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

Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda Friday, July 27, 2012   Buddhism is found in the reality of society and daily life. Because Buddhism is in no way separate from this reality, we must strive through our actions and behaviour to be exemplary models for others.     From the Writings of Nichiren Daishonin Friday, July 27, 2012   Since childhood, I, Nichiren, have never prayed for the secular things of this life but have single-mindedly sought to become a Buddha. Of late, however, I have been ceaselessly praying for your sake to the Lotus Sutra, Shakyamuni Buddha and the god of the sun, for I am convinced that you are a person who can inherit the soul of the Lotus Sutra.   The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, page 839 The Hero of the World Written to Shijo Kingo in 1277     Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda Friday, July 27, 2012   The brilliance of true humanity lies in surmounting feelings of envy with the resolute attitude "I'll create an even more wonderful life for myself." If you are jealous of others, you will not advance; you will only become miserable. Please do not be defeated or consumed by such emotions.     Daisaku Ikeda - A Youthful Diary (1957) p.329   Stomach cramps kept me in bed in the morning.  My wife was extremely worried; she said I should see the doctor.  Went to work in the afternoon.  The devil of illness… Sorry to worry Sensei. … Home just after 8:00.  While lying down, carefully polished the Osaka House of Councillors election campaign strategy.  Statistically speaking, we cannot win.  Our only choice is to fight with the spirit to "lodge an arrow deep into a rock."*  Pray, fight, open the way; forge a path.   * "Lodge an arrow…": A reference to the story of General Stone Tiger, whose simple arrow penetrated a boulder he had mistaken for the tiger that had mauled his mother to death.