Sensei's Daily Encouragement - 31 March 2012 - The Year of Developing a Youthful SGI

Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda

Saturday, March 31, 2012  

 

Position and appearances are irrelevant. The important thing is to carry out our personal duty, our commitment, no matter what anyone else may say. This is a life of true victory, a life of unsurpassed nobility and fulfillment.  

 

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From The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin

Saturday, March 31, 2012

 

I have written out the prose section of the "Expedient Means" chapter for you. You should recite it together with the verse portion of the "Life Span" chapter, which I sent you earlier. The characters of this sutra are all without exception living Buddhas of perfect enlightenment. But because we have the eyes of ordinary people, we see them as characters.

 

The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, page 486

Reply to the Lay Priest Soya 

Written to the lay priest Soya in March 1275  

 

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Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda

Saturday, March 31, 2012

 

Reading is dialogue with oneself; it is self-reflection, which cultivates profound humanity. Reading is therefore essential to our development. It expands and enriches the personality like a seed that germinates after a long time and sends forth many blossom-laden branches. People who can say of a book "this changed my life" truly understand the meaning of happiness. Reading that sparks inner revolution is desperately needed to escape drowning in the rapidly advancing information society. Reading is more than intellectual ornamentation, it is a battle for the establishment of the self, a ceaseless challenge that keeps us young and vigorous.  

 

 

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Daisaku Ikeda - A Youthful Diary (1954) p.196

 

Went to Omiya on business.  Resent K.'s insolence.  Wait another five or ten years, then we will see who is victorious.  Exhausted, returned home just after 8:00.  Bored.  Must take care of my health.  Sat quietly at my desk, scribbling notes in my notebook.

 

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Sensei's Daily Encouragement - 30 March 2012 - The Year of Developing a Youthful SGI

Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda

Friday, March 30, 2012

 

There are many elements involved in a prayer being answered, but the important thing is to keep praying until it is. By continuing to pray, you can reflect on yourself with unflinching honesty and begin to move your life in a positive direction on the path of earnest, steady effort. Even if your prayer doesn't produce concrete results immediately, your continual prayer will at some time manifest itself in a form greater than you had ever hoped.  

 

 

From The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin

Friday, March 30, 2012

 

To mix other practices with this Nam-myoho-renge-kyo is a grave error. A lantern is useless when the sun rises.  How can dewdrops be beneficial when the rain falls?  Should one feed a newborn baby anything other than its mother's milk?  No addition of other medicines is needed with a good medicine.

 

The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, page 903

The Teaching for the Latter Day 

Written to Nanjo Tokimitsu on April 1, 1278

 

 

Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda

Friday, March 30, 2012

 

It is important to develop your character to be as powerful as a mighty river. Continue to advance bravely in the face of every challenge, paying no heed to the obstacles in your way.  Become a great river of bottomless compassion and wisdom, overflowing with boundless invincibility and passion.

 

 

Daisaku Ikeda - A Youthful Diary (1954) p.196

 

In the evening, a staff meeting at the G. Chinese restaurant…

 

President Today gave guidance on various topics including:

 

1. The question of stock prices.

2. The increased issuance of bank notes by the Bank of Japan, and this year's national budget.

3. Praiseworthy individuals who embraced faith in the past.

4. Kosen-rufu in East Asia and the economy.

 

 

Sensei's Daily Encouragement - 29 March 2012 - The Year of Developing a Youthful SGI

Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda

Thursday, March 29, 2012

 

 Molly Brown was on board the Titanic when it tragically sunk in 1912. Although she knew the ship was taking on water, she shouted to a panic-stricken fellow passenger: "There's no danger. It simply can't go down, because I'm on it and I'm unsinkable." Her bantering words, which rang out with the determination never to be defeated and never to give in to despair are said to have given courage to her fellow passengers. Those who stand up at a crucial moment demonstrate genuine greatness.  

 

  

From The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin

Thursday, March 29, 2012

 

Now, if you wish to attain Buddhahood, you have only to lower the banner of your arrogance, cast aside the staff of your anger, and devote yourself exclusively to the one vehicle of the Lotus Sutra. Worldly fame and profit are mere baubles of your present existence, and arrogance and prejudice are ties that will fetter you in a next one. Ah, you should be ashamed of them! And you should fear them  too!"

 

The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, page 58

Questions and Answers about Embracing the Lotus Sutra 

Recipient unknown, written in March 1263

  

 

Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda

Thursday, March 29, 2012

 

Nichiren spoke of earthly desires being used as fuel for the flame of wisdom. Buddhism teaches the converting of personal ambitions and desires, even base ones, into good traits like wisdom through altruistic living. A Buddhist doctrine that earthly desires are enlightenment indicates that greed, anger (violence) and egocentricism can be transformed into altruistic traits like compassion, trust and nonviolence. The underlying delusions that drive our desires - including the desire for the development of science and civilizations can be essentially transformed in a way that changes selfishness into altruism, violence into nonviolence and suspicion into trust.  

 

 

Daisaku Ikeda - A Youthful Diary (1954) p.195

 

A hot day.  Bought two Japan Airlines tickets, one for Sensei and one for myself.  Feel a childlike excitement at flying for the first time.  Went to the headquarters at 6:30 to discuss problems and lay plans for a Study Department general meeting.  Late in the evening, received a phone call from Sensei.  Was scolded severely.  This has deep meaning.  Had no time to offer an explanation.

 

 

Sensei's Daily Encouragement - 28 March 2012 - The Year of Developing a Youthful SGI

Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda

Wednesday, March 28, 2012

 

Youth must have the spirit to attack injustice, the spirit to refute that which is wrong, the spirit to spread the Daishonin's teaching. Just giving an appearance of promoting kosen-rufu and going with the flow, afraid of making waves, are the actions of self-serving youth, who are spiritually old and decrepit.

  

  

From The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin

Wednesday, March 28, 2012

 

The heart of the Lotus Sutra is its title, or the daimoku, of Nam-myoho-renge-kyo. Truly, if you chant this in the morning and evening, you are correctly reading the entire Lotus Sutra. Chanting daimoku twice is the same as reading the entire sutra twice, one hundred daimoku equal one hundred readings of the sutra, and a thousand daimoku, a thousand readings of the sutra. Thus, if you ceaselessly chant daimoku, you will be continually reading the Lotus Sutra.

 

The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, page 923

The One Essential Phrase 

Written to the lay nun Myoho on July 3, 1278  

 

 

Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda

Wednesday, March 28, 2012

 

A Buddha is definitely not an absolute being living a static existence. A Buddha shares the sufferings of others and, sensing the condition of the time, earnestly ponders how to transform that condition. A Buddha vows to struggle in order to lead the people and the age to enlightenment. The strength of this vow causes the Buddha's enlightenment to mature into rich wisdom.

 

Daisaku Ikeda - A Youthful Diary (1954) p.195

 

Today was the first summerlike day of the season.  Worried if the low temperatures continue, the rice crops will suffer.  Praying for an abundant harvest…

In this world, economic collapse means the end of everything – the nation, the individual and the family.  Is this the way it should be?  No, the ultimate problem lies in preventing the environment from sapping people's determination, in other words, their resolution to defeat devilish forces.  Either our determination is destroyed by the environment or we develop a condition of life powerful enough to reconstruct the environment.  Must ponder deeply the relationship between life and its environment.

Sensei's Daily Encouragement - 27 March 2012 - The Year of Developing a Youthful SGI

Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda

Tuesday, March 27, 2012

 

While controlling your mind, which is at once both extremely subtle and solemnly profound, you should strive to elevate your faith with freshness and vigour. When you do so, both your life and your surroundings will open wide before you and every action you take will become a source of benefit. Understanding the subtle workings of one's mind is the key to faith and attaining Buddhahood in this lifetime. 

 

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From The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin

Tuesday, March 27, 2012 

 

You also are a practitioner of the Lotus Sutra, and your faith is like the waxing moon or the rising tide. Be deeply convinced, then, that your illness cannot possibly persist, and that your life cannot fail to be extended! Take care of yourself, and do not burden your mind with grief.

 

The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, page 656

The Bow and Arrow 

Written to the lay nun Toki on March 27, 1276  

 

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Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda

Tuesday, March 27, 2012

 

By changing our inner state of mind, we can change any suffering or hardship into a source of joy, regarding it as a means for forging and developing our lives. To turn even sorrow into a source of creativity - this is the way of life of a Buddhist.

 

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Daisaku Ikeda - A Youthful Diary (1954) p.193

 

Opportunities to talk with Sensei are few.  Feel a sense of solitude.  Cannot comprehend his life force and sublime state of mind.  He is truly awakened to the mysterious law of Buddhism.  Passionate, quiet, cool, insightful, composed, domineering, severe, compassionate…

Want to purify my faith, step by step.  Deeply ashamed of my lack of ability, my tendency to rely on shallow understanding.

 

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Sensei's Daily Encouragement - 26 March 2012 - The Year of Developing a Youthful SGI

Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda

Monday, March 26, 2012

 

Of foremost importance are the people - not celebrities, the powerful, the rich, scholars or others whom society deems great or praiseworthy. The purpose of all things must be the happiness of the people. Everything else should be but a means to that end. Those who fail to recognize this fundamental point and look down on the people and exploit them are thoroughly vile and contemptible, they are a hindrance to people's happiness.

 

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From The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin

Monday, March 26, 2012

 

The Buddha explained how difficult it is for a one-eyed turtle to find a floating sandalwood log with a suitable hollow, even after immeasurable, boundless  kalpas . He employed this analogy to illustrate the rarity of encountering the Lotus Sutra. One should be aware, however, that, even if one should encounter the floating sandalwood log of the Lotus Sutra, it is rarer still to find the hollow of the Mystic Law of the daimoku, which is difficult to chant.

 

The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, page 958

The One-eyed Turtle and the Floating Log 

Written to the widow of the lay priest Matsuno on March 26, 1279

 

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Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda

Monday, March 26, 2012

 

When experiencing failures and disappointments, frustrations or illness, people tend to lose confidence and let fear overtake them. At such times, however, we need to make a conscious effort to move forward with strength and courage. When you say to yourself, "Next time I'll succeed!" or "I'm going to get better and make it through this!" you have already won.

 

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Daisaku Ikeda - A Youthful Diary (1954) p.192/3

 

Returned home alone, immersed in thought.  Besides President Toda, I shall bow my head to no one.  After Sensei dies, I must act in a pivotal role, taking on heavy responsibilities.  Lets storms and raging waves come as they may!  Resentment, criticism and trickery mean nothing!

Nothing in the universe surpasses the strict law of Buddhism.

 

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Sensei's Daily Encouragement - 25 March 2012 - The Year of Developing a Youthful SGI

  Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda

Sunday, March 25, 2012 

 

We are no longer in an age when one person can shoulder everything. Of course, for the day-to-day running of the organization someone will still be officially designated as President, but ultimately our future development hinges on every member having the commitment required of a Soka Gakkai President. With this spirit, this sense of responsibility, this leadership in your activities, may you always work for kosen-rufu and for the victory of the people. May you also build a Soka Gakkai where everyone can advance joyfully, a Soka Gakkai of undying progress.  

 

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From The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin

Sunday, March 25, 2012

 

A wife who leads her husband to take faith will enjoy the same benefit as Lady Pure Virtue. All the more fortunate is a case like yours, in which both wife and husband have faith! It is like a bird possessing two wings, or a cart having two wheels. What is there that you two cannot achieve? Because there is a heaven and an earth, a sun and a moon, the sun shines and the rain falls, and the plants and trees of benefit will surely blossom and bear fruit.

 

The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, page 915

An Outline of the "Entrustment" and Other Chapters 

Written to Nichinyo on June 25, 1278  

 

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Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda

Sunday, March 25, 2012

 

The significance of Buddhism lies both in the discovery of the Buddha nature in all beings and in the establishment of a practical method for bringing it out, so that human beings can derive maximum meaning from their lives. This reformation of the inner human world - what we in the Soka Gakkai call human revolution - is especially relevant to modern civilization, which has long been trapped in a sort of spiritual quicksand. We can escape the quicksand by calling forth the supreme human potential available to each of us.  

 

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Daisaku Ikeda - A Youthful Diary (1954) p.192

 

Deep agony day after day.  Could finally see the sun break through the clouds.  The daily papers are filled with articles about the atomic and hydrogen bombs.  My head hurts from reading them.  This is an age in which science's pure essence has been defiled by the worlds of Anger and Hell.  In this period of threatened crop damage due to unseasonably cold weather, we can strongly sense the validity of the "On Establishing the Correct Teaching for the Peace of the Land" prophecies.

 

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Sensei's Daily Encouragement - 24 March 2012 - The Year of Developing a Youthful SGI

Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda

Saturday, March 24, 2012 

 

When we practice gongyo and chant daimoku before the Gohonzon, the good and evil capacities of our lives begin to function as the exalted form of fundamental existence. Lives that are full of the pain of Hell, lives that are in the state of Hunger, lives warped by the state of Anger - such lives too begin to move in the direction of creating their own personal happiness and value. Lives being pulled toward misfortune and unhappiness are redirected and pulled in the opposite direction, toward good, when they make the Mystic Law their base.

 

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From The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin

Saturday, March 24, 2012

 

I feel great pity for you and the others, but there is little I can do to help. Nevertheless, I pray day and night to the Lotus Sutra. Spare no effort in offering up prayers with firm faith. It is not that my resolve [to save you] is weak. Rather, it depends on the strength of each person's faith.

 

The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, page 678

The Story of Ohashi no Taro 

Written to Nonjo Tokimitsu on March 24, 1276  

 

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Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda

Saturday, March 24, 2012

 

The struggle we go through to have our prayers answered makes us stronger. If we were to immediately get everything we prayed for, we would become spoiled and decadent. We would lead indolent lives, devoid of any hard work or struggle. As a result, we would become shallow human beings. What, then, would be the point of faith? 

 

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Daisaku Ikeda - A Youthful Diary (1954) p.192

 

Monday – a day on which I tend to lose my rhythm and feel off-balance.  Since it's the first step of the week, must make a healthy start on this day.  In the afternoon, a special staff conference to determine summer propagation activities.  The meeting was somewhat restrained; dull.  How self-serving I am.  Strictly reflected that this is my greatest weak point.  Then again, I am obstinate.

Highly value my great teacher, excellent seniors, fine friends and good neighbours!  Must care for and respect them.

 

 

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Sensei's Daily Encouragement - 23 March 2012 - The Year of Developing a Youthful SGI

Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda

Friday, March 23, 2012  

 

Let us all set our sights on leading great lives dedicated always to truth and move toward that goal in good health, brimming with hope. Let us live our lives boldly, without regret, advancing with patience, enthusiasm and a genuine spirit of friendship and camaraderie.  

 

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From The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin

Friday, March 23, 2012

 

If only you chant Nam-myoho-renge-kyo, then what offense could fail to be eradicated? What blessing could fail to come? This is the truth, and it is of great profundity. You should believe and accept it.

 

The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, page 130

Conversation between a Sage and an Unenlightened Man 

Recipient unknown; written in 1265

  

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Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda

Friday, March 23, 2012

 

I am the father of living beings and I should rescue them from their sufferings and give them the joy of the measureless and boundless Buddha wisdom so that they may find their enjoyment in that  - The Lotus Sutra  

 

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Daisaku Ikeda - A Youthful Diary (1954) p.191

 

Visited Sensei's home in the evening.  Received guidance on various matters.  Was also severely reprimanded.  This could not be helped; it was totally my fault.  Disciples will forge on and grow, no matter how many times they are scolded.  Must never become arrogant.  For me to think that I, who lacks ability and a solid foundation, am something great – this is arrogance.

Lifelong advancement; lifelong study; lifelong effort; lifelong construction.

 

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