To My Young American Friends by: ~Daisaku Ikeda~ The world today is ailing. America, too is wavering, About to succumb to the same illness. In the past, America was a haven, The new symbol of freedom and democracy That the entire world so yearned for. You young people, You guardian of the Mystic Law, And you youth of Kosen-Rufu, followers of the Bodhisattvas of the Earth, Now is the time to stand up, Resolutely rising above a century on the of barreness, To rise toward the twenty-first century, Welcome the new century of life, And to stand on the grand stage as the glorious curtain is raised. You are highly honored emissaries of Buddha, Cherishing the banner of freedom, wisdom and justice. You are charged with the mission To perform, with eloquence and yet vigorously. A man awakened to his quest is strong That quest is to lead mankind Along the path toward peace and happiness. That quest is to teach others the precise goal and method of Kosen-Rufu, And to open in yourself The most dignified inner palace of life, The palace of eternal and universal truth. The mission that you possess, You who are awakened to the most precious, indestructible, eternal and boundless Mystic Law, Is a mission of joy and nobility. You youth of America, Resuming your daily march of life Along the righteous and certain path, Challenging yourself to harvest the fruits of Kosen-Rufu While proclaiming valiantly and ceaselessly The supremacy of peace, culture and society, Now is the time To advance step by step, To rise rung by rung, Aiming to attain the land of freedom --America -- The land that all the people so dreamed of and love, You are to reconstruct determinedly on this land True joy and prosperity, Reviving the pure love of mankind. You warriors of the Mystic Law, Charged with the task of leading the world Into the flower garden of peace and security, While developing your capability, While standing on the soil of society, While sinking your roots And while blossoming in society, For friends in this city, For friends in that city, Aw for friends afar, Now is the time For you to continue to travel, to converse and to beseech The Mystic Law. Under the banner of the great Law of righteousness and Justice we embrace, Create and adorn a beautiful life Of everlasting happiness and purity, Not only for yourself but for others as well. This harmonious republic of people from all countries -- America -- Is a miniature of world society It can be said that Only in this alliance of diverse nationalities Is there contained the principal formula for peace in the world. You whom I trust and love, Now hoist anew those fluttering and significant stars and stripes. Upon the fundamental principle of the Mystic Law, You are never to neglect your pledge from the remotest past: To stand alone As young and cheerful soldiers of the noble cause, In search of adventure, progress and resistance to evil, And to love your mother country, the country of your birth. You youth of wisdom and passion, While knowing profoundly and talking continuously of The true goal of life, The reality of life, ichinen sanzen, You should not forget to live in this world, Advancing boundless and with pride As pioneers of everlasting and perfect peace. You youth of faith, Faith like flowing water, Faith of purity and strength -- yet strong and tender, You youth of compassion and conviction In the midst of the long history of mankind, You youth of glorious victory and ultimate triumph, You and I and others together, Let us expand our golden ring toward the new century. Let us join as fellow humans in profound, precious and beautiful bonds. You youth Oh, youth! Living toward the future, You youth, always and ceaselessly advancing toward the only certain goal, Although we may have varying opinions, Today, study! Today, move! Today, work! And today, make a significant step forward! Advance another cheerful step tomorrow, Fusing each day with the most precious Mystic Law. As the immaculate lotus flower blooming in the muddy pond of society, Wiping away the sweat, continue to climb The hill of completion, The summit of sublime self-perfection. Faith is -- To fear nothing. To stand unswayed. The power to surmount whatever the obstacle. Faith is the source of all solutions, An engine to sail through, On a thrilling voyage of life, A life of victory over all. You! Those of you who shoulder the future of America! Remember the difficulties the Daishonin nobly endured, and Be fearless! Persecution will arise in the course of Kosen-Rufu. Never be cowardly. Never be deceived by the malicious and cunning words Born from the mouth of fellow disciples Who have abandoned their faith. Become the very essence of conviction, Shedding light into the hearts of all people For their happiness and for the sake of the Law. You! Heirs to the task of Kosen-Rufu! The twenty-first century is at hand. Become people of capability, justice and strength. For the sake of America, For the sake of this unstable and suffering world, As you engrave in your present lives A record of a most fulfilled and glorious journey, Valiantly create a golden history of cause and effect in your lives. You excellent young performers, Dancers on the grand stage of the twenty-first century, None of you must stray from our march. You gathered here today -- When you take your places on your new stage, In the limelight of society -- The waves of Kosen-Rufu will swell still further. I can imagine The happy faces of my SGI friends, Clasping their hands in friendship, As applause of trust and respect reverberate in my ears. I have wholeheartedly entrust in you With every aspect of Kosen-Rufu. I am strongly convinced That you are the heirs to this great task. Now, proceed to every corner of the world! From a yet narrow path, I believe all of you will cut a great road Into the future. With this conviction, I am happy and filled with joy. June 20, 1981 New York
Posted on: Fri, 20 Sep 2013 19:38:22 +0000
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