SGI President Daisaku Ikeda

To the members of the Academic Division and Educators Division of the SGI-USA, who shoulder responsibility for our great Soka cultural and educational movement in the United States, I offer my sincere congratulations on the holding of your FNCC conference.

I understand that today some 110 representatives have gathered from across the United States. I truly appreciate all of your consistent, strenuous efforts and struggles.

The Lotus Sutra speaks of "bravely and vigorously exerting oneself." With faith as your basis, please continue to move with energy and courage while giving full play to your knowledge and intellect for the sake of the people's happiness and for the sake of your society's fortune and prosperity. Your growth and happiness exist in such efforts. As you persevere with pure and unremitting faith, please remember one point throughout your lives--to dedicate yourselves to serving the people.

Each of you has a precious and praiseworthy mission. With strong prayer and courageous action, please develop and expand your network of wisdom. When you do so, a grand and dignified flower of Soka culture will blossom gloriously in American and the world. Please be firmly convinced that advancing cheerfully and vigorously together with ordinary people amid the "garden of Soka" accords with true happiness in life, and take the lead again today in conducting courageous and hope-filled dialogue.

I am sending daimoku earnestly each day that you all may live cheerful lives of victory and health.

Daisaku Ikeda

June 20, 2002