netherlands

Art 56 Elias Yamani Ismail – An Artist of the People by Leong Tuck Yee

60 News

Mentor and Disciple 64 Speak with Conviction by SGI President Daisaku Ikeda

Editor-in-Chief Koh Sia Feai

Editor Dinesh Chandren

Assistant Editor Leong Tuck Yee

Writers Hiromasa Ikeda Goh Lim ErngTranslator Tay Biby

Art Director Chew Meng Tatt

Designer Koh Wei Chaw

Photographer Lum Heng

Distribution Chai Siew Lin Ng Shy Huh

CONTENTS

We Want to Hear from YouIf you have any questions, comments or wish to send in an article, an experience, photographs or an activity report, please contact:

The Editor, COSMIC, Wisma Kebudayaan SGM, 243, Jalan Bukit Bintang, 55100 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Tel: 03-21412003 Email: [email protected]

Subscriptions EnquiriesFor enquiries on subscriptions, please contact:Email: [email protected]: 03-9075 6876 / 018-388 4997

From SGM General Director

2 F JUNE 2020 f COSMIC

Precautions During the Recovery Period

After a hard-fought battle against the COVID-19 pandemic over the last few months, our country has finally stopped the outbreak from worsening. The Prime Minister announced the end of the Conditional Movement Control Order (CMCO)

and that we now enter the Recovery Movement Control Order (RMCO) that is in effect from June 10 to August 31.

The government has also announced a great deal of relaxation. Other than many people crossing state borders, nearly all sectors have resumed operations in stages.

For the people, this is good news as they now have more freedom. However, as industries and other sectors, including business markets, open, contact and travelling among people will increase. The risk of the pandemic spreading again will also increase. Therefore, what matters most is being cautious and take precautions against a second and a third wave of the pandemic.

Other than taking care of ourselves, looking after others is also key – meaning, other than ensuring we do not catch the disease, we must also help to ensure it does not spread to others as well.

As an organisation, SGM will resume all kosen-rufu activities step-by-step, and take stringent

Photo: Pexels



measures to ensure our activities venues or centres do not become infection clusters.

On the personal side, we cannot be careless in observing personal hygiene measures, such as regularly washing our hands, wearing masks, observe social distancing, avoid touching our eyes, nose and mouth, avoiding crowded places and observe standard operating procedures (SOPs) put in place by the Ministry of Health.

Becoming numb or paying little heed to these often-mentioned preventive measures is our great enemy, so we need to be cautious.

Other than this, SGI President Daisaku Ikeda also reminds us that mitigating our stress will boost our immunity, and we should get enough sleep, eat balanced meals and exercise regularly, closely ensuring that we have a good daily rhythm.

In summation, our lives, safety and good health must be the number one priority. Therefore, preventing the outbreaks of diseases must be regarded as the most important task at hand.

On the other hand, the aftermath of the pandemic has brought problems such as job losses, company closures and f inancial crisis. Many people are deeply-troubled by these issues and worried about their daily lives and outlook for the future.

We have to show concern to these suffering people, empathise with them, impart encouragement and hope, thereby rousing their fighting spirit to challenge and overcome their diff iculties with unyielding faith and achieve victory.

No matter how bad things get, as along as we base ourselves on the rejuvenating power of the Mystic Law, we can definitely overcome all troubles and open up a new path.

This pandemic has caused more people to be bogged down by suffering. Many have been retrenched, lost their jobs, had their salaries cut, or saw their businesses go bankrupt, landing them in serious financial difficulties.

This signals to us a good opportunity for shakubuku. We must

seize this opportunity to share Nichiren Buddhism with these suffering people, enabling them to form karmic bonds with Buddhism and transform their misfortune into good fortune.

President Ikeda points out that the Soka Gakkai spirit means that no matter what happens on the path of kosen-rufu, no matter how circumstances change, we must advance steadily towards kosen-rufu and realise our resolve for kosen-rufu.

Though this pandemic is a serious blow and obstacle, we must, as President Ikeda points out, “apply our ingenuity so that we can keep making fresh progress and move in the direction of hope, victory and a new tomorrow.”1

We must embrace this determination wholeheartedly and swim against the tide of this pandemic and the difficulties it caused, opening up the path to victory.

1. Daisaku Ikeda, The New Human Revolution, vol. 30, “Awaiting the Time” chapter. SGM booklet no. 118 (2019), pg 131–32.

Though this pandemic is a serious blow and obstacle, we must, as President Ikeda points out, “apply our ingenuity so that we can keep makingfresh progress and move in the direction of hope, victory and a new tomorrow.”



Langkah Berjaga-jaga dalam Tempoh Pemulihan

Setelah beberapa bulan bekerja keras menentang pandemik COVID-19, negara kita akhirnya berjaya mencegah wabak itu daripada menjadi lebih buruk. Perdana Menteri mengumumkan berakhirnya Perintah Kawalan Pergerakan Bersyarat (PKPB) dan kita sekarang berada dalam tempoh Perintah Kawalan Pergerakan Pemulihan (PKPP) yang berkuat kuasa dari 10 Jun hingga 31 Ogos.

Kerajaan juga turut mengumumkan kelonggaran. Selain membenarkan rakyat merentasi sempadan negeri, hampir kesemua sektor mula beroperasi semula secara berperingkat-peringkat.

Bagi rakyat, ini adalah berita baik sebab mereka sekarang mempunyai lebih banyak kebebasan. Walau bagaimanapun, apabila industri dan sektor lain, termasuk pasaran perniagaan dibuka, hubungan dan perjalanan dalam kalangan orang ramai akan bertambah. Risiko penyebaran pandemik akan turut meningkat semula. Oleh itu, perkara yang penting ialah kita haruslah berhati-hati

dan bersikap berjaga-jaga terhadap gelombang kedua dan ketiga pandemik tersebut.

Selain menjaga diri kita sendiri dengan baik, menjaga orang lain juga penting – ini bermakna selain daripada memastikan kita tidak dijangkiti penyakit tersebut, kita juga harus membantu untuk memastikan penyakit itu tidak tersebar kepada orang lain.

Sebagai sebuah organisasi, SGM akan meneruskan semula semua aktiviti kosen-rufu secara berperingkat, dan mengambil langkah-langkah ketat untuk memastikan tempat atau pusat aktiviti kami tidak menjadi kelompok jangkitan.

Dari segi peribadi, kita janganlah cuai dalam langkah-langkah menjaga kebersihan diri, seperti kerap membersihkan tangan, memakai pelitup muka, memberi perhatian terhadap penjarakan sosial, mengelak daripada menyentuh mata, hidung dan mulut kita, menjauhkan diri daripada tempat-tempat yang sesak dan mematuhi prosedur operasi standard (SOP) yang ditetapkan oleh Kementerian Kesihatan.

Menjadi lali atau kurang memberi perhatian kepada langkah-langkah pencegahan yang selalu disebut merupakan musuh utama kita. Oleh itu, kita hendaklah berjaga-jaga.

Selain itu, Presiden SGI, Encik Daisaku Ikeda juga mengingatkan kita bahawa usaha mengurangkan tekanan kita akan meningkatkan daya tahan tubuh kita, dan kita haruslah mendapat tidur yang secukupnya, makan sarapan yang seimbang dan kerap bersenaman, memastikan kita mempunyai rentak kehidupan harian yang baik.

Sebagai rumusannya, nyawa, keselamatan dan kesihatan kita menjadi keutamaan nombor satu. Oleh itu, usaha mencegah wabak penyakit tersebut haruslah dianggap sebagai tugas yang paling penting.

Di samping itu, pandemik ini telah mengakibatkan wujudnya masalah seperti kehilangan pekerjaan, penutupan syarikat dan krisis kewangan. Banyak orang yang sangat risau dengan masalah-masalah ini dan bimbang tentang kehidupan seharian serta masa hadapan mereka.



untuk kosen-rufu. Walau pun pandemik

ini merupakan pukulan dan rintangan yang serius, kita haruslah, seperti kata Presiden Ikeda, “gunakanlah kepintaran kita supaya kita berupaya terus menghasilkan kemajuan baharu dan bergerak menuju ke arah harapan, kejayaan dan hari esok yang baharu.”1

Kita haruslah bulatkan tekad dengan sepenuh hati untuk menentang arus pandemik ini dan juga kesusahan yang diakibatkannya, seterusnya menerokai jalan menuju kejayaan.

Kita hendaklah menunjukkan keprihatinan kita terhadap orang yang menderita, berempati dengan mereka, memberi dorongan dan harapan, dengan itu akan membangkitkan semangat juang mereka untuk mencabar dan mengatasi kesusahan mereka dengan kepercayaan dalam agama yang tidak goyah dan seterusnya mencapai kejayaan.

Tidak kira betapa buruknya keadaan, selagi kita menjadikan kuasa penjanaan semula Hukum Mistik sebagai asas untuk diri kita, selagi itulah kita pasti akan mengatasi semua masalah dan menerokai jalan yang baharu.

Pandemik ini menyebabkan lebih ramai orang yang dilanda penderitaan. Ramai orang yang diberhentikan kerja, kehilangan pekerjaan, gaji mereka dipotong, perniagaan mereka muflis, menyebabkan mereka mengalami masalah kewangan yang teruk.

Keadaan ini memberi kita peluang yang baik untuk shakubuku. Kita hendaklah merebut peluang ini untuk berkongsi Buddhisme Nichiren dengan orang yang sedang menderita ini, membolehkan mereka menjalinkan ikatan karma dengan Buddhisme dan mengubah nasib malang menjadi rezeki.

Presiden Ikeda berkata bahawa semangat Soka Gakkai bermakna tidak kira apa yang berlaku dalam laluan kosen-rufu, tidak kira bagaimana keadaan berubah, kita hendaklah mara dengan mantap ke arah kosen-rufu dan sedar akan tekad kita

1. Daisaku Ikeda, The New Human Revolution, vol. 30, bab “Awaiting the Time.” Buku kecil terbitan SGM ber-nombor 118 (2019), hlm. 131–32.

From SGI PresidentFrom SGI President


The Unwavering Commitment of Bodhisattvas ofthe Earth

June is the birth month of founding Soka Gakkai president Tsunesaburo Makiguchi. In a wonderful coincidence, he was born in 1871 in Japan’s Niigata Prefecture, exactly 600 years after the Daishonin was exiled to Sado Island, also today part of Niigata.

In “On the Buddha’s Prophecy,” composed on Sado, the Daishonin writes: “I have suffered diff iculties day after day and month after month. In the last two or three years, among other things, I was almost put to death. The chances are one in ten thousand that I will survive the year or even the month.” (WND-1, pg 402) It was under these indescribably harsh conditions of exile that the Daishonin boldly predicted a future where the Buddhism of the sun would illuminate the entire world.

During World War II, when the lineage of the correct teaching of Nichiren Buddhism was on the verge of perishing, Mr Makiguchi self lessly dedicated his life to propagating the Mystic Law based on his commitment as a Bodhisattva of the Earth.

Imprisoned as a result of his beliefs, Mr Makiguchi declared in a letter he wrote at that time: “What I am going through is nothing compared to the hardships endured by the Daishonin on Sado.”1

The invincible “heart of a lion king” that Mr Makiguchi demonstrated at the risk of his life, always together with the Daishonin, is the eternal starting point of the spirit of mentor and disciple in the Soka Gakkai.

In the course of our lives and kosen-rufu, there may be times when we are forced into difficult and challenging situations of uncertainty. But when we think of Mr Makiguchi, who died for his beliefs, and the devoted efforts he made to the end of his life to spread the Daishonin’s teachings while enduring persecution, there is no need for us to be anxious or disturbed.

The following is SGI President Ikeda’s editorial published in the Daibyakurenge, the monthly study journal of the Soka Gakkai.

From SGI PresidentFrom SGI PresidentFrom SGI PresidentFrom SGI President

COSMICF JUNE 2020 f 7 COSMICF JUNE 2020 f 7

Buddhism and the wisdom for changing poison into medicine. The voices of our youth raised in song, uniting the world, are also truly inspiring and uplifting. Members in India are singing proudly:

You and I togetherInvincible foreverIt’s now or never Invincible forever 2

May the vast mountain ranges of capable Bodhisattvas of the Earth, who carry on the legacy of Mr Makiguchi, radiate the brilliant light of disciples growing “bluer than the indigo.”

The great mountainstands unshaken by the storm.Without being anxious or swayed,create a beautiful rainbow of victory!

From the SGI Newsletter No. 10485 dated 15.5.2020.

My mentor, second Soka Gakkai president Josei Toda, and I also shared that same unwavering commitment.

The Daishonin teaches us: “When one practises the Lotus Sutra [in the Latter Day of

the Law], diff iculties will arise, and these are to be looked on as ‘peaceful’ practices.” (OTT,

pg 115) When we chant Nam-myoho-renge-kyo and take action to overcome the hardships we encounter, we are truly practising Nichiren Buddhism and are able to accumulate great good fortune.

The Daishonin also writes: “If one experiences extreme hardship in this life [because of one’s faith in the Lotus Sutra], the sufferings of hell will vanish instantly.” (WND-1, pg 199) In accord with this principle of “lessening karmic retribution,” we can attain the indestructible life state of Buddhahood, and impart hope and courage to those around us.

As humanity unites in confronting the current difficult challenges, how reassuring is the presence of our Soka network of youthful global citizens who shine with a commitment to the life-affirming principles of Nichiren

1. Translated from Japanese. Tsunesaburo Makiguchi, Makiguchi Tsunesaburo Zenshu (Collected Writings of Tsunesaburo Makiguchi), vol. 10 (Tokyo: Daisanbun-mei-sha, 1987), pg 282.

2. These are lyrics from the new Bharat Soka Gakkai (BSG) song titled “Invincible Forever.” You may view the video of the song on Youtube.

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February 11, 2020, marked the 120th anniversary of second Soka Gakkai president Josei Toda’s birth. In a recent essay (published in the Seikyo Shimbun on February 7, 2020), SGI President Ikeda writes that when he met and conducted dialogues with leading thinkers of the same generation as Mr Toda in the latter years of their lives, they all expressed their great hopes that the SGI would build a hope-f illed future.

A great number of President Ikeda’s dialogues with academics and intellectuals born in the same era as his mentor have been published in book form, including Human Rights in the Twenty-first Century with Brazilian Academy of Letters President Austregésilo de Athayde, Dawn After Dark with French art historian René Huyghe and A Lifelong Quest for Peace with Dr Linus Pauling, a two-time Nobel laureate in chemistry and peace.

At the very outset of President Ikeda’s journey of wide-ranging dialogues were his conversations with one of the greatest historians of the 20th century, Prof Arnold J. Toynbee [which took place over ten days in London in May

1972 and May 1973]. Next month, March 2020, will mark 45 years since their dialogue, titled Choose Life in English, was published in Japanese.

The “Dialogue” chapter in Volume 16 of The New Human Revolution details the conversations between Prof Toynbee and Shin’ichi Yamamoto. The age difference between Shin’ichi and Prof Toynbee, who was about ten years older than President Toda, meant they could have been father and son.

Hiromasa Ikeda (2017)

Phot

o: S

eiky

o Pr

ess

SGI Vice-President Hiromasa Ikeda’sCommentary on Volume 16

The Brilliant Path ofWorldwide Kosen-rufuLearning from The NewHuman Revolution

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Shin’ichi accepts Toynbee’s invitation to conduct a dialogue with him as he feels that “perhaps Toynbee had chosen him specifically in order to bequeath his spiritual legacy to the 21st century.”

Shin’ichi recognises an urgent need for “the concerted efforts of the world’s best minds” and for “discussion and the exchanges of ideas among such people” in order to offer humanity a clear path towards peace within the final three decades of the 20th century.

Their dialogues cover a wide range of topics, including discussions on the role of religion. Toynbee expresses his opinion that threats to human existence can only be overcome through “a spiritual revolution on the individual level,” conveying his great hopes for the movement of human revolution promoted by the Soka Gakkai.

In his work An Historian’s Approach to Religion, Toynbee discusses the reasons for Christianity’s extensive spread throughout the world. He points out that dedication to the needs of the masses helped establish a solid foundation in the early years of the religion, which in turn resulted in its rapid expansion.

In the same way, the foundation for the worldwide spread of the Soka Gakkai was built upon the countless dramatic experiences of ordinary members in the pioneering days completely turning their lives around, despite being ridiculed as “a gathering of the sick and poor.” They considered this their greatest pride.

Dedication to the happiness of ordinary people is the unchanging commitment of the Soka Gakkai. No matter how the times may change, we must never forget this fundamental point.

Always thinking of the members

Certain that the year 1972 was to become “extremely important in determining the direction of the magnificent f low of kosen-rufu,” Shin’ichi dedicates his entire being to encouraging his fellow members. The “Heart and Soul” chapter gives a detailed account of his endeavours.

On January 2, 1972, the first general meeting of the various university groups [comprised of students and alumni of specific universities] is held. Recognising that most of the participants would be in their 50s by the start of the 21st century, Shin’ichi asks them to shoulder responsibility for the future development of kosen-rufu: “I entrust the 21st century to you. That time will be decisive.”

On January 15, Shin’ichi attends a commemorative photo session in Tokyo’s Shinjuku Ward which takes place in 13 sittings. In between these sittings, he continuously encourages the members of the women’s division, men’s division and youth division. Addressing young members celebrating Coming-of-Age Day,1 he declares: “Whatever happens, it’s important that you never abandon your faith in the Gohonzon or leave the Soka Gakkai. They are the way to true happiness.”

Shin’ichi is constantly thinking about what he can do to inspire members, to help them develop into capable and trustworthy leaders and to ensure that no matter what happens, they continue to walk the path to absolute happiness, never abandoning their faith. The underlying spirit at the core of his actions is the oneness of mentor and disciple, for President Toda’s voice resounds constantly within his heart.

As President Ikeda writes: “As long as we are able to keep the example of our mentor alive in our hearts, we can triumph over our personal weaknesses.”

When Shin’ichi visits Okinawa in January 1972, he encourages one of the leaders:

Those who walk the path of mentor and disciple of kosen-rufu will never f ind themselves at an impasse. Through my experience, I have concluded that when you

1. Coming-of-Age Day is a Japanese national holiday to celebrate the coming of age of young people turning 20 between April 2 of the previous year and April 1 of the current year. Traditionally celebrated on January 15, since the year 2000 it has been marked on the second Monday in January.

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are completely united in spirit with your mentor, unlimited strength wells forth.

Shin’ichi gives his all to engrave the spirit of mentor and disciple in the heart of each person he encounters. Aligning our hearts with our mentor, let’s advance while continuing “a daily dialogue in our hearts” with our mentor.

Boundless and everlasting benefitThe “Soaring” chapter records the history of the Grand Main Temple2 which was completed in October 1972. With its completion, the Soka Gakkai entered the second phase of the kosen-rufu movement.

Some years before, at the ground-breaking ceremony [held on

October 12, 1967], Shin’ichi concluded the official vow by sharing his profound resolve for kosen-rufu:

We, the disciples of Nichiren Daishonin in the Latter Day of the Law, firmly pledge to do our utmost to spread the teachings of Buddhism day by day, month after month and year after year.

In his speech at the completion ceremony [on October 1, 1972], Shin’ichi further emphasises that the Grand Main Temple is “not a symbol of religious authority but a facility existing for the sake of the people.” He goes on to say that it would be “a religious palace of the people where prayers based on respect for the dignity of life would be offered.” In other words, the Grand Main Temple was built for the people, and its fundamental purpose was solely the realisation of kosen-rufu.

Just 26 years after its completion, the Grand Main Temple was demolished by Nikken,3 blatantly trampling on the sincerity of eight million believers and all who had contributed to the temple’s construction. Although it no longer stands, the benefit and good fortune accumulated by the Soka Gakkai members who sincerely offered donations is “boundless and everlasting.” The Soka Gakkai’s current advance as an international Buddhist organisation is a testament to this fact.

In November 2013, the Hall of the Great Vow for Kosen-rufu in Shinanomachi, Tokyo, was completed. President Ikeda’s dedication inscribed on the monument that stands in the hall’s entrance lobby reads:

This lofty citadel, dedicated to the shared vow of mentor and disciple, is a place for offering our profound prayers for the realisation of a peaceful world through spreading the humanistic teachings and ideals of Nichiren Buddhism. It

is a place for resolving anew to triumph in our personal human revolution, undaunted by all obstacles and challenges, and to help others do the same.

The purpose of the Hall of the Great Vow for Kosen-rufu is for members to visit and pray for world peace and the happiness and security of ourselves and others, as well as to affirm their vow for kosen-rufu. This is also the significance of the gongyo meetings held there.

In his message to the commemorative gongyo meeting marking the completion of the Hall of the Great Vow for Kosen-rufu [held

on November 8, 2013], President Ikeda says:

The heart of the great vow for kosen-rufu and the life-state of Buddhahood are one

2. The Grand Main Temple (Sho-Hon-do): In October 1972, the Grand Main Temple, known as Sho-Hondo, was completed at the Nichiren Shoshu head temple Taiseki-ji in Shizuoka Prefecture. The project to build the Grand Main Temple to serve as the high sanctuary called for by Nichiren Daishonin was initiated by Shin’ichi Yamamoto and was funded through the donations of countless believers. It was intended to be a grand edifice where ordinary people could gather to pray for the peace and prosperity of all human-ity, and in the same month as its completion members travelled from across the globe for a magnificent ceremony.

3. Nikken: Nikken Abe, who claimed legitimacy as the 67th high priest of Nichiren Shoshu.

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and the same. Therefore, when we dedicate our lives to this vow, we can bring forth the supreme nobility, strength and greatness of our lives.4

Regardless of the age, there can be no greater joy or honour than living our lives based on the vow to strive in unity alongside our mentor, the Soka Gakkai and our fellow members.

Key Passages from Volume 16When one person finally stands up in faith, those who rejoice the most and receive the greatest benefit are that person’s friends, the people who have cared, chanted and done everything to support that person.

(Heart and Soul)

What is our foremost treasure, of which we can be proud to the entire world? It is the women’s division. Nowhere else can you find a gathering of women dedicated to justice and the happiness of the people that is as pure and strong.

(Heart and Soul)

The teachings we uphold are manifested through our character and our behaviour. It is largely due to the behaviour and actions of its followers that Nichiren Buddhism has become a world religion and spread to nations around the globe.

(Dialogue)

Any great accomplishment is the sum total of innumerable, well thought-out, tried and tested steps, each executed to perfection.

(Soaring)

Summary of contents: Volume 16From the start of 1972, Shin’ichi gives guidance to university students and members in various wards of Tokyo, as well as members in Okinawa and other prefectures.

(Heart and Soul)

Shin’ichi embarks on a tour of Europe and the US In May, he meets with the British historian Prof Arnold J. Toynbee at his home in London. Their dialogue covers various topics, including the nature of civilisation and religion, and spans some 40 hours over a two-year period. It is later published in English under the title Choose Life.

(Dialogue)

In July, Shin’ichi encourages members in areas affected by torrential rains. On October 12, the Grand Main Temple (Sho-Hondo) is completed. Twenty-six years later, it is demolished by Nikken, who claimed legitimacy as the high priest of Nichiren Shoshu.

(Soaring)

Translated from the February 26, 2020 issue of the Seikyo Shimbun,

the Soka Gakkai’s daily newspaper.

4. FLOW No. 572 dated 15.01.2014, pg 9–10.

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Chapter 1

Heart and Soul The Soka Gakkai had designated 1972 as the “Year of the Community,” and members worked hard to build a base for actualising a peaceful society through the spread of Nichiren Buddhism on the local level.

Based on the resolve that all the members would establish a pillar of sound and indestructible faith in their hearts, Shin’ichi Yamamoto attended a New Year’s Day meeting at the Soka Gakkai Headquarters, and on January 2, he participated in the first nationwide university group general meeting.

Also, in order to strengthen and ensure that sub-blocks – the smallest organisational unit, equivalent to the group level – were filled with hope and joy, Shin’ichi poured all his energy into taking commemorative

photographs with the men’s and women’s division sub-block leaders who were working on the front lines of the organisation.

On January 15, Shin’ichi sat for commemorative photographs with sub-block leaders of Tokyo’s Shinjuku Ward. There he discussed the role of Shinjuku, the home of the Soka Gakkai Headquarters, and thus the Soka Gakkai’s main bastion.

In addition, he established the “January 15 Group” composed of young men with whom he took a commemorative photograph, as well as the “Shinjuku Coming-of-Age Group” with those who

This is a summary for each chapter in Volume 16, covering scenes that was originally published in the February 5, 2020 issue of the Seikyo Shimbun.

Chapter Summary (Volume 16)


Illustration: Kenichiro Uchida

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were celebrating Coming-of-Age Day, an annual Japanese holiday celebrated by those who would turn 20 that year.

On January 29, Shin’ichi f lew to Okinawa, which had been under United States administration since the end of World War II but would be returned to Japan in May. Although it was a three-day trip, he thoroughly encouraged those who were striving on the front lines.

After returning to Tokyo, he continued to encourage the members by holding commemorative photo sessions with the members of Katsushika and Arakawa, and at the session with the Chiyoda members, he established the “Chiyoda 750 Group.” Moreover, he continued to pour his heart and soul into encouraging the members in the Kanto and Kansai regions. Seeking to respond to him, champions of the people appeared everywhere he went.

Chapter 2

Dialogue

On April 29, 1972, Shin’ichi Yamamoto left for Europe and the US. The primary focus of the trip was his dialogue with British historian Prof Arnold J. Toynbee.

In the autumn of 1969, Shin’ichi received a letter from the professor inviting him to engage in discussion. Dr Toynbee explained that he took notice of the Soka Gakkai while seeking a way for humanity to solve a number of fundamental issues, and he personally invited Shin’ichi to visit him in London.

On May 1, 1972, Shin’ichi participated in the inaugural ceremony for the Soka Gakkai’s new Paris headquarters. Then, on May 5, he visited Dr Toynbee at his residence, commencing the dialogue between the great scholar and the youthful Buddhist leader.


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barriers separating humanity and brought the world closer together by linking people’s hearts.

Chapter 3

SoaringAfter returning from Europe and North America, Shin’ichi Yamamoto travelled to the Kansai and Shikoku regions, and then to Hokkaido. In July, he headed to the Tohoku region, which had suffered heavy damage from torrential rains.

When Shin’ichi arrived in Sendai on July 9, he promptly cancelled the commemorative photo session that was scheduled with the members of Akita, an area where the destruction had been especially great. He quickly took steps to ensure that members living in storm-impacted areas received encouragement. The following day, he travelled to Yamagata to participate in a group

Although they represented different generations and cultures, the minds of the two men found resonance in their mutual concern for humanity’s future. The two covered not only the philosophy of life but also such subjects as the philosophy of history, learning and art. There was no shortage of discussion topics, which prompted Dr Toynbee to invite Shin’ichi back to London the following May. The dialogue, which lasted for 40 hours over two years, later resulted in the book titled Choose Life.

The professor expressed his wish for Shin’ichi “to continue engaging in such dialogues…with the aim of unifying humanity” (The New Human Revolution,

vol. 16, “Dialogue“ chapter), and his hope that Shin’ichi “would generate a dynamic groundswell of dialogue around the world” (ibid.). Shin’ichi subsequently embarked on a journey of dialogue with world leaders and scholars that transcended


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photo session. Then, on July 11, he journeyed to Akita to embolden friends to win over their difficulties.

The Soka Gakkai established relief command centres in the Chugoku region, as well as all other affected areas. When the community witnessed how members, many of whom were impacted by the storm themselves, endeavoured mightily to offer assistance, their appreciation and trust for Soka Gakkai members grew.

In October, the Grand Main Temple, which Nichiren Daishonin had decreed and Shin’ichi had initiated and built, was donated to the head temple. It was a great edifice at which people would gather to pray for the peace and prosperity of humankind. Friends from around the world gathered to take part in a grand ceremony to mark the occasion.

However, in 1998, Nikken, the so-called high priest, demolished the Grand Main Temple out of a desire to destroy the unity of mentor and disciple that existed in the Soka Gakkai. It was an atrocious act of destruction that trampled on the sincere donations of eight million practitioners. The Soka Gakkai, meanwhile, triumphed over the barbaric attacks of the priesthood, soaring high into the skies of the 21st century as a humanistic world religion.

From Japan via Moscow

29/4Paris

4/5London

14/5Washington, DC17/5

Los Angeles

25/5 Hawaii

ToJapan

SGI President Ikeda’s Travels for Peace As Described in The New Human Revolution, volume 16

SGI President Ikeda’s dialogue with prof Arnold J. Toynbee has been published globally in 29 languages to date. The work has been read by many world leaders and thinkers, and has been used as course material in universities and secondary schools around the world.

“It is already a classic,” says Rector Viktor Sadovnichiy of Moscow State University. Echoing his regard for the book is Sun

Lichuan of the Chinese Writers Association, who states, “The work can be considered one of humanity’s textbooks.”

1965: President Ikeda sends Prof Arnold J. Toynbee an English translation of his book Science and Religion.

1967: On his third trip to Japan, Dr Toynbee hears about the Soka Gakkai from many individuals.

1968 – Autumn: Dr Toynbee writes President Ikeda, proposing they engage in dialogue. Thereafter, they make preparations for their discussions through correspondence.

1972 – May 5: President Ikeda visits Dr Toynbee’s home. Over the next five days, the two discuss a variety of topics, such as life, history, art, happiness, suicide, Eastern medicine and Buddhism.

1973 – March: Dr Toynbee invites President Ikeda for a second visit to the UK to continue their dialogue.

President Ikeda’s overseas travels as described in this volume.

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1973 – May 15: President Ikeda visits Dr Toynbee’s home. Over the next five days, the two discuss a variety of topics such as Africa’s future, Japan, China, aging, religion, education, democracy and fascism, racism, literature, mass media, food sufficiency, urbanisation, human population and the universe.

1975 – Spring: The dialogue, which lasts for a total of 40 hours, results in a book titled Nijuisseiki e no taiwa (Dialogue for the 21st Century).

1976: Choose Life, the English version of the book, is published by Oxford University Press.

Friend, Be StrongOn February 20, 1972, after a photo session in Tokyo’s Arakawa Ward, members of the high school division presented a choral performance of a poem, “Friend, Be Strong!” penned by Shin’ichi Yamamoto during his youth.

Shin’ichi Yamamoto had written the poem while visiting a member’s home in Kanagawa Prefecture many years before. The mother of the family had shown Shin’ichi a letter she had received from her teenage son, who was working in another prefecture to assist with the family’s f inances. In the letter, the son related that he was sharing a room with several others, which made it very difficult to recite the sutra. He described how he would take his towel and soap and tell

his roommates he was going to the public bath, and then go to climb up a hill behind the apartment and do his prayers there.

When he finished reading the letter, Shin’ichi immediately took up his pen. Wishing to encourage the young man, he composed the poem “Friend, Be Strong.”

Friend, be strong,and stand up with courage!I have faith in you,in your sincere devotion.Your arduous efforts at workand your late-night studies —they, too, are training for your

life.Embrace struggles with joy!Your conviction, your passion,are definitely known to the

Buddha.

Illustration: Seikyo Press

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Youthful Hardships Become Our Greatest Assets in LifeDuring 1972, the Soka Gakkai’s “Year of the Community,” Shin’ichi Yamamoto visited each region and took many commemorative photos with frontline leaders. In January, during a session with leaders in Tokyo’s Shinjuku Ward, Shin’ichi imparted this encouragement, particularly for the young men’s division members, many of whom were struggling with hardships, on the way of youth.

“One of the things I decided in my youth was that, having resolved to dedicate my life to kosen-rufu, I would never complain about it, no matter what. Constructive ideas are important, but griping and grumbling doesn’t lead anywhere. The more we give voice to our negative thoughts, the worse we feel and the more we lose our

will to act. In addition, complaining is like advertising that we are pitiful, weak and powerless, and it demeans our value and character.

“Grumbling also discourages those around us, dampening their enthusiasm and their energy to advance. It therefore erases our benef it and good fortune. The Daishonin says that when diff iculties arise, ‘The wise will rejoice while the foolish will retreat.’ (WND-

1, pg 637) Let’s face everything that comes to us with composure and take vigorous and courageous action.”

The young men smiled and nodded as they listened. …Shin’ichi continued: “Some of you may live in apartments that

This instalment of “Unforgettable Scenes,” featuring inspiring encouragement from volume 16, was published in the February 12, 2020 issue of the Seikyo Shimbun.

“Unforgettable Scenes” − Key Episodes from Volume 16



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receive no sunlight or are tiny, cramped single rooms. It was the same for me when I was young, particularly during the time when President Toda’s business was foundering and the Soka Gakkai was in danger of falling apart. I would return home to my apartment utterly exhausted, but the place was freezing and there was nothing to eat. I didn’t even have a cup of tea to warm myself.

“Nevertheless, I fought with undaunted ferocity at President Toda’s side. I pushed myself to the limit each day, working and struggling so hard that sometimes I wanted to cry out in agony. But I carried on with the unbending will to win day after day and created a string of solid victories. Those hardships became the greatest assets of my life.…

“Youth is f leeting. It passes by in an instant. If you try to escape its challenges, you’ll find it’s over before you know it. I therefore hope you will have courage and throw yourselves earnestly into kosen-rufu and Gakkai activities!”

“We will!” the young men replied resolutely.

The New Human Revolution, vol. 16, “Heart and Soul” chapter.

Establishing an inner state of supreme happinessAt the end of January, Shin’ichi visited Okinawa. While there, he attended a commemorative photo session at the site where the Nago Community Centre was going to be built. The session was followed by performances, including a koto recital by Katsuyo Naka, a young woman who had lost her sight and been encouraged by Shin’ichi three years earlier.

Katsuyo never forgot Shin’ichi’s words on that occasion: “I assure you, if you persevere with faith until the very end, you will definitely become happy. Some people, when they experience a series of

unfortunate events, decide that they are unlucky and powerless, and they extinguish the f lame of hope in their hearts. But such an attitude itself is a source of misery. Being unable to see does not mean that you have to be unhappy. Please open the ‘eye’ of faith, the ‘eye’ of the heart, and live out your life vigorously and positively. If you can do that, you will bring hope and courage to countless others. Please become a beacon to many, many people.”

Hearing those words, Katsuyo felt the sun of hope rise in her heart. … Through awakening to our mission for kosen-rufu, we realise that we are a Bodhisattva of the Earth. We also confirm that we possess the life-condition of the Buddha, which guarantees that we can achieve absolute happiness. In other words, by realising our mission for kosen-rufu, we are able to recognise the incredible happiness we possess inside.

In the evening, after receiving guidance from Shin’ichi, Katsuyo returned home and began chanting. She felt genuine happiness welling up from within. “I cannot see,” she thought, “but because of that I was able to encounter the Gohonzon. And I still have my voice with which I can speak to others about Buddhism and chant. I also have legs that enable me to get around and do activities. How fortunate I am!”…

Chanting with a spirit of gratitude, Katsuyo made a firm


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cover many diverse topics. He visited Toynbee at his home once again the following May, and on the final day of their exchange, asked the scholar for any personal advice he might have.

Toynbee f ixed his gaze on Shin’ichi and replied softly that. . .there was one thing he felt he could say, which was that he and Shin’ichi appeared to agree on the kind of life a human being should live. The Middle Way that Shin’ichi advocated, he remarked, was surely the best path to follow…

Shin’ichi asked the historian: “As your student, what grade would you give me?” With a smile, Toynbee said he would give him an A…

Thanking Toynbee for his generous estimation, Shin’ichi said: “…Having received an A from you, Prof Toynbee, I am further determined to struggle against all negative forces that seek to bring suffering to humanity.”

Smiling warmly, Toynbee encouraged him to f ight for the sake of humanity’s future. He then

vow to the Gohonzon to develop into a person who could contribute to kosen-rufu.…

And now she was playing with all her heart for President Yamamoto on the site of the future Nago Community Centre.

When her performance was over, Shin’ichi was the first to applaud. The sound of his clapping resounded powerfully within her. “Thank you, Sensei!” she called out to him silently.…

Later, in 1999, she was designated an intangible cultural treasure by Okinawa Prefecture for her achievements as a master of Okinawan traditional music in the koto category. Katsuyo had fulf illed her vow. She had won.


Predicting global recognition In May 1972, Shin’ichi responded to the request of British historian Arnold J. Toynbee to visit him at his home in London to engage in a dialogue that would


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remarked that he was certain Shin’ichi’s efforts for peace would eventually win him global recognition. Noting that he himself had received honorary doctorates from Oxford and several other institutions, he predicted that Shin’ichi, as the top student of Toynbee University, would be bestowed with many more such honours from institutions worldwide than he had.

The New Human Revolution, vol. 16, “Dialogue” chapter.

Burning with hope for the future In July of 1972, Japan was hit with torrential rainfall resulting in widespread loss of life and damage. A commemorative photo session that Shin’ichi planned to attend in Akita Prefecture had to be cancelled, but he went to Akita on July 11 nonetheless to encourage the local members in support of the disaster relief efforts he had set in motion.

A young man asked Shin’ichi: “The Akita group photo sessions had to be cancelled because of the flooding. Does that mean there is something wrong with our faith?”

All the Akita members had chanted earnestly for good weather on the day of the photo sessions. The terrible conditions therefore troubled them.

Shin’ichi replied promptly: “Weather is a natural phenomenon. Sometimes there are heavy rains. No matter how strong our faith is, we will still experience things like typhoons

or heavy snowfall, like you do here in Akita. There’s no need, however, to blame such events on your faith and worry about it from that perspective.”

Shin’ichi wanted to communicate the message that Buddhism is a philosophy of hope and a source of courage. He then said: “Of course, given that ‘one’s body and mind at a single moment pervade the entire realm of phenomena,’ (WND-1, pg 366) our chanting does affect the universe. But if you allow yourself to lose heart because heavy rains fall, there is no point in having faith. Nichiren Buddhism is concerned with the present and the future. The important thing is to rouse your courage and move powerfully ahead towards the future, determined to make your community into a Land of Eternally Tranquil Light.…

“Buddhism is the way to transform everything into hope and the energy to advance. For example, if your group photo session is cancelled because of bad weather, you can take it as an opportunity to freshly resolve that the next session will be a tremendous success. Or, if you experience a natural disaster, you can say to yourself: ‘Alright, this is the crucial moment! I will win! I’m going to change poison into medicine and demonstrate the greatness of my faith.’ With such an undaunted spirit, you can boldly set forth anew. If you continue to move powerfully towards the future with brilliant hope no matter what happens, that itself will be your victory. That is the proof of your faith.”

The New Human Revolution, vol. 16, “Soaring” chapter.


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This instalment, published in the February 19, 2020 issue of the Seikyo Shimbun, focuses on passages from Nichiren Daishonin’s writings that SGI President Ikeda discussed in volume 16 of The New Human Revolution.


Passage 1

Each thing – the cherry, the plum, the peach, the damson – in its own entity, without undergoing any change, possesses the eternally endowed three bodies[of the Buddha].…

(OTT, pg 200)

Shining our brightestOn January 2, 1972, ahead of the first general meeting of various university groups formed at universities across Japan (comprising students and alumni and established to raise talented individuals), Shin’ichi Yamamoto talked with a group of student members and encouraged one young man in particular.

From a Scene in the Novel

“I can’t help but notice,” Shin’ichi added, “that while you seem to be gentle-natured, you also struggle with faintheartedness. Is that right?”

“Yes,” Yamaguchi replied in a soft voice. Shin’ichi then said: “Gentleness and timidity can be seen as

two different expressions of the same underlying nature. When that underlying nature takes the form of gentleness, it’s a strength; when it takes the form of timidity, it can be a weakness. When that

underlying nature consistently acts as a weakness, it can become the cause of unhappiness.”…

Yamaguchi asked: “Can we change our personality through faith?”

“Our basic underlying natures don’t change, but through our Buddhist practice, we can redirect our natures in a positive manner.…

“Buddhism teaches the way for each of us, just as we are, to attain happiness while bringing out the best of our innate disposition and potential – in the same way that the cherry, plum, peach and damson each manifest their own unique nature.

“People with fiery tempers are often also passionate, with a strong sense of right and wrong. By exerting themselves in Buddhist practice, they will no longer lose their tempers

Excerpts from Nichiren’s Writings Found in Volume 16

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about unimportant things, but become people strongly committed to opposing evil and injustice.

“Likewise, people who tend to be too agreeable or easily manipulated by others are often very kind-hearted and able to get along well with others. Through practising Buddhism, they can bring out this latter strong side of their natures. Positively transforming ourselves in this way is what we call human revolution.”


Passage 2

For example, the journey from Kamakura to Kyoto takes twelve days. If you travel for eleven but stop with only one day remaining, how can you admire the moon over the capital?

(“Letter to Niike,” WND-1, pg 1027)

Striving for kosen-rufu throughout our livesIn January 1972, Shin’ichi visited Koza (part of present-day Okinawa City). During his visit, he attended a commemorative photo session and encouraged members. He shared the following words with an elderly woman’s division member.

From a Scene in the Novel

“We never graduate or retire from faith. Indeed, to live is to keep on striving,” said Shin’ichi.

Meeting the elderly members of Okinawa, who were all steadfastly carrying out their


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Buddhist practice despite their advanced age, caused Shin’ichi’s f ighting spirit to burn even brighter.

He continued speaking to the woman in front of him: “Older people have great strength. Their tremendous life experience gives them a fundamental wisdom about living. They also have an extensive network of friends and acquaintances. When such people make earnest efforts for kosen-rufu, they can demonstrate many times the ability of young people.”. . .

With deep respect, he added: “. . .President Makiguchi, who was also advanced in age, carried on his struggle even in prison, asserting the truth of Nichiren Buddhism to the very end. I, too,

am resolved to keep striving as long as I live, into my 70s and 80s. I will keep speaking, keep writing, keep calling out for justice. If I am no longer able to walk, I will still be able to write. And if I can’t use my hands, I’ll still be able to talk about Buddhism. I’ll still be able to chant to the Gohonzon and read the Gosho.

“I will continue exerting myself until my last breath leaves my body, even if I have to crawl on all fours. That’s my determination. Please watch me. For that is the path of Buddhism and will represent the total victory of my life.”


“. . .President Makiguchi, who was also advanced in age, carried on his struggle even in prison, asserting the truth of Nichiren Buddhism to the very end. I, too, am resolved

to keep striving as long as I live, into my 70s and 80s.


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Holding High the Torch of Soka Education in Malaysia

by Dinesh Chandren

June 6 marks the anniversary of the birth of Soka Gakkai founding president Tsunesaburo Makiguchi. In this month’s issue, we are featuring articles related to Mr Makiguchi and the ideals of Soka education, of which he is the founder. This June marks the 149th anniversary of his birth.

Let us f irst look at how COVID-19 is impacting education.

The global COVID-19 pandemic has left a deep impact on education everywhere. The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) is currently monitoring the disruption caused by COVID-19 and how countries are responding to the disruption.1 At the time of writing, over 1.2 billion students around the world in 154 countries and territories – close to 70% of enrolled learners in pre-primary to tertiary educational institutions – have been

being affected by the closure of schools due to COVID-19.

In Malaysia, the Movement Control Order (MCO) enforced since March 18 has forced the closure of pre-schools, kindergartens, primary schools, secondary schools, universities and other educational institutions. Millions of our children and youth are unable to continue their education as they were supposed to. This is an unprecedented situation.

Nevertheless, educators still found various ways to connect to their students and enable them to continue learning utilising mainly online technologies.

Members of SGM’s Educators Group have also risen up to this challenge and racked their brains to reach out to their students and keep the torch of value-creating education shining brightly. In this

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issue, we feature the efforts of our Soka educators in ensuring that their students continue to learn during the MCO.

One of them tracked down her students on Instagram and asked to be added to their chat group. She even went so far as to group her students by the apps that they used to ensure that as many people as possible joined her classes. Through her efforts, attendance which were as low as 40% in some classes more than doubled to 84%.

Another educator taught herself to use various technologies and apps to connect to her students, though not technologically-savvy, and inspired fellow educators to act as well. Her efforts gained the recognition of her senior colleagues, and she was recommended to be interviewed by a daily newspaper.

One private institution educator had already expected the restriction as the number of COVID-19 infections began to rise and had prepped her students on using various apps to continue learning online. Her lessons became a lifeline for her students who are unable to leave their homes and see their friends.

Another one, an educator for children with special needs have to prepare home learning programmes for his students’ parents to teach their child. As the MCO struck the children’s parents hard, he saw the number of students at his centre drop

drastically within the first month and the centre’s income could not cover its expenses. But he continues to strive valiantly based on faith and SGI President Daisaku Ikeda’s guidance.

Our Soka educators translated the ideals of Soka education into actions that created hope for their students in these trying times.

j j j

Returning to Mr Makiguchi, this month we are featuring President Ikeda’s lecture titled “Makiguchi's Lifelong Pursuit of Justice and Humane Values,” which he delivered at the Simon Wiesenthal Centre on June 4, 1996. In it, he discusses Mr Makiguchi’s creed and conviction, which became the founding ideals of Soka education.

Mr Makiguchi said:

What then is the purpose of national education? Rather than devise complex theoretical interpretations, it is better to start by looking to the lovely child who sits on your knee and ask yourself. What can I do to assure that this child will be able to lead the happiest life possible?2

This ideal needs to be at the heart of all educational endeavours. Nothing is more important than the happiness of human beings.

In the lecture, President Ikeda clarified the purpose of Soka education:

The ultimate goal of Soka, or value-creating, education is to foster people of character who continuously strive for the “greatest good” of peace, who are committed to protecting the sanctity of life, and who are capable of creating value under even the most diff icult circumstances.

In Malaysia, Tadika Seri Soka has been striving for over a quarter-of-a-century to put the ideals of Soka education into practice. To date, it has fostered more than 3,000 children and youth who are contributing to society through their respective endeavours.

We are set to expand the endeavours of value-creating, humanistic education embodied by Mr Makiguchi through the future establishment of the Soka International School Malaysia (SISM). It is a bastion of education that aims to foster global citizens who will work for the betterment of humanity.

Let us further strengthen our understanding of Soka, or value-creating, education and expand society’s support for Soka education endeavours.

1. https://en.unesco.org/covid19/educationresponse

2. Collected Works of Tsunesaburo Makiguchi [Japanese] (1981), vol. 4, pg 27.

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Makiguchis Lifelong Pursuit of Justice

and Humane Values (Simon Wiesenthal Centre, 1996)

by SGI President Daisaku Ikeda

Delivered at Simon Wiesenthal Centre, Los Angeles, USA onJune 4, 1996

In January 1993, just prior to its official opening, I had the opportunity to visit the Museum of Tolerance. The history of the Holocaust must be termed the ultimate tragedy wrought by human hatred and intolerance. Viewing the exhibits, I was powerfully moved. More than that, however, I was profoundly outraged. Exceeding either of these emotions was the intensity of the determination that welled up within me: the determination that we must never allow this tragedy to be repeated – in any age, in any country.

Taking to heart the words of Simon Wiesenthal, that “Hope lives when people remember,” and with the unstinting support and cooperation of the Simon Wiesenthal Centre, Soka University was proud to organise the exhibit “The Courage to

Remember” (Japanese title: “Anne Frank and

the Holocaust”) at venues throughout Japan beginning in May 1994.

At the initial opening of the exhibit at the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Office, Rabbi Cooper led a distinguished delegation from the Centre, and we were honoured by the attendance of US Ambassador Walter Mondale as well as diplomatic representatives from 20 countries.

The Courage to Remember

On August 15 of last year, the 50th anniversary of the end of World War II, the exhibition opened in Hiroshima. At that time Rabbi Hier represented the Centre at an opening ceremony attended by many prominent figures. “The Courage to Remember” later travelled to Okinawa and to date has been shown in a total of 19 Japanese cities.

The exhibit has had an average of 5,000 visitors per day, and thus far has been seen by approximately one million Japanese citizens. Many of the visitors are children and teenagers, and we frequently see them moved to tears by the courageous example of their fellow teen Anne Frank, whose life is portrayed in the exhibit. There has also been an endless succession of parents visiting the exhibition with their children. I am gratified to report that “The Courage to Remember” is serving as a site of learning where people are being awakened to an invaluable sense of justice.

At the initial opening, I could not help but recall the words of my mentor, Josei Toda: “One must learn from the indomitable spirit of the Jewish people.” Indeed, I feel that there is much to learn from

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the strength and courage that has enabled the Jewish people to overcome endless persecutions and tragedies over the centuries.

As they have risen above each of the trials that has beset them, the Jewish people have learned, have remembered, and have passed on their wisdom and spiritual strength to succeeding generations. The courage to remember is at the same time the compassion to teach. Hatred is learned; tolerance must therefore be taught.

Anger as Great Good

Buddhism asserts that anger can function both for good and for evil.

Needless to say, anger that serves self-absorbed emotionalism or greed is of an evil nature. Anger driven by hatred brings only conf lict and confrontation to human society.

Anger, however, that is directed at great evil, against the desecration of humanity and the abusive disregard for human life, is anger of great good. This kind of anger reforms and rejuvenates society, opening the way to a world of humanism and peace.

Indeed, the emotion which “The Courage to Remember” inspires in viewers is none other than this feeling of “righteous anger.”

Active Tolerance

One of the most important issues facing humankind in the wake of the Cold War is that of how to bridge the chasms of mistrust and hatred between different peoples, cultures and religions. I was deeply-struck by the following words spoken by Dr Wiesenthal, when he addressed the 50th Session of the United Nations General Assembly last November (1995), in a culminating event of the

United Nations Year for Tolerance. He stated:

“Tolerance is the prerequisite for the peaceful coexistence of all people on this earth and the only alternative to the hatred that led to the horrible crimes against humanity. Hatred is the evil opposite of tolerance.”1

It should be noted here that, like anger, tolerance also has its passive and its active modes, its helpful and its harmful forms.

The indifference and apathy that is so prevalent in modern societies could be cited as an example of passive tolerance. Earlier in this century (20th), the Japanese tendency to confuse

Anger, however, that is directed at great evil, against the desecration of humanity andthe abusive disregard for human life, is anger of great good. This kind of anger reforms andrejuvenates society, opening the way toa world of humanism and peace.

1. Statement by Simon Wiesenthal as an Austrian delegate to the United Nations General Assembly, 50th Session, November 20, 1995.

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unprincipled compromise for tolerance created the spiritual conditions that led to the growth of militarism – and to the bitter historical experience that followed.

In contrast, active tolerance is inseparable from the courage to resolutely oppose and resist all forms of violence and injustice that threaten human dignity. It is a way of life based on empathy, seeing the world through other people’s eyes, feeling their sufferings and joys as one’s own.

The Simon Wiesenthal Centre provides a model of positive tolerance, actively seeking to create opportunities for dialogue between cultures, promoting shared learning and mutual understanding. A person of true tolerance is at the same time a courageous person of action who works to encourage the bonds of empathy and appreciation among people.

It is an unparalleled honour to have this opportunity to speak about the life of Tsunesaburo Makiguchi, the teacher of my teacher and first president of the Soka Gakkai, here at the Simon Wiesenthal Centre – a fortress dedicated to the noble mission of protecting peace and human rights. I would like to share with you the convictions for which Makiguchi gave his life, focusing on the two themes of “righteous anger” and “active tolerance.”

Makiguchi’s Conviction

The following quotes2 from Makiguchi’s writings will suffice

to indicate the degree to which his thinking ran counter to that of Japanese militarism – the prevailing mood of his times.

“Rebuking and removing evil is part and parcel of embracing and protecting good.”

“If you cannot be a courageous enemy of evil, you cannot be a friend to the good.”

“One must not be satisfied with passive goodness; one must be a person of courage and mettle who can actively strive for good.”

Makiguchi opposed Japan’s role in World War II and the restrictions the military government imposed on freedom of religion. As a consequence, he was jailed, abused and died in prison at the age of 73.

Tsunesaburo Makiguchi was born in 1871 in a small village on the Sea of Japan in Niigata Prefecture. The name of the village was Arahama, which might be translated as “beach of rough seas.” June 6, the day after tomorrow, will mark the 125th anniversary of his birth.

Makiguchi proudly referred to his humble origins, his birth in an impoverished f ishing village. The poverty of his family, and the need to support them, forced him to give up further study after elementary school. Nevertheless, he utilised every opportunity for reading and learning and showed great talent for teaching. Because of his scholarly disposition, a small sum of money was contributed by those with whom he worked so that he could go to a teachers’ college, from which he graduated at age 22.

Makiguchi poured his youthful energy and passion into the task of expanding educational opportunity for his underprivileged students. Many of those who were taught by Makiguchi have left grateful descriptions of his efforts as a teacher.

It was during Makiguchi's days as a young teacher that Japan began pursuing a national policy expressed by the slogan “national

“Tolerance is the prerequisite for the peaceful coexistence of all people on this earth and the only alternative to the hatred that led to the horrible crimes against humanity. Hatred is the evil opposite of tolerance.”

— Dr Simon Wiesenthal

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wealth and military strength” (Jpn. fukoku kyohei) – the path of imperial expansion. In the field of education, highest priority was likewise accorded to national aims, and all efforts were made to instil a blind, unquestioning patriotism.

The Individual Above the State

Makiguchi, by contrast, expressed this view: “What then is the purpose of national education? Rather than devise complex theoretical interpretations, it is better to start by looking to the lovely child who sits on your knee and ask yourself. What can I do to assure that this child will be able to lead the happiest life possible?”3

Makiguchi’s focus of interest was never the state, but always

people, individual human beings. This ref lects his strong sense of human rights, which inspired him to declare, in an era when the priorities of state sovereignty were being forcefully emphasised, that “the freedom and rights of the individual are sacred and inviolable.”4

In 1903, at the age of 32, Makiguchi published his thousand-page work The Geography of Human Life. This publication came on the eve of the Russo-Japanese war. The tenor of the times is symbolised by the fact that seven of Japan’s most famous scholars from Tokyo Imperial University petitioned the Government to take a hard-line stance against Russia, heightening public enthusiasm for war. In contrast, Makiguchi, an unknown school teacher, was promoting an awareness as global citizens who, while rooted in the local community, avoid the pitfalls of “narrow-minded nationalism.”

John Dewey’s Influences

At age 42, Makiguchi was appointed principal of an elementary school in Tokyo. For the next 20 years, he served in this capacity, developing some of

Tsunesaburo Makiguchi

2. Collected Works of Tsunesaburo Makiguchi (in Japanese) (Tokyo: Daisan Bunmeisha, 1988, 1983), 9:97, 6:71, 180.

3. Col lected Works of Makiguchi (1981), 4:27.

4. Tsunesabu ro Mak i guch i , The Geography of Human Life ( in Japanese) (Tokyo: Seikyo Shimbunsha, 1980), 5:16.

Phot

o: S

eiky

o Pr

ess

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Tokyo’s most outstanding public schools.

One of the important inf luences on Makiguchi’s thinking was the American philosopher, John Dewey, whose philosophy he sought to use to create change in the Japanese educational system. An outspoken advocate of educational reform, Makiguchi found himself under the constant scrutiny and pressure of the authorities. Among his controversial proposals was a call for the abolition of the system of official inspection through which representatives of the central bureaucracy could directly interfere in the running of local schools.

He also refused to give in to the prevailing custom of granting special treatment to the children of inf luential families.

This eventually resulted in the involvement of a leading national politician, who lobbied for Makiguchi’s ouster. Students, teachers and parents all rallied to Makiguchi’s defence and sought to have the transfer order stayed, even staging a boycott of classes. At the school to which Makiguchi was transferred he met with similar harassment. This time, he was able to make the educational authorities renovate a playground as a condition for accepting the transfer.

Makiguchi’s endeavours bring to mind the great love of humanity demonstrated by his contemporary, the extraordinary Jewish-Polish educator Janusz Korczak, who fought to the very end to protect the lives of his students, dying together with them in the Holocaust.

Inherent Wisdom in Every Human Being

In 1928 Makiguchi encountered Buddhism. Buddhism, in that it recognises and seeks to develop the wisdom inherent in all human beings, can be considered a philosophy of popular education. Makiguchi felt that in Buddhism he had found the means by which to realise the ideals he had pursued throughout his life – a movement for social reform through education. Makiguchi was already 57 when he embraced Buddhism – an event that commences the dramatic f inal development of his life.

Two years later, on November 18, 1930, together with his disciple and fellow teacher, Josei Toda, Makiguchi published the f irst volume of The System of Value-Creating Pedagogy, and it is from this day that we date the establishment of our organisation.

“Soka” is Japanese for “value creation.” From Makiguchi’s viewpoint, the most fundamental and central value is that of life itself. Taking into account Dewey’s pragmatism, he stated that “The only value in the true sense is that of life itself. All other values arise solely within the context of interaction with life.”5 The fundamental criterion for value, in Makiguchi’s view, is whether something adds to or detracts from, advances or hinders, the human condition.

Fostering People of Character

The ultimate goal of Soka, or value-creating, education is to foster people of character who continuously strive for the “greatest good” of peace, who are committed to protecting the sanctity of life, and who are capable of creating value under even the most diff icult circumstances.

In 1939, what was in effect the f irst general meeting of the Soka Kyoiku Gakkai (Value-creating Education Society) was held. Needless to say, this was the year in which World War II began with the Nazi

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which provided the philosophical and spiritual underpinnings for the prosecution of the war. Makiguchi, however, opposed this trampling underfoot of the freedoms of conscience and belief, refusing to permit his religious convictions to deviate from their orientation towards peace.

He was also outraged by the attempt to impose on the peoples of Asia belief in Japanese Shinto, writing, “The arrogance of the Japanese people knows no bounds.”6 His stern and uncompromising attitude in this regard stemmed from a profound spirit of tolerance towards the cultural and religious heritage of other peoples.

In December of 1941, Japan’s forces made a surprise attack on Pearl Harbour, thus initiating the war in the Pacific. Five months later, the periodical of the Soka Kyoiku Gakkai, Kachi Sozo (Value

Creation), was forced to cease publication at the order of the domestic security authorities.

Suppression of the Common People

Having deprived the Japanese people of their freedoms of conscience and religion, it was a simple task for the fascist military powers to suppress freedom of speech. By depriving people of their fundamental freedoms, the military authorities sought to create an obedient, sheep-like mass. Makiguchi expressed his f irm conviction that “a single lion will triumph over a thousand sheep. A single

It is in this spirit that the SGI Charter calls for dialogue and cooperation among people of different faiths towards the

resolution of the fundamental issues facing humankind. This spirit of first president Makiguchi lives

on within the Soka Gakkai and takes concreteform in the activities of the SGI.

We will always remain firm and unbendingbefore any form of authoritarianism,

and in this way will carry on Makiguchi’s beliefs and convictions far into the future.

5. Collected Works of Makiguchi (1982), 5:232.

6. Collected Works of Makiguchi (1987), 10:84

invasion of Poland. Japan’s armies were also on the move, committing horrible barbarities in China and Korea.

Deeply disturbed by these developments, Makiguchi launched a frontal critique of militarist fascism. At the time, most religions and religious organisations in Japan lent their support to State Shinto,

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person of courage can achieve greater things than a thousand cowards.”7 Makiguchi’s stance of squarely confronting all forms of evil and injustice made his thoughts a potent threat to the powers-that-be. He was considered a “thought criminal” and his activities were subject to constant surveillance by the “secret police.”

Nevertheless, Makiguchi continued to organise small discussion meetings where he openly expressed his religious and moral convictions. According to his written indictment, he attended over the course of two war-time years more than 240 such meetings. In the presence of the police during these meetings, Makiguchi continued to criticise military fascism. Often his speech would be cut short by the police.

Where even the priests who professed to share Makiguchi's Buddhist faith capitulated to government pressure to pray to the Shinto talisman, Makiguchi refused to the very last.

In July, 1943, Makiguchi and Toda were arrested by militarist Japan’s equivalent of the Gestapo. They were charged with violations of the notorious “Peace Preservation Act”8 and with lese-majesty, disrespect for the emperor. Makiguchi was already 72 and spent the next year and four months, a total of 500 days, in solitary confinement.

A Life Devoted to Humanistic Education

Makiguchi, however, never retreated a step. It is said that he used to call out from his solitary cell, asking the other prisoners if they were bored, offering to engage them in debate about such questions as whether there is any difference between not doing good and actually committing wrong.9 He was an unrestrained master of humanistic education who always sought equal and unqualified dialogue with others.

He even explained, patiently and clearly, the principles of Buddhism to his guards and interrogators. The off icial deposition records his view that a way of life in which one is “so sensitive to the praise or censure of society that one, while not doing evil, fails to do good” runs, in the final analysis, counter to the teachings of Buddhism.10

There is a famous Buddhist aphorism that if you light a lamp for another, your own path will be brightened.11 Indeed, Makiguchi was to the very end an example of a life of positive contribution, bringing forth the brilliant light of hope for himself and for others.

Elsewhere in the record of his interrogations we find him declaring Japan’s invasion of China and the “Great East Asian War” a “national catastrophe” brought on by the fundamental spiritual misorientation of the Japanese nation. At a time when Japan’s invasions were described as a “sacred war” and the press and opinion-makers were vying to glorify this undertaking, Makiguchi’s words ref lect a singular courage and determination.

News from Prison

His prison letters to his family have survived and in them we find such passages12 as these:

“For the present, aged as I am, this is where I will cultivate my mind.”

“I am able to read books, which is a pleasure. I want for nothing. Please watch over the home in my absence and don’t

7. An Anthology of Tsunesaburo Makiguchi’s Works (in Japanese), ed. Takehisa Tsuji (Tokyo: Daisan Bunmeisha, 1994), 26-27.

8. The Peace Preservation Act of 1925 was one of the prime legal tools used to suppress all forms of dissident expression. The Religious Organisations Act of 1940 consolidated all religious organisations in Japan under Shinto leadership.

9. Collected Works of Josei Toda (in Japanese) (Tokyo: Seikyo Shimbunsha, 1988), 8:463.

10. Collected Works of Makiguchi, 10:209-10.

11. “The Three Virtues of Food,” Complete Works of Nichiren Daishonin (in Japanese), ed. Nichiko Hori (Tokyo: Soka Gakkai, 1952), 1598. Also Cf. WND-2, pg 1060.

12. Collected Works of Makiguchi, 10:276-78, 85.

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concern yourselves about me.”

“Being in solitary confinement, I am able to ponder things in peace, which I prefer.”

His letters are f illed with concern and consideration for his family; in them one senses composure, even optimism.

“Even hell has its enjoyments, depending on one’s outlook,” he wrote in a passage scratched out by the prison censors.

The hell of the four walls of his stif ling solitary cell, its heats and colds, took a steady toll on Makiguchi’s aged frame. But he was never despondent; in

his heart, the brilliant sun of his beliefs rose and remained high. Burning with righteous anger, Makiguchi continued his struggle against the forces of a state authority that refused to respect human rights. His anger, however, was never tainted with hatred.

Eventually, age and malnutrition brought the inevitable physical decline, and Makiguchi finally agreed to be transferred to the infirmary. Donning his formal clothes, he straightened his hair and walked there unaided, with frail yet determined step. The following day, on November 18, 1944, the anniversary of the founding of the Soka Gakkai, Tsunesaburo Makiguchi passed away peacefully.

Even the terror of death was unable to force Makiguchi into submission.

Unity of Life and Death

For human beings, nothing is perhaps more universally dreaded than the prospect of one’s own demise. It could even be said that fear of death forms the basis for instinctual aggression. Yet Buddhism speaks of the indivisible unity

of life and death, asserting that these are both integral aspects of an eternal continuum. For one who fives with just and unwavering conviction, and has a penetrating understanding of the essential nature of life and death, both life and death can be experienced as joys.

In the frigid confines of prison, Makiguchi proved the truth that by living with utter dedication to humane and noble ideals, it is possible to greet death without a trace of fear, regret or loathing. Unknown to anyone, he brought to completion the life he had made great by his actions and his spirit.

His quiet passing was at the same time a new start, a new departure.

Josei Toda spoke of the unbearable grief and outrage that seized him when, two months later, one of the judges bluntly informed him, “Makiguchi’s dead.” He spoke of moaning in solitude, of crying until his tears ran dry.

But from the depths of this despair a new hope was born.Toda the disciple emerged alive from the prison where his

mentor had died. Anger at the authoritarian forces that had robbed his mentor of life was transformed into a pledge and determination to create a new popular movement for peace.

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Good People Must Unite

In The System of Value-Creating Pedagogy, Makiguchi wrote that, “Driven by their instinct for self-preservation, evil-minded people band together, increasing the force with which they persecute the good. In contrast, people of goodwill always seem to be isolated and weak. . .There is no alternative but for people of goodwill to unite.”13 This was his penetrating insight based on personal experience.

As a disciple sharing profound unity of purpose with his mentor, Josei Toda began, amidst the post-war devastation, to construct a movement based on the solidarity of ordinary citizens of goodwill. Again, his methodology was grassroots – one-on-one dialogue and small-scale discussion meetings.

Grounded on the principle of the sanctity of life as expounded in Buddhism, this is a movement that seeks to empower people, to awaken their inner wisdom, thus creating a world in which justice and humane values are accorded universal respect.

Religion for the Sake of the People

In his theory of value, Makiguchi states that the existence of religion is justified by the degree to which it relieves suffering and brings happiness to individuals (the

value of gain) and to societies (the value of goodness). In his unalloyed humanism he asserted

that people do not exist to serve religion; religion exists to serve people.

This past April, a cherry tree was planted on the Tokyo campus of Soka University, an institution that takes as its founding spirit the philosophy of President Makiguchi.

Seeking to eternalise the memory of late Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin, who consecrated his life to the realisation of Middle East peace, this tree was planted in a ceremony attended by Vice-President Moshe Arad of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, which has recently concluded agreements for academic and student exchanges with Soka University.

Prime Minister Rabin left us these unforgettable words. “There is no greater victory than peace. In war there are the victors and the vanquished. But in peace, everyone is a victor.”14

I am profoundly confident that as each spring brings new and fuller bloom to the Rabin Cherry Tree, we will see new generations emerge committed to the same vision of peace which was his pursuit. Truly, education represents the light of hope and new life.

Focusing on the Grassroots

Makiguchi’s life was an all-out struggle against fascistic authority, never retreating a single step. His message of courage and wisdom will continue to echo and resound, awakening people’s conscience in the coming centuries. He realised that, no matter how noble the principle or belief, it can only be realised through a concerted, grassroots effort. It is in this spirit that the SGI Charter15 calls for dialogue and cooperation among people of different faiths towards the resolution of the fundamental issues facing humankind. This spirit of f irst president Makiguchi lives on within the Soka Gakkai and takes concrete form in the activities of the SGI. We will always remain firm and unbending before any form of authoritarianism, and in this way will carry on Makiguchi's beliefs and convictions far into the future. It is our determination to continue to develop and expand a people’s movement of peace, education and culture into the coming millennia, in accordance with the vision of Nichiren, the founder of the school of Buddhism we practise.

For my own part I am determined, for as long as I live, to act with courage towards the realisation of an era of peace in the 21st century, for the peace that will signal victory for all. And I trust that I will have the pleasure and privilege of sharing that journey with our

13. Collected Works of Makiguchi (1982), 6:69.

14. Yitzhak Rabin, preface to De Rabin Memoirs (in Japanese), ed. Tetsuo Sagara, trans. Junko Takeda (Tokyo: Mirutosu, 1996), 19.

15. https://www.sgi.org/about-us/sgi-charter.html

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For my own part I am determined, for as long as I live, to act with courage towards

the realisation of an era of peace in the 21st century,for the peace that will signal victory for all. And I trust that I will have the pleasure and

privilege of sharing that journey with our distinguishedfriends and colleagues gathered here today.

distinguished friends and colleagues gathered here today.

In closing, I would like to dedicate today’s talk to President Makiguchi and to all those who have given their lives for justice and humane values, and to the youth of our world who live each day with a profound determination towards the future.

It is my belief –that a person, a people,who embrace a noble philosophy,people upholding sublime faith –that only a person, a people,

Translations of Tsunesaburo Makiguchi’s writings.

who, amidst raging storms,live out the dramaof reality and grand ideals,subjected to and enduringlimitless persecution –that only such a person,only such a people,will be bathed in the sunlightof perpetual joy, glory and victory.

From the SGI Newsletter No. 2791 dated 06.06.1996. It can also be read online

at https://www.daisakuikeda.org/sub/resources/works/lect/lect-07.html

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During this COVID-19 pandemic, members of SGM’s Educators Group are also striving hard to uphold the ideals of Soka education in their respective arenas,

reaching out to their students despite the difficulties they themselves face. Here, we feature selected impressions of several educators.

Striving for the Sake of their Students

by SGM Educators Group members

Tay Say Cheow Selangor

I have 32 years of teaching experience and am current ly teaching in a national secondary school.

When the MCO began, my school suggested that teachers find their own methods to continue teaching. Being a responsible teacher, I want to ensure my students continued to learn. I had learnt how to use Zoom to conduct SGM activities online, so I also used the app to begin teaching online. Most of my students attended my classes – it was amazing!

After a week, my school’s principal requested teachers to submit reports on what they have done for their students. I shared my online teaching experience with her, which she then shared at an administrators’ board meeting.

This inspired the administrators to encourage teachers to explore and apply e-learning. But many teachers

are unfamiliar with these apps, and had received no training. Thus, they were struggling. Some of them asked me to share my experiences of teaching online. I suppose my actions have inspired my colleagues to face the new challenges.

As the MCO entered its fourth week, I was required to use Google Classroom instead of Zoom. I am not technologically-savvy, so it was a nightmare at first. It takes a lot of time, and I still have to do housework while following a schedule prepared by the school to ensure the students are learning. It was really stressful. But I realised this was a challenge, and with abundant daimoku, I can overcome it.

To my surprise, my senior assistant approached me to ask if I would be interviewed by the News Straits Times (NST) on teaching online and sharing my thoughts on education. She said I was the

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1. The New Human Revolution, vol. 23, “Light of Learning” chapter.

For a new age of education to begin, educators must undergo their personal revolution.

I will continue to share and show the significance of humanistic education. I will always impart hope

to my beloved students and foster them to become great people who work for the happiness of others.

right person for this. I am glad that my efforts were recognised and I used this opportunity to inspire my students about the value and importance of learning. I hope that my sincere encouragement to my students would inspire the teachers as well. My thoughts were featured in the April 23 edition of the paper.

There were students who did not attend my online classes, and I contacted them personally. I found out that some have returned to their hometowns while two were being isolated in quarantine centres. These students will also contact me to enquire about lessons and schoolwork.

When attendance drops, I will ref lect on my teaching methods, striving to ensure students learn through many ways. I encourage them to learn on their own using the Internet, group work and online presentations. They have also been using various apps to do their assignments.

E-learning has made big changes in our lives. I am reminded of President Ikeda’s encouragement in the “Light of Learning” chapter of The New Human Revolution: “As you challenge adversity and polish the jewel that is life, you will learn to walk the supreme pathway of true humanity. He who leads a creative life from the present into the future will stand in the vanguard of history.”1

I want my students to learn in a fun way and respect the hard work of others while presenting their assignments. I want them to be happy even though their lives have been restricted.

For a new age of education to begin, educators must undergo their personal revolution. I will continue to share and show the signif icance of humanistic education. I will always impart hope to

my beloved students and foster them to become great people who work for the happiness of others.

The NST article that features Say Cheow can be found here: https://www.nst.

com.my/education/2020/04/586842/despite-exam-delays-cancellations-teachers-

committed-continue-educating

Say Cheow with a colleague and her students before the MCO.

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Irene Wong Kuala Lumpur

My English teaching career spans more than 20 years to date, including my initial years lecturing in local and private universities, to conducting corporate training and operating my own language learning centre presently. This year marks my 23rd year embracing the Gohonzon, which I enshrined during my university days.

I first read about President Ikeda’s thoughts on humanistic education during my undergraduate years. This particular sentence impressed and made me ponder for a long time, “I consider education to be the culminating undertaking of my life.” Some years later, I vowed to follow Sensei’s footsteps. And today, I am proud to say that I am an educator who engraves Sensei’s teaching in my heart and actualise his humanistic education ideals, every single day!

I regard every student I encounter as my own child, ensuring not only their subject mastery but also their positive character and emotional growth. I also grab every opportunity to engage in heart-to-heart dialogue with each parent I meet, sharing with them my thoughts on education and fostering children. Hence, I am proud to say that I have earned many parents’ trust over the years; they know me as the friendly teacher who not only teaches English, but really cares and educates!

Regarding the recent MCO in Malaysia, frankly speaking, I wasn’t caught off-guard at all. In fact, I was well-prepared that I even prepped with most of my students on how to use online learning platforms in anticipation of the imminent restrictions before it happened.

The smooth transition to online teaching was to me, a great protection. As much as I was touched by all the support given by parents and students during this unprecedented period, they were also very pleased with my immediate action which had ensured minimal disruption in their children’s learning. Many parents have expressed their appreciation to me that I sprang into action immediately and the only classes that their children had during the initial MCO weeks were mine. Some children were really looking forward to meeting me via Zoom as my classes had given them some sort of consolation after being confined at home without any learning or interaction with their friends. As some students had left their textbooks with me, I had the books sent to their homes, much to their surprise.

I am also aware that many private education providers’ incomes have been affected severely due to the MCO, however, I am glad to say that many of my parents paid for the students’ learning fee through online banking without being asked to at all. Not only was my regular income not affected, I even received additional requests from parents and companies for more online teaching.

I believe I didn’t do anything special at all during the MCO as this is what I would have done each day in my usual daily teaching routine. This I believe, is the result of Sensei’s teaching and the organisation’s training that I have received since my youth. As President Toda often said, “In faith, do the work of one person; in your job, do the work of three.” Gaining trust from everyone around me is one of my greatest treasures in life. I vow to continue actualising Sensei’s humanistic education, imparting hope and inspiring young minds. As Sensei’s said too, “That is because the victory of education means the victory of the people.”

Irene connecting with her students online.

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Tan Hooi LeanPenang

I am a fortune baby of Nichiren Buddhism and have been teaching mathematics in national schools for 25 years. I am now a vice-principal in an all-girls’ school and would like to share some thoughts on the mission of education and teaching with love.

In this unprecedented COVID-19 pandemic and the MCO that followed, I was initially at a loss. How do I contact my students? How do I conduct classes? Students would not be able to return to school for some time – I can’t just leave them to be.

I managed to track down a

few students on Instagram and asked them to add me to their class WeChat chat group (among the students). They asked how I would conduct classes, and I thought of using Zoom. Students who knew nothing about using this app began learning how to use it and joined my classes. The attendance rate in the academically-better classes soon achieved 100%.

For the students in the other classes, there were various problems, including poor Internet access, resulting in very poor attendance rate, as low as 40%. In the spirit of “not one left behind,” I called each and every student to understand their situation. I then divided my students according to the app I would use to conduct my classes – Zoom, WhatsApp and WeChat.

Ten minutes before each class began, I would make a video call to the students. Then I would point my phone camera towards my computer screen and we would begin the lesson. They are very happy and cherish each lesson. Soon, the attendance rate more than doubled from 40% to 84%.

I resolve to practise the spirit of Soka education all the time. Founding Soka Gakkai president Tsunesaburo Makiguchi said that the purpose of education is for the happiness of children and that education is the noble endeavour of fostering capable people for the future. I am striving to realise this.

Hooi Lean conducting a class.

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Chao Qun recording a lesson for a student.

2. Daisaku Ikeda, The Human Revolution, book one (World Tribune Press, 2004), pg 496.

Tan Chao QunJohor

affected by the MCO, so in April, we reduced the fees by 50%. But as many of them did not have any income during this period, they chose to give up the classes. In March, we had 11 students; the following month we only had f ive. Due to the reduced fees and having less students, our April income could not cover our expenses.

Thus, two teachers took unpaid leave to reduce expenses while we helped them obtain government aid of RM600 a month. I did not take a salary and only submitted EFP and SOCSO remittances for my colleagues.

In this period, I read The Human Revolution and saw a passage where President Toda spoke about the crisis his business faced:

I have now been defeated in the realm of economics, but I have never lost a struggle in life. I am not lost in my faith by any means. You may rest assured that my resolution is not, and will not be, changed even a bit in terms of the devotion of my entire being to the great cause of kosen-rufu. Unless the Daishonin’s Buddhism itself is defeated, I, Toda, will never be defeated in faith.2

This passage greatly encouraged me. I am firmly-convinced of realising kosen-rufu based on faith in the Gohonzon. I can definitely overcome the current difficulties.

Other than work, I was also busy with kosen-rufu activities. Other than preparing for sharing each Tuesday, I also used the phone to stay in touch with fellow young men’s division (YMD) members, sharing President Ikeda’s guidance with them to encourage them. When I hear of YMD members overcoming their challenges through faith during the MCO, I feel extremely overjoyed. I deeply felt that to receive training in SGM and grow as a result is truly happiness without compare.

I resolve to overcome all difficulties through faith. Through faith, I will gain absolute victory in work, family and the community, and strive to make the Law ensure alongside President Ikeda.

I am currently the head of a branch of a centre for children with special education needs since April last year. Other than teaching students, we have to guide their parents. I am also responsible for administrative work at the branch. Nichiren Daishonin teaches: “Regard your service to your lord as the practice of the Lotus Sutra.” (WND-1, pg 905) This teaching helps me regard the challenges at work as part of my Buddhist practice, and take this adversity as a stepping stone in establishing my school.

During the MCO our centres had to suspend classes. Our students are unable to use online platforms to continue learning like others. Thus, on March 23, we began a home learning programme. Each student’s situation is unique, so we had to tailor-make lessons for each child for their parents to teach them at home.

I have two new teachers who have less experience, so I personally vet the lessons they prepare. I often have to make major changes before we passed them to the parents. I also have to guide the parents to teach their child. Some parents found that they were unable to get their child to do the work, and I would encourage them, telling them it’s OK if their child don’t do it in the beginning, and let them do it slowly.

This increased our workload substantially, but through faith, I realised these are opportunities for great growth. President Ikeda said winning over difficulties helps us establish absolute happiness.

The jobs of my students’ parents were also

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A solemn and exacting path!Such is the path of education.

Such is the correct path of humanity.

And such is the path,supremely importantto all humankind,

of improvingour learning and character.

My friends,do not lead empty, meaningless lives!

Rather, with confidence and boundless hope,live and win

unsurpassed livesof the greatest value,fortified by learning!

Only education enableshuman beings to awaken fully

to their innate humanity.

True educationbroadens and deepens the mind as well as forges a healthy body;

it is also a step towardsa cultivated intellect and passion

and the full development of personality.

Such educationis not for the purpose

of gaining prestigious academic credentialsor high position in society;

nor is it for the sake of lording it over others

or feeding one’s own vanity.

True education enables us to attainthe unpretentious, far-sighted path of life,

which fosters genuine character.

Bringing the Light of Education to the World

– An Ode to Peaceand Fellowship

by Shin’ichi Yamamoto1

The following are excerpts from SGI President Daisaku Ikeda’s poem on education.

1. Shin’ichi Yamamoto is a pen name of SGI President Dai-saku Ikeda.

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j j j

Education,as the pump of knowledge,

enables us to drawfrom the font of wisdom.

It is a realm of endeavourin which we forever hone and polish

our intellectual, physical, and mental capabilitieswith a vibrant spirit of self-improvement.

There is an ancient Greek sayingthat I have treasured

since my teens:“There is no greater education than adversity.”

Such educationpolishes human character.

It gives rise toa spirit of service to humanity –

no, a spirit of self less dedication

to humanity.

Such education nurtures a spirit to champion peace,

no,a spirit to give one’s lifeto the struggle for peace.This is the lofty spiritof the truly educated.

j j j

Never forget thatin education we can find

limitless bullets of wisdom,infinitely enriching,

with which to triumphin the struggle of good over evil.

The true meaning of educationlies in standing up firmly

to base and dishonest individuals.

The father of Soka educationTsunesaburo Makiguchi said:

“Those who are obsessed with personal gainand cannot distinguish between right and wrong

are not qualified to be educators.In addition, those who are able to make that

distinction but fail to translate it into action

are worthless as educators.An educator must

know the difference between right and wrongand courageously act on it.”

Don’t become self-serving pseudo-scholarswho care only about advancing their own careers!

That is not genuine education.those who misappropriate educationand look upon others with contempt

reveal their true insidious self-gratifying nature.


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j j j

A certain youth proclaimed sternly:“We cannot accept education

from immoral educators.It’s intolerable!

They behave like buffoonsor living corpses bereft of all hope.

We have no desire to listento their parched, lifeless, dreary voices.”

We want to hearlofty, refined voices,

voices in rhythm with the stepsof people of good conscience.

And we wantreasoned and principled education

that penetrates deep into our hearts.

We wantlectures that overf low with

lofty ideals,profound intelligence,and intellectual rigor,

yet which also shine with the light of a great compassion

for students.

We want educationthat is conveyed

in inspiring, stirring voices.We want to hear

the warmand wondrously profound

reverberations of wisdom.

We want teacherswho are serious about teaching,

great and amazing teacherswho brim with enthusiasm and excitement.

Only when teachers demonstratesuch serious commitment

can we feeltheir warm concern for us.and only when we feel

such warm concerncan the shared vow for the future

of teacher and studentbe deepened.

Away with conceited displays of pedantry!Away with the snobbery of academic credentials!

Kindling a love for learningin the questing hearts of youth

and together with them cultivating a greater awareness

of the world at large –shouldn’t this be an educator’s gift

to his or her students?

j j j

Teachers existfor the sake of students.Students do not existfor the sake of teachers.

When apathetic teachers,tied to the past,


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look down on students who possess eager, inquiring minds

and boundless potential,it is nothing but

a pitiful, self-satisf ied academism.

Students and teachers should be companions

in the quest for knowledge,moving forward,

seeking earnestly togetherthe learning required

for a century of humanitypervaded by culture and peace.

A philosopher said:“Regard your students

as more precious than your children!Know that the path of mentor and disciple

is more noble and profoundthan the bond between parent and child!”

Education isa life-to-life exchange

built on a spirit of deep fellowship.

Only through such educationwill it be possible to achieveprogress and development

for the creation of a new society –A society of culture,a society of peace,

a society of human harmony,a society of value-creation,

and a society of peaceful coexistence.

j j j

A life devoidof ceaseless self-cultivation

ultimately leads to deadlock and inevitable defeat.Now, we the youth

have arisen.

At the start of the new century,we have bravely set off

with an earnest determinationto become champions of learning.

Our endeavours shinewith clear truth and clear knowledge.

Youthare the nation’s treasure.

Indeed, they are the treasure of humankind.

Youthare the treasure

that creates a new age.

Youthare the inspiration

that gives us courageto go on living

amidst the realities of human society. They are creativity incarnate,

capable of producing limitless value.

Organisations that cherish and foster the youth


Special Feature


are certain to triumph.The same is true for nations.

Will the vast masses of life’s spectatorscontinue to live dull, complacent lives?

So many people are controlledby the worlds of work and money.

Is our earth a joyous realm of light and hope?

Or is it a grim realm of darkness and misery?Is our history

one of shame and violence?

Is our societyjust an absurd charadeof mutual deception?

Truly pitiful are these foolish,deluded days

in which people are killedfor the most petty misstep,

and the good and justare arrogantly insulted.

True educationimparts honourable

guiding principles and human values. It thus plays an important role

in whether we succeed in making our livesvaluable and meaningful or not.

j j j

Education above allis the basisfor building,

with dignity and humanity,a supremely noble golden path

of peace, culture and human solidarity.

Fostering capable people –that is

the purpose of education.and it is capable people

fostered through educationwho will construct peaceand create a new day.

Educationis the sole path

that will lead human beings in the most humanistic way

to peace and happiness.

An age of education –this will also be

an age of humanity,an age of peace and happiness,and an age of human solidarity.

February 14, 2003


Interview


Striving on the Frontlines againstCOVID-19 Dr Seet Jia Sheng, Penang

Tell us more about yourself.

I am 28 years old and currently working as a doctor in the neurosurgery department at the Penang General Hospital, and have been practising medicine since 2017. Though my grandmother has been chanting since I was young, I only started practising seriously in SGM after returning from my medical studies in Indonesia in 2016. Nichiren Buddhism enables us to live meaningfully and I’ve been able to change my behaviour positively as well.

You and an engineer friend designed a face shield for COVID-19 frontliners that garnered media attention. How did this idea come about?

Doctors and engineers have been working together for a long time. My friend Louis Ooi specialises in 3D printing, and he came out with an idea. Traditional face shield designs have a sponge on the forehead, which can absorb sweat that leads to the growth of microbes. We used 3D printers to make them at first, with the help of the engineering community.

Our design replaces that sponge, enables

Dr Seet Jia Sheng wearing a face shield he designed with an engineer friend.

SGM Beacon Group member Dr Seet Jia Sheng of Penang fought on the frontlines in the battle against COVID-19. In addition, he and an engineer friend designed equipment to help frontliners in this fight. COSMIC speaks to Dr Seet about his efforts in the fight against COVID-19. Questions are in bold.

large numbers to be produced cheaply and it can be dipped in disinfectant directly. After carrying out research and modifying the design, we have sent the design to doctors and communities of engineers nationwide, and we are looking at producing and distributing them in larger numbers using plastic injection molding. We hope that medical personnel in operating theatres, ICUs and special wards for COVID-19 patients will use them.

Interview


How many of these face shields have been made and where are they being used?

We are working with the Penang Science Cluster. Requests were gathered from hospitals and clinics on how many face shields they need. Cash donations for the face shields were also accepted to help finance the production and distribution. The Penang state government has provided a RM60,000 grant for these face shields, and production began in mid-April. Currently some 20,000 units are being produced and distributed over the next few weeks (at the time of

the interview in end-April).

You were a COVID-19 frontliner for one month from mid-March. During this period, which moments or encounters left a deep impression on you?

When the outbreak began, all medical departments in my hospital were asked to suggest staff to join the COVID-19 frontliner team. As I was single and had no children, I volunteered myself, and was assigned to the screening team. We worked for five days straight, and for the next five days rested, but we had to quarantine ourselves and observe if we have possible symptoms of the disease.

We worked in shifts of either 7:00 AM to 3:00 PM, or from 3:00 PM to midnight. During work, we had to wear two layers of personal protective

equipment (PPE) and N95 masks the entire time. Other than the heat, we would try to avoid going to the bathroom during work as this would mean removing the PPE and putting on new ones. It was a physically exhausting experience.

I wasn’t so worried about myself, but for my family, as I live with them. If I caught COVID-19, they would also have to be sent to hospital. And people with COVID-19 can be asymptomatic, so they can spread the disease without knowing it. Before I return home, I would call my family and tell them I am on my way, so that they would have time to distance themselves. When I get back, I go straight to the bathroom to shower and change. I then go straight to my bedroom, and I even have my meals there. We keep a minimum distance of two metres from each other at home.

COVID-19 frontliners cannot afford to be physically close to their families, even their children. But this allowed me to encourage my family using SGI President Ikeda’s guidance.

How does your practice of Nichiren Buddhism help you in the fight against COVID-19?

People are anxious and nervous. On the other hand, though I felt excited to be part of the frontliners, there was also a sense of calm. We must remember not to discriminate against people. There was

Some of the components used in making the face shield.

Interview


Louis Ooi, Dr Seet ’s longtime friend and co-designer of the face shield.

In order to wear PPE properly, a medical personnel needs the assistance of another colleague to check and ensure there are no leakages before they attend to COVID-19 patients. In this instance, close contact is required.

Dr Seet and his colleagues at the Penang General Hospital who are wearing PPE.

plenty of online anger against certain groups of people who were accused of spreading the virus, and they faced social discrimination. We must have compassion for all.

When seeing patients or persons-under-investigation, we try to encourage them to tell the truth, and assure them we will help them. It’s a huge psychological strain on them. But this allows me to practise changing poison into medicine. As a team leader, I also encourage my team members to strive this difficult period.

Doctors and engineers are now working even more closely and frontliners are given huge appreciation. We have to stand at the front and help others. This encourages us to become stronger; it is training to strengthen oneself.

During this period, I wake up each day at 5:00 AM, and perform gongyo before leaving the house. The teachings of Nichiren Buddhism really encouraged me during this difficult period. In our prayers, we pray for world peace. World peace is not simply the absence of war, but having no outbreaks of disease is also important.

We are all uniting in the fight against COVID-19. I am truly practising Buddhism in my career and creating world peace as a frontliner. This has given me a new perspective on world peace. We must begin by protecting the people around us.

(All photos are courtesy of Dr Seet.)

In the media:https://www.malaymail.com/news/malaysia/2020/04/02/state-govt-funds-penang-engineer-for-production-of-face-shields-for-healthc/1852777

https://www.buletinmutiara.com/from-3d-printing-to-mass-production-of-face-shields/

https://www.malaysiakini.com/news/517928 (Subscribers only)

Halaman Kanak-kanak


Raja Pemilik Sifat Baikyang Berjuang Demi KeadilanPada zaman dahulu, terdapat seorang Raja yang bernama Raja Pemilik Sifat Baik (Possessor of Virtue) yang mempertaruhkan nyawanya demi melindungi ajaran yang betul. Di negara itu terdapat seorang pemuda yang menyebarkan ajaran Buddha yang betul, bernama Penyedar Sifat Baik (Realisation of Virtue).

Pada suatu hari, pegawai-pegawai menghadap Raja untuk membuat laporan.

“Alamak! Penyedar Sifat Baik telah menjadi sasaran golongan orang jahat!”

Setelah mendapat laporan tersebut Raja Pemilik Sifat Baik menjerit dengan kuat sekali.

“Selamatkanlah Penyedar Sifat Baik dengan segera!”

Tetapi pegawai-pegawai itu semuanya menggeletar.

“Bilangan orang jahat itu sangat ramai, mungkin tidak dapat diselamatkan.”

Raja itu berdiri.

Halaman Kanak-kanak


“Walaupun hanya ada saya seorang, akan tetap pergi menyelamatkan Penyedar Sifat Baik!”

Raja yang menunggang kuda itu meluru keluar dengan segera, diiringi oleh beberapa orang askar.

Pada ketika ini, Penyedar Sifat Baik yang tinggal di sebuah rumah kecil di dalam hutan, telah dikelilingi oleh kumpulan orang jahat itu. Orang jahat yang iri hati terhadap Penyedar Sifat Baik itu membawa pedang, kayu yang panjang, anak panah dan busur sedang hendak menyerangnya.

“Raja, musuh terlalu ramai bilangannya. Marilah kita pulang!” Askar-askar Raja itu berkata.

“Apakah yang harus dilakukan?” Raja sangat risau. Sekiranya mereka berundur pada masa ini maka ajaran yang betul akan musnah. Seterusnya, bukankah negara ini tidak akan mempunyai orang untuk memperjuangkan keadilan?

“Saya tidak akan menjadi Raja yang tidak dapat menyelamatkan orang yang memperjuangkan keadilan dan nama tercemar untuk kemudian hari!”

Sambil bercakap, Raja itu meluru ke arah musuh dengan segera.

“Raja!”Askar-askar yang terkejut

juga turut meluru ke arah itu.Askar-askar yang lain

pulang ke istana untuk mendapatkan bantuan.

Pada masa ini, Raja itu terkena pisau dan luka. Di samping itu, Raja itu juga dihujani dengan tusukan anak

Halaman Kanak-kanak


Kepada Ibu BapaCerita kali ini dipetik daripada “Diamond-like Body,” bab kedua dalam Sutra Mahapari-nirvana, mengenai kisah Raja Pemilik Sifat Baik dan dan Penyedar Sifat Baik. Nichiren Daishonin banyak kali mengisahkan cerita ini dalam Gosho “On Establishing the Correct Teaching for the Peace of the Land’ dan “On Repaying Debts of Gratitude.”

Penyedar Sifat Baik ialah sami yang memelihara ajaran yang benar seorang diri selepas peninggalan Buddha Peningkatan Keriangan (Buddha Joy Increasing).

Kumpulan sami yang jahat yang menyebarkan fitnah, hendak membunuh Penyedar Sifat Baik dengan pisau.

Demi memelihara ajaran yang betul, Raja Pemilik Sifat Baik menyelamatkan Penyedar Sifat Baik, bermati-matian berjuang menentang kumpulan sami yang jahat itu hingga akhirnya mati dibunuh dalam pertempuran yang sangat sengit.

Kemudian, Raja Pemilik Sifat Baik itu dilahirkan semula sebagai Buddha Shakyamuni manakala Penyedar Sifat Baik pula dilahirkan sebagai Buddha Kashyapa.

Raja Pemilik Sifat Baik memperlihatkan sifat baik amalan Shakyamuni semasa hayat lampaunya. Pada zaman sekarang, sifat baik ini ditunjukkan oleh sifat pemimpin-pemimpin agama Buddha yang berpijak di bumi nyata, sambil berusaha gigih demi kosen-rufu dan berjuang bersungguh-sungguh dalam aktiviti penyebaran agama.

Disesuaikan daripada FLOW (edisi Cina), majalah dwimingguan terbitan SGM, No. 719 (01.03.2020),

hlm. 45–48. Ilustrasi oleh Koo Yu Ying.

panah yang bertalu-talu. Seluruh badannya cedera. Semasa askar yang tiba dari istana untuk memberi bantuan, keadaan Raja itu sudah sangat nazak.

Askar-askar itu akhirnya berjaya menghalau musuh-musuhnya dan menyelamatkan Penyedar Sifat Baik.

“Oh, Penyedar Sifat Baik! Alangkah baiknya anda sudah selamat!”

Pada masa ini, Raja itu sudah tidak dapat bergerak lagi.

Penyedar Sifat Baik berkata: “Tidak ada orang yang lebih berhati luhur daripada anda. Pada masa yang akan datang, anda pasti dilahirkan semula sebagai orang yang mulia.

Setelah Raja itu mendengar kata-kata Penyedar Sifat Baik itu, Raja itu pun menghembuskan nafas yang terakhir.

Lama selepas itu, seperti yang dikatakan oleh Penyedar Sifat Baik, Raja itu dilahirkan semula sebagai Buddha Shakyamuni. Kemudian, Penyedar Sifat Baik juga turut dilahirkan sebagai Buddha

Kashyapa.“Marilah kita sama-sama menyebarluaskan

agama yang betul!” Suara lantang Raja Pemilik Sifat Baik dan Penyedar Sifat Baik berkumandang meliputi seluruh langit sehingga hari ini.

Experience


From Traumato Drama Gerrit Versteeg, Netherlands

How did you begin working with refugees?

With more refugees entering the Netherlands, especially Delft, the city I am from, there has been an increase in the number of refugee youths who have missed many years of education because of war in their home countries. About a decade ago, Dutch education authorities began providing special classes to help close this gap. However, these classes have not always been sufficient, and students have continued to struggle with confidence and self-expression. Their often terrible experiences in war zones impact their ability to absorb new information – their minds are still full of war.

Some years ago, together with Jeroen van der Zijde, who took the initiative, and a social worker, we started a special class to provide additional language lessons to refugees, coupled with social empowerment lessons.

What kind of challenges do refugees such as the students you teach face in Dutch society and in learning Dutch?

The biggest problem is the lack of oral communication skills owing to a lack of contact

Gerrit Versteeg

Recognising that the language barrier often leaves refugees struggling to integrate and rebuild their lives, SGI-Netherlands member Gerrit Versteeg set up a programme to equip young refugees with the communication skills and confidence to take their place in Dutch society.

with local peers. For example, one student who had already spent several years in the Netherlands mentioned to me that his greatest wish was to have a Dutch friend. He is not an exception. How very sad.

Students themselves often stay within their own ethnic, national or religious circles for security, which compounds their sense of exclusion from mainstream Dutch society. Because of this feeling of exclusion, some have ended up leaving the country to take part in the war in Syria and Iraq. The sad reality is that a sizable proportion of those who leave the Netherlands to do this have come from Delft.

Experience


You began incorporating drama into language teaching. What was the idea behind this, and what were the initial results?

At the end of the first year of our special class, in 2014, the students’ vocabulary had signif icantly improved, but their communication skills were still very poor. We decided in the second year to give more attention to this, and to this end, a drama teacher was appointed. That led to a clear improvement in students’ self-conf idence and ability to express themselves, but their language f luency remained below the desired level.

In 2016, we decided to focus on enabling the students to tell their own stories. We called this the “Language Theatre,” with a clear focus on teaching language through drama lessons.

Initially, it was chaotic. The backgrounds, ages and educational levels of the students were too diverse. We had Somali, Eritrean and Syrian

boys and girls between the ages of 14 and 18, ranging from nearly illiterate to highly educated. This led to conf lict and bullying between groups of students, including physical threats outside the classroom. The effects of war were clearly apparent in their lives.

How did this whole experience challenge you personally, and how did you use your Buddhist practice to confront that challenge?

I became extremely sensitive to any sign of aggression, to the point that it sometimes interfered with my performance as a teacher – I would physically tremble and find it diff icult to speak. Through chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo, I realised first of all that I had to accept their war zone condition as a fact, gain courage and deal with it. Then I realised that despite our different

Group photo of the Language Theatre students with Gerrit (top row, centre) and their drama teacher (far right)

Experience


backgrounds and religions, we could still create real heart-to-heart connections with each other and share our lives.

We encouraged dialogue and mixed the groups so that students from different backgrounds would have to work together. Initially, this was diff icult because the groups offered a kind of safety. One student, for example, refused to join a mixed group. We discovered she had f led her country after she had lost both parents. Instead of insisting, we gave her time to make her own choice, and gradually she was able to take part in the mixed group. This incident taught us to pay attention to the personal situation of each student.

What results did the Language Theatre yield?

In the Language Theatre, attention was given to each student to enable them to tell their own story. Each student’s story strengthened solidarity among the students, as each began to look beyond their own group and see themselves as part of the larger community with common needs and interests.

In line with our principle of “put the school in the society and the society in the school,” halfway through the year parents, municipal administrators and role models from the ethnic communities – for example, a successful Somali entrepreneur and a young Syrian woman who works for UNHCR – were

invited to the school.During the meeting, the students voiced their own perspectives,

and it became clear that parents often have quite rigid expectations of their children or limited views of their possibilities. Typically, they want their children to become doctors, teachers, police off icers or soccer players.

We then invited representatives of several professions – doctors, leaders of a childcare centre, a police off icer and a municipal administrator – to be interviewed and f ilmed by the students.

At the end of the 2016–17 school year, the students presented a play that they themselves had written and for which they had chosen their own roles. It was attended by their family members, the school management and the councillor for education of the city of Delft. Prior to the play, each student presented a monologue in which they shared their own story or wish for the future.

The project created positive connections and understanding between students and between the different ethnic groups, as well as between the students and teachers, parents and authorities. By the end of the 2016–17 school year, they had significantly more respect for diversity and a lot more confidence that personal or group problems can be solved through dialogue.

Experience


The result of this process was that the students gained self-confidence in Dutch society and a strong sense of their own unique mission. And, of course, their parents were very proud.

How are things now?

The project created positive connections and understanding between students and between the different ethnic groups, as well as between the students and teachers, parents and authorities. By the end of the 2016–17 school year, they had

significantly more respect for diversity and a lot more confidence that personal or group problems can be solved through dialogue.

It was also clear that it had enhanced the students’ autonomy, as seen in the way they turned their own stories into a play and chose their own roles. The project generated a great deal of happiness among the students and led to improvements in their personal lives. Many were able to successfully progress on to higher education.

A local paper ran a front-page story on the Language theatre, with a picture of the

mayor of Delft surrounded by the students. Within the municipality of Delft there is now a growing awareness of the importance of these initiatives.

Editor’s note:

Currently, there are over 186,000 refugee and migrant children in the Netherlands, with many of them having come over without a guardian. Globally, there are 70.8 million refugees, internally-displaced people and asylum seekers. Out of these, 25.9 million of them are children below 18. Refugees and refugee children have urgent social and emotional needs that require fulfilling.

https://www.sgi.org/people-and-perspectives/from-trauma-to-drama.html

[The project] had enhanced the students’ autonomy, as seen in the way they turned their own stories

into a play and chose their own roles. The project generated a great deal of happiness among

the students and led to improvements in their personal lives. Many were able to successfully progress

on to higher education.

ArtArt


Elias Yamani Ismail - An Artist of the People

by Leong Tuck Yee

Normally, when we visit art galleries, we’d expect to see conventional paintings such as acrylic or oil on canvas or watercolour on paper. These artworks are the most common types and are favoured by galleries as they are not only easily-accepted by viewers or collectors but also for the reason that they can be easily transported, handled and displayed on walls.

Occasionally, three-dimensional artworks, installations and sculptures are exhibited but currently it is not expected that many local viewers would know how to “read” or appreciate them. Most of us have not been taught the proper way to appreciate them, exposed to such works frequently enough for us to form some kind of ideas about them or gain the vocabulary to acknowledge the emotions these artworks evoke within us. Hence, we could not express our feelings conf idently or examine what we think about them. But fortunately, the Malaysian art scene is gradually changing with the emergence of more youthful artists who are daring, full of novel ideas and innovation, and keen to explore new grounds.

One such artist is Elias Yamani Ismail. He graduated from Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM) with a Fine Arts Degree in 2000 and learned the traditional ways of creating art such as drawing, painting and sculpture using common mediums including oils, watercolour and plaster of Paris. He then earned his master’s

degree from the University of Malaya which changed his way of viewing the world around him. He also founded the Satu: Creative Collective in 2008, acting as a curator to find ways to connect like-minded artists with art enthusiasts.

Elias calls himself a bricoleur, an artist who works with bricolage, that is, artworks created from a diverse range of available materials in do-it-yourself (DIY) projects. These materials may be junk, thrash, mass-produced…almost anything.

His approach to art underwent a change as well when he was further drawn to creating art with everyday objects and materials such as industrial leftovers, machinery parts, stationery instead of materials used for illusionistic artworks such as paintings. Moving further away from such artworks, he is drawn to everyday objects which he found to have intrinsic tactile qualities that make them highly appealing – “its malleability, physical qualities and the meanings that may attach to it. Thus his selection of materials is often based on intuition or a reaction to its physical characteristics rather than being about how the material can

Elias Yamani Ismail / Photo: DL Studios, Living Art (2020)

Art


express a preconceived idea for an artwork.”1 The beginning of a masterpiece comes with

a first attraction to a certain object, at least strong enough for him to gather it with an intention to see how it may become useful later on. Otherwise he may do some exploratory studies of a specif ic design which gives him a better idea when searching for more appropriate materials. One may think of collecting naturally-formed stones and displaying them in a way to manifest their power and beauty to suggest a scene from nature, objects or animals. For example, certain patterns and shapes in stones may look like rivers, mountains or faces depending on the orientation and the direction of light.

Elias’ art, however, is different in that it is “partly-recognisable, but combined in peculiar configurations. There is no identifiable narrative. Rather, objects are presented as they are. They are not symbolic and they do not refer to something else. They seem to assume new roles or purposes, and the audience is persuaded to offer various possibilities for these new objects.”2

He is creating not only new masterpieces but whole new worlds, ones that we have to put aside our pre-conceived ideas, outlook on life or even personal beliefs to enter and perceive some

1. Emelia Ong, Living Art, pg 83

2. Ibid. pg 84.

“Projek 6”, mixed media, 93 x 93 cm, 2018 / Photo: Elias Yamani Ismail

meanings and messages. There could be numerous ways to admire the artworks and draw lessons from them, and this may put some viewers off.

One excellent example may be his use of motorcycle components in “Projek 6” (see photo). By arranging them within a square frame and hung on a wall, it exudes a different kind of attraction and meaning. It is indeed a new way of presenting a group of everyday stuff, elevating it to art and let it beckon viewers to examine it repeatedly. Under usual expectations, motorcycles are mostly meant to be merely a cheap mode of transport, never meant to be admired as an art object on a wall, in whatever form.

One may be excused if one compares it to a current artwork at Art Basel Miami Beach entitled “The Comedian” by Italian artist Maurizio Cattelan. The work consists simply of an edible banana taped onto a wall.

Other examples may come with a mind-boggling variety. Materials used may also include other works of art, Styrofoam boards, pipes, fruits, toothpaste tubes and even human traces. For Elias, who grew up in the city, he finds a great deal of meaning in man-made objects. In 2016, he created an ingenious artwork entitled “Projek 2 (AirCond)” based on the shape of an old air conditioner to aptly portray the life of ordinary citizens living in Hong Kong amidst confinement, pollution and control.

Apart from artists, writers and designers, Elias’ passion for creating art is also ignited by movies he saw which include Black Mirror, Jaws, Alien and Bruce Lee f ilms. The act of creating something often brings the creator a sense of fulfilment, satisfaction and empowerment as though he were “playing god.”

In a way, Elias also uses art to express his views of certain issues facing the world besides questioning certain accepted norms in the society. From the source of his concepts, the materials he used, the messages he projected and the audience he sought, one can clearly grasp that he is one artist living among the common populace, truly an artist of the people.

Art


“EX 1 (SBN),” mixed media, 27 x 37 cm, 2018Photo: Elias Yamani Ismail

“EX 1 (SBN)”

Experience in the city takes a new life during the night while daytime is surrounded by grey, moulding, decaying and dull surfaces of structures. During the night, tall buildings, shops, malls, houses and structures come alive with multiple light apparatus, decoration and hues of colours.

I was particularly taken and attracted by the environment and surroundings suddenly changing during the night when roads and streets are being lit by street lights and surrounding buildings. The same building or structure could be very different during the day especially the malls celebrating various festivals or occasions. Each mall or entertainment centre seems to be competing with each other during the night. The lights represent energy of the city dwellers and community striving for better living, to build stronger families, find new aspiration, resilience, dreams and visions for the future.

I am always fond of this frugal decorative light which some identify as “rice lights” or fondly known in Malay as lampu lip-lap. You can easily find these decorative lights on buildings, shops, and individual homes. This light comes in various colours, set with a rhythmic timing. Basically I wanted to build my own lamp based on the idea of compression or density. Experimenting on this idea, during a visit to a local stationery shop I found this

I am always fond of this frugal decorative light which some identify as “rice lights” or in Malay, fondly as lampu lip-lap...This light comes in various colours, set with a rhythmic timing. Basically I wanted to build my own lamp based on the idea of compression or density.

transparent file holder. After a quick examination of this object I finally found a solution

and an epiphany to work out my ideas. Compared to other works in this series, this was a fast process and with minor adjustments I could build a case to fill the lights in and fit it on a wall. I knew that long hours of switching on the lights inside might cause the casing of hard plastic to heat up. I found a used computer USB fan that I could utilise to disperse the heat. I was amazed it all worked out f ine. The temperature was lowered while adding interesting aesthetics to this piece. I am pleased with the result and the presentation of this work.

- Elias Yamani

Art


With introductions, new material and approach, I hope I can contribute to the development of art in general and specifically develop my own creativity…Basically the structure crosses over vertically and horizontally but I did not want to add too much because I wanted to manipulate the shadow cast made from the gallery light to somehow create another element of illusion in order to create a feeling of density.

“Projek 9,” mixed media, 93 x 93 cm, 2018 / Photo: Elias Yamani Ismail

“Projek 9”

This work is inspired by the metal structures and scaffolding found in construction sites and buildings. I found the structures of the process of building are in progress with tall structures. Based on the idea of compression that I took from the process of urbanisation, I took this element and extraction to develop a new work as part of my body of work. I was also looking for suitable material that I could reimagine and build on this idea.

While I was looking for material at hardware shops I found this plastic material that was used to straighten corners on the wall, room sections and partitions. I am always keen to see the potential of materials and techniques that I can apply in work and practice. With introductions, new material and approach, I hope I can contribute to the development of art in general and specifically develop my own creativity. By using cable ties I tried to join the pieces to construct a particular form that I had developed in my mind and tried to execute it as closely as possible.

Basically the structure crosses over vertically and horizontally but I did not want to add too much because I wanted to manipulate the shadow cast made from the gallery light to somehow create another element of illusion in order to create a feeling of density.

- Elias Yamani

News


SGM General Director andWomen’s Division LeaderHold Online Study Sessions on the

Challenge of Overcoming COVID-19

On April 12, 2020, SGM General Director Koh Sia Feai held an online study session themed “Overcoming the COVID-19 Disaster through the Power of the Mystic Law” to encourage members nationwide on overcoming the pandemic through cultivating a correct attitude.

In his study, Mr Koh spoke about realising the greater self as taught by Nichiren Buddhism, the importance of valuing life and the idea of global citizenship. He elaborated on the root causes and solutions to this global pandemic, and shared SGI President Daisaku Ikeda’s encouragement for SGI members worldwide.

He also said that through the power of the Mystic Law, the world will overcome this pandemic, thus creating “a world where everyone is happy and respects the dignity of life, a world of peace and security where people live and prosper together.”

Later, in her speech, also on the same day, SGM women’s division leader May Chan discussed one of the Soka Gakkai’s five eternal guidelines – “Faith for a Harmonious Family.” Over time, when people are staying at home together longer, it becomes increasingly important for members to practise faith for a harmonious family. She described the definition of “home” and shared with viewers how Mrs Kaneko Ikeda maintained a harmonious life through an attitude of not

SGM General Director Koh Sia Feai calling on the viewers to create a peaceful and secure world. SGM women’s division leader May Chan stressed on the importance of creating a harmonious family in dire times.

News


SGM Donates to COVID-19 Pandemic Fund

In line with the humanitarian spirit to alleviate the people’s sufferings, on April 2, 2020, SGM donated RM40,000 to Medical Relief Society Malaysia’s (Mercy Malaysia) COVID-19 Pandemic Fund, to assist the government in purchasing ventilators, medical monitors and other equipment for intensive care units.

SGM also expressed its deepest gratitude to

Mercy Malaysia for its efforts in fighting the spread of the disease, and hoped that the donation would be able to help ease the problems of shortage of medical supplies. All SGM members are praying for the pandemic to end quickly and all patients to recover. They are also praying for the quick recovery of the nation’s economy and prosperity.

complaining and never forgetting to express her gratitude.

Mdm Chan also stressed the importance of achieving human revolution, saying that in order to achieve a harmonious family, one should strive to be a bright, sunny presence at home besides enfolding

family members in the light of compassion.Many members were deeply encouraged by

the study sessions, realising that they can overcome the current situation through earnestly practising Nichiren Buddhism. In total, the sessions received over 20,000 views.

News


Kedah High School Division Members

Learn about TPNW On April 10, 2020, 79 SGM Kedah high school division (HSD) members joined an online meeting to learn about the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW). The meeting included the reasons why Soka Gakkai International (SGI)

supports the TPNW and its significance when it comes into force.

After introducing the TPNW, the speakers urged participants to follow and promote “Rakan TPNW,” a social media initiative by SGM to

promote the treaty.Kim Swee Lee from Perlis resolved to share

about the TPNW with more people, while Yong Sim and H’ng Qi Jing from Sungai Petani were determined to learn more about and promote peace so that SGI President Ikeda’s wish for world peace can be achieved as soon as possible. They were also determined to chant more daimoku and speak to more people courageously about the destructiveness of nuclear weapons.

After learning about the TPNW, SGM Kedah high school division (HSD) members are eager to promote “Rakan TPNW.”

News


Despite these dire times, SGM Sabah members are determined to contribute to their community by carrying out blood donation campaigns.

In order to help ease the shortage of blood in blood banks, SGM Sabah held four blood donation campaigns at its culture centre on April 19, 26 and May 3 and 10. With assistance from Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, 65 packets of blood were successfully collected from 77 registered donors, hoping to contribute whatever they could in this dire situation.

Sabah Holds Four Blood Donation Campaigns

Mentor and Disciple


Speak with Conviction by SGI President Daisaku Ikeda

“Sincerely sharing the truth with others and expressing what’s in our heart – these are the principles that gave birth to the Soka Gakkai and are the driving force of its development.” He also remarked: “Important is humanistic dialogue that fosters genuine heart-to-heart communication, friendship and understanding of different cultures.”

In addition, he taught me: “Just launching into an abstract discussion of difficult Buddhist principles doesn’t necessarily contribute to people’s understanding of Buddhism. Sometimes it’s better to take a more creative and f lexible approach and share the humanistic ideals of the Daishonin’s teaching through such subjects as literature, music and art.”

Cherishing my mentor’s instructions, I have striven to engage in dialogue that transcends all barriers. Together with my wife, I have opened paths of dialogue and built bridges of friendship across the globe. This is a precious legacy that I bequeath to all of you. As philosophers of Soka, please engage in dialogue freely, joyfully, to your heart’s content.

From the SGI Newsletter No. 7844 dated 26.08.2009.

The Daishonin states: “[Having]

heard the Lotus Sutra, which leads to Buddhahood, with this as the seed, one will invariably become a Buddha” (WND-1, pg 882); and “One should by all means persist in preaching the Lotus Sutra and causing [others] to hear it.” (WND-1, pg 882) We mustn’t spare our voices in sharing the unsurpassed principles of the Daishonin’s Buddhism with as many people as possible. Through such efforts, we help connect others to Buddhism, the path to eternal happiness. At the same time, we engrave experiences of everlasting good fortune in our lives. The Daishonin declares: “Single-mindedly chant Nam-myoho-renge-kyo and urge others to do the same; that will remain as the only memory of your present life in this human world.” (WND-1, pg 64)

j j j

We must be conf ident and unhesitant in sharing the greatness of the Daishonin’s Buddhism with others. As the Daishonin says: “You must act and speak without the least servility.” (WND-1, pg 824) Having the strength to plainly state things as they are is the shakubuku spirit, the Gakkai spirit, and the spirit of kosen-rufu. Our organisation is what it is today because our members have this proud strength.

Discussing the essence of dialogue, Mr [ Josei] Toda said:


Mr Makiguchi taught that

education is the highest of all arts,

the art of creating the value of fine character.

His words are golden.

Art does not belong to a select few.

Nurturing people, cultivating the self, is also an art.

Art is displayed in a beautiful life,

beautiful actions, beautiful prayer.

— SGI President Daisaku Ikeda

cosmic f june 2020 f€¦ · kdn: pp 14905/01/2013 (031184) peninsula rm8.00 / sabah & sarawak...

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