Title: Many in Body, One in Mind
1The HOPE-FILLEDTEACHINGS ofNICHIREN
DAISHONINSGI PRESIDENT IKEDAS LECTURE SERIES
LEARNING from the WRITINGS
- Many in Body, One in Mind
- The Spirit of Many in Body, One in Mind is the
Path to Victory
2Many In Body, One in MindPassage 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 Chous
army lost because of disunity while King Wus men
defeated him because of perfect unity.
3Many In Body, One in MindPassage 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)
4Two Wheels of a Cart
- The importance of songs
- unite peoples 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
5Unity 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.
6Become Unifying Leaders
- 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)
7The 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)
8True Unity Begins with a Fundamental Change in
Ones 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)
9The 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)
10The 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)
11Many in Body, One in Mind
Kosen-rufu Mind (Unite with Mentors Heart)
- Buddha Mind
- (Unity Based
- on Faith)
Breakthrough small ego (Darkness)
Working for Oneself Others
Path to Victory
Fight against devilish functions (Small Ego)
12Thank you!