Sensei's Daily Encouragement - 31 May 2013 - Year of Victory for a Youthful SGI

Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda

Friday, May 31, 2013

 

Buddhism is about bringing happiness, joy and fulfillment to all. It enables us not only to become happy ourselves but to make causes for the enlightenment of our ancestors seven-plus generations back and for the happiness and prosperity of our children, grandchildren and descendants throughout future generations. This is the great benefit of Buddhism.

 

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From the Writings of Nichiren Daishonin

Friday, May 31, 2013

 

Those who believe in the Lotus Sutra are as if in winter, but winter always turns to spring. Never, from ancient times on, has anyone heard or seen of winter turning back to autumn. Nor have we ever heard of a believer in the Lotus Sutra who turned into an ordinary person. The sutra reads, "If there are those who hear the Law, then not a one will fail to attain Buddhahood."

 

The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, page 536

Winter Always Turns to Spring

Written to the lay nun Myoichi in May 1275

 

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Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda

Friday, May 31, 2013

 

The poetic spirit encourages people in all ranks and places to return to their naked humanity. Neither sentimental nor fantastic, it embraces and affirms the whole world and all its inhabitants; it imparts the will to remain optimistic and unbending in the face of all hardships. As a believer in innate human goodness, I am certain that the concentrated power of good can overcome the greatest forces of evil. The poetic spirit helps us control the greed-dominated self. It helps us handle the actual while keeping our eyes turned toward the ideal.

 

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Excerpt from Daisaku Ikeda - A Youthful Diary (29 October 1949 p13/14)

 

Had a meeting at 3:00 to discuss new projects.

Listened with bursting excitement to Mr. Toda's views on economics... He also related some of his business experiences.  I don't know how the others felt, but to me, the stories of his lifelong efforts, his passions and his agonizing struggles were all precious. 

At 6:00, we received part of our salary.  Our wages are being paid in instalments.

Went to the barber's.  Our wages are low.  Hard times for me, for everyone.

 

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Sensei's Daily Encouragement - 30 May 2013 - Year of Victory for a Youthful SGI

Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda

Thursday, May 30, 2013

 

Those who make many friends have greater opportunities for growth and self-development; as such they make society a better place and lead happy, satisfying lives. In every situation, human relations, communication and personal interaction are vital. We need to initiate and nurture friendships and contacts with many people, both within the organization and in society at large. Our lives will open and be enriched to the extent that we do so.

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From the Writings of Nichiren Daishonin

Thursday, May 30, 2013

 

But your faith alone will determine all these things. A sword will be useless in the hands of a coward. The mighty sword of the Lotus Sutra must be wielded by one courageous in faith. Then one will be as strong as a demon armed with an iron staff.

 

The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, page 412

Reply to Kyo'o

Written to Kyo'o and her parents, Shijo Kingo and Nichigen-nyo, on August 15, 1273

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Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda

Thursday, May 30, 2013

 

All children are gems, full of precious potential. There is hope in every child since life itself is full of hope. Should the hopes of children be stifled or broken, that would be our responsibility as adults. It pains my heart to see what goes on in today's society. I do not want to see the eyes of children darkened with fear and clouded with tears of sorrow. Society must be absolutely transformed. Children are mirrors that reflect adult society. When adults are ailing and their vision clouded, children will also suffer. Let us wipe away the tears of sorrow from the face of each child! We must protect children and give them courage, strength and vitality. It is parents who nurture children, the hope of humanity. How noble parents are! What a great mission and responsibility they fulfill.

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Excerpt from Daisaku Ikeda - A Youthful Diary (27 October 1949 p.13)

 

A storm is reportedly on the way...

I'd promised to meet Y. at 5:00 at Omori.  He showed up at 5:30.

Went with him to a discussion meeting at H.'s place at Kominato in Yokohama.  The street-car was delayed because of the rain, and it was past 7:00 when we arrived.  About fifty people were there, a fruitful meeting. 

Over at 10:00...

Got home through the storm, chanting daimoku to myself.

 

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Sensei's Daily Encouragement - 29 May 2013 - Year of Victory for a Youthful SGI

Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda

Wednesday, May 29, 2013

 

We who embrace the Mystic Law will not suffer on account of old age or death. As long as we keep the flame of faith alive, the fire of life force will forever burn brightly within us; we can live with great confidence transcending birth and death. Faith is the engine that enables us to live with hope throughout our lives.

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From the Writings of Nichiren Daishonin

Wednesday, May 29, 2013

 

When one carries out the single practice of exercising faith in Myoho-renge-kyo, there are no blessings that fail to come to one, and no good karma that does not begin to work on one's behalf. It is like the case of a fishing net: though the net is composed of innumerable small meshes, when one pulls on the main cord of the net, there are no meshes that do not move. Or it is like a garment: though the garment is composed of countless tiny threads, when one pulls on a corner of the garment, there are no threads that are not drawn along.

 

The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, page 133

Conversation between a Sage and an Unenlightened Man

Recipient unknown; written in 1265

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Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda

Wednesday, May 29, 2013

 

Shakyamuni proclaims, "People who are vigilant do not die; people who are negligent are as if dead." This is definitely true. Unremitting diligence in our Buddhist practice - brave and vigorous exertion - infuses our lives with the great life force of the eternal Buddha. In contrast, people who try to get by in life through cunning and deception enact a living death.

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Excerpt from Daisaku Ikeda - A Youthful Diary (26 October 1949 p.12)

 

Physically exhausted. Night school begins to seem impossible.

Things seem very hard for Mr Toda, too.

What is your purpose? Religious revolution.

What is religious revolution? The straight road to human happiness.

What are the means to win religious revolution?

Carrying out the supreme philosophy myself.

Grasping and mastering the basis myself.

 

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Sensei's Daily Encouragement - 28 May 2013 - Year of Victory for a Youthful SGI

Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda

Tuesday, May 28, 2013

 

What is true joy in life? This is a difficult question and one which has occupied a great many thinkers and philosophers. Joy can quickly give way to suffering. Joy is short and suffering long. Also what passes for joy in society is superficial. It cannot compare with the joy deriving from the Mystic Law. The key then lies in cultivating a state of mind where we can declare without reservation that life itself is a joy. This is the purpose of our Buddhist practice. 

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From the Writings of Nichiren Daishonin

Tuesday, May 28, 2013

 

"Single-mindedly desiring to see the Buddha" may be read as follows: single-mindedly observing the Buddha, concentrating one's mind on seeing the Buddha, and when looking at one's own mind, perceiving that it is the Buddha.

 

The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, page 389

Letter to Gijo-bo

Written to Gijo-bo on May 28, 1273 

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Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda

Tuesday, May 28, 2013

 

The belief taught in the Lotus Sutra provides no easy answers, no escape route from the difficulties of human life. In fact, it rejects such easy answers; instead it implores us to take up the two tools for exploring life, belief and understanding, and use them to continually challenge and work to perfect ourselves. And it also provides us the energy to do just that. 

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Excerpt from Daisaku Ikeda - A Youthful Diary  (25 October 1949) p.12

 

Went in the autumn rain to visit the artist A.   An unhappy man.

I told him about the Daishonin's philosophy, wanting him to find happiness as soon as possible.  Went to the Ginza library this evening for I.'s pen-and-ink drawing of Magellan discovering the Pacific.  Went to a movie in Shinbashi on the way back.  Feel keen remorse about missing the discussion meeting.

Well, there's tomorrow.  Tomorrow brings hope.

 

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