On November 9, 2025, Gakurin conducted a joint training program on Mount Minobu in Yamanashi Prefecture, bringing together students from the Daiju, Koju, and Renju programs. This training aimed to engage deeply, through embodied practice, with the nature of prayer and action by learning from the life of Saint Nichiren, whose path represents the spiritual wellspring of faith in the Lotus Sutra.
A total of 36 Gakurin students took part, chanting Namu Myoho Renge Kyo as they made a pilgrimage along the mountain path from Kuon-ji Temple to the Oku-no-in Shishinkaku. Carrying gratitude for their ancestors and the source of life itself in their hearts, they advanced step by step. Their quiet procession became a moment that gently called into question the very “roots of how we live,” which are often forgotten in modern life.
Mount Minobu is the place where Saint Nichiren, who lived with the Lotus Sutra as his unwavering foundation, spent approximately the last nine years of his life. Here, he devoted himself wholeheartedly to recitation, doctrinal study, and the training of disciples. The Oku-no-in Shishinkaku is known as the site where he climbed the steep mountain path to offer prayers, holding deep reverence and longing for his parents and teachers.
As the Gakurin seminarians proceeded along paths layered with history and prayer, they reflected on the convictions and sincerity of those who had walked before them. Facing the silent presence of nature and advancing on their own feet, the act of walking itself became a time to confront the universal question: “What do we live by?”
A Dharma Talk Echoing at the Oku-no-in — “Faith Is Like Water”
At the Oku-no-in Shishinkaku, a Dharma talk was given by Bettō Priest Shimozato Zeryu. Reflecting on the meaning of chanting the Odaimoku, he shared the following words:
“Continuing to chant the Odaimoku without interruption is not an act of seeking immediate results. Just as water takes a long time and journey before it reaches us, faith, too, quietly yet surely nourishes our lives. Please allow your faith to remain clear like water, flowing without ceasing.”
For the younger generations living in a society that often prioritizes outcomes and efficiency, these words illuminated the value of “a way of life that does not rush, yet continues forward while pausing when needed.”
“How Should We Live as Human Beings?” — A Question for the Present Age
Gakurin President Sugino spoke about the life of Saint Nichiren, who continued to stand alongside people even amid persecution and hardship. He offered the following message:
“Beyond roles, positions, and titles, we are always being asked, ‘How should we live as human beings?’ Rather than being swept along by the tides of society, we should live with gentleness and forbearance, holding our own vows and dignity close to our hearts. This is the spirit of Saint Nichiren, and it is also the path each of you is meant to walk. Never forget gratitude for your own life, your ancestors, and your parents, and live in accordance with your individual vows.”
Opening Prayer to the World
This training program offered an opportunity to experience an aspect of Japanese Buddhist practice culture that resonates with the world’s diverse religions and values. Within the acts of walking a demanding mountain path and praying together with one voice, one can sense a living spirit of human dignity, gratitude, and the resolve to live together with others.
