Part 3: Kosen-rufu and World Peace
Chapter 30: The Future Division—The Treasure of the Soka Gakkai [30.4]

The 21st Century Mission Group—comprising Future Division leaders from the youth division in Japan—was established on July 17, 1995. At that time, I asked these leaders to be friends to the Future Division members.

Buddhism describes a person who exerts a positive influence on another as a “good friend.” Nichiren Daishonin states: “The best way to attain Buddhahood is to encounter a good friend” (WND-1, 598).

By doing activities together with the Future Division members as supportive older brothers and sisters with whom they can talk about anything, the division’s leaders are fulfilling their mission as good friends.

I’m sure these youth leaders all have their own problems and challenges, be it at work or in their daily lives, and are striving to do their best in the face of untold hardships. But the Future Division members are watching their earnest efforts closely. They will deeply take to heart the sincere words of such leaders.

I often receive letters from members telling me how grateful they are for the past support and encouragement of a senior in faith, saying that it played a formative role in their life.

It doesn’t matter whether our efforts are met with applause or praise from others. Unseen virtue in the form of dedicating ourselves for others’ happiness adorns our lives with visible reward and brings immeasurable good fortune and benefit to our families for generations to come.

From an essay series “Our Brilliant Path to Victory,” published in Japanese in the Seikyo Shimbun, August 9, 2011.