Experience of chanting the daimoku 10,000 times in the morning, 574 times: My immune system was weakened and I was unable to attend meetings. I had a new experience of visiting deceased loved ones by letter.

The key to local kosen-rufu is the foundation of daimoku + home visits

The front line of the Soka Gakkai organization is the districts, and especially the blocks. The Soka Gakkai's activity guidelines state that we should conduct organizational activities with a ratio of 8 visits to 2 meetings. I am also in charge of the districts and blocks of men's groups. I feel that by chanting the daimoku continuously, I am bringing about a human revolution in many ways.

I was also able to share the happiness of myself and others with the members of the district council, and through our mutual faith experiences, I was connected to the current branch chief, who has been with us for 30 years, and we exchanged opinions about local organizational activities. I have also made various suggestions to the leaders of the branch in a vertical line. I think it is natural that those who are serious about kosen-rufu in this region and are putting it into practice have their own opinions. The purpose of this faith is to establish oneself.

If you have the desire and drive to improve the organization you belong to, we recommend that you work together with the executives of your organization on a vertical line to hold discussion meetings.

Every day I recite the daimoku to the members of the branch and pray for good health and longevity, that they may live the best lives possible with faith that is rich in blessings.

Every day I pray for the members of our branches: "Good health, long life, and the best possible life with faith that is rich in blessings!"
It would be great if I could connect with each and every member of the branch's Young Men's Division, but the reality is that this is not easy.
However, if the district and block men's groups could steadily visit each and every home, surely they would be able to convey their prayers to each person!

First of all, let's take action in one block of the men's division in our area! Rather than giving orders that are the same as "nothing" if there is no action even if we think too much, let's take the lead and get it done! As the Soka chief of the area (Chief B) was in poor health, I raised my hand at the council at the end of 2022 and said that I would take charge of the men's division of that block until the Soka chief can return! I took action in the new year.

There are many ways to conduct home visits.

Naturally, the situation is different when you visit.
This person is someone I can meet in person, this person has irregular work hours so I can connect with them on Line, this person will call me depending on their schedule, and this time there are people who are in a situation where it is difficult to meet in person, for example those who cannot attend the meeting due to health reasons: people who have distanced themselves from the academic society.
Of course, each person's situation is different.

The number of elderly people living in their homes has increased, and the number of people falling ill or dying has also increased significantly in recent years.
My purpose in making home visits is not to encourage attendance at meetings, so I don't feel at all pressured to make them attend.

I am convinced that just meeting me will make you feel better! The Bodhisattva Way is a way of preaching the Dharma to the person you are speaking to, and of conveying the faith of removing suffering and giving happiness, so that they will be awakened to their own faith. As long as I live my life sincerely and with faith at the core, every day is a chance for me to achieve human revolution.

I live with the dream of a bright future in my heart, so I am confident that I can interact with everyone I meet in a way that will make them say, "It can't be helped," rather than, "This is just the beginning!"

Letter strategy: Spell out your thoughts + convey your teacher's "prayer" guidance

This time, the person in question has been advised by his doctor not to enter crowded places due to his health condition.
He is a fine member of the Young Men's Division who was often seen at the round-table discussions.
However, upon reflection, it was because he seemed so impressive that I had hardly ever spoken to him.
After seeing him on the simultaneous broadcast in September, he stopped attending the meetings completely, and we were told that it was due to health issues.

We decided to start the "Letter Campaign" in November.

Yesterday was the seventh installment. It is written in large letters (14 points) on A4 paper, with space between the lines to make it easy to read, on two or three pages, including a self-introduction, when he first began to believe in faith, when he left the organization for a time, why he decided to start faith in Soka Gakkai, his time in the men's division, his work, and the challenges he is currently facing.

I want to meet them even if just for a moment or a glimpse, so I do so not at my own convenience, but at a time that I think is best for the person I'm visiting, and also at a time that I'm available.

The merit of being protected by the heavenly gods and good spirits and connected to the person

Yesterday, on a calm, windless afternoon in the sunlight, I parked the car, called his name, and to my surprise, he popped his head out from the neighboring property!
"Shima-san, thank you for always writing me letters," he said, and continued speaking. I realized that our thoughts were connected.

In my six letters so far, I have written to him about his history, his faith, his abandonment, his work, his time in the men's division, and other things going back decades, and he also spoke for over 40 minutes about when he joined.

We were able to talk about history, faith, organization, and work that we didn't know about.
There was also talk that it was because of his advanced age.
At that time, I didn't want to interrupt the flow of conversation, so I decided not to intervene and let the person speak what he was thinking, which allowed me to achieve the goal of ``removing suffering and giving happiness.''

This time, it happened outdoors, with no wind and in warm sunshine, and several miracles occurred at that time, and I was able to hear his story in person, just as if he were replying to my letter.

The importance of connecting with each other and continuing to be involved - our thoughts for the other members were connected based on this motto.
I hope that in the future, mainly the members in charge, will continue to reach out to people and convey their thoughts, even if only a little, so that they can experience the wonderful faith of Soka Gakkai and feel such moving faith. I was able to experience for myself that this is what happiness for oneself and others is.

The letters will continue, and I will be there to help him realize and put into practice the idea that "we should aim to awaken the vitality of ourselves and others by chanting Namu Myoho Renge Kyo, strengthen our immunity, and achieve normal physical and mental strength!"