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FOR DISCUSSION

Mailbox: prensa@ediciones-civilizacionglobal.com

Civilización Global nº 168 · April 2019

In this section we offer some resources for the preparation of the discussion meeting, as well as for a brief, inspiring introduction to the experiential dialogues that the discussion meetings themselves are; namely: a quote that sheds light on the relevance

of all of these efforts (“Globally”), a presentation of one of the groups or districts that sustain them (“Locally”), a passage from the writings of Nichiren Daishonin commented by Daisaku Ikeda

(“Advancing with the Gosho”), a “Perspective” and some “Keywords”.

LOCALLY At the beginning of 2019, the members of the SGEs Men´s Division, being aware of their responsibility in the advancement of kosen-rufu, decided to organize divisional “new human revolution encounters” every month, in rhythm with the Women´s and Youth divisions. These discussion meetings, which follow the joint ones, are full of wonderful experiences, engagement and determination. (In the picture, the February encounter of the Cosmos chapter in Madrid).

GLOBALLY

«In keeping with this notion of servant leadership, I

believe a change is needed in how religious teachings

are imparted, moving from didactic to dialogic methods.

The Buddha was said to be a master of dialogue, and his

teachings consist mainly of his encounters with others.

Likewise, since its formation, the Soka Gakkai’s central

activity has been the neighborhood discussion meeting . . .

a way of affirming the dignity and the centrality of each

person’s struggle to transform their sufferings into growth

and happiness».

Excerpt from AIKEN, William: Soka Gakkai in America: Focused on Servant Leadership and Dialogic Teaching, available at www.sgi.org.

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The Buddha preached the Lotus Sutra over a period of eight years, and eight characters sum up the message that he has left behind for living beings in this later age . . . It is in the passage that reads, “Therefore, Universal Worthy, if you see a person who accepts and upholds this sutra, you should rise and greet him from afar, showing him the same respect you would a Buddha”.

THE VERY ESSENCE of Buddhism exists in the act of respecting all children of the Buddha, respecting all human beings.

How lofty and noble indeed is the spirit of faith in the Mystic Law, originating with Shakyamuni and inherited by the Daishonin!

I hope you . . . will carry on this legacy of humanism, showing people the highest respect, and acting with sincerity and integrity at all times. This is the proud tradition of Soka humanism that will shine on into the eternal future of the Latter Day of the Law . . .

The Daishonin writes: “If the Law that one embraces is supreme, then the person who embraces it must accordingly be foremost among all others. And if that is so, then to speak ill of that person is to speak ill of the Law”.1 Here, the Daishonin affirms that embracing the unsurpassed Mystic Law is superior to having any social position, recognition, or honor. By the same token, slandering those who embrace the Law is equivalent to slandering the Law itself.

That’s why it’s important that as fellow members, we support, respect, and help one another. Male leaders, in particular, should be respectful of our women’s and young women’s division members and convey appreciation for their efforts.

Excerpt from “To My Dear Friends of the Youth Division”—part 4.2

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ADVANCING WITH THE GOSHO

The tradition of Soka humanism

KEYWORDS Respect · Soka humanism · Person in front of us · Buddhist practice

PERSPECTIVE

All people possess the Buddha nature equally; everyone deserves respect. Cherishing the person right before us enables us to establish life-to-life bonds and leave behind the anguish of loneliness, as well as raising our life condition and enriching our humanity. However, it is not easy to do it. The

following words from Ivan Karamázov to his brother Aliosha illustrate it: “I have never been able to understand how it is possible to love one’s neighbor. In my opinion, the people it is impossible to love are precisely those near to one, while one can really love only those who are far away.”3 In

contrast to this, Buddhist practice allows us to tap the courage, wisdom, compassion and life-force we require to appreciate and encourage the person closest to us. |

OTT, pp. 192-193.

1. WND-1, p. 61.2. See it in this issue, pp. 29-30.

3. DOSTOYEVSKY, Fyodor: The Brothers Karamazov, London: Penguin Books, 2003, p. 309.