Excerpts from speeches made by Sensei
Cathy, a good-natured, hardworking and sincere young woman, was tormented by slanderous comments that people were making about her. Depressed, she went to seek a senior, Harry, for encouragement. Needed to let her steam out and a shoulder to cry on. Harry lived a simple life, deep in the conrete jungle. After listening to Cathy, he said, ‘Let’s take a… Read More Slander
With all the drama surrounding SGM today, we felt that it is important we return to the guidance of Mr Ikeda and remind ourselves once again. Please read and carefully ponder. Ten points to always keep in mind, and manifest in our behaviour at all times. First, never be haughty. Leader must be modest through… Read More The way of a Gakkai leader
The struggle between the Buddha and the Devil, or our movement to realise kosen-rufu, is a win-or-lose battle between those who respect human beings and those who despise and look down on human beings. It is a battle between those who revere people as human beings and those who view human beings as robot and… Read More Rossum’s Universal Robots
Nonetheless, the good-natured but simple-minded animals continue to believe the pigs. Over time, however, persistent food shortages and a heavy work load take its toll and the animals grow disheartened. Even Boxer, the cart-horse, the most diligent and loyal worker among them, doggedly supporting Napoleon and the revolution to the very end, falls ill. Boxer… Read More Animal Farm: Part 3 – Karma of human history
There is no stopping such a web of deceit once it started. The pigs had become a privileged class; from there, the slide to corruption was swift. They slept in the grand house that the humans had left behind and drank forbidden alcohol, appearing drunk in broad daylight. Puffed up with pride and self-conceit at… Read More Animal Farm: Part 2 – Napoleon
A Scottish philosopher once said: “Ignorance is the mother of fear.” Fear and confusion arise out of ignorance. If we illuminate the darkness with the light of wisdom, there is nothing at all to fear or be bewildered about. It is out of hope that you will develop such wisdom that I would like to… Read More Animal Farm: Part 1
Many religions have demanded blind faith, taking away people’s independence. President Makiguchi opposed such enslavement. What he called for instead was solidarity of awakened common people. To achieve this, he proposed a self-reliant way of life in which we advance on the path of our choice with a firm, independence character. He also stressed a… Read More Two minutes to ponder
A quiet revolution 