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

Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda Thursday, August 23, 2012   Shijo Kingo, a person of strong faith, was at one point envied and slandered by others, earning the disfavour of his lord. But later he received a new estate from him. In modern terms, we might say that Shijo Kingo scored this victory by showing wonderful actual proof of faith at his place of work. The test of faith is winning in daily life and society, since that is where Buddhism finds expression.     From the Writings of Nichiren Daishonin Thursday, August 23, 2012   How wondrous it is that, around two hundred years and more into the Latter Day of the Law, I was the first to reveal as the banner of propagation of the Lotus Sutra this great mandala that even those such as Nagarjuna and Vasubandhu, T'ien-t'ai and Miao-lo were unable to express! This mandala is in no way my invention. It is the object of devotion that depicts Shakyamuni Buddha, the World-Honored One, seated in the treasure tower of Many Treasures Buddha, and the Buddhas who were Shakyamuni's emanations as perfectly as a print matches its woodblock.   The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, page 831 The Real Aspect of the Gohonzon Written to Nichinyo on August 23, 1277     Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda Thursday, August 23, 2012   Ralph Waldo Emerson says, "Good-nature is plentiful, but we want justice with a heart of steel, to fight down the proud." If people are merely good-natured, then those who are arrogant and highhanded will have free rein to carry on as they please. Only those who fight with hearts of steel are people of justice.     Daisaku Ikeda - A Youthful Diary p.348/349   Bothered by a stomachache all morning.  Wanted to go home. An afternoon executive conference at N… Did not enjoy the meeting, due to my poor physical state. Borrowed N.'s bicycle in the evening to go to Katsushika block.  Lectured on "Letter from Sado" in one location and offered guidance to the block chiefs in another.  Want it to become an excellent, happy block organization. This month, my living expenses are in the red.  Never any time to rest.