President Ikeda’s Lecture on ‘The Workings of Brahmā and Shakra’—From the September 2012 Issue of Daibyakurenge

Youth Change History: Rear True Disciples!

My heart is always filled with thoughts of the “youth.” Whenever I hear of young people striving and exerting themselves, I cannot sit still. I feel an irrepressible desire to do something for them—to do everything I can for them.

Our first president, Tsunesaburo Makiguchi, also loved and treasured the youth above all else. During World War II, there was a factory in the Tama area of Tokyo where many young people were gathered for wartime labor mobilization. President Makiguchi visited them repeatedly to encourage them as they earnestly sought Buddhism and engaged in propagation while working under harsh conditions. Furthermore, under the strict surveillance of the military police, he frequently delivered lectures in the factory cafeteria, proclaiming the justice of Nichiren Daishonin’s Buddhism.

This took place 70 years ago, in 1942, the year before President Makiguchi and his disciple Josei Toda were imprisoned by the military authorities. It was also in the same year that President Makiguchi traveled alone for several hours to Fukushima Prefecture to propagate this Buddhism to the parents of a disciple who had recently joined in Tokyo.

Everything for the sake of the youth! No one understood this spirit of President Makiguchi more deeply than Josei Toda. At the first Young Men’s Division general meeting, Mr. Toda looked upon the young people burning with the passion for kosen-rufu with boundless joy. He said, “If my mentor, President Makiguchi, were here today, how delighted he would be! How I wished to show him this sight just for a moment. It truly brings tears to my eyes.”

President Toda: “You Are World Leaders”

Mr. Toda then powerfully declared: “When Shakyamuni attained eternal life, refuted the Brahmin teachings, and established Buddhism, those who participated in that struggle were all youth. The spirit and power of youth are precisely what change the history of the world.” He also stated, “Our philosophy is the philosophy of life… it is the supreme philosophy that guides all the sciences of the world. You, my friends, are world leaders.”

Young people who possess the supreme Mystic Law are world-class leaders who open up a new era! This is the great conviction of our Soka Gakkai. As the Daishonin states in The Gakkai’s Righteousness: “If the Law that one embraces is supreme, then the person who embraces it must likewise be supreme” (WND-1, 61).

In this lecture, we will study “Reply to Ueno,” written to the young disciple Nanjo Tokimitsu. Let us learn from the Daishonin’s struggle for nurturing capable people—a struggle that serves as the very soul of our “Youth Gakkai”—and see how he encouraged and raised a single youth.

Gosho Text

On the fourteenth day of the fifth month, you intentionally sent me a load of taro roots. Taro roots at this time of year are precious; they are like a jewel to a busy person, or like medicine. I have also noted what you wrote in your letter.

Lecture: Encouraging Tokimitsu Like a Father

The Daishonin expresses his heartfelt gratitude for the offerings sent by the Nanjo family to Mount Minobu, a place scarce in resources, acknowledging the deep sincerity contained within them. “Imo-no-kashira” refers to the parent root located at the center of the taro plant. In the old lunar calendar, this corresponds to the fifth month—a time when rice supplies ran low, making this gift to the mentor highly significant.

Furthermore, during this period, the Nanjo family was burdened with a heavy administrative and financial strain, being ordered to provide labor and donations for the repair of the local Fuji Sengen Shrine. Deeply moved by the fact that they managed to send these life-sustaining provisions despite having no financial leeway, the Daishonin praises each taro root as being “like a jewel” or “like medicine.”

In the third year of Kenji (1277), when this letter was sent, Tokimitsu was nineteen years old by traditional count. He had reached the age where he was expected to actively lead his estate and step forward as a pillar of kosen-rufu in his region. The Daishonin nurtured and encouraged him as if he were his own father.

During the Kenji era, the predictions in On Establishing the Correct Teaching for the Peace of the Land were being fulfilled, and the disciples of Nichiren Daishonin were growing significantly. Consequently, high-ranking priests of other schools and government officials, viewing this with hostility, began plotting behind the scenes, and persecutions against the Daishonin’s followers intensified. The disowning of Ikegami Munenaka by his father and the immense pressure placed upon Shijo Kingo by his lord occurred during this exact period.

In the province of Suruga, where propagation was advancing rapidly under the leadership of Nikko Shonin, the early signs of oppression—which would later culminate in the Atsuhara Persecution—were beginning to surface. The young disciple Nanjo Tokimitsu was also being relentlessly harassed by obstacles trying to obstruct his faith. This letter was written in response to those reports, outlining the essentials for “winning through faith.”

Gosho Text

King Bimbisara was a wise ruler and, among the Buddha’s lay followers, the foremost in the continent of Jambudvipa. Moreover, he ruled the kingdom of Magadha. When the Buddha intended to preach the Lotus Sutra in that country, the king and the Buddha were of one mind, so it seemed certain that the Lotus Sutra would be preached. However, Devadatta plotted how he might disrupt this matter. Finding no opportunity, he schemed in various ways over the years, gradually gaining the favor of Prince Ajatashatru, King Bimbisara’s son. He sowed discord between the father and son, deceived Ajatashatru into having his father killed, and allied himself with the prince. When Devadatta and King Ajatashatru became of one mind, the non-Buddhist teachers and evil men of the five regions of India gathered like clouds and mist. The prince bestowed lands upon them, lavished treasures on them, and won their hearts through flattery, so that the king of the nation became a great enemy of the Buddha. The Devil King of the Sixth Heaven, accompanied by his countless subordinates, descended and entered into the bodies of Devadatta, Ajatashatru, and the six ministers of Magadha. Thus, although their forms were human, their power was that of the Devil King. It caused a tumult and trembling far greater than when a mighty gale bends grass and trees, or rouses waves upon the great ocean, or when a massive earthquake shakes the land, or a great fire consumes a row of houses.

Lecture: Evil Priests and Evil Rulers Become Enemies of the Buddha

The forces attempting to undermine Tokimitsu’s faith appeared from close within his surroundings. The Daishonin teaches this young disciple that Buddhism is an unceasing struggle between “the Buddha and the festive devil,” and that the primary tactic of the devil is to cause division among people. Once the devil is recognized for what it is, it loses its power. President Toda used to say, “No matter what great hardships you face, if you can perceive, ‘This is the working of a festive devil!’ you can overcome it with a hundredfold increase in courage.” To defeat the devil, one must first unmask its true nature.

The Daishonin illustrates how easily evil individuals can delude people’s minds—noting that even wise men find it difficult to defend against—by citing the Chinese story of Yin Jifu, followed by the great persecutions faced by Shakyamuni. He explains that the hardships Shakyamuni encountered were orchestrated by Devadatta to prevent the Lotus Sutra from being preached.

Because King Bimbisara of Magadha protected Buddhism, Devadatta’s initial schemes failed. Devadatta then targeted Prince Ajatashatru, spending years deceiving him until the prince finally murdered his own father. Once Ajatashatru and Devadatta usurped the state, evil men from all over India swarmed like rising mist. By accommodating and feeding these corrupt forces, the ruler of the nation turned into a major adversary of the Buddha.

The Daishonin describes this phenomenon as the Devil King of the Sixth Heaven entering the bodies of Devadatta, Ajatashatru, and the six ministers. This perfectly mirrors the passage in the “Encouraging Devotion” chapter of the Lotus Sutra: “Evil demons will enter their bodies.” The impact of this devilish power on the nation and its people was catastrophic. The persecution against Shakyamuni, his disciples, and his clan was carried out ruthlessly, causing the public to despair and believe that even the Buddha’s power was no match for such evil. When Devadatta murdered the nun Lotus Flower and caused the Buddha to bleed, no one stepped forward to defend the Buddha.

Through these historical examples, the Daishonin teaches that the devil seeks to divide people and rob them of their resolve to stand up for justice. The devil envies righteous individuals and takes pleasure in seeing them persecuted, which ultimately corrupts the hearts of the masses.

The Lotus Sutra Predicts Persecutions After the Buddha’s Passing

Despite these overwhelming obstacles, Shakyamuni ultimately preached the Lotus Sutra. The Buddha’s desire to save all living beings can never be thwarted by the workings of any devil king. A “Buddha” is another name for one who fights against and triumphs over the devil.

In the Lotus Sutra, Shakyamuni establishes the principle: “Since hatred and jealousy abound even during the lifetime of the Buddha, how much more so after his passing?” This passage is a call across time to the “genuine practitioners” who will stand up for the people in the evil age of the Latter Day of the Law.

Reflecting on this, the Daishonin writes, “Up until the present, there has not yet been anyone who has read the Lotus Sutra as the Buddha did.” He notes that even Great Teacher Tiantai and Great Teacher Dengyo did not face hardships on the scale that Shakyamuni did. They never faced a situation where the ruler of the nation became their enemy, the entire populace wielded weapons against them, and the whole country slandered them.

The Devil King of the Sixth Heaven represents fundamental darkness—the inherent illusion and ignorance embedded within life itself. Unless this ignorance is shattered, true victory cannot be claimed. As stated in The Record of the Orally Transmitted Teachings: “The sharp sword to counter fundamental darkness is none other than the single word ‘faith'” (WND-2, 824). The only power capable of defeating this darkness is faith. Buddhism is, from beginning to end, a battle between the Buddha and the devil. Therefore, we must constantly strengthen our faith and cause the Buddha nature within us to surge forward.

The guidance from On Persecutions Befalling the Sage remains our eternal guideline: “Strengthen your faith day by day and month by month. If you slacken even a bit, demons will take advantage” (WND-1, 997). The Daishonin was determined to instill this “spirit of continuous struggle” and “faith to overcome the devil” within Tokimitsu during a time when the entire body of disciples was facing intense opposition. His profound wish to rear Tokimitsu into a “genuine practitioner” capable of rebuffing adversity resonates throughout the entire letter.

Gosho Text

When a tiger roars, a fierce wind blows; when a dragon bellows, clouds gather. Yet when a wild hare cries or a donkey brays, the wind does not stir, nor do clouds rise. When a foolish man reads the Lotus Sutra or a wise man discusses its meaning, the nation remains quiet and nothing happens. But when a sage appears and expounds the Lotus Sutra exactly as the Buddha did, the entire country will be thrown into a tumult, and persecutions greater than those in the Buddha’s lifetime will arise. Today, Nichiren is neither a wise man nor, needless to say, a sage. I am the most ignorant person in the world. Yet, because I have met with hardships exactly as predicted in the sutra, I am happier than if my deceased parents had returned to life, or if an enemy had met with disaster. It is a matter of great joy that, though an ignorant man, I am regarded by the Buddha as a sage.

Lecture: Welcoming Hardships with Joy (“I Am Happier”)

The Daishonin teaches Tokimitsu the true honor and joy of living as a genuine “votary of the Lotus Sutra.” When a tiger or a dragon moves, fierce winds blow and clouds gather. But when a hare or a donkey cries out, there is no change in the weather. Similarly, the Daishonin explains that even if the Lotus Sutra is read by foolish or scholarly men, the nation remains undisturbed; it is only when a sage reads it that the country is thrown into a tumult and great persecutions arise.

The crucial point here is that the distinction between a “foolish man” and a “sage” is not based on worldly reputation. To the society of his time, the Daishonin was viewed as an “eccentric” or an outcast. Yet, because he fought exactly as the sutra prescribed and encountered the predicted hardships, he proved himself to be a true sage in the eyes of the Buddha. Conversely, even if someone enjoys high esteem as a “wise man” in society, if they are viewed by the Buddha as being like Devadatta, their future existence is terrifying. This was a direct reference to priests like Ryokan of Gokuraku-ji temple, who had allied themselves with the enemies of the Lotus Sutra and were causing suffering to the people.

Ultimately, the standard from the Buddha’s perspective is practicing in exact accordance with his teachings (nyosetsu shugyo). The Daishonin read the sutra with his very life, and because he faced great trials as a result, he declared, “I am happier.” The joy of reading the sutra with one’s life is the joy of dedicating oneself to the struggle to realize the enlightenment of all people in this world. It is the joy of acting as an emissary of the Buddha. There is no greater satisfaction in life than practicing this supreme philosophy and awakening the Buddha nature within everyone we encounter.

For us today, this translates into the joy of expanding our movement for kosen-rufu. There is no greater life-animation than fulfilling our mission as Bodhisattvas of the Earth through the power of dialogue. The Daishonin conveyed this joy of propagating the Mystic Law to the young Tokimitsu through his own battles. In another letter to Ueno, he writes: “If people try to hinder you, you should think of it as a source of joy in your heart.” He also states: “Let people slander us as they will; we are priests who remain completely unbothered by it.”

No matter what the world thinks, what matters is yourself. Everything is determined by your own actions aligned with the correct teaching. Young people often worry about the evaluations of those around them, but the truly important thing is how you have lived your own life. President Toda used to emphasize, “We should only desire to be well-regarded by the Daishonin.” He also spoke of the proud, unyielding spirit of Soka faith:

“The golden words ‘To be praised by fools is the greatest shame’ were the constant motto of Tsunesaburo Makiguchi, the first president of the創価学会, who wished above all to widely propagate the true Buddhism. True to those words, he believed that no slander or persecution faced for the sake of the Lotus Sutra was a cause for shame. He maintained that being praised by fools is the ultimate disgrace, and conversely, being praised by a sage is the ultimate glory. Guided by this conviction, he passed away in prison for the sake of propagating the core of the Lotus Sutra. For those of us who believe in the Buddhism of Nichiren Daishonin, his example serves as the foremost mirror.”

The honor of being a votary of the Lotus Sutra that the Daishonin taught Tokimitsu is the very backbone of the Soka mentor-disciple spirit. Because we have maintained this honorable practice, the Gakkai has triumphed over every obstacle and achieved global development.

Gosho Text

Now I hear that you are behaving like a votary of the Lotus Sutra. Unexpectedly, your relatives, both close and distant, as well as people who are strangers to you, will come to you in the guise of friends and advise you, saying, “If you believe in Priest Nichiren, you will surely go astray, and the lord you serve will look upon you with disfavor.” Since even a wise man can be deceived by the schemes of others, you will certainly be led to abandon the Lotus Sutra.

Gosho Text

Just leave things as they are. As an act of Brahma and Shakra, the people of Japan may all come to believe at one time. At that time, those who say, “I, too, have believed from the very beginning,” will probably outnumber those who do not.

Lecture: The Devil Craftily Lures One into Retreat

From this section, the Daishonin offers specific and practical advice tailored to Tokimitsu’s immediate situation. The Nanjo family were retainers of the Kamakura shogunate. For Tokimitsu to remain a disciple of the Daishonin amidst government oppression was an extraordinarily difficult task. His relatives undoubtedly pressured him to recant. They would say, “If you trust Nichiren, you will end up in trouble. Your lord will look upon you with disfavor,” approaching him with a friendly face. The Daishonin warns him that since even wise adults can fall into such traps, a youth like him could easily be led to abandon his faith.

He then exposes the exact mechanism through which the devil operates: “Those possessed by a great demon will focus on winning over one person and causing him to fall. Using that person as a lever, they will then cause many others to retreat.” He names Shoyu-bo, Noto-bo, and the lay nun Nagoe as examples of those who were corrupted because they were “greedy, cowardly, foolish, and arrogant about their own knowledge.” Those with a superficial faith flee the moment they face a trial, and to justify their own cowardice, they use smooth words to induce others to retreat as well.

The Daishonin alerts Tokimitsu: “If you allow yourself to be talked out of your faith by these deceptive advisors, those in Suruga Province who believe slightly, as well as those who intend to join in the future, will all discard the Lotus Sutra.” He was essentially telling the young Tokimitsu, “You are the hope of kosen-rufu in Suruga. You must not fall.”

Encouraging a single individual with all our might is the key, for that one person holds the potential to inspire thousands. Nurturing a “treasure of youth” into a genuine leader is a steady, behind-the-scenes effort, but it forms the permanent foundation for kosen-rufu.

The Daishonin firmly declares that the time for wide propagation will surely arrive. “Just leave them be” means that no matter how annoying or persistent the critics are, we must not let ourselves be swayed or lose sight of our faith. He gives his absolute assurance that kosen-rufu will expand. When the time comes, those who say, “I have believed all along,” will emerge in great numbers. The Daishonin’s ultimate desire was to raise disciples who would fight alongside him in this great campaign. This passage conveys his passionate heart calling out: “Youth, become the protagonists of kosen-rufu!”

Inheriting the spirit of President Toda, I have advanced with this exact conviction. I have sought out friends on the verge of losing hope due to the storms of karma, tapped them on the shoulder, prayed with them, and opened up a path toward courage and hope. Our journey has been an endless series of mountains; there was never a smooth or flat road. This principle will never change. Kosen-rufu is an unprecedented undertaking for the sake of all humanity. Because it is challenging, the benefit is boundless. Because it is difficult, we need young people who will stand up alone. The Daishonin’s call to Tokimitsu is the very source of energy for our Soka youth today.

Gosho Text

Even those who rule over a thousand or ten thousand villages may suddenly lose their lives and have their lands confiscated over some trivial matter. If you lose your life for the sake of the Lotus Sutra this time, what is there to regret? Bodhisattva Medicine King burned his body over a period of twelve hundred years to become a Buddha, and King Shibi served as a couch for his master for a thousand years, which is why he is now called the Buddha Shakyamuni. Therefore, you must not misunderstand the matter. If you abandon your faith now, you will instead become a laughingstock. When those who pretend to be your allies try to dismantle your faith, let them speak their fill. Then, rather than lecturing them in front of a large crowd, break their arguments by saying, “Instead of advising others in the presence of a multitude, you should advise your own self,” and then stand up and leave the room.

Lecture: Now Is the Crucial Moment!

The Daishonin concludes by reinforcing the correct behavioral guidelines for defeating obstacles, emphasizing that maintaining faith to the very end is what matters most. Even powerful rulers can lose their lives and lands over trivial things. Therefore, if a moment arrives to dedicate one’s life to the Lotus Sutra, it should be welcomed without regret. He evokes the Buddhist stories of Bodhisattva Medicine King and King Shibi to demonstrate that their unyielding devotion to seeking the Law allowed them to expand their life conditions and attain enlightenment.

He tells Tokimitsu not to lose his focus. Fleeing from faith would only make him a target of mockery for the very people who tried to talk him out of it. If they try to lecture him, he should let them speak their fill, deliver a swift, decisive refutation, and walk away. Throughout the letter, the Daishonin instructs Tokimitsu to remain confident, make a firm resolve, and refuse to give in to fear. He calls on him to boldly shatter malicious falsehoods, realizing that “now is the crucial moment to fulfill your vow!”

This represents the fighting soul of our Soka Youth Gakkai. The core of any dialogue is courage and momentum. Only a lion’s roar (shishiku) can shatter the devil’s influence. The youth are urged to confront powerful enemies and challenge difficulties directly. A strong adversary trains us to become strong, and a difficult challenge provides the perfect opportunity for human revolution.

Everyone Is a Capable Person with a Mission!

In July 1957, following the Osaka Incident where the Soka Gakkai declared its opposition to the abuse of authority, President Toda spoke passionately at a headquarters leaders meeting held the next month. His central point was simple: it is absolutely impossible to practice this faith and fail to become happy. He urged all leaders to guide the members with kindness so that every single person could experience the joy of practicing this Buddhism.

At that time, a new organizational structure was established across the 23 wards of Tokyo, and I rushed about as the newly appointed leader for the Katsushika area. From September onward, a fresh wave of propagation swept across Japan. This year marks the 55th anniversary of that effort.

As a pioneer during the “summer propagation campaign” in Arakawa and later in Katsushika, I placed the utmost importance on home visits and personal guidance to strengthen the bonds between individual members. Whether before or after a meeting, I utilized every spare moment to visit members’ homes. If a member was out, I would leave a note saying, “I will come to see you again,” promising another visit. I memorized their names and addresses, met with them repeatedly, and sent them postcards to express my encouragement. We also organized numerous small discussion groups and question-and-answer sessions so that the members could get to know one another.

I listened patiently to young men facing career struggles or older members dealing with family discords, prayed alongside them, and gave them my full support. I was completely serious and gave it everything I had. My sole desire was for every single person to experience the joy of realizing, “I am so glad I practice this faith!”

Each person has a unique mission that only they can fulfill. Everyone is a capable individual, and every member is linked by a profound karmic bond. Nurturing capable people means meeting with them face-to-face. Going out to meet people at the grassroots level—through discussion meetings, home visits, personal guidance, and懇談会—is the source of all victory.

The Gakkai has triumphed because we have carried out these steady, continuous efforts, just like a flowing river. This formula for victory will never change. In fact, it is an eternal formula that must never be altered. A regional movement for kosen-rufu is a campaign to spread hope to the people living in that area. Disciples who possess the Mystic Law are the “happiness officials” and pioneers of their communities.

Just as Nanjo Tokimitsu grew into a magnificent leader of Suruga Province through the intense encouragement of the Daishonin, let us open up a new era of regional kosen-rufu with the youth at the forefront. Let us go out and meet the youth! Let us rear them with all our might! And let the youth stand up as the protectors of happiness in their communities!