November 2009

Rissho Kosei-kai Celebrates Founder's Birthday

The 103rd anniversary of Founder Nikkyo Niwano's birth was celebrated November 15 in the Great Sacred Hall at Rissho Kosei-kai headquarters in Tokyo and all Dharma Centers throughout Japan. Some 3,600 members from 92 Dharma Centers gathered in the Great Sacred Hall, and the celebration there was relayed by satellite TV to all Rissho Kosei-kai Dharma Centers in Japan.

The celebration in the Great Sacred Hall began with a hymn sung by the Kosei Choir accompanied by the Tokyo Kosei Wind Orchestra as sixteen young women members brought offerings of flowers and lighted candles to the altar before the image of the Eternal Buddha. President-designate Kosho Niwano then led chanting of the sutra and read out a tribute by President Nichiko Niwano.

Then Rev. Yasutaka Watanabe, chair of the board of trustees, gave an address, which he began by pointing out that the date of the founder's birthday coincides with two of the most important dates in Rissho Kosei-kai's history: in 1945, the enshrinement at the Former Headquarters of a Buddhist plaque as the focus of devotion, which signifies in Japanese, "The Eternal Buddha Shakyamuni, Great Benevolent Teacher, the World-honored One," in characters inscribed by the founder himself; and in 1991 Rev. Nichiko Niwano's inheritance of the Lamp of the Dharma when he was inaugurated as Rissho Kosei-kai's second president. Rev. Watanabe expressed deep appreciation for the providential coincidence of events.

After everyone joined in the singing of a hymn, one member gave religious testimony, and President Nichiko Niwano delivered a Dharma talk. He spoke of the significance of enshrining icons of the Eternal Buddha at the home altars of all members, and emphasized the importance of making life worthwhile by gaining a correct understanding of the Buddha's teachings.

In explaining what Shakyamuni said the morning of his full and perfect enlightenment, "Wonderful! Wonderful! All living beings possess the wisdom and the virtuous sign of the Tathagata," President Niwano pointed out that all living beings possess the same spiritual treasures as Shakyamuni did, such as wisdom and compassion, and he emphasized that anyone can draw on these spiritual treasures to contribute to human happiness. He also pointed out the importance of the Sangha. He said that those who help one another find happiness are "good friends," and that seeking out such friends is following the Buddha Way. Finally, after describing the founder's virtues - his fortitude in times of adversity, during which he never complained, gave way to depression, or blamed others, but accepted everything with a smile - President Niwano encouraged everyone to follow the founder's example.

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