Significance of March 16, Kosen Rufu Day

Significance of March 16, Kosen Rufu Day

This year marks the 52nd anniversary of the SGI March 16, Kosen-Rufu Day. On March 16, 1958, Soka Gakkai President Josei Toda rallied 6,000 youths of Japan, and declared that meeting as a dress rehearsal for kosen-rufu. On that occasion, Mr Toda passed the baton of kosen-rufu to the Youth Division, specifically to Mr Ikeda. Hence, the spirit of March 16 is that of the youth standing up to accept the responsibility of working towards world peace and happiness for all humanity. March 16 came to be known as “Kosen-Rufu Day” and thereafter serve as a day for all the SGI members to renew their pledge to build the eternal, indestructible foundation for kosen-rufu.

“I wish to entrust the next 50 years and the succession of kosen-rufu to all of you” said our mentor Dr. Daisaku Ikeda on March 16, 2008 on the 50th anniversary of kosen rufu day, marking it as beginning of the second act of kosen rufu.

  

The curtain has now risen on the second act of world wide kosen rufu. The crucial moment has arrived. Sensai says “we have now entered the age of my direct disciples. Your time has come. And you, the youth who are the successors of the new age are the foremost of my true disciples whom I have personally instructed and trained.” Kosen rufu is our mission and it is also the most positive and uplifting way to live as a human being and as a practitioner of Daishonin’s Buddhism a way of life symbolizing the victory of mentor and disciples. All we have to do is to get to the point, where whole heartedly chanting Diamoku to the Gohonzon and sharing the Daishonin’s Buddhism with others becomes our second nature.

  

Those who dedicate themselves to the very end for the cause of kosen rufu and the welfare of others will savor the state of Buddha-hood in life time after life time, being reborn as victors whose lives are pervaded with the good fortune of buddhas.

  

In Sensei's March 16 Kosen-rufu Day Message last year, 3 concrete points were given concerning the significance of March 16. They were:

  

1. March 16 is the day of carrying on the fighting spirit to achieve kosen-rufu;

2. The day of rising up valiantly with the pride of champions of justice; and

3. The day of setting forth toward total victory in the shared struggle of mentor and disciple.

   

In welcoming this day of March 16, let us renew our determination for these 3 points in giving meaning to it in our own respective positions.

  

Furthermore, Sensei taught that what is most crucial is "this time, now" and "taking action". That in order to gain great victory, "taking action" "now" is vital.

 

HOW TO CHANGE AND STRENGTHEN THE INNER CORE OF YOUR LIFE

HOW TO CHANGE AND STRENGTHEN THE INNER CORE OF YOUR LIFE
By Ted Morino

First of all, before you begin to chant: RELAX - CLEAR YOUR HEAD. CLEAR YOUR HEART!
But especially your head - your mind . Relax emotionally, mentally, physically. It is important to be very natural.

Second, when you chant, you really need to use your eyes. FOCUS ON THE GOHONZON. Then listen to your voice. Focus on the center part of the Gohonzon "myoho" - mystical. You have to use your eyes. This is extremely important. When you really use your eyes, your mind stops.

Clear your mind by strongly focusing your eyes. Let your thoughts rest by using your eyes. When you're busy thinking all the time, your brain is sucking energy. This means your brain is getting stronger - (which isn't healthy), but your core isn't changing because the energy isn't being directed there.

What you really have to do is look at the Gohonzon with power and let your mind relax. The Gohonzon in your life already knows your worries and desires.

Keep everything in your heart - JUST CHANT WITH YOUR EYES LOCKED ON THE GOHONZON.

Then when Nam Myoho Renge Kyo comes into tune with the core of your life, Nam Myoho Renge Kyo will melt away and dissolve karma. It will change into strength so you can become strong and clear minded enough to accomplish your desires.

In this way, you should come to enjoy the act of chanting because you're feeling the core of your life. You're fusing with the highest potential in your life, represented by the Gohonzon. WHEN YOU'RE THINKING STRATEGIES, YOU'RE NOT CHANGING YOUR KARMA.

Q : When I chant I often imagine what I want. I picture it in my mind. I see it happening in my mind. Is that okay ?
A : Positive imaginations are a good thing, but not strategies. If you get to imagining how to make it happen, instead of the images of it, then you are strategizing. Prayer should come from your heart! The Gohonzon knows your worries and desires. Keep them in your heart, focus on the Gohonzon and SIMPLY CHANT.

If you can do simple good daimoku and gongyo, Nam Myoho Renge Kyo goes stronger, deeper, to expand you, dissolve difficult karma and generate positive results. Daimoku should come from your core. If it comes from the brain, the brain becomes stronger and so does the confusion.

When you close your eyes or avert them from the Gohonzon, the power to fuse the core of your life with the Gohonzon weakens and the mind plays around. Chant clearly, confidently, comfortably. We need to keep checking ourselves. It's easy to get carried away by force of old habits and chant while uptight or emotionally. DON'T READ WHILE YOU CHANT ! DON'T DO ANYTHING WHILE YOU CHANT ! JUST CHANT. When you read, read. When you chant, chant. After good daimoku, you may read, or your schedule may require you to get right to work or do things you need to do. You may have a busy life, but don't have busy daimoku. Don't be busy while you chant - FOCUS! Through focused daimoku, you can melt away negative karma. Karma is going to be dissolved. Chanting is a time to cultivate your life, not think about your strategies. Daimoku is the time to enrich your Buddha nature, not the time to have a planning meeting for your life or day.

In my head : Positive imaginations
In my heart : Deep prayer
In my mouth : Clear chanting