To My Friends December 27th 2018 Always remember to smile. A warm smile brightens your own heart and that of others. A smile is the cause for creating happiness rather than its effect.

Let’s confidently share this Buddhism that enables all people to become happy! Let’s brim with the great vow for kosen-rufu and strike a chord in our friends’ hearts with our voices ringing with hope and courage!

Let’s visit our members one by one and fill them with joy and inspiration! If we meet them and engage them in conversation, both you and they will be invigorated and energized. Let’s take broad action with our lives brimming with vibrant enthusiasm!

” Sick people will surely attain Buddhahood”(*) Illness deepens faith and is an opportunity to develop the life condition of Buddha. Chant daimoku that resounds like a powerful lion’s roar and never be defeated by the “devil” sickness! (*)”The Good Medicine for All Ills,” WND 1, p. 937

Buddhism is a teaching of unsurpassed reason. Let’s lead vibrant lives, healthy of body and mind, with quality sleep, moderate exercise and a diet based on good common sense.

Study is the backbone of our faith. When we study the Daishonin’s writings in earnest, we gain wisdom that opens up our lives and radiate with the courage to widely engage in Buddhist dialogue. Be a person of wisdom who carries out the two ways of practice and study!

The ultimate “behavior as a human being”(*) is making efforts to respect people. The SGI’s dialogue movement based on our belief in the Buddha nature that exists in ourselves and others is the force for building an ideal society. (*)”The Three Kinds of Treasure,” WND I, p. 852 “The purpose of the appearance in this world of Shakyamuni Buddha, the lord of teachings, lies in his behavior as a human being.”

At our inspiring women’s division general meetings, every participant is the star of the drama of happiness. These joyful discussions create hope and contribute to peace. Let’s all lend our great support in appreciation of the women’s division.

Nichiren Daishonin admonishes, “In the course of a day one at least smiles twice or thrice in [the parents’] direction.”(*) Let’s engage with our mothers and fathers with smiles. That is an admirable way to show our parents that we care. Let’s treat our parents with kindness and respect with a heart of gratitude. (*)”Four Virtues and Four Debts of Gratitude,” WND Vol. 2, p. 636.

Let’s give our undivided attention to our children and grandchildren and what they have to say. Let’s share with them the vibrant spirit of our faith and practice! Creating a happy and harmonious family is the surest path to building peace!