Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda
Thursday, November 29, 2012
Compassion is the very soul of Buddhism. To pray for others, making their problems and anguish our own; to embrace those who are suffering, becoming their greatest ally; to continue giving them our support and encouragement until they become truly happy - it is in such humanistic actions that the Daishonin's Buddhism lives and breathes.
From the Writings of Nichiren Daishonin
Thursday, November 29, 2012
Whether or not your prayer is answered will depend upon your faith; [if it is not,] I will in no way be to blame. When the water is clear, the moon is reflected. When the wind blows, the trees shake. Our minds are like the water. Faith that is weak is like muddy water, while faith that is brave is like clear water. Understand that the trees are like principles, and the wind that shakes them is like the recitation of the sutra.
The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, page 1079
Reply to the Lay Nun Nichigon
Written to the lay nun Nichigon on November 29, 1280
Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda
Thursday, November 29, 2012
Do not become subservient. Do not dwell on every tiny setback in the course of pursuing your chosen path. To do so would be foolish. Victory or defeat is determined by our entire lives. Moreover, our final years are the most crucial. What is enviable about the pretentious rich? What is great about conceited celebrities? What is admirable about political leaders who gained their positions of power by treating others with contempt? Dig right where you stand, for there lies a rich wellspring!
Daisaku Ikeda - A Youthful Diary (1958) p.417
There are many media reports critical of the Gakkai. Most are based on prejudice and ignorance, but we must also self-reflect.
We must naturally respect society, while challenging its irrationality. This is the essence of Buddhism and of religious reformation.
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