Music, The Flower of Culture

President Ikeda’s Precept For Brass Band

I am very grateful to Soka Gakkai Malaysia (SGM) . I have learned great deals from this organization. It’s Philopsphy of Life through music. I was the saxaphone player of this band… it’s great deal of fun… Below is the Precept for Brass Band written by Soka Gakkai International President Ikeda.

There are no boundaries in religious philosophy. Mankind shares equally the desire for peace and happiness, and religious philosophy is the only means by which this desire can be answered. Likewise, there are no boundaries in the field of music. Music is the flower of culture, a language common to the entire world. It is a thing of beauty sought by all men.

Recalling the history of mankind, we discover that a race of people or nation attained happiness and peace only if there existed a sound philosophy of life. The practise of a great ideology, like the current of a great river, becomes the high ambition and rhythm of that nation. The same holds true of music. The beauty and energy of music has been the source of a nation’s growth. By the same token, what does the growth of the Soka Gakkai indicate? Needless to say, it reveals the unprecedented growth of the human race, and the construction of a nation having the highest culture and means for peace. Accordingly, I believe that the sound of the Brass Band, gushing from the depth of pure faith, can become the mighty thrust needed to achieve this historical undertaking.

Presently, the music that is being presented to the people is void of direction and emotion. Music today is being presented merely for the sake of a few; it is for those who seek stimulation and pleasure of the moment. Modern music is slowly deteriorating. It has lost the spirit of humanism and no longer has the power to inspire vitality and hope for the future. Music often determines the direction in which the youth of a nation will travel. How unfortunate that the level of modern music has led youth on the path to delinquency. When music plays such a role, its functions must be called evil.

Sound the clarion of a new world, and with the banner of the construction of the Third Civilization waving proudly, let us brace ourselves firmly with the Buddhist Democracy, and courageously crush this evil. Having great hopes for the future and with arms linked together, let us develop a mammoth musical movement. For the sake of the general public, let us sow the seeds for a great new culture. It is my request that all of you, without uttering a word, will be able to move your listeners to deep emotion. Through your performance, I hope that you will move people to jubilation, and inspire them to attain their human revolution.

Together with the astounding growth of the Soka Gakkai, our Brass Band has also undergone rapid advancement. A strong foundation has been established here in Japan, as well as in all other parts of the world. However, our future is of the greatest significance. There is no doubt that in the very near future, one year’s growth of the lay organization will be equivalent to ten year’s growth of other organizations. The Brass Brand will advance in like manner.

To the general public you are being called upon to reveal the true picture of Kosen-rufu. You must also give the general public the opportunity to recognize correctly and without prejudice, the true mission of the Soka Gakkai. Furthermore, as pioneers of a great new Civilization, you must contribute to the enhancement of world culture. You must complete the mission of the Brass Band within the organization, inspiring millions of boddhisattvas and giving our fellow members hope and inspiration to overcome their sufferings.

In conclusion, I would like to say that your spirit should transcend vanity, as well as musical techniques and ability. The sound of the Brass Band should be the rhythm of faith. It must roar with the sound of passion, as if to crush the angry waves of the ocean. I urge that you advance with the confidence that your performances will penetrate the hearts of all people. With the rise of a great nation and a dynamic generation, people look forward to new talents and the highest standard of music. I sincerely hope that you will rise to these challenge
and spread your music to all corners of the world.