Phantom City

This is my expression of the parable, “Phantom City”, in the Lotus Sutra, with meaning as taught by SGI President, Dr Daisaku Ikeda:

“To advance, we have to set up ‘phantom cities’ in the form of targets. But on a deeper level, efforts to proceed toward and reach these ‘phantom cities’ are themselves the actions of the Buddha. And the arena for these endeavours is itself the ‘treasure land’. We need to earnestly and steadfastly challenge ourselves to achieve goals.

Resolving to overcome all obstacles, we must open a path forward. When we look back later, we will realise that these moments, while perhaps trying, are in fact the most fulfilling and rewarding times of our lives. They will be a treasury of golden memories, great scenes in the eternal drama of our lives throughout past, present and future.”