“The Unity of ‘Many in Body, One in Mind’ ” Chapter 23 (2 ...

[Pages:18]"The Unity of `Many in Body, One in Mind' " Chapter 23 (2 of 2)

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PART 3: KOSEN-RUFU AND WORLD PEACE

OVERVIEW OF THIS SERIES "The Wisdom for Creating Happiness and Peace" is a three-part series that features key selections from SGI President Ikeda's collected works, which thus far have been compiled into 150 volumes in Japanese. These selections introduce core concepts expressing the wisdom and universal message of Nichiren Buddhism. Through this series, SGI members throughout the world are able to simultaneously study the SGI president's thought and philosophy. This series has been designated as the material for monthly district study meetings throughout the SGI-USA.

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The following is a breakdown of the three-year series, which began serialization in the July 2014 Living Buddhism.

1. HAPPINESS discusses the differences between relative and absolute happiness; the teaching of the Ten Worlds as a principle for transforming our lives; the significance of carrying out the daily practice of reciting the sutra and chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo for making that transformation; and the Buddhist view of life and death, in which both are experienced with joy.

2. HUMAN REVOLUTION focuses on the Buddhist way of life, in which people strive to bring forth their highest potential and shine with courage, wisdom and compassion.

3. KOSEN-RUFU AND WORLD PEACE takes up the ideals and principles of worldwide kosen-rufu; the movement and humanistic organization of the SGI; the spirit of the oneness of mentor and disciple shared by the three founding Soka Gakkai presidents, Tsunesaburo Makiguchi, Josei Toda and Daisaku Ikeda; world peace; and respect for the dignity of life.

CHAPTER 23:

The Unity of "Many in Body, One in Mind"

(Part 2 of 2)

23.4 The Unity That Embraces Diversity

In a discussion with young people, SGI President Ikeda clarifies the essential meaning of "many in body, one in mind."

SGI President Ikeda's Guidance Adapted from Discussions on Youth, published in Japanese in March 1999.

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Nichiren Daishonin taught his disciples to proceed in the spirit of "many in body, one in mind." This was his clear guidance. Acting in accord with his teachings is the mark of a true practitioner.

In modern terms, "many in body, one in mind" means an organization. "Many in body" means that each person is different--that people differ in their appearances, positions, circumstances and individual missions. But as for their hearts--their hearts should be one; each person should be "one in mind," united in spirit.

In contrast, if a group of people are "many in body, many in mind," there is no unity of purpose. Likewise, if they are "one in body, one in mind," it means they have been coerced into uniformity and compelled to think, look and act alike. This is akin to fascism, where people have no freedom, and it ultimately only leads to a state where people are "one in body, many in mind"--a situation where people give the appearance of being united and committed to the same goal on the surface but, in reality, don't accept that goal in their hearts.

"Many in body" means that each person gives full play to their unique potential and individuality. "One in mind" means that everyone works together based on faith, sharing the same goal and purpose. This is true unity.

One can liken the unity of "many in body, one in mind" to a bamboo grove. Each bamboo stalk sprouts up independently, yet underground, their roots are firmly intertwined. The world of faith is the same. Because we share the same "roots," because we share a common spirit and purpose, each one of us can grow limitlessly, reaching for the sky in our personal development and achievements.

True unity is achieved when each person has the strength to stand alone-- the conviction and fortitude to advance, even if you are the only one. It's not just passively depending on the support of others or finding strength in numbers.

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23.5 Working Together in Harmony Is Beautiful

A wonderful quality of the Soka Gakkai, President Ikeda notes, is that its members work together in beautiful harmony, with compassion and concern for one another, a spirit of unity and a commitment to kosen-rufu.

President Ikeda's Guidance

From a speech delivered at a Soka Gakkai Headquarters leaders meeting, Tokyo, July 18, 2000.

It is beautiful when people can get along and work well together. Buddhism is a teaching of cooperation and harmony. This spirit is articulated as "many in body, one in mind," and is the Soka Gakkai's foremost treasure.

To talk behind others' backs, to gripe and complain, and to plot and scheme --such behavior points to selfishness and ego. It points to prejudice and narrow-mindedness, and it leads to the gravest of offenses in Buddhism-- that of disrupting the harmonious community of practitioners.

I hope that, should a problem or disagreement arise, the parties involved will talk about it directly until they resolve it to everyone's satisfaction. The ideal path of a harmonious Buddhist organization is to advance together, always wisely and always based on faith.

I would ask our men's and young men's division members to be courteous and polite when talking to our women's and young women's division members. Please never raise your voice or speak in a haughty, condescending or arrogant manner. You have no right to do so. Men and women are equal. The Daishonin states, "There should be no discrimination between men and women" (see "The True Aspect of All Phenomena," The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, vol. 1, p. 385). I hope that you, the men's and young men's division members, will always be gentlemen who respect and value women. That is a tradition of the Soka Gakkai.

Similarly, it is important for all leaders to warmly thank members for their efforts and hard work. Simple expressions of thoughtfulness and concern

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--"Thank you," "Please take care," "Don't catch cold"--warm people's hearts and spread a lovely, refreshing spirit of humanity throughout our organization. The Soka Gakkai is a realm of beautiful human ties. An organization pervaded by a spirit of warmth, of sincere faith, of concern for fellow members, of unity and of devotion to kosen-rufu, an organization whose members' hearts are united in faith--this is the Soka Gakkai. Let us always maintain this tradition.

San Francisco. Photo: Thomas Chan.

23.6 Good Fortune and Benefit Flow From Out United Efforts for Kosen-rufu

Unity of purpose is crucial in achieving anything worthwhile. President Ikeda emphasizes that it is especially important for leaders to respect their fellow members and work harmoniously together with them. This, he says, will not only pave the way to kosen-rufu, but also allow everyone to enjoy lives filled with benefit and good fortune. President Ikeda's Guidance From a speech delivered at the 10th SGI General Meeting, Tokyo, October 4, 1989.

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Nichiren Daishonin writes, "People can definitely attain their goal, if they are of one mind" ("Many in Body, One in Mind," WND-1, 618).

Numbers are not the key to achieving goals, nor are titles or organizational positions. It all comes down to whether everyone can unite in purpose. Such unity provides a solid core element for building a sound future.

Inability to achieve goals reflects an absence of the spirit of "many in body, one in mind." This can be seen in leaders who think they're all-important, that everything hinges on them, and who self-centeredly push ahead without conferring with and winning the agreement of others. Such an attitude can lead to exploiting the organization for self-aggrandizement--a behavior that is completely unacceptable in the realm of the Mystic Law.

It is crucial for men's, women's and youth division members to strive together in a spirit of mutual respect and trust. Young people have their own special qualities and strengths, and older members possess a rich fund of experience and wisdom.

Your respective SGI organizations in each country should hold executive conferences where, after everyone has had the opportunity to express their opinions and be heard, you decide on activities by consensus. Capricious, willful, autocratic behavior is contrary to the spirit of Buddhism.

The important thing is to get along and communicate well--that should be your guiding principle. Men should never be patronizing toward women's division members or disregard the opinions of our youth. They should never emotionally reproach others merely because they feel their authority is questioned or their pride is wounded.

Again, always strive in a spirit of mutual trust and respect. Please remember that unity and solidarity arising from beautiful mutual encouragement --"Let's do this together" "Let's move forward together!"--is the key to a life filled with good fortune and benefit, and the continued development of kosen-rufu.

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23.7 The Meaning of "Mind" in "Many in Body, One in Mind"

Citing the guidance of second Soka Gakkai President Josei Toda, President Ikeda explains the profound meaning of "many in body, one in mind."

President Ikeda's Guidance From a speech delivered at a Soka Gakkai Headquarters leaders meeting, Tokyo, December 4, 1987.

Second Soka Gakkai President Josei Toda said: "The `mind' of `many in body, one in mind' is not the ordinary mind, or heart. It is the mind of faith. `One in mind' means being `one in faith'--one in our commitment to this Buddhism and its practice. That's the real meaning of `many in body, one in mind.' When young people have a strong mind of faith, a strong commitment to Buddhism, they will never be defeated."[1]

"Many in body, one in mind" is not something as superficial as just being on friendly terms or getting along well together. The `mind' in question is the mind or heart that has complete faith in the Gohonzon, that never strays from the example of Nichiren Daishonin's life, that forges ahead tirelessly together with our fellow practitioners to the very end. This unwavering faith is the "mind" of "many in body, one in mind." Because we share the same commitment in faith and the objective of kosen-rufu, we are comrades in faith and united in the spirit of "many in body, one in mind."

If that oneness of mind is easily shaken or undermined whenever something happens, then it didn't really exist in the first place; you were never truly "one in mind" with other members. And that leads to defeat in life.

I hope you will take deeply to heart these words of Mr. Toda: "When young people have a strong mind of faith, a strong commitment to Buddhism, they will never be defeated."

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Washington, D.C. Photo: Rob Hendry.

23.8 Self-Reliant Faith Is the Foundation of Unity

President Ikeda explains that true unity of purpose is made possible by rejecting irresponsible dependency on others and striving and praying earnestly with selfreliant faith.

President Ikeda's Guidance

Adapted from the essay series "Thoughts on The New Human Revolution," published in Japanese in the Seikyo Shimbun, May 19, 2001.

Buddhism is harmony, solidarity, the unity of "many in body, one in mind." Everyone is a supremely worthy Buddha, a Bodhisattva of the Earth with a profound mission. That is why a spirit of mutual respect and of friendly support and assistance is so important. If we have this spirit, we are guaranteed to triumph both in life and in kosen-rufu. We will be absolutely unbeatable. In an environment of animosity and discord, everyone suffers. It is a state of misery, destructiveness and hell.

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