"do not hesitate"
"do not be impatient"
"it is important to have good people around you"

that was what ikeda sensei told general director. he hopes that GD will have the wisdom to be decisive and patient. having good people aroudn him to give constructive suggestions which can help to improve the organizations was also important.

just as what GD said, there isnt a need for many encouragements; a few good ones will do.

GD is really a classical example of that. he always keep his speeches short sweet and sharp. and for that i really mean it, unlike some people. and within his short sweet and sharp speeches, he will always be able to inject humour into it. although he doesnt laugh and smile a lot, he never fails to make people laugh and smile; and he did so being sincere, being true to himself. i always feel encouraged and awakened whenever gd speaks to us. he is really someone like ikeda sensei who can touch peoples' hearts without fail(:

this was what i learnt yesterday during the Commemorative meeting for the 50th Anniversary of 3.16(: although i was informed only at the last minute, i m really grateful to Eunice for inviting me down and i m really glad that i made it on time! it was really a very formal event yesterday. there were many distinguished guests whom attended the meeting. they include the SGI General Director Mr Oba, SGI Women Division Chief and Assistant Women Division Chief, SGI Youth Chief, and also many youth delicates from 7 countries in Asia. although everyone spoke different languages and had different way of expressing themselves, we were all linked by one common language, NAM MYO HO RENGE KYO. we were all also linked by that strong seeking spirit we had to learn more about the spirit behind 3.16, the mentor and disciple spirit.

the meeting lasted for about 3 hours. despite having a very tiring day, the 3 hour meeting made me, and i believe every other member who attended, feel even more recharged and determined to work hard for worldwide kosenrufu! i was really encouraged by the victory report shared by the youth delicates from all around Asia. in particular, the one done by the youth leader from India was really inspiring. they set concrete goals for themselves, such as 4 compulsory home visits every week, to achieve their expansion of the youth division earlier.

also for the first time, i heard encouragements straight from the SGI senior leaders live! it was really encouraging! although i couldnt understand Japanese and had to rely on Siying's translation, i could really feel their passion, the life force which they had within them, the sincerity that they possessed, in hope to touch every members heart. it was really heartening.

another very heart warming moment was when all the youth leaders present stood up and sang the song, MARCHING TOWARDS THE 21ST century. we started off only clapping as the song went on. then soon, gd started and lead all of us in swaying our arms high up in the air. and next, Leonard, the YMD chief, lead his team of YMDs and started to do the 'swinging' action. everyone could feel the strong life force that everyone possessed. the YMDs leaders did every single move with energy and passion. it was really a very wonderful moment. everyone was really immersed within the atmosphere. and this is what is termed as the SOKA SPIRIT(:

today is the day.
3.16
a day which holds large significance to the soka gakkai
3.16
a day where our faith is renewed
3.16
a day where the baton for kosen rufu is passed one
3.16
a day where essential disciples arise
3.16
a day where everyone reaffirms their vows to work hard for kosen rufu
3.16
a day where Asian Youths make their declaration

"On the significant occasion of the 50th Anniversary of March 16,
We, as successors of the Soka Gakkai Internationsl (SGI), vow to:

1) Uphold the spirit of oneness of Mentor and Disciple throughout our lives by putting into practice what our Mentor teaches.

2) Protect the SGI and pure flow of Nichiren Daishonin's Buddhism by refuting evil both within and without

3) Ensure the eternal prosperity of the mystic Law through our continuous propagation efforts

4) Become winners in life based on strong faith in the Gohonzon

5) Become capable and trustworthy individuals for society

6) Contribute to peace in Asia by actively participating in the Peace, Culture and Education movement of SI

As eternal comrades, we shall fulfill these vows to user in the 100th Anniversary of March 16.

this is the vow that i made,
a vow which i will hold on for the next 50 years.