Exhibition Room 2　To My Beloved Students

For half a century, Founder Daisaku Ikeda has been delivering students words of encouragement that have been engraved in their hearts as guiding principles for life. Here we would like to share some examples. 

Cultivate wisdom

“If you want to become a leader for the people, you must read, not shallow novels that depict humans in a superficial way but great literature of world class.” (Special lecture given at the Central Tower, September 2002)

“Learning is not only about absorbing existing knowledge and skills, but rather it is to train the ability to think by yourself through the process. If you only go as far as acquiring existing knowledge, then that only equates to you ‘being taught’ and that is not considered ‘learning.’” (The 10th Entrance Ceremony, April 1980)

“I’m sure you have subjects that you’re good at and those that you are struggling with. Everyone has their strengths and weaknesses. However, whether you can make it or not, I want you all, no matter what, to keep on trying and maintain the tenacity to challenge beyond your strengths and weaknesses.” (The 7th Sports Festival, September 1978)

(Photos)

• Watching a drama performed by students (November 1977)

• Calligraphy reading “an-non” meaning peaceful and quiet (November 1976)

Spare no pains

“Everyone has their share of troubles in life. Nobody can live without experiencing any failures. If that is so, then you had better seek hardship and make yourself strong while you are still young.” (The 22nd Entrance Ceremony, April 1992)

“Youth is a time of worries or perhaps another name for worries. You should face your own ‘worries’ and ‘fate’ with all your might, and bravely fight the battle within yourself.” (The 17th Entrance Ceremony, April 1987)

“You may be amidst continuous pain and suffering right now. However, the value of your life is not determined just by your adolescence, or even in your 40’s or 50’s. It is determined by whether you could truly say ‘I have won!’ when you reach the last 5 or 10 years of your life.” (The 35th Soka University Festival, October 2005)

(Photos)

• Playing baseball with students (May 1975)

Live true to yourself

“It’s not about ‘someone else,’ it’s about ‘yourself.’ Everything is determined by you. Whatever the circumstances, whatever family you are from, be the one to stand up and make things brighter. You can become the sun and outshine all darkness.” (The 35th Soka University Festival, October 2005)

“What counts is that you build something during your days here as a student, something you can tell everyone ‘I did this!’” (The 35th Entrance Ceremony, April 2005)

“You should have clear opinion and values of your own not borrowed from someone else. Not imitating others but living true to one’s faith, not being swayed by others, having wide knowledge and insight into the nature of life and society, such individuals are those you can truly call ‘well- educated.’” (The 23rd Soka University Festival, November 1993)

(Photos)

• Playing tennis with students (October 1973)
• Sitting in class with students (January 2004)
• Playing table tennis with students (August 1974)

Have the courage to advance forward

“Most adults are chained by interests and power relations, but the young are free from all constraints and ties; they shouldn’t be. The young should live freely, spontaneously, and fiercely to build one’s own monument of life that only one could build.” (Soka Alumni Meeting, May 1991)

“You will not be able to find the purpose of life without the irrepressible passion of youth. If you spend your youth without making progress, then you will become a conservative and cunning person wearing a false face. That’s why I tell you to stay young at heart throughout your life.” (The 2nd Takiyama Festival, July 1973)

“Never be discouraged no matter what happens. Don’t be intimidated even when you are surrounded by enemies. Maintain hope and courage and live boldly. Have the courage to advance forward in a storm. The harder the circumstance the stronger you progress. That is a true human.” (Commemorative photo shooting session with international students at Soka University and students of Soka Women’s College and Soka Gakuen, December 2001)

(Photos)

• Having a dialogue with students (April 1981)

Steady and patient steps forward

“There is nothing so empty as a life spent seeking momentary pleasure and fame. There’s nothing so vain as a life spent in envy and jealousy towards others. It is through taking ordinary and steady steps forward that you can draw a true picture of your own happiness.” (The 2nd Swan Festival, November 1986)

“People tend to judge others based on likes and dislikes. That’s why I would like to ask that you behave sincerely so that people would complement you on what a great person you are, what a great attitude you have, or what a pleasure it is watching you. People who can become such individuals are the winners. (The 34th Soka University Festival, November 2004)

“Everyone has a fate that they cannot escape. By accepting one’s fate, fate turns into mission that will make one shine throughout life.” (The 2nd Soka University Festival, November 1972)

Exhibits

• Calligraphy written by Ikeda in 1974 for the women’s dormitory students: “Asakaze Dormitory”
• Calligraphy written for the Photography Club: “The mind is grander than the universe”
• Calligraphy written for the Japanese Calligraphy Club: “May you all live with a mission; may you all live with glory”
• Calligraphy written for the Baseball Team: “Win with your heart, then win with your skills, thus practice is the game, and the game is practice”

※Please use the remote control to watch the following videos.

• Founding 50th Anniversary Commemorative Video “For the Sake of Others” (17 minutes 53 seconds)
   
• Digest Videos of Founder’s speeches 

1. The Founding Spirit of Soka University (3 minutes 8 seconds) May 1969,  32nd Soka Gakkai Headquarters General Meeting
2. Be Creative Individuals (2 minutes 19 seconds) April 1973,  3rd Soka University Entrance Ceremony
3. A university created by students (2 minutes 1 second) April 1974,  4th Soka University Entrance Ceremony
4. Hardships make our lives shine brilliantly (1 minute 54 seconds) October 1981,  11th Soka University Festival Commemorative Lecture
5. Thoughts on Education for Global Citizenship (2 minutes 45 seconds) June 1996,  Lecture at Columbia University Teachers College
6. A democratic university (1 minute 17 seconds) March 1997,  23rd Soka University Graduation Ceremony
7. Eternally, strive with the pride of your alma-mater (1 minute 18 seconds) March 2003,  Special Lecture on the Spirit of Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
8. A student-centered university (1 minute 35 seconds) April 2006,  36th Soka University Entrance Ceremony

The three lectures that Ikeda gave during the early days of Soka University have been read and cherished as statements of the mission of Soka University.

Messages represented by the bronze statues
A pair of bronze statues was endowed by Ikeda on the founding day of the university. The words inscribed on the base of the statues have provided encouragement to all generations of Soka University students.

Never forget why you pursue wisdom

“Academic study and achievements are not merely to be tools for personal advancement. They should be used in the pursuit of happiness for others, and university study should be devoted to serving and contributing to the lives of those who could not pursue advanced learning themselves.” (Soka University in Shosetsu Shin Ningen Kakumei (Novel – New human revolution) Vol. XV)

The value of life can only be cultivated through struggle and mission

“Avoiding struggle and living a life of self-indulgence may seem enjoyable for a time, but it only weakens our spirits and leads to our defeat. There is no joy without suffering, nor can we forge our character without hardship and challenge.” (Soka University in Shosetsu Shin Ningen Kakumei (Novel – New human revolution) Vol. XV)

(Photos)

• Unveiling of the bronze statues (April 1971)

Exhibits

•  A miniature of the bronze statue “The Angel and the Printer”
• A miniature of the bronze statue “The Angel and the Blacksmith”

Be Creative Individuals ― The 3rd Entrance Ceremony
Cultivate a spirit rooted in freedom and autonomy

“Spiritual freedom does not mean spiritual license. It does not mean thinking and acting in a willful, arbitrary manner. True development can take place only in the presence of both expansive liberty and a high degree of self-discipline. In my view this means the opportunity to grow by sharing ideas through dialogue, provoking and catalyzing each other toward an expanded field of vision and ultimately to profound and encompassing insight into the nature of things.”

A university built by all of you

“I want all of you to play your parts in building Soka University and bringing it to an ever-higher degree of completion. Do not think of your education here as the mere accumulation of learning. Do not regard the university as a passport to a good job.”

(Photos)

• The 3rd Entrance Ceremony (April 1973)

Scholasticism and modern civilization ― The 2nd Takiyama Festival

Education in the true sense of the word

“Being an educated person is not about making efforts to make yourself superficially look good. Education is a system of philosophy about the world and mankind (or the human existence) that guides you from the inside so that you can live a real life. ”

New philosophy is required to create a new era

“A place where people gather with a true and powerful philosophy that can address the chaos of life ―― I believe that is the true meaning of a university as a source of social change and creation of civilization. What do you think?”

(Photos)

• The 2nd Takiyama Festival (July 1973)

The Flowering of Creative Life Force ― The 4th Entrance Ceremony
Be young founders of this university

“What I want to ask of you who are entering Soka University today is that you regard yourselves no less than I as the founders and creators of this university. I hope you will never forget this point. And I urge you to be active participants in the work of building and protecting Soka University, not merely while you are students here, but throughout your lives.”

Development of wisdom to command power

“I urge you to understand that your mission is to acquire the wisdom that will enable you to use all forms of power for the sake of the happiness and peace of humankind. Know yourselves, and armed with that knowledge, study.”

(Photos)

• The 4th Entrance Ceremony (April 1974)

Ikeda has continuously encouraged not only the current students but also the graduates who are heading out to society and to alumni members who are challenging themselves in reality.

Never run away from difficulties

“You cannot win your life just by doing nothing and complaining. Life is a fight, a fight against the challenges and difficulties that come at you. That’s what determines a life.” (The 31st Commencement ceremony, March 2005)

“There is no doubt that numerous challenges await you in your future. My hope is that when you face those challenges, I don’t want you to be a smart person who tries to get on in the world with little tricks and tactfulness. Rather, I want you to face those challenges head-on to improve and polish yourself.” (The 9th Commencement Ceremony, March 1983) 

“Climbing up the ladder of success without experiencing setbacks or even making earnest efforts ―― that never happens. Even if it did, that won’t make a first-class person. The struggle with harsh reality, pain of defeat, and chagrin that keeps you awake all night, ―― just those who have overcome such hardships and repeated suffering will learn to walk the pathway to true victory.” (The 32nd Commencement Ceremony, March 2006)

(Photos)

• The 29th Commencement Ceremony (2003)
• The 7th Soyu-kai General Meeting (alumni meeting) (1981)
• The First Commencement Ceremony (1975)

A life of consistent faith

“Never back down on your determinations. Never forget your vow whatever happens. Stick to your beliefs how difficult it may be. That’s the person with a brave soul and what true life is.” (Soka Alumni Meeting, May 2005)

“You must not miss the timing when you need to exert all your strength. You should create your own chance and seize it. If you overlook or pass on a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity or hesitate to take the opportunity because you were embarrassed, afraid, overwhelmed or just didn’t have the guts to act on it, you will never be able to live a great life.” ( Soka Alumni Meeting, May 1992)

“People working intensely don’t notice the background noise. They don’t get distracted or upset by petty things. You won’t be able to do anything worthwhile, if you’re looking this way and the other, or letting people manipulate you because you are always worried about how people think about you or what people would say. Be confident and just do what you need to do to accomplish your goals.” (Graduates’ meeting for the 22nd class, January 1996)

(Photos)

• Unveiling of “Soso no Hi (Monument of the pioneering spirit)” (1975)

Build your ability

“There may be times when you must work in fields that you feel it does not suit you. I think that happens as a matter of course. At times like that, don’t try to evade the challenge. If you use your ingenuity and patiently continue to devise ways to improve, your wisdom will naturally grow deeper and brighter.” (The 15th Commencement Ceremony, March 1989)

“Whatever pressure is placed on you, you can overcome if you keep your hopes high, build your abilities, and get stronger. Then, you will become the true winner.” (Soka Alumni Meeting, May 2000)

“Being first-class means to continue learning. Whether it is an individual, an organization, or even a civilization, when it becomes arrogant and forgets to learn, it is sure to demise. Engaging in lively dialogues and learning from others lead to true victory and eternal glory.” (Soka Alumni Meeting, May 2007) 

Rich sense of humanity 

“Words are important. Be a person who can offer words that make your family and the people around you feel relieved, cheerful, and peaceful. ”(The 30th Commencement Ceremony, March 2004) 

“Be a person whom people would happily gather around and create a network of friendly relations continuously expanding out to the world. Even if you cannot speak words of profound philosophy or if you are not in an important post in society, I wish you all to become a person who can brightly open up a fruitful world.”

Exhibits

• Collections of Ikeda’s lectures related to Soka University: “Niju-isseiki no choryu (The Tide Toward the 21st Century)” and “Soritsusha no katarai (The Founder’s Speech)” edited by generations of Soka University students.