SGI President Ikeda's Dialogue With Actor Orlando Bloom

A very active child, Mr. Bloom was always injuring himself. At
The age of 21, when he was studying to become an actor at the
Prestigious Guildhall School of Music and Drama in London, he
Faced a major crisis when he fell from the height of three
Stories and broke his back. The doctors predicted that he might
Never walk again, but encouraged by his friends and family, he
Made a miraculous recovery. The experience also helped him grow
Enormously as a human being, and he remains grateful to the
Friends who supported and assisted him through that painful,
Challenging time.

"Buddhism is the great teaching of human revolution and
Transforming our karma," said the SGI leader. "My wife and I and
Your many friends in Japan will be earnestly praying that you
Will advance triumphantly through life, continuing to fulfill
Your great mission in complete safety from now on." Quoting the
Great Teacher Miao-lo's statement cited by the Daishonin, "The
Stronger one's faith, the greater the protection of the gods"
(WND, 614), Mr. Ikeda emphasized that if Mr. Bloom continued to
Pray intensely and deeply to live each day in safety, he would
Definitely be able to transform his karma in this respect. Then,
With a touch of humor, he added: "The next time you have an
Accident, we're going to fine you!"-a remark that brought
Laughter to all present.

Last year, Mr. Bloom presented Mr. Ikeda with a set of DVDs of
The Lord of the Rings trilogy, in which he had a major role. The
Movies broke box office records around the world and won
Numerous academy awards. Based on the J. R. R. Tolkien books,
The films tell the story of a group of courageous friends who
Carry out a noble mission, banding together to fight against a
Powerful evil and restore true peace to the world. Orlando Bloom
Played the role of the elf prince and master archer Legolas
Greenleaf, and his performance was widely acclaimed by fans
Everywhere. When the heroes are surrounded by what appear to be
The overwhelming forces of the enemy, Legolas cheers one of them
On, saying: "Your friends are with you!" President Ikeda
Compared this spirit to the camaraderie and fellowship shared by
SGI members, and spoke of the importance of advancing into the
Future together with the same deep ties of friendship.

The day before his meeting with Mr. Ikeda, Orlando Bloom visited
Soka University in Hachioji, Tokyo, where he inscribed a card
For the prospective students who would visit the campus on the
Open Campus Day (July 30) with his autograph and this message:

To the future students of Soka University,
Without climbing the mountain you cannot gaze out from the peak.
With my very best wishes for your future.
29 July 2006

When this sincere message from a popular Hollywood star was
Communicated to the youth gathered at the Open Campus
Orientation meeting, they were encouraged and delighted.
Expressing his deep appreciation for Mr. Bloom's inspiring words
To future Soka University and Soka Women's College students, the
Schools''s founder said: "A famous Japanese author wrote: 'Rather
Than worrying about your future, thinking, "Perhaps I should
Become this. Perhaps I should become that," first be still and
Build a self that is as solid and unmoving as Mount Fuji.' My
Friend Mikhail Gorbachev, the former president of the Soviet
Union, keeps one of my photographs of Mount Fuji in his office
In Moscow. 'A life as strong and solid as Mount Fuji' is our
Shared motto. I hope that you, Orlando, with your love of
Mountains, will grow into a brilliant actor shining as
Majestically as Mount Fuji, and that you build a network of
Victory and success as lofty as the Himalayas."