Awaken the healing power of community and friendship

Happiness does not exist in isolation. Research indicates that helping others can lead to increased happiness, improved health, a sense of purpose and a multitude of other benefits. Tragedies such as natural disasters cause tremendous suffering and destruction and can tear a community apart. But when a community is grounded in respect for life, the people in that community can rally and grow stronger together from such challenges. Valuing the person in front of us, like a friend or neighbor, might seem insignificant, but doing so is the foundation for building peace.“Efforts by people, communities and societies to benefit others bring to the fore our most positive and creative aspects,” says Daisaku Ikeda. “Likewise, the most profound improvement to our present condition comes when we strive for a better future. It is through such repeated efforts, with constant reference to self and other, present and future, that we can protect each other’s inalienable dignity and work to build a world in which all people can live in peace and happiness” (2012 Environment Proposal, p. 14).