Sensei's Daily Encouragement - 23 November 2011

 

Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda
Wednesday, November 23, 2011

 

If I were to make an allegory, thought and philosophy would be like the heart or respiratory system of the human body. When the heart is sound, the whole body can maintain healthy activity. This same principle applies to both the individual and society. The SGI has a mission to serve as the heart that ensures the healthy functioning of society. Consequently, taking good care of the SGI, (the heart) allows the fresh life-giving blood of humanism to flow to and nourish all areas of society, including culture, politics and the economy.

 

 

  

 

From the Writings of Nichiren Daishonin
Wednesday, November 23, 2011
 

You absolutely must not lament over my exile. It says in the "Encouraging Devotion" chapter and in the "Never Disparaging" chapter [that the votary of the Lotus Sutra will meet with persecution]. Life is limited; we must not begrudge it. What we should ultimately aspire to is the Buddha land.

 

The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, page 214
Aspiration for the Buddha Land
Written to Toki Jonin on November 23, 1271

 

 

 

 

Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda
Wednesday, November 23, 2011
 

The purpose of Buddhism is to bring out the Buddha nature that all people inherently possess, to awaken people to it and enable them to attain Buddhahood. Moreover, the Lotus Sutra does not allow for any discrimination; all people are equally entitled to salvation.  

 

 

 

 

Daisaku Ikeda – A Youthful Diary (1951) p. 113

 

My district has many points that need improvement.  U. and T. came by late in the evening.  Inwardly, I feel some Gakkai members could use a little more common sense.  Spontaneity deserves respect.  Nonetheless, it should be appropriate.  Actions that cause trouble for others can in no way be called spontaneity. Rather, we could conclude that those who act in such a way are taking advantage of Buddhism. 

Qualities like courtesy and common sense should serve to enhance spontaneity.  They should not exist merely for their own sake.