Banner Of The Law Chapters 1- 10

Chapter 1 - 5
How??
Hope, Joy, Happiness  Victory
This is the law of universe.
Flowers strive to break through the deep snows to send up new sprouts. Waves tirelessly crash against rocks on the
shore, wearing them down. Day after day, the sun bursts forth from the darkness and emerges joyously.

A powerful resolve is the cause for great victory.

Why is it important to share Buddhism with others?

“Looking at the current economic situation in Japan, it’s nothing but bad news; we are still in recession
because of the rise in the value of the yen, businesses are going bankrupt, and one company after another is
making staff cuts. This is precisely why it’s important for us now to share Buddhism with others. This is
precisely why all of you are here. “As people who embrace the Gohonzon and earnestly practice the Daishonin’s
Buddhism, you possess a bright torch that cannot be extinguished even by the 23 strongest winds—a torch of
hope and courage. All of you have the mission to make this torch of faith burn even brighter and illuminate society.
Please encourage your friends, imparting the light of hope to them and kindling the flame of courage in their hearts.
Our happiness lies in encouraging others and helping them become happy. “When things seem painful and hard to
bear, remind yourself: this is precisely why I need to stand up and take action; this is precisely why I need to change
my karma. Let’s approach everything with the attitude: ‘This is precisely why!’”

Guidance from Life Span Chapter of Lotus Sutra:

At all times I think to myself” (Mai ji sa ze nen).1 Quite simply, what this means is the constant thought we have in
the depths of our hearts. The constant thought of the Buddha is to enable all living beings to attain enlightenment. In
other words, the Buddha’s mind is perpetually turned to the happiness of all people.

Attitude leads to life state:

The kind of commitment or attitude we have in the depth of our lives—what we are thinking, praying, and wishing
for—is crucial. It is a clear reflection of our life-state.

Pledge:
“In the spirit that every day is New Year’s Day, and with fresh energy, I, too, am determined to do everything I can for
the sake of my fellow members and for world peace.”

Gosho:
“Life is limited; we must not begrudge it. What we should ultimately aspire to is the Buddha land” (WND-1, 214).

Analogy: Path of kosen rufu is tough

The journey of kosen-rufu in the Latter Day of the Law will by no means always be smooth. It is like a voyage over
stormy seas, or a perilous trek through the snow and wind. As such, there can be no victory without selfless
commitment and effort.

FORGE AHEAD ON THE BODDHISATVA PATH WITH MENTOR IN MY HEART

TO WIN ALL MY BATTLES, I WILL I WILL.

We will often find ourselves in similar situations that our mentors have encountered in their
past existences, it is important then to continue fighting with the same spirit as our mentors.
When Shin’ichi found himself in a challenging situation, he always told himself: “Compared to the towering, life-and-
death struggle waged by Mr. Makiguchi, this is still nothing. With the lion’s roar of daimoku, I must rouse infinite
strength and fight with dauntless courage. I must fight much, much harder!”
As the Daishonin’s disciple, I will energetically exert myself to open a great path for worldwide kosen-rufu, no matter
what obstacles might arise!” With this firm resolve, Shin’ichi embarked on a year of fresh struggle for kosen-rufu.
Banner Of The Law Chapters 1- 10
Post culmination of the Seven Bells, a fresh new start
On January 6, the New Year’s Headquarters Leaders Meeting of the second Year of Study (1978) was held in high
spirits at the Kosen (Kosen-rufu) Hall of the Soka Culture Center [in Shinanomachi, Tokyo]. At the meeting, the
implementation of a new chapter system for the second phase of kosen-rufu was announced.

Hold the Banner Of Law High:

In other words, courageously raising the banner of the Law, the chapter men’s division and women’s division leaders
had stood up as energetic protagonists to promote kosen-rufu and steadily contributed to building the organization
day after day, month after month, year after year.

Great progress is achieved through ceaseless effort, without a

moment’s carelessness, hesitation, or standing still.

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Banner Of The Law Chapters 1- 10
Chapter 6 - 10
My Mentors Vow:
To help each and every member of the chapter become happy. He took action infused with the prayer that everyone
would develop a solid daily practice of gongyo, engage cheerfully in Gakkai activities, experience the great joy of
sharing Buddhism with others, and gain profound conviction in faith.

What is it like to become a leader in Soka Gakkai?

The role of caring for the Buddha’s disciples on behalf of the Buddha—as being entrusted with the welfare of each
member’s life, which was more precious than the entire world. That was why he could not stand by and allow even a
single individual to remain in a state of suffering and unhappiness.

But why do we need to do this?

Society is filled with constant challenges and change. It is difficult to safely navigate our way without strong life
force, unshakable belief, and abundant wisdom—the supreme source of which is faith in the Mystic Law.
Our Buddhist practice, our efforts to share Buddhism with others, and the actualization of kosen-rufu are all for the
purpose of our own happiness. Shin’ichi wanted his fellow members to know this above all and also show actual
proof of becoming happy.

How did the Chapter change drastically after Shinichi became the acting chapter leader ?
The key to becoming happy lay in participating in Gakkai activities, the members actively went out and shared the
Daishonin’s Buddhism with others. And, because of this, one member after another started experiencing great
benefit through their Buddhist practice.

A solid organization, an invincible organization in the realm of kosen-rufu, is one where experiences of benefit
blossom endlessly in the members’ lives.

Why is it important to foster Capable Leaders?

It was all the more important, Shin’ichi felt, to foster capable people in greater numbers. Because no matter what
splendid buildings the organization might have, without capable people, it would be like a great ship without its
captain, chief engineer, and the rest of its crew.

Fostering capable individuals means seniors in faith inspiring their juniors and fellow members through their own
outstanding example. When people have a model to emulate, they can achieve remarkable growth.

The Path of Kosen Rufu:

We have chosen the path of attaining Buddhahood in this lifetime, the path of kosen-rufu. As is made clear in the
Gosho and the Lotus Sutra, this is a path of selfless dedication and valuing the Law more highly than our own lives. In
other words, the road we travel will not be smooth or easy, but a challenging one where great obstacles are bound
to await us, to raise strong and courageous practitioners who could endure such trials and tribulations.

“No matter how times may change, the difficulty of upholding the correct teaching of Buddhism remains
unchanged

Ideal traits of a good leader:

To become the kind of seniors in faith who are strict with yourselves and good role models for others, warmly and
kindly embracing your juniors and the new chapter leaders and chanting for their growth with high hopes.

Why is it essential to strengthen our faith?

It is essential for us to keep growing in faith. As the Daishonin writes: ‘Strengthen your faith day by day and month
after month’ (WND-1, 997). True fulfillment in life is found in living out our mission for kosen-rufu and striving
tirelessly in that cause. When we do so, we can experience immeasurable pride, benefit, and meaning in our lives.”
Banner Of The Law Chapters 1- 10
Analogy: Importance of Pioneer Members
The presence of a supporting stake is indispensable in helping a young sapling grow into a mighty tree. Otherwise,
before the young tree has a chance to sink its roots deep in the ground, it will be toppled by the next storm.
Gohonzon is absolute and our happiness is determined by whether or not one has sincere faith.

Why is it important to foster youth divisional leaders?

“Those with central positions in our local organizations are extremely busy with many tasks to fulfill and a
demanding activities schedule. As a result, they need to be physically strong. For that reason, too, it is sometimes
necessary to have younger leaders in such positions. But local leaders can be so busy that they aren’t able to offer
sufficient encouragement and guidance to the members. That’s why I am calling upon you, the treasures of kosen-
rufu in the Guidance Division, to sensitively offer encouragement to everyone based on your solid faith and long
years of experience.

The most relatable stanza in all the instalments.

Troubles and upsets are part and parcel of life. We may fall ill or find ourselves deadlocked at work. There may be
times when we struggle with relationships in our workplace, our communities, or at home. In a sense, to live is a
constant challenge, and life is the arena of our struggles.

The What If situation:

But there may be times when they become so exhausted that they lose the energy to keep going, or when they feel
defeated by their troubles and begin to doubt their faith. There may also be times when, in spite of possessing the
supreme treasure of the Gohonzon, some fail to recognize its true greatness and do nothing but bemoan their
situation. Still others might lose sight of the true path of faith because of arrogance or holding grudges toward other
members.

What should we do?

Please reach out to offer support and encouragement in faith to those who are troubled, or ill, or losing their
conviction; to members who are exhausted, attached to self-centered views, or full of complaint. And continue
talking with them sincerely with the determination that not a single member gets left behind. Your conviction and
wealth of experience in faith are the most powerful asset in such an endeavour.
“In fostering juniors in faith, I would like to ask you to do your best to guide them in the basics of Buddhism above
all. That is because in any sphere, grasping the basics is fundamental, and mastering them is the key to growth.

Ambassadors of the Soka Gakkai

It is those who exert themselves vigorously in activities and are able to offer appropriate guidance, who have
outstanding faith and will be praised by the Gohonzon