Sensei's Daily Encouragement - 20 November 2011

 

Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda
Sunday, November 20, 2011

 

What is the purpose of life? It is happiness. But here are two kinds of happiness: relative and absolute. Relative happiness comes in a wide variety of forms. The purpose of Buddhism is to attain Buddhahood. In modern terms, this could be explained as realizing absolute happiness - a state of happiness that can never be destroyed or defeated.

 

 

  

 

From the Writings of Nichiren Daishonin
Sunday, November 20, 2011
 

You should not have the slightest fear in your heart. It is lack of courage that prevents one from attaining Buddhahood, although one may have professed faith in the Lotus Sutra many times since innumerable kalpas ago.

 

The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, page 637
The Three Obstacles and Four Devils
Written to Ikegami Hyoe no Sakan Munenga on November 20, 1277

 

 

 

 

Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda
Sunday, November 20, 2011

 

Many things happen in life. There are joyous days and times of suffering. Sometimes unpleasant things occur. But that‚'s what makes life so interesting. The dramas we encounter are part and parcel of being human. If we experienced no change or drama in our lives, if nothing unexpected ever happened, we would merely be like automatons, our lives unbearably monotonous and dull. Therefore, please develop a strong self so that you can enact the drama of your life with confidence and poise in the face of whatever vicissitudes you may encounter.

 

 

 

 

Daisaku Ikeda – A Youthful Diary (1951) p. 111

 

M. and S. came by.  As soon as they left, Y. came over. Together, we went to Omori for propagation activities.  Really troubled over my own inability to introduce others.

Returned to my room early in the evening.  Spent the day feeling vaguely lonely.  What a miserable day it was.

Rested and read a magazine.  To bed, 11:00