If you are surrounded by companions who have faith and trust in the Lotus Sutra, you’ll never be at a loss for what to do. Hearing the experiences and wisdom of those many people allows you to cope with problems that you would not be able to resolve on your own, because you learn to accept that the purpose of every encounter is to reveal your buddha nature.
The Buddha’s original vow is to make all people buddhas. I founded Rissho Kosei-kai because I was bolstered by this, the One Great Cause for the buddhas’ appearance in the world. And Kosei-kai is supported by the sincere hearts and minds of many people. I believe all our members are true children of the Buddha when, one person leading another, they guide those close to them onto the path of the Dharma.
When the number of people around you who, forgetting themselves, can naturally act for the sake of others increases by even one or two, the significance of the sutra’s words “Of those who hear the Dharma, / None will fail to become a buddha” approaches a tangible reality for you.
Bodai no me o okosashimu [Germinating the Seeds of Awakening] (Kosei Publishing, 2018), p. 34
Nikkyo Niwano, the founder of Rissho Kosei-kai, was born in Niigata Prefecture, Japan, in 1906. A longtime advocate of cooperation and dialogue between the world’s religious faiths, Rev. Niwano promoted interreligious understanding as honorary chairman of Shinshuren (Federation of New Religious Organizations of Japan), honorary president of Religions for Peace, and in various other capacities. He is the author of several books on Buddhism, the Lotus Sutra, and spirituality, such as Buddhism for Today, Lifetime Beginner, Buddhism for Everyday Life, and more. Rev. Niwano passed away in 1999 at the age of 92.
