Transcript PowerPoint - SGI-USA South Bay Community center

LEARNING from the WRITINGS
The HOPE-FILLED
TEACHINGS of
NICHIREN DAISHONIN
SGI PRESIDENT IKEDA’S LECTURE
SERIES
“Many in Body, One in Mind”
The Spirit of “Many in Body, One in Mind”
is the Path to Victory
“Many In Body, One in Mind”
Passage Selection for Study
Hoki-bo and Sado-bo, and the believers in Atsuhara, have
proved the strength of their resolve.
If the spirit of many in body but one in mind prevails among the
people, they will achieve all their goals, whereas if one in body
but different in mind, they can achieve nothing remarkable. The
more than three thousand volumes of Confucian and Taoist
literature are filled with examples. King Chou of Yin led seven
hundred thousand soldiers into battle against King Wu of Chou
and his eight hundred men. Yet King Chou’s army lost because
of disunity while King Wu’s men defeated him because of perfect
unity.
“Many In Body, One in Mind”
Passage Selection for Study
Even an individual at cross purposes with himself is certain to
end in failure. Yet a hundred or even a thousand people can
definitely attain their goal, if they are of one mind. Though
numerous, the Japanese will find it difficult to accomplish
anything, because they are divided in spirit. In contrast, although
Nichiren and his followers are few, because they are different in
body, but united in mind, they will definitely accomplish their
great mission of widely propagating the Lotus Sutra. Though
evils may be numerous, they cannot prevail over a single great
truth, just as many raging fires are quenched by a single shower
of rain. This principle also holds true with Nichiren and his
followers. (The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, vol. 1, p.618)
Two Wheels of a Cart
 The


importance of songs
unite people’s hearts
Two kinds of unity
“oneness of mentor and disciple”
 “unity of many in body, one in mind”
 essentially inseparable principle
 like the two wheels of a cart


Kosen-rufu will definitely be
realized


same spirit as Nichiren
unite in heart and mind
Unity is the Key to Overcoming
Great Obstacles

The unity, or the spirit of many in body, one is mind, is the
key to overcome great difficulty.

“Only when we each bring forth the wisdom of our
enlightened Buddha nature can we truly actualize the unity
of many in body, one in mind.

Because we rise above our attachment to self and reveal our
highest potential and individuality, the path of many in body,
one is mind becomes a path for absolute victory.” (p. 54)

We are many or different in body is important, signaling
unity in diversity.
Become Unifying Leaders

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From an organizational perspective, vital
to maintaining the condition of many in
body, one in mind, is the attitude of
leaders.
“In terms of our efforts, everything
begins with leaders rising into action
with a stand-alone spirit to empower the
people.”
“Sharing that ideal, members rise up to confront and
defeat evil. This could be the formula for the victory
of the people in the realm of kosen-rufu.” (page 58)
The Importance of Building a
United Organization

“It is important for key leaders at all levels to
freely discuss things with other core leaders.
When our leaders engage in frank and open
dialogue with other leaders who share the same
sense of responsibility, and when they work to
expand and strengthen solidarity through the
power of dialogue, the SGI will achieve even
greater growth.” (page 59)
True Unity Begins with a Fundamental
Change in One’s Own Resolve

“Everything begins with changing our own attitude, or
mind-set. If members are constantly at loggerheads,
always blaming and criticizing one another, then they
will always remain disunited, in the condition of many
in body, different in mind.” (p. 60)

“As we strive to accomplish human revolution while
working to forge the unity of many in body, one in
mind, we can conquer our attachment to self and
establish faith based on the selfless spirit of valuing the
Law more highly than our own lives.” (page 61-62)
The Condition of Many in Body, One in
Mind Is Proof of Victory of Kosen-rufu
“The many examples of
powerful unity give eloquent
testimony to the success of
our kosen-rufu movement and
are the essence of its growth
and development. In other
words, unity of purpose in the
realm of faith is not only the
key to victory but also the
proof of that victory.” (p. 65)
The Single Great Truth to the
Mystic Law

“In this writing, Nichiren
Daishonin and his followers are
described as representing ‘a single
great truth (or good).’ This is
because the Mystic Law
represents a single truth, or
ultimate good.”

“The world is counting on our
united efforts to forge an alliance
of people dedicated to good.” (p.
66)
Thank you!