Singing Gakkai Songs

最亲爱的前线同志，

Dearest frontline comrades,

我们都清楚创价学会有许多活动。活动变通是为了让会员们有新鲜感。修行久了便会发现所有的活动都环绕着信，行，学。例如题目会是为了鼓励与发挥信心而教学会是为了学习佛法。那座谈会呢？

We are all aware that there are many activities that the Soka Gakkai conducted. We have a variety so that we can keep things fresh and interesting. But those of us who practiced all enough would realized that all our activities are based around our three pillars of faith, practice and study in various degrees. For example, a prayer meeting is based on faith – encouraging faith and demonstrating faith. And our study meetings are based on study – to deepen our understanding of Buddhism. What about our discussion meetings?

先生常提醒我们座谈会是幸福的城堡。因此座谈会是分享幸福，也就是佛的“行”。

Sensei had often reminded us that our discussion meetings are to be the bastions of happiness. Therefore, our discussion meetings have to be a place where we share happiness. And the sharing of happiness is our practice of Buddhism.

我们的座谈会通常有以下的事项：

1.       活动报告
2.       动人体验
3.       文化
4.       御书

Our discussion meetings often have the following elements:

1.       Activity reports
2.       Motivating testimonials
3.       Culture
4.       Gosho sharing

活动报告是分享参于的幸福。所因不能只通知，而是要把喜悦呈现出来。

Activity reports are the sharing of the happiness of attending them. Which is why it should not just be telling of upcoming event, but to share the joy we had from attending them.

动人体验是分享显证的幸福。或说出人性胜利的故事。

Motivating testimonials are the sharing of the happiness of showing actual proofs. Or even to tell a story of the triumph of the human spirit.

文化下文会多加讲诉。

More on Culture later.

在座谈会的御书和在教学会的御书有些不同。教学会是为了深入了解。而座谈会的御书是分享把佛法生活化的幸福。

Gosho sharing at the discussion meetings are different from Gosho studies at our study meetings. In the study meetings, we are going for depth and understanding. But Gosho sharing is the sharing of the happiness of applying what we learnt into our lives.

所以座谈会的每一个事项都合了座谈会的目的—分享幸福！

So here we can see that every aspect of the discussion meetings is directed to our attempt to share happiness!

至于文化，我们常听司仪是为了暖身。那是针对新朋友，我们不需暖身。也有时候通过流行歌曲让青年分享，这是一个很好培养参与感的平台。好项目。但不是文化的真正意义。

As for Culture, we often heard the emcees telling us that a song is used to warm us up. This is only applicable to new friends. We don’t really need to warm up. And sometimes we use pop songs and have the youths to present. This is an excellent way to develop a sense of participation for the newer youngsters and should be done occasionally but it is not the true spirit of Culture.

座谈会上的文化不是表演，也不是娱乐。它是分享振奋人心的幸福。一首好的学会歌往往是通过内心许多的争扎而写成的。所以它们是常青歌。既然不是娱乐，我们不应该被动的听着。身为干事，我们应该能唱，肯唱，愿唱，一起唱。

Our Culture at discussion meetings is neither a performances nor an entertainment. It is the sharing of the happiness of rousing our hearts. A good Gakkai song is almost always written through great agony and spiritual struggle. That is why they are evergreen. And since it is not for entertainment, we should not just passively listen to them. As leaders, we ought to be able; be willing; be enthusiastic about singing Gakkai songs. And to sing together.

今天，就和大家分享其中一首常青歌 – 威风堂堂之歌。歌词解说如下：

Today, I would like to share one such evergreen song – The song of indomitable spirit. The lyrics (translated) are explained as follows:

第一段

我们要拯救那沉沦的人虔诚的心不移
纵然荆棘扑满大地不怕艰辛和阻挡
要自立要自强信心自强永不惜
要协力和衷共济威风堂堂讲信义

Stanza One

We want to save the drowning men with unwavering determination
Even with difficulties aplenty, we fear neither hardship nor obstacles
Must stand firm and strong un-begrudgingly
With unity and indomitable trust

这首歌一开始就声明我们是地涌菩萨来拯救那沉沦的人的。而日莲佛法是使命的佛法而不单是功德的佛法。使命的佛法就要“不惜”。只有“不惜”才能协力和衷共济达成真正的异体同心。

Right from the start this song announced our vow as Bodhisattva of the Earth save the drowning men and confirms that Nichiren Buddhism is a mission-based practice and not merely benefit-based practice. And a mission-based practice means to be “un-begrudging”. Only then can true unity (Itai-doshin) be achieved.

第二段

人生的道路坎坷又崎岖你要拿出毅力
奋起精神鼓起勇气冲破艰难和崎岖
要自立要自强发挥生命的潜力
点燃起神圣火炬威风堂堂性正义

Stanza Two

You need strength to travel the difficult winding journey of life
Rouse our spirits and courageously overcome them
Must stand firm and strong and live to our full potential
Light up our sacred torch with indomitable justice

这里继续问道为什么要异体同心。就为了奋起精神鼓起勇气 与发挥生命的潜力好让我们点燃内心的正义火炬。

Here we continue to ask why we need Itai-doshin. It is rouse one another’s courage to overcome the obstacles before us. And we rouse to our lives’ potential in order to light up the flame of justice.

第三段

我们把爱心散布在大地为了生命延续
但愿世界每个地区充满欢乐与和气
有信心有勇气前进所向皆披靡
高举起正义旗帜威风堂堂向前进

Stanza Three

Let spread our compassion for the continuity of life
May every district in the world be filled with joy and harmony
With faith, courageously advance into the difficult path
Rising high the banner of justice and advance indomitably

户田先生悟道佛性既是生命。那生命延续指的便是佛法血脉的清流。唯有佛法清流，才能使每个地区充满欢乐与和气。第二段的正义火炬涌现第三段的正义旗帜。

Toda Sensei was enlightened to the fact that Buddha’s nature is life itself. Here, the continuity of life also means the pure flow of ultimate heritage of the law. Without this pure flow, there can be no joy and harmony in the districts. That is why with the flame of justice from Stanza Two, we manifest the banner of justice to ensure the purity of the ultimate heritage of the law. 

捍卫佛法血脉的清流就是威风堂堂！

To protect the Law. This is the meaning of indomitable spirit!

庄顺贤                                 Raymond Chng
实龙岗南支部                  Serangoon South Chapter
男青干事                            Young Men Division Leader

2011 年9月                       September 2011