For discussion
Based on Daisaku Ikeda’s lecture “The Pure and Far-reaching Voice” on the homonymous gosho
published in the May 2013 issue of Daibyakurenge.
Paqui Jiménez
These days, when sovereignty resides in the people, the crucial
question is what kind of society is being built by the citizens
through their actions. The beliefs that prevail are the decisive
factor. Thus the people who practice the Lotus Sutra continue
to interact with every single person to, firstly, fight those
rooted and socially entrenched tendencies and ideas that
devalue both life and humanity, and, secondly, to expose
steadfastly what is right and fair. This is the basic principle
behind the constant efforts of the SGI members in order to
promote dialogue.
Coraje and Valle de los Naranjos: The members of these two discussion groups, belonging to the
Tesoros district, decided that the best way to greet an expansive year 2016 was joining their voices
together in a New Year’s gongyo echoing in the mountains of Alicante.
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O
ur voices open the way
for kosen-rufu
Words echo the thoughts of the mind and find expression
through the voice.
The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, Tokyo: Soka Gakkai, 2006, 2nd volume, page 843.
“
Our voices open the way for kosen-rufu: Compassionate voices encouraging friends, conviction-filled
voices clarifying the truth, confident voices dispelling the doubt and delusion of fundamental darkness.
Our daily efforts in dialogue –vanquishing devilish functions and bringing the power of the Mystic
Law to flow throughout society – are the noble “work of the Buddha”.*
Sincere words arising from and resonating with our earnest concern and heartfelt good wishes will
definitely reach the hearts of those we speak with.
Together, let us make a triumph song of life and kosen-rufu resound far and wide!
kosen-rufu!
”
Translated from the December 11, 2014, issue of the Seikyo Shimbun. Quote (*) taken from The Record of
the Orally Transmitted Teachings, Tokyo: Soka Gakkai, 2004, page 4.
SOME KEY EXPRESSIONS: Words · Expression through voice · Sincerity · Decision · Dialogue
THE MOST SUBLIME OF THE FEATURES
In another writing, Nichiren Daishonin analyses the thirty-two distinctive features of the Buddha –
which, according to the Buddhist writings, express his state of life and symbolize his inner qualities– to
subsequently focus on “the most sublime”** of them all: the pure and far-reaching voice. Also known as
“the sound of Brahma”, this voice is essentially inspiring, and gives peace of mind, hope and courage.
There is a profound meaning in the fact that the Daishonin defined that pure and far-reaching
voice as the most important feature of the Buddha. The wish of the buddhas is freeing all the people
from suffering and helping them to attain Buddhahood. And what shows this wish and really
inspires others is, in fact, the voice. The true emblem of a buddha is not so much the manifestation
of the other thirty-one features –related to the physical aspect–, but in fact the ability to continue to
dialogue in order to inspire people to achieve Muddhahood.
Based on the lecture on “The Pure and Far-reaching Voice” (check the reference above, at the foot of the
introductory text); the quote (**) belongs to The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, Tokyo: Soka Gakkai, 2008,
page 352.Tokio: Soka Gakkai, 2008, pág. 352.