Winter Always Turns to Spring- Advancing Fearlessly towards the Spring of Victory

Winter Always Turns to Spring- Advancing Fearlessly towards the Spring of Victory

 

"Those who believe in the Lotus Sutra are as if in winter, but winter always turn to spring. Never, from ancient times on, has anyone heard or seen of winter turning back to autumn. Nor have we ever heard of a believer in the Lotus Sutra who turned into an ordinary person. The sutra reads, “If there are those who hear the Law, then not one will fail to attain Buddhahood.”"
(The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin Vol 1, p997)

 

Nichiren Daishonin’s Buddhism is a teaching of hope that expounds the possibility of changing any kind of karma. The purpose of our practice of faith is to accumulate good fortune each time we overcome hardships in life to attain a life state of absolute happiness that remains indestructible for eternity.

 

Even though we may be in the midst of a harsh winter in life, there is no doubt that we will usher in the spring of life underscored by victory. The winter of life is filled with harsh adversities is in fact, a turning point that serves as an opportunity for us to establish a life state of Buddhahood, that is, absolute happiness.

 

President Ikeda said in his novel, The New Human Revolution, “When the spring of victory comes after a winter of harsh trials, everything is transformed into happiness and joy. Without having cried, you cannot genuinely laugh; without having suffered, you cannot savour real joy. I’m sure there are times when, in the midst of some difficulties, you think, ‘Why me?’ But that in fact is your chance to fulfil the mission you have chosen. The deeper your suffering, the greater your mission.”

 

President Ikeda also encourages us by saying:

 

"Don't worry .The Gohonzon knows everything. You are now in winter. To you it may seem to last forever, but no winter ever fails to turn to Spring. All you need to do now is to muster your courage. I hope you'll do your best"

 

Let’s us be convinced of the spring of victory in our lives and continue in our courageous endeavour to construct a youthful SGI.

 

(Excerpt -Translated and adapted from the February 2012 issue of The Daibyakurenge, the Soka Gakkai's monthly study journal.)