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January 2020

In This Issue

From SGM General Director

Ikeda Peace Park – Spreading Messages of Peace
“This area measuring 792 square metres has been made as a garden known as ‘Ikeda Peace Park’ through the cooperation of Soka Gakkai Malaysia and Klang Municipal Council as respect and honour for the contributions of SGI President Dr Daisaku Ikeda towards peace.

Taman Keamanan Ikeda (Ikeda Peace Park) Menyebarkan Mesej Keamanan
“Kawasan yang berukuran 792 meter persegi ini telah dijadikan taman yang dikenali sebagai ‘Taman Keamanan Ikeda’ (‘Ikeda Peace Park’) dengan kerjasama Soka Gakkai Malaysia (SGM) dan Majlis Perbandaran Klang (MPK) sebagai penghormatan dan sanjungan terhadap sumbangan Presiden SGI, Dr. Daisaku Ikeda terhadap keamanan.

From SGI President

Taking Another Step Forward!

New Year's Message

Advancing Together Wisely, Harmoniously and Joyfully

2020 SGM Activities and Direction

Theme: Year of Advancement and Capable People

Feature

The Brilliant Path of Worldwide Kosen-rufu: Learning from The New Human Revolution Commentary on Volume 11 by SGI Vice-President Hiromasa Ikeda

Chapter Summary for Volume 11 of The New Human Revolution from the Seikyo Shimbun

“Unforgettable Scenes” – Key Episodes from Volume 11 from the Seikyo Shimbun

Excerpts from Nichiren’s Writings of Volume 11 from the Seikyo Shimbun

Special Feature

The Heart of the Soka Gakkai Is the Spirit of the Oneness of Mentor and Disciple by SGI Vice-President Hiromasa Ikeda

On Fostering Capable Youth: Guidance from The New Human Revolution by SGI Vice-President Hiromasa Ikeda

Halaman Kanak-Kanak

Ikegami Bersaudara – Bersatu Hati Tekun Mengamalkan Kepercayaan Agama

Experience

Happiness is being Alive! Winnie Foo, Sarawak

Art

Celebrating Life through His Lenses by Leong Tuck Yee

News

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In his 39th Peace Proposal issued on January 26, Value Creation in a Time of Crisis, SGI President Daisaku Ikeda addressed major issues such as the COVID-19 pandemic, building a global culture of harmony and human rights, the need to get rid of nuclear weapons and the climate crisis. He proposed solutions for overcoming these challenges and called on the global community to together build a society realising “happiness for both oneself and others through bringing into full play the human capacity to create value.” [1]

When we look at the world today, people are only concerned about their own interests. Most people only care about themselves and their own families, placing their personal concerns above all else. People even resort to unethical methods, even damaging and sacrificing the needs of others in order to fulfil their own interests.

Looking at our pandemic-stricken society as an example, we can see that many people have had their spirits crushed and livelihoods destroyed – they are in dire straits. But the cruel reality is that they are ignored or discriminated against, – even excluded – leaving them isolated and helpless.

Even where the supply of vaccines is concerned, we see that countries only take care of their own needs and turn a blind eye to the needs of other countries.

On this, President Ikeda stressed that we must have the determination to never leave behind those struggling in the depths of adversity, lending them a helping hand, and shine the warm glow of concern in their lives. We must enable them to bring forth the strength to live with dignity and strive to build the foundations for a society where the word “misery” is eradicated.

In “The Three Virtues of Food,” Nichiren Daishonin writes: “If one gives food to others, one will improve one’s own lot, just as, for example, if one lights a fire for others, one will brighten one’s own way.” (WND-2, pg 1060) This teaches us that when we contribute to the wellbeing of others, we ourselves will receive benefit too.

The Record of the Orally Transmitted Teachings states: “‘Joy’ means that oneself and others together experience joy.” (OTT, pg 146) True joy is when we and others enjoy happiness.

On this, President Ikeda says: “Happiness is something that we must each achieve for ourselves and experience in our own lives. But at the same time, one’s own happiness to the exclusion of others is not true happiness. Just being content with one’s own welfare with no concern for others is selfish. By the same token, brushing aside one’s own happiness and caring only about the happiness of others is not sufficient either. True happiness is a condition when both we ourselves and others are happy.” [2]

He also points out: “We cannot steal happiness from someone or attain it by sacrificing others for our own gain. It is something that must be shared – which is why I have always insisted that our happiness must not be built upon the misfortune of others.” [3]

We cannot live alone and isolated. Humankind has always been a community where we share joy and sorrow together. The thinking that helping others will only hurt our interests is the main reason for the terrible state that society is in today.

There is no life more noble than one dedicated to caring for and helping others, and enabling people to become happy.

Let us learn from this pandemic and transform this crisis into opportunity, and together build a society that realises happiness for both oneself and others!

[1] Pg 42 of this issue.
[2] FLOW No. 661 (01.10.2017), pg13–14.
[3] Ibid., pg 14.

“This area measuring 792 square metres has been made as a garden known as ‘Ikeda Peace Park’ through the cooperation of Soka Gakkai Malaysia and Klang Municipal Council as respect and honour for the contributions of SGI President Dr Daisaku Ikeda towards peace. The Ikeda Peace Park can be the icon which symbolises peace in Malaysia.”

These are the words found on a bronze plaque in the Ikeda Peace Park (IPP) that was unveiled during the soft launch of the IPP on November 15, 2019, which was officiated by former Klang Municipal Council (MPK) President Dato’ Mohamad Yasid Bidin.

This park, located in the main field of Taman Klang Jaya, Klang was opened on December 1, 2019 in a ceremony officiated by Minister of Water, Land and Natural Resources YB Datuk Dr A. Xavier Jayakumar and MPK deputy president Puan Elya Marini Darmin. This is the first park in Malaysia that carries President Ikeda’s name.

On that day, some 2,500 SGM representatives from the entire nation and members of local residents associations, Rukun Tetangga groups, MPK councillors and other guests graced the opening of the park, a scene of unprecedented grandeur.

Since the opening, local residents can be seen here taking walks, running, and doing other exercises in the morning. At sunset, people are seen strolling and relaxing as they admire the beautiful evening sky.

At night, under the soft glow of the moon, the park exudes a peaceful, harmonious atmosphere.

Flowers and trees grow luxuriantly here; there are walkways and green spaces as well. It welcomes everyone to come and relax, take a break, establish friendships and get to know their neighbours better.

Here at the IPP, SGM members can speak about the philosophy and ideals of the Soka Gakkai and President Ikeda with their friends. As Dr Xavier has pointed out, the IPP, which has peace as its theme, does not only provide a relaxing atmosphere for local residents, but can be a place that sends out messages of peace and harmony.

Puan Elya said Dr Ikeda is a pioneer of global peace ideals, and that she believes that this park that bears his name will enable the youth to remember the exemplary work of Dr Ikeda.

President Ikeda also said that he always thinks of friendly exchanges with people in the community and how one can contribute to the community. He adds that Buddhism equals society, therefore, establishing trust and friendship with our neighbours and growing together with our local communities is the practical way to advance kosen-rufu.

From now on, let us take good care of and safeguard the Ikeda Peace Park, and enable it to become, as President Ikeda wishes, a place that “will be loved by many citizens and will become an enjoyable and relaxing plaza, a plaza of exchange, a plaza of friendship, and a plaza symbolising the culture of peace.”

“Kawasan yang berukuran 792 meter persegi ini telah dijadikan taman yang dikenali sebagai ‘Taman Keamanan Ikeda’ (‘Ikeda Peace Park’) dengan kerjasama Soka Gakkai Malaysia (SGM) dan Majlis Perbandaran Klang (MPK) sebagai penghormatan dan sanjungan terhadap sumbangan Presiden SGI, Dr. Daisaku Ikeda terhadap keamanan. Ikeda Peace Park juga boleh dijadikan ikon yang melambangkan keamanan di Malaysia.”

Itu adalah kata-kata yang terdapat pada sebuah plak gangsa di Ikeda Peace Park (IPP) yang membuka tirai semasa pelancaran IPP yang diadakan pada 15 November 2019. Pelancaran ini dirasmikan oleh mantan Yang DiPertua Majlis Perbandaran Klang, Dato’ Mohamad Yasid Bidin.

Taman itu, terletak di padang utama Taman Klang Jaya, Klang dirasmikan pada 1 Disember, 2019 dalam upacara yang dirasmikan oleh Menteri Air, Tanah dan Sumber Asli YB Datuk Dr. A. Xavier Jayakumar and Timbalan Yang DiPertua MPK, Puan Elya Marini Darmin. Taman tersebut adalah taman pertama di Malaysia yang dinamakan mengikut nama Presiden Ikeda.

Pada hari perasmiannya, kira-kira 2,500 wakil SGM dari seluruh negara dan ahli dari persatuan-persatuan penduduk setempat, kumpulan Rukun Tetangga, ahli majlis MPK dan para tamu menyaksikan merasmian taman tersebut, suatu pemandangan indah yang tidak pernah berlaku sebelum ini.

Sejak perasmian taman itu, penduduk-penduduk setempat kelihatan berjalan-jalan, berlari-lari dan melakukan senaman pada waktu pagi. Pada waktu matahari terbenam, orang ramai kelihatan berjalan-jalan dan bersantai sambil menikmati keindahan langit senja.

Pada waktu malam, di bawah cahaya bulan yang lembut, taman itu menghasilkan suasana yang aman damai dan harmoni.

Bunga dan pokok tumbuh dengan subur di sini; terdapat laluan pejalan kaki dan dan begitu juga dengan ruang hijau. Taman ini mengalu-alukan kedatangan setiap pengunjung dan bersantai, berehat, menjalinkan persahabatan dan mengenali jiran-tetangga dengan lebih baik lagi.

Di sini, IPP, ahli SGM boleh bercakap tentang falsafah dan ideal-ideal Soka Gakkai dan Presiden Ikeda dengan rakan-rakan mereka. Seperti yang dinyatakan oleh Dr. Xavier, IPP yang mempunyai tema keamanan bukan sahaja menyediakan suasana yang santai kepada penduduk setempat tetapi juga berfungsi sebagai tempat untuk menghantar mesej keamanan dan keharmonian.

Puan Elya berkata Dr. Ikeda adalah perintis ideal-ideal keamanan sedunia dan beliau percaya bahawa taman ini yang dinamakan sempena nama Dr. Ikeda akan membolehkan belia mengingati sumbangan-sumbangan unggul Dr. Ikeda.

Presiden Ikeda juga berkata bahawa beliau akan sentiasa mengingati pergaulan mesra dalam kalangan khalayak di dalam masyarakat dan bagaimana mereka boleh memberi sumbangan kepada komuniti. Selanjutnya, beliau berkata bahawa Buddhisme bersamaan dengan masyarakat, oleh itu, mewujudkan kepercayaan dan persahabatan dengan jiran-tetangga kita di samping mengecapi kemajuan bersama-sama dengan komuniti setempat kita merupakan cara yang praktikal untuk memajukan kosen-rufu.

Mulai sekarang, marilah kita menjaga dengan baik dan memelihara Ikeda Peace Park, di samping membolehkannya menjadi seperti yang diidami oleh Presiden Ikeda, muncul sebagai tempat yang “disayangi oleh ramai warganegara dan menjadi plaza yang menyenangkan dan santai, di samping menjadi plaza pertukaran dan persahabatan, melambangkan budaya keamanan.”

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