Ikeda's Guidance on Happiness

"The life of each individual is incomparably precious and noble. The aim of Nichiren Daishonin's Buddhism, the purpose of faith in the Mystic Law, is to enable each individual to shine with the greatest possible happiness." 

2011 - Year of Capable People and Dynamic Development

"One individual rising up and taking action - this is the starting point of kosen-rufu and the great spirit that permeates the Soka Gakkai. We cannot manifest our true potential if we simply depend on or leave things up to others. A genuine person of faith and successor of Soka is one who rises to action with a stand-alone spirit. And it is through the alliance of such individuals that the great vow of kosen-rufu will be realized. - SGI President Ikeda. 

The One Essential Phrase

"Nam-myoho-renge-kyo is only one phrase or verse, but it is no ordinary phrase, for it is the essence of the entire sutra. You asked whether one can attain Buddhahood only by chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo, and this is the most important question of all. This is the heart of the entire sutra and the substance of its eight volumes. The spirit within one's body of five or six feet may appear in just one's face, which is only a foot long, and the spirit within one's face may appear in just one's eyes, which are only an inch across...Similarly, included within the title, or daimoku, of Nam-myoho-renge-kyo is the entire sutra consisting of all eight volumes, twenty-eight chapters, and 69,384 characters, without the omission of a single character." - The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin-1, p922 

Key points of the Gosho passage:

1. This letter was written in response to a letter lay nun Myoho had sent Nichiren Daishonin, asking whether one can attain enlightenment by chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo alone.

2. Chanting daimoku is a teaching that is "easy to uphold and easy to practice" (WND-1, p923). Second Soka Gakkai president Josei Toda once said: "The Gohonzon is truly great. But because this is so simple, people fail to understand it."

3. Nam-myoho-renge-kyo is the heart of the entire Lotus Sutra. It is the "eye" and the essential core of Buddhism. Through these analogies, the Daishonin assures lay nun Myoho that the single phrase Nam-myoho-renge-kyo is the key that unlocks the limitless energy of life and wisdom for helping people to become happy.

4. In fact, the practice of chanting daimoku embodies the Buddha's ardent and heartfelt wish to lead all people to happiness. Anyone can perform it. It can be done anytime and anywhere. It is the most highly refined and simplified method of practice. As such, it is the perfect Buddhist teaching for all eternity.