We need courage to become happy, to triumph over life’s trials.

SGI President Ikeda sent the following message to the 55th Soka Gakkai Headquarters Leaders Meeting, held on Jan. 7 at the Toda Memorial Auditorium in Tokyo. SGI representatives from 18 countries and territories attended the gathering. This message originally appeared in the Jan. 8 issue of the Seikyo Shimbun, the Soka Gakkai’s daily newspaper.

Solidly united together in 192 countries and territories around the world, we, the members of the SGI family, have set forth into the new year, brimming with bright hope and vibrant energy.

I thank you all for gathering for this meeting today, and look forward to your wonderful endeavors for kosen-rufu again in 2012.

I would also like to thank the visiting SGI leaders who have traveled to Japan at the start of the year and in the coldest season. I am particularly grateful for the attendance of the representatives from Thailand, who have been struggling to cope with damage caused by the severe flooding that affected large areas of the country toward the end of last year. Please welcome them all with a warm round of applause.

Our admirable members in Japan’s Tohoku region, which was struck by a devastating earthquake and tsunami last year, are also striving valiantly amid the harsh northern winter.

The eminent Tohoku-born educator and diplomat Inazo Nitobe (1862–1933), a friend of Soka Gakkai founding president Tsunesaburo Makiguchi, declared: "One should greet the new year with fresh courage and determination."

Nichiren Buddhism is a great philosophy of hope that empowers us to forge ahead in our lives bravely and vigorously with fresh courage and determination, always focused on the present and the future, moving forward from this day on.

Earlier this week (on Jan. 2), I composed a poem for all of you titled "Hope Is Life’s Treasure"; today, I wish to impart the message, "Courage is a powerful force for victory."

We need courage to become happy, to triumph over life’s trials, to help others, and to take action for peace and justice.

As a wise saying goes, "In valor there is hope." To strive with the resolve that the greater the difficulties we face, the more we will challenge and surmount them with indefatigable courage, and to set an example that can bring infinite hope and inspiration for those who will follow in our footsteps—this is the epitome of a life dedicated to a noble mission.

Courage is also the heart of Nichiren Buddhism. Nichiren Daishonin clearly states, "Nichiren’s disciples cannot accomplish anything if they are cowardly" ( The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, vol. 1, p. 481). And in the very midst of the harrowing and life-threatening ordeal of exile on Sado Island, the Daishonin writes, "Those with the heart of a lion king are sure to attain Buddhahood" (WND-1, 302).

"The heart of a lion king" means remaining fearless even when numberless ranks of formidable enemies are arrayed against us. It means refusing to be defeated by mountains of difficulties. Such unequaled and incomparable courage is "the heart of a lion king." Those who summon forth this courage when adversity strikes and wage an all-out struggle with the same spirit as their mentor are certain to attain enlightenment. Courage is essential to break through our own fundamental darkness and draw forth the lifestate of Buddhahood within ourselves and others.

Mark Twain (1835–1910), the author of The Adventures of Tom Sawyer, which the young women’s division’s Kayo-kai members studied with second Soka Gakkai president Josei Toda in the 1950s, observed: "[People] don’t know their own possibilities . . . , while all the time within them is the driving power of the universe."

Courage is the key that unlocks the power, as vast as the universe, that exists within us. And courageous faith is the highest form of courage.

Mr. Toda declared: "Faith, in short, is being determined to win, come what may." Our global SGI network for peace, culture and education, which today shines as a pillar of humanity, was built through the valiant efforts of our members—ordinary, unheralded individuals—who rose up to champion the cause of kosen-rufu with courageous faith, undeterred by insults, oppression and malicious schemes.

In a letter of encouragement to a sincere female disciple, the lay nun Sennichi, the Daishonin writes: "When the lion king . . . roars, the hundred cubs will then feel emboldened, and the heads of those other beasts and birds of prey will be split into seven pieces" (WND-1, 949).

Similarly, when the lion king, who is the mentor, roars—that is, makes an impassioned call for kosen-rufu—the lions, who are genuine disciples, respond by taking action to widely propagate the Mystic Law, basing their efforts on courageously chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo for the happiness of themselves and others. They also apply themselves to combating error and corruption and to helping many others embrace the correct teaching of Nichiren Buddhism, thereby expanding the network of invincible champions in faith. This is the great path to eternal victory and prosperity based on the Soka spirit of mentor and disciple.

Let’s remember to "be bold and take a brave step," as the bright Soka Gakkai Future Division song urges. [The song, titled "Take a Brave Step," was sung earlier in the meeting by the Future Division’s Fuji Junior High School Student Chorus.]

The world is now eagerly awaiting the emergence of talented and capable Soka youth who can break through impasses and pave a way forward.

Congratulations to all the youth throughout Japan who will celebrate Coming-of-age Day on Monday. [Japan’s annual Coming-of-age Day fell on Monday, Jan. 9, this year. The official age of adulthood in Japan is 20.]

Members of the youth division, youthful Bodhisattvas of the Earth! Members of the student division, seekers of universal wisdom! And members of the men’s division and women’s division, my lifelong comrades in faith, who burn with an eternally youthful spirit! Let’s be victorious in all our endeavors in the coming year by uniting together strongly in the spirit of "many in body, one in mind," and lead positive, enjoyable lives.

In closing, I present you with this poem: The great lion path of mentor and disciple, overflowing with courage and hope. Let’s strive together in high spirits

and win through all!

—Praying for your success and happiness.