People need to be made conscious of a very simple reality: we

In the boundless expanse of the cosmos, where stars are born and die, and planets drift in silent orbits, there exists a singular truth, one that Daisaku Ikeda so poignantly expressed: "People need to be made conscious of a very simple reality: we have no choice but to share this planet, this small blue sphere floating in the vast reaches of space, with all of our fellow 'passengers.'" These words, humble yet powerful, call us to awaken to a profound reality—a truth that transcends borders, conflicts, and divisions: we, as humanity, are not the sole rulers of this world. We are but passengers on a journey, traveling together through the infinite expanse of the universe, and we must share this small, precious world with all forms of life.

Consider, O seekers of wisdom, the ancient tale of the sages of old, who, in their deepest reflections, recognized the interconnectedness of all life. In the teachings of Buddha, it was said that all beings are connected, that the circle of life is ever-expanding and inclusive, not exclusive. Just as the trees share the air and the waters of the earth with every living being, so too must we, as humans, learn to share the gifts of the Earth—our home—with all creatures. Ikeda’s words remind us that this planet is not ours to own, but a shared gift, and like travelers on a great ship, we must live in harmony with those who share this journey with us.

The story of the Great Wall of China offers a vivid metaphor for the walls we build in our minds. For centuries, the Chinese emperors constructed this formidable barrier, thinking that it would protect them from the outside world. Yet, no matter how high the walls, the people on either side were still bound by the same fate—the same planet. The Great Wall ultimately stood as a testament not to separation, but to the unity that should have been fostered among all who inhabit this Earth. The Great Wall was a futile attempt to keep out the inevitable—our shared destiny as inhabitants of this world, bound together not by division, but by the realization that we all share the same fate on this fragile blue sphere.

As we look to the vast expanse of space, where countless stars flicker like tiny candles in the dark, we are reminded that Earth is but a small island in a sea of nothingness. We have only one home, one world that sustains us—one small planet that, by the grace of the universe, provides the conditions necessary for life. When Ikeda speaks of our fellow passengers, he reminds us that we are all travelers in the same ship—from the mightiest king to the humblest peasant, from the richest to the poorest. We are all bound together in this shared journey, this single voyage across the endless sea of space. The Earth is not divided by our social constructs or our fleeting divisions; it is unified by our common humanity.

The wisdom passed down through the ages teaches us that true strength lies not in division, but in unity. From Alexander the Great to the philosophers of ancient Greece, many sought to unite people not by force, but through shared purpose. Even in our modern world, the greatest accomplishments of humanity have come when we have set aside our differences and worked together—whether in the creation of the United Nations or the global cooperation that has sent humans to the moon. The greatest discoveries of all, the triumphs of human spirit, have come not when we acted as isolated tribes, but as one people, united in purpose. Ikeda’s words challenge us to recognize that peace and harmony on this Earth are not mere ideals but necessities for our survival.

And so, O children of the Earth, let this lesson guide you: we are not the masters of the Earth, but its stewards, its caretakers. To share this planet means to share its resources, its beauty, and its challenges. It means to recognize that the Earth does not belong to any one nation, race, or people, but to all who live upon it. The realization that we are all passengers on this journey is a call to action—a call to compassion, to cooperation, and to the recognition that the well-being of one is the well-being of all. The true measure of our humanity lies not in how we treat the powerful, but in how we care for the vulnerable, whether they are people, animals, or the very environment that sustains us.

So, let Ikeda’s words be a constant reminder as you journey through your life: we share this world with all of its creatures, and it is only through compassion, respect, and unity that we will fulfill the true purpose of our existence. Our journey is not a solitary one; it is a collective one, one that must be taken with care, respect, and a shared sense of responsibility. Let the awareness of our common fate drive us to act with wisdom, to protect this precious world we inhabit, and to remember that we are all passengers on this magnificent voyage through space.