Sensei's Daily Encouragement - 16 August 2012 - The Year of Developing a Youthful SGI

Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda Thursday, August 16, 2012   Certainly there will be times when you wish you had more spending money, more time to sleep and more time for fun and recreation. You may feel restricted now, but you should consider your current situation as the perfect set of circumstances for your growth. Within the restrictions that define your present existence, the only thing to do is to discipline yourself and head in the direction of growth and self-improvement. In the process of exerting yourself in such endeavours, you will without a doubt build and strengthen your character.     From the Writings of Nichiren Daishonin Thursday, August 16, 2012   A person's death is not determined by illness. In our own time, the people of Iki and Tsushima, though not suffering from illness, were slaughtered in an instant by the Mongols. It is not certain that, because one is ill, one will die. And could not this illness of your husband's be the Buddha's design, because the Vimalakirti and Nirvana sutras both teach that sick people will surely attain Buddhahood? Illness gives rise to the resolve to attain the way.   The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, page 937 The Good Medicine for All Ills Written to the lay nun Myoshin on August 16, probably in 1278     Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda Thursday, August 16, 2012   As long as we are human, we are bound to make mistakes. We all fall prey to flawed beliefs and views. What distinguishes a forward-looking person from an intransigent one, a virtuous person from a dishonest one, however, is whether one can candidly admit to one's mistakes and take bold steps to redress them.     Daisaku Ikeda - A Youthful Diary p.343   Got my wife to help edit my manuscript.  Worked until late.  Moonlight glistens through the window.  Ah!  Youth's emotions and passion shine all the more brilliantly!  And my wife's face is so beautiful.  Both, so young.  Will never forget our youth together.