COSMIC F APRIL 2020 Fa
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
COSMIC F APRIL 2020 f A Special Moments Photo: Seikyo Press The Soka Gakkai World Seikyo Centre in Shinanomachi, Tokyo, completed in November 2019. (For further information, please see page 22.) B F APRIL 2020 f COSMIC CONTENTS From SGM General Director 2 Creating a New Age of Shared Existence and Prosperity through Fighting COVID-19 4 Mencipta Zaman Baharu Kewujudan dan Kemakmuran Bersama melalui Usaha Menentang COVID-19 From SGI President Editor-in-Chief Koh Sia Feai 6 Proudly Studying the Daishonin’s Teachings and Editor Dinesh Chandren Savouring the Joy of Human Revolution by SGI President Daisaku Ikeda Assistant Editor Leong Tuck Yee Writers Hiromasa Ikeda Feature Goh Lim Erng 8 “Become Pioneers of a Better Age” by SGI President Daisaku Ikeda Translator Tay Biby 9 President Ikeda’s Guidance on Good Health Art Director Chew Meng Tatt by SGI President Daisaku Ikeda Designer Koh Wei Chaw 10 The Brilliant Path of Worldwide Kosen-rufu: Photographer Lum Heng Learning from The New Human Revolution Distribution Chai Siew Lin Commentary on Volume 14 Ng Shy Huh by SGI Vice-President Hiromasa Ikeda 14 Chapter Summary for Volume 14 of Cover Photo The New Human Revolution from the Seikyo Shimbun The work of creating a world without nuclear weapons is one that 19 “Unforgettable Scenes” - Key Episodes from Volume 14 from the Seikyo Shimbun must be led by and shared with the youth. Their collective efforts will 23 Excerpts from Nichiren’s Writings Found in Volume 14 herald a new dawn. In this issue, from the Seikyo Shimbun we feature SGM’s youthful Rakan Special Feature TPNW social media campaign, 26 Learning About the TPNW which supports and promotes the by COSMIC Editorial Board Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear 30 The Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW) Weapons (TPNW). and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by COSMIC Editorial Board We Want to Hear from You 32 Building Support for the TPNW (2020 Peace Proposal excerpt) by SGI President Daisaku Ikeda If you have any questions, comments or wish to send in an 38 Winter Always Turns to Spring article, an experience, photographs by SGI President Daisaku Ikeda or an activity report, please contact: Halaman Kanak-Kanak The Editor, COSMIC, 40 Raja yang Menyelamatkan Burung Merpati Wisma Kebudayaan SGM, Experience 243, Jalan Bukit Bintang, 43 Rising Up with Positivity 55100 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Horacio Pulido, Argentina Tel: 03-21412003 Art Email: [email protected] 46 Remembering a Master: Tew Nai Tong by Leong Tuck Yee Subscriptions Enquiries 50 News For enquiries on subscriptions, please Mentor and Disciple contact: 64 Win the Love and Trust of Many People Email: [email protected] by SGI President Daisaku Ikeda Tel: 03-9075 6876 / 018-388 4997 COSMIC F APRIL 2020 f 1 From SGM General Director Creating a New Age of Shared Existence and Prosperity through Fighting COVID-19 The start of 2020 saw the whole world being caught up in the rufu activities has now been COVID-19 (coronavirus disease) maelstrom. suspended. COVID-19 has swept through the whole world with alarming In the face of such a severe speed. As of mid-March (March 15), 146 countries and territories and trying situation, what can have been affected, with over 150,000 cases and over 5,700 deaths we do? recorded. First of all, we must first In Malaysia, the number of cases is also increasing and has carry out fundamental personal breached 400. prevention steps, such as The World Health Organisation (WHO) has declared diligently washing our hands, COVID-19 a pandemic, also stating that the threat posed by this gargling and wearing masks. disease is very real. We must also be disciplined This pandemic has not only disrupted the economies of and take good care of our countries worldwide and the lives of people, it has also caused bodies. Ensure that we have schools to be closed and classes cancelled. The tourism and adequate nutrition and sleep, aviation industries were the first to be hit, and now pretty much and get sufficient exercise to all industries and all aspects of life are affected. Even SGM’s kosen- strengthen our immune system. 2 F APRIL 2020 f COSMIC From SGM General Director This pandemic is the problem of every country in the world. It tells us something important: the global community must unite in fighting it. We must stand united and not only just fend off this headwind, but transform crisis into opportunity and open up a new age of shared existence and prosperity for the global family! abilities, that no one gets infected and resolutely fight to curb the spread of this pandemic. SGI President Daisaku Ikeda said: “... it’s important to always be alert and be firmly-resolved to take precautions against illness or injury.”1 Nichiren once showed his concern towards a follower with these words: “I am as concerned about the illness of your wife, the lay nun Toki, as though it were I myself who is ailing, and day and night I pray to the heavenly gods that she will recover.” (WND- 2, pg 666) We should also take the suffering of those who have been infected by COVID-19 as our own concern. We must do our utmost to prevent the spread of the disease. This is the spirit of compassion found in Buddhism and the Soka Gakkai spirit. On encountering disasters, Nichiren Daishonin said thus, firmly believing: “…the poison is changed into medicine. Though calamities may come, they can be changed into good fortune.” (WND-2, pg 669) Nichiren Buddhism has the power to revitalise. Though we are Other than our personal confronting this pandemic, as long we have firm faith in the Mystic hygiene, we must also be Law, chant powerful daimoku and uphold faith, we will definitely socially-responsible. For overcome this adversity and be revitalised, building a victorious life. example, if we have recently It is with this belief that we should ignite hope in and encourage our been to countries that are comrades and people around us who have been affected. experiencing serious outbreaks, COVID-19 is our common enemy. Thus, we all have the we should quarantine ourselves responsibility to fight it. This includes the government, businesses, and avoid crowded places and the community, families and each individual. social activities. This pandemic is the problem of every country in the world. In summary, each person It tells us something important: the global community must unite needs to be more alert and in fighting it. We must stand united and not only just fend off this aware of this crisis. We cannot headwind, but transform crisis into opportunity and open up a new adopt the attitude of “Since age of shared existence and prosperity for the global family! I’m not infected, it’s not my problem.” Conversely, we 1. Daisaku Ikeda, On Health and Long Life: A Conversation (USA: World Tribune must ensure, to the best of our Press, 2016), pg 37. COSMIC F APRIL 2020 f 3 From SGM General Director Mencipta Zaman Baharu Kewujudan dan Kemakmuran Bersama melalui Usaha Menentang COVID-19 Permulaan 2020 menyaksikan seluruh dunia terjerumus dalam kerana saya tidak dijangkiti, pergolakan COVID-19 (penyakit koronavirus). maka bukan masalah saya.” COVID-19 telah melanda seluruh dunia dengan kelajuan yang Sebaliknya, kita hendaklah amat membimbangkan. Sehingga pertengahan Mac (15 Mac), memastikan dengan sedaya- sebanyak 146 negara dan wilayah telah terjejas, dengan melebihi upaya mengikut kemampuan 150,000 kes dan lebih 5,700 kematian dicatatkan. kita memastikan tiada Di Malaysia, bilangan kes juga turut meningkat sehingga seorang pun yang dijangkiti mencecah 400. dan bertekad bekerja keras Pertubuhan Kesihatan Sedunia (WHO) telah mengisytiharkan untuk mencegah penyebaran COVID-19 sebagai suatu pandemik, juga menyatakan bahawa pandemik tersebut. ancaman yang diakibatkan oleh penyakit ini juga “sangat benar.” Presiden SGI, Encik Pandemik ini bukan sahaja menggugat ekonomi negara-negara Daisaku Ikeda berkata: di seluruh dunia tetapi juga kehidupan orang ramai, mengakibatkan “…memanglah penting sekolah ditutup dan kelas dibatalkan, industri pelancongan dan untuk sentiasa berjaga-jaga penerbangan adalah yang pertama menerima tamparan, dan kini dan bersikap tegas untuk banyak industri dan semua aspek kehidupan terjejas. Malah aktiviti mengambil langkah berhati- kosen-rufu SGM terpaksa dihentikan buat sementara. hati terhadap penyakit atau Berdepan dengan situasi yang teruk dan mencabar ini, apakah kecederaan.” yang boleh kita lakukan? Nichiren pernah Pertama sekali, kita hendaklah terlebih dahulu mengamalkan menunjukkan keprihatinannya langkah-langkah pencegahan asas peribadi, seperti rajin membasuh terhadap seorang pengikutnya tangan, berkumur dan memakai topeng muka. dengan kata-kata berikut: Kita juga hendaklah berdisiplin dan menjaga tubuh badan kita “Saya mengambil berat dengan baik. Pastikan kita mempunyai khasiat pemakanan dan mengenai penyakit isteri tidur yang mencukupi, di samping melakukan senaman untuk anda, biarawati Toki, menguatkan sistem kekebalan imuniti kita. seolah-olah saya sendiri Selain daripada kebersihan peribadi kita, kita juga haruslah yang sakit, siang dan malam bersikap mempunyai tanggungjawab sosial. Sebagai contoh, saya berdoa pada tuan-tuan sekiranya baru-baru ini kita pernah melawat negara-negara yang syurga semoga dia akan dilanda wabak yang serius, kita haruslah mengkuarantin diri kita sembuh.” (WND-2, hlm. 666) sendiri dan mengelak daripada tempat-tempat yang ramai orang Kita juga harus menganggap dan terlibat dalam aktiviti sosial. penderitaan orang yang Secara ringkasnya, setiap orang perlu bersikap lebih berhati-hati dijangkiti oleh COVID-19 dan sedar tentang krisis ini. Kita tidak boleh bersikap seperti “Oleh sebagai keprihatinan kita 4 F APRIL 2020 f COSMIC From SGM General Director Photo: Jeffrey Lum sendiri. Kita hendaklah melakukan yang terbaik Berdasarkan kepercayaan ini, kita haruslah untuk mencegah penyebaran penyakit ini. Inilah memberi harapan dan menggalakkan rakan-rakan semangat berbelas kasihan yang terdapat dalam seperjuangan kita dan juga orang yang berada di agama Buddha dan juga semangat Soka Gakkai.