Sensei's Daily Encouragement - 19 August 2012 - The Year of Developing a Youthful SGI

Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda Sunday, August 19, 2012   Buddhism is wisdom. As long as we have wisdom, we can put all things to the best use, we can turn everything in the direction of happiness.     From the Writings of Nichiren Daishonin  Sunday, August 19, 2012   During [Sudatta's] last period of poverty, when all the people had fled or perished and only he and his wife remained, they had five measures of rice that would nourish them for five days. At that time, five people , Mahakashyapa, Shariputra, Ananda, Rahula and Shakyamuni Buddha  came one after another to beg for the five measures of rice, which Sudatta gave them. From that day on, Sudatta was the wealthiest man in all India, and he built the Jetavana Monastery. From this, you should understand all things.   The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, page 1086 The Wealthy Man Sudatta Written to Nanjo Tokimitsu on December 27, 1280     Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda  Sunday, August 19, 2012   Ultimately, we are responsible for our own destiny. It may seem to us that our fate is predetermined, whether by our genes or by our environment. What really matters, however, is how we can improve ourselves from this moment forward, how we can change the circumstances that we find ourselves in. This enormous transformative force is what Buddhism is all about. In this struggle lies the source of never-ending youth and vitality.     Daisaku Ikeda - A Youthful Diary p. 344   A day I will remember as long as I live.  The first court session began at 2:00.  It ended with the verification of the defendants' identity.   Dashed to Kobe in the evening to give guidance.  Two thousand and several hundred members gathered.  The battle has finally begun. Know that now is the opportune time to advance in faith! My friends!  Advance resolutely, toward the next victory! I, too, will fight!