Sensei's Daily Encouragement - 30 September 2014 - Year of Opening a New Era of Worldwide Kosen-rufu

Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda

Tuesday, September 30, 2014

 

Those who strengthen their faith day by day and month after month are genuine practitioners. Our daily practice of gongyo, therefore, is important, as well as is attending meetings every month. We must not let our faith grow weak. We must make it stronger today than yesterday, stronger this month than last. Buddhist practice is a succession of such untiring efforts, the ultimate goal of which is attaining the summit of Buddhahood.

 

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From the Writings of Nichiren Daishonin

Tuesday, September 30, 2014

 

The meaning of this passage is that those who obtained benefit during the Former and Middle Days of the Law received "conspicuous" benefit, because the relationship they formed with the Lotus Sutra during the lifetime of the Buddha had finally matured. On the other hand, those born today in the Latter Day of the Law receive the seeds of Buddhahood for the first time, and their benefit is therefore "inconspicuous."

 

The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, page 474

The Teaching, Practice and Proof

Written to Sammi-bo on March 21, 1275

 

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Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda

Tuesday, September 30, 2014

 

Knowledge gives rise to wisdom. If you like, knowledge is the pump; wisdom is the water that we get from the pump. If we can't obtain water, the pump is useless. At the same time, without knowledge, without the pump, we won't be able to obtain water.

 

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Excerpt from Daisaku Ikeda - A Youthful Diary (19 March 1957) p.328

 

Heavy fatigue from last night's train trip. Suffering from physical exhaustion all day. I don't like uneventful days. It is a difficult problem to change one's destiny.

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My quiet, rich and happy home. Powerful thoughts emerge as I chant daimoku.

 

1. Lead a life for which I need make no excuse

2. Lead a sound and steady life.

3. Lead a healthy life.

 

Another day of my youth has passed.

 

Sensei's Daily Encouragement - 29 September 2014 - Year of Opening a New Era of Worldwide Kosen-rufu

Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda

Monday, September 29, 2014

 

Faith, which at first glance may appear weak, is actually the most powerful force in the world. Many people put on a show of being strong, but true strength has nothing to do with appearances. On the contrary, we usually find that the weaker the individual, the greater their bravado or outward display of strength.

 

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From the Writings of Nichiren Daishonin

Monday, September 29, 2014

 

The number of those endowed with human life is as small as the amount of earth one can place on a fingernail. Life as a human being is hard to sustain ‚ as hard as it is for the dew to remain on the grass. But it is better to live a single day with honour than to live to 120 and die in disgrace. Live so that all the people of  Kamakura  will say in your praise that Nakatsukasa Saburo Saemon-no-jo is diligent in the service of his lord, in the service of Buddhism, and in his concern for other people.

 

The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, page 851

The Three Kinds of Treasure

Written to Shijo Kingo on September 11, 1277

 

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Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda

Monday, September 29, 2014

 

A sword is 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 - Nichiren

 

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Excerpt from Daisaku Ikeda - A Youthful Diary (1957) p.328

 

The social standard for what constitutes good and bad people contains unresolved contradictions. Must become one who can deeply and keenly perceive good and evil based upon the standard of the Mystic Law. In leading people, it is important not to make mistakes. Must fairly and objectively perceive and understand the strong points and shortcomings of people's characters, their hearts and minds and their actions. Want to protect the disadvantaged. Want to enable good people to arise. Want to support people of justice and integrity… Toward the final victory.

Sensei's Daily Encouragement - 28 September 2014 - Year of Opening a New Era of Worldwide Kosen-rufu

Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda

Sunday, September 28, 2014

 

Faith means making a hundred percent effort ourselves - in our daimoku and in our actions. When we practice in this way, the Buddhist gods will lend us their protection. We mustn't have a complacent, dependent attitude in faith, chanting haphazardly without definite goals and making only halfhearted efforts in the belief that we'll automatically be protected. Depth of determination and unshakable character are vital. Those possessing these qualities are second to none in faith.

 

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From the Writings of Nichiren Daishonin

Sunday, September 28, 2014

 

Never seek this Gohonzon outside yourself. The Gohonzon exists only within the mortal flesh of us ordinary people who embrace the Lotus Sutra and chant Nam-myoho-renge-kyo.

 

The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, page 832

The Real Aspect of the Gohonzon

Written to Nichinyo on August 23, 1277

 

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Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda

Sunday, September 28, 2014

 

Your home is where your loved ones live. Your home is the place where you work together with your fellow human beings to build a paradise, a realm of peace and prosperity for all. When we are asked where our home is, we can answer: "My home is the world. Everywhere in the world where my fellow human beings live, all of it, is my home."

 

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Excerpt from Daisaku Ikeda - A Youthful Diary (1957) p.328

 

Read Japan's Prime Ministers and How to Lead People. Uninteresting. Abe Isenokami Masahiro was councilor to the shogun at twenty-five. In  England , William ("the Younger") Pitt became prime minister at twenty-four. This accorded with the solution of national crises. The power of youth. Lately, have come to a vivid awareness that faith and human revolution are one, and human revolution and social revolution are one.

 

Sensei's Daily Encouragement - 27 September 2014 - Year of Opening a New Era of Worldwide Kosen-rufu

Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda

Saturday, September 27, 2014

 

Pioneering takes steady dedicated effort; it is advancing surely one step at a time. True Buddhist practice lies in such activities as visiting members, giving personal encouragement, talking to our friends about Buddhism and introducing others to faith. How many members do you take the time to visit and encourage in a month? In a year? True pioneering lies in making precisely such efforts. Our challenge is to deepen the understanding of friends and fellow members toward the philosophy and activities of the SGI through our encounters with them.

 

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From the Writings of Nichiren Daishonin

Saturday, September 27, 2014

 

What the Lotus Sutra, T'ien-t'ai, and Miao-lo intend to say is that the act of accepting and upholding or protecting and embracing one verse of the Lotus Sutra surpasses the act of making offerings to all living beings, or making offerings to arhats, or even of filling the entire major world system with the seven kinds of treasures as an offering to all Buddhas.

 

The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, page 973

The Unmatched Blessings of the Law

Written to the lay priest Nishiyama on May 11, 1279

 

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Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda

Saturday, September 27, 2014

 

The wise course is to control and make correct use of knowledge. Buddhism is a means for developing wisdom, and it teaches how to overcome the four inherent sufferings or sorrows - birth, aging, illness and death - in order to lead a happy, meaningful life. In addition it teaches how to control desire rather than be controlled by it.

 

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Excerpt from Daisaku Ikeda - A Youthful Diary (1957) p.327

 

Lately, I have been reflecting upon my lack of proficiency in Buddhist study. Need unremitting effort. This is the most essential requirement for leaders from now on. Want this year to be a year of reading.

My quiet home, my warm home; a home overflowing with good fortune. My pure, clean home; home of youthful poetry. While it is small, this home is my great pride.

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Tidied up my bookshelf for a while. My books are like my children.

 

Sensei's Daily Encouragement - 26 September 2014 - Year of Opening a New Era of Worldwide Kosen-rufu

Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda

Friday, September 26, 2014

 

Our voice costs nothing and it is our strongest weapon. Nichiren Daishonin wrote, "Do not spare your voice" (Gosho Zenshu, p. 726).There are different voices for different situations: the clear, resounding voice that declares truth and justice; the strong voice that refutes evil; the bright, confident voice that tells others about the greatness of this Buddhism; the warm voice that gives encouragement; the sincere, friendly voice that offers praise and words of appreciation to others. The important thing is that we meet and speak with people widely, inside and outside the organization.

 

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From the Writings of Nichiren Daishonin

Friday, September 26, 2014

 

Although at heart you are of the same mind as Nichiren, since your person is in service to your lord, it would have been extremely difficult for you to have avoided the offense of complicity in slander. How admirable it is that, despite this, you communicated this teaching to your lord and urged him to take faith in it. Even though he may fail to accept it now, you have managed to avoid the offense of complicity.

 

The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, page 461

On Recommending This Teaching to Your Lord and Avoiding the Offense of Complicity in Slander

Written to Shijo Kingo on September 26, 1274

 

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Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda

Friday, September 26, 2014

 

Live in a way that is full of life‚ for yourself, for your loved ones, for your friends. People who do so will find the courage to transform sufferings into hopes. Not only that, but they will be able to light the lamp of hope in the hearts of many others, as well.

 

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Excerpt from Daisaku Ikeda - A Youthful Diary (1957) p.326

 

Want to do the kind of gongyo, morning and evening, in which I can practice the profound meditation of the Lotus Sutra. Reflecting deeply upon my life, which lacks the power of concentration. There are times I feel impelled to cross the oceans, soaring into the air to boldly advance global kosen-rufu – traveling to the mysterious developing nations of Southeast Asia; to the advanced civilization of America; to the tumultuous, newly developing communist countries; to the Christian democracies of Europe; to Africa and South America – the continents of the twenty-first century; and to Australia, the land of the future. Dreams! Never die!

  

Sensei's Daily Encouragement - 25 September 2014 - Year of Opening a New Era of Worldwide Kosen-rufu

Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda

Thursday, September 25, 2014

 

Everything ultimately depends on whether there is someone who is willing to wage a desperate all-out struggle, someone who will take 100 percent responsibility without relying on or leaving things to others, someone who will work with selfless dedication for the sake of the people without any concern for what others think. Such a person is a true leader and a genuine Buddhist.

 

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From the Writings of Nichiren Daishonin

Thursday, September 25, 2014

 

Ever since I began to study the Law handed down from Shakyamuni Buddha and undertook the practice of the Buddhist teachings, I have believed it is most important to understand one's obligations to others, and made it my first duty to repay such debts of kindness. In this world, we owe four debts of gratitude. One who understands this is worthy to be called human, while one who does not is no more than an animal.

 

The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, page 122

Conversation between a Sage and an Unenlightened Man

Recipient unknown; written in 1265

 

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Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda

Thursday, September 25, 2014

 

In the true reality of life as viewed from the enlightened state of the Buddha - who has broken free of all delusion - all things are equal, transcending distinctions and differences between subject and object, self and others, mind and body, the spiritual and the material. In its true aspect, life is infinitely expansive and eternal, without beginning or end. Life is dynamic; it is wisdom and compassion; it embodies the principle of the indivisibility of life and death; it is a universal law. The cosmos is not so big that life cannot embrace it, nor a particle of matter so small that life cannot be contained within it.

 

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Excerpt from Daisaku Ikeda - A Youthful Diary (1957) p.325

 

Cold all day. My life lacks common sense – I constantly overtax myself. This is my unstoppable course of destiny. Severe, uncowed by raging waves of diversity – the challenging path of mentor and disciple. I absolutely cannot die…

Tomorrow, I go alone to  Hokkaido . The winds are cold. My finances are also bleak. Each day I spend building good fortune and wisdom is glorious.

 

Sensei's Daily Encouragement - 24 September 2014 - Year of Opening a New Era of Worldwide Kosen-rufu

Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda

Wednesday, September 24, 2014

 

"What kinds of causes am I making right now?" "What actions am I taking?" The answers to these questions are what will determine our future in this life and throughout the three existences. Herein lies the foundation of faith. True glory and victory in life lie in basing oneself on this fundamental principle.

 

Events

1993 The Boston Research Center for the 21st Century founded by SGI President Ikeda.

 

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From the Writings of Nichiren Daishonin

Wednesday, September 24, 2014

 

Though muddy water has no mind, it can catch the moon's reflection and so naturally become clear. When plants and trees receive the rainfall, they can hardly be aware of what they are doing, and yet do they not proceed to put forth blossoms? The five characters of Myoho-renge-kyo do not represent the sutra text, nor are they its meaning. They are nothing other than the intent of the entire sutra. So, even though the beginners in Buddhist practice may not understand their significance, by practicing these five characters, they will naturally conform to the sutra's intent.

 

The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, page 788

On the Four Stages of Faith and the Five Stages of Practice

Written to Toki Jonin on April 10, 1277

 

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Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda

Wednesday, September 24, 2014

 

We are all human beings, whatever our positions. If we open our hearts and speak with sincerity, we can communicate and touch others on the deepest level. World peace starts with trust between one individual and another.

 

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Excerpt from Daisaku Ikeda - A Youthful Diary (1957) p.324

 

Another fine day. Happy. Rested through the morning – read. Various thoughts about the future arise like gathering clouds. At 2:00, lectured on the latter portion of "The Teaching Affirmed by All Buddhas Throughout Time" at I.'s. Though incapable, I gave it my all. In the evening, attended Shigi Chapter's first meeting of the year. Gave guidance sincerely. There are times I hope for people's happiness and other time that feeling does not arise. Strange, the common mortal's mind.

 

Sensei's Daily Encouragement - 23 September 2014 - Year of Opening a New Era of Worldwide Kosen-rufu

Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda

Tuesday, September 23, 2014

 

Winning in life is not a matter of form or appearances. It has nothing to do with vanity. Victory in life ultimately hinges on whether one has truly fought, whether one has truly advanced.

 

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From the Writings of Nichiren Daishonin

Tuesday, September 23, 2014

 

Miao-lo said, "Wise men can perceive the cause of things, as snakes know the way of snakes." The present epidemics are like the virulent boils of King Ajatashatru that could not be cured by anyone but the Buddha. They can only be eliminated by the Lotus Sutra.

 

The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, page 920

The Two Kinds of Illness

Written to Shijo Kingo on June 26, 1278

 

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Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda

Tuesday, September 23, 2014

 

Now, if you wish to attain Buddhahood, you have only to lower the banner of your arrogance, cast aside the staff of your anger, and devote yourself exclusively to the one vehicle of the Lotus Sutra. Worldly fame and profit are mere baubles of your present existence, and arrogance and prejudice are ties that will fetter you in a next one - Nichiren

 

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Excerpt from Daisaku Ikeda - A Youthful Diary (28 December 1956) p.317

 

Heard a report from the secretary's office that Sensei is in poor health. Concerned. Was told he will be staying home for two or three days to recuperate. This is what I want him to do. The fatigue of this tumultuous year has finally shown itself. Sensei is ill and I am, too. It's frustrating. Why are others, both within and outside the Gakkai, so healthy? Had been concerned about my year-end finances, but mysteriously, it seems we somehow had enough to see us through until the New Year. It is an inconspicuous benefit.