Part 2: Human Revolution
Chapter 15: “Faith for Overcoming Obstacles” [15.4]

With strong faith, President Ikeda says, we can overcome any hardship, transforming it into an opportunity to open up the life state of Buddhahood within us.

Explaining the principle that strong faith leads to strong protection by the positive forces of the universe, Nichiren Daishonin writes:

“I say this for your sake. I know your faith has always been admirable, but now you must strengthen it more than ever. Only then will the ten demon daughters1 [protective deities in Buddhism] lend you even greater protection.” (WND-1, 614)

However hard we may have exerted ourselves in the past, the important thing is how we challenge ourselves from now on. We need to rouse even stronger faith than we have before. The heavenly deities, or benevolent functions of the universe, will protect us if we do. The appearance of the “three powerful enemies”2 and the “three obstacles and four devils”3—of any kind of hardship—is simply a test of our faith, all necessary for us to bring forth the life state of Buddhahood.

That’s why strengthening our faith even further is the way to overcome hardships and to triumph. As long as we have strong faith, there is no hardship we cannot overcome. As the Daishonin states: “Since [we] believe solely in the Lotus Sutra . . . [we] can enter the treasure tower of the Gohonzon” (cf. WND-1, 832). Embracing the Gohonzon of Nam-myoho-renge-kyo and striving to realize kosen-rufu enables us to enter the realm of Buddhahood that is the palace of happiness within our lives, wherever we are and whatever our circumstances. We have no reason to worry and nothing to fear.

The Daishonin writes: “No matter how many terrible enemies you may encounter, banish all fears and never think of backsliding” (WND-1, 395).

Please engrave deep in your hearts the Daishonin’s words that we should have no fear and never discard our faith.

From a speech at a representative leaders training session, Nagano, August 16, 2005.