Sensei's Daily Encouragement - 20 August 2012 - The Year of Developing a Youthful SGI

Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda Monday, August 20, 2012   To be fearless no matter what happens - that is the root of true happiness. To move forward resolutely regardless of what lies in store - that is the spirit, the resolve, that leads to human victory. But if we allow ourselves to be disturbed by petty criticism and slander, if we fear pressure and persecution, we will never advance nor create anything of lasting value.     From the Writings of Nichiren Daishonin Monday, August 20, 2012   And do not go around lamenting to others how hard it is for you to live in this world. To do so is an act utterly unbecoming to a worthy man.   The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, page 850 The Three Kinds of Treasure Written to Shijo Kingo on September 11, 1277     Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda Monday, August 20, 2012   Nature is like a mirror. It remains still, but I move. It seems unchanging, yet I am constantly changing. The mirror of nature reflects my inner world, the essence of humanity, and the great, all-embracing expanse of life itself. Only when we are connected to nature, engaged with nature, are we truly alive and vigorous. To really be alive, one must be under the sun, the moon, the shining stars and surrounded by the beautiful greenery and pure waters of the natural world.     Daisaku Ikeda - A Youthful Diary p.345   In the evening, Sensei explained that the "Expedient Means" chapter of the Lotus Sutra is like a child's castle built upon sand (when compared to the true teaching hidden in the "Life Span" chapter) and clarified the benefit of the character ge of renge in terms of attaining Buddhahood.  He deeply elucidated the difference between Shakyamuni's Buddhism, its history and ideas, and the Daishonin's supreme philosophy of Nam-myo-renge-kyo.