Toward a Century of Health

By Daisaku Ikeda

"The problem of illness," Buddhist philosopher and activist Daisaku Ikeda writes, "is not only physical symptoms but that it can rob people of the hope to live, destroy their livelihood and sense of well-being, and put their future on hold." Nichiren Buddhism has always fought against this negative energy and given people the spiritual strength and courage to go on living with dignity. These essays, based on the thirteenth-century Buddhist reformer Nichiren, delve into Buddhist wisdom that offers powerful insights to help us overcome the inevitable sufferings of illness and make this a century of health.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Independent Publishers Group
• Release date: Jul 1, 2022
• ISBN: 9781946635747

Book preview

Front Cover of Toward a Century of HealthHalf Title of Toward a Century of HealthBook Title of Toward a Century of Health

Published by World Tribune Press

A division of the SGI-USA

606 Wilshire Blvd.

Santa Monica, CA 90401

© 2022 Soka Gakkai

All rights reserved.

Printed in the United States of America.

Cover illustration by Rosanna Tasker.

Back cover illustration by Adehoidar / Getty Images.

Cover and interior design by Jocelyn Hsu.

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ISBN: 978-1-944604-60-8

Library of Congress Control Number: 2022931732

Contents

Editor’s Note

Chapter 1 Defeating the Devil of Illness With the Lion’s Roar of Nam-myoho-renge-kyo

Chapter 2 Changing Poison Into Medicine

Chapter 3 Accumulating Treasures of the Heart—Wisely Creating Value Each Day

Chapter 4 Joy in Life and Death—The Boundless Life State Attained by Dedicating Ourselves to Our Eternal Mission

Chapter 5 Achieving Vibrant, Healthy Lives Brimming With Good Fortune

Glossary

Notes

EDITOR’S NOTE

Toward a Century of Health is a collection of essays by SGI President Ikeda in his series titled The Buddhism of the Sun—Illuminating the World. These essays were published in Living Buddhism from June 2020 to September 2020 and June 2021.

The citations most commonly used in this book have been abbreviated as follows:

LSOC, page number(s) refers to The Lotus Sutra and Its Opening and Closing Sutras, translated by Burton Watson (Tokyo: Soka Gakkai, 2009).

OTT, page number(s) refers to The Record of the Orally Transmitted Teachings, translated by Burton Watson (Tokyo: Soka Gakkai, 2004).

WND, page number(s) refers to The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, vol. 1 (WND-1) (Tokyo: Soka Gakkai, 1999) and vol. 2 (WND-2) (Tokyo: Soka Gakkai, 2006).

Chapter

1

Defeating the Devil of Illness With the Lion’s Roar of Nam-myoho-renge-kyo

What would the twenty-first century be like? When I met with the renowned chemist and Nobel Peace laureate Linus Pauling (1901–94), I shared with him my vision that it would be a century of life. In response, he said: I assume that by a ‘century of life’ you mean a century in which greater attention will be paid to human beings and their happiness and health…. In this sense, I too think it is a good idea to regard the twenty-first century as a century of life.¹

Health Is an Essential Element of Fundamental Human Rights

Everyone deserves to live in a peaceful society and to enjoy health and happiness. Everyone, including the sick and disabled, deserves to live with dignity and to be relieved of the anxiety and pain of illness. Everyone deserves to live free from the threats of harmful environments, hunger, and infectious diseases. In today’s world, along with peace, health is an essential element of fundamental human rights and has become an issue affecting human dignity all the more.

One of the UN Sustainable Development Goals is good health and well-being for all people.

I am deeply committed to ensuring that the twenty-first century is a century of life and also a century of health, in which each person can shine and stand tall as a noble treasure tower of life.

Since the pioneering days of our movement, the Soka Gakkai has earnestly turned its attention to the fundamental human problem of illness. Of course, medical science continues to make remarkable strides in research into the symptoms and treatment of illness. It is only natural that we respect medical expertise and make use of it. Medical science and faith in Nichiren Buddhism are in no way contradictory.

When the Soka Gakkai was bringing the light of hope and renewal to people in postwar Japan, it was scorned and criticized as a gathering of the poor and sick. But my mentor, second Soka Gakkai president Josei Toda, declared proudly: What’s wrong with being a gathering of the poor and sick? Doesn’t a truly effective religion help those who are suffering the most?

Common decency tells us that looking down on people because they are poor or sick is shameful behavior and an affront to their human rights. But sadly, many ignored this.

The problem with illness is not only physical symptoms but that it can even rob people of the hope to live, destroy their livelihood and sense of well-being, and put their future on hold.

A genuine religion for the people fights head-on against this negative energy that Buddhism calls the devil of illness, giving people the courage and strength to go on living while restoring their human dignity.

With happiness for all as our highest aim, we of the Soka Gakkai have striven alongside those who are suffering at the margins of society—always encouraging one another as we overcome life’s hardships and celebrate our victories together. This history is the pride of the members of Soka, who have forged ahead with a vow to stand forever on the side of the people.

Buddhism directly confronts the inescapable human realities of aging, sickness, and death, and seeks to solve the suffering they cause.

Everyone wants to enjoy health, live long, and find happiness. For that reason, Buddhism’s perceptive insights on birth, aging, sickness, and death are certain to offer ever brighter hope to humanity.

In this book, from various perspectives, I would like to share important passages from Nichiren Daishonin’s writings based on the theme Toward a Century of Health, beginning with a well-known passage from The Good Medicine for All Ills.

Good Medicine for the Ills of All Humankind

Could not this illness … be the Buddha’s design, because the Vimalakirti and Nirvana sutras both teach that sick people will surely attain Buddhahood? Illness gives rise to the resolve to attain the way. (WND-1, 937)

The Daishonin wrote these heartfelt words of encouragement to the lay nun Myoshin, who was caring for her sick husband, the lay priest Takahashi. ²

Founding Soka Gakkai president Tsunesaburo Makiguchi regarded this passage as very important and often referred to it when encouraging members.

The lay priest Takahashi’s condition was quite grave, and his wife was no doubt extremely worried.

The Daishonin warmly embraces the couple through this letter, telling them that the five characters of Myoho-rengekyo are good medicine for the ills of the people of Jambudvipa [the entire world], adding, Could not this illness … be the Buddha’s design (WND-1, 937). I am sure the Daishonin’s great compassion relieved their anxiety and brought them profound comfort and peace of mind.

It’s important to view things from the perspective of faith that illness is the Buddha’s design.

The Daishonin is telling us that when we are unexpectedly confronted by the suffering of sickness, we should not regard it with abhorrence. Rather, we should view it as an integral part of the precious experience of being alive and as an indispensable step in our journey to attain Buddhahood in this