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

Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda

Sunday, November 30, 2014

 

President Toda often said: "Those of you who have problems or sufferings, pray earnestly! Buddhism is a deadly serious win-or-lose struggle. If you should [pray with such an earnest attitude] and still have no solution forthcoming, then I will give you my life!" This invincible conviction on which Mr. Toda was willing to stake his life inspired the members.

 

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From the Writings of Nichiren Daishonin

Sunday, November 30, 2014

 

Though water may be muddied, it will again become clear. Though the moon may hide behind the clouds, it will surely reappear. Similarly, in time my innocence became apparent, and my predictions proved not to have been in vain.

 

The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, page 1007

Letter to the Lay Priest Nakaoki

Written to the lay priest Nakaoki and his wife on November 30, 1279

 

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Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda

Sunday, November 30, 2014

 

That we take pains to protect weapons while we expose children - the future of the race - to peril is impermissible. To ignore this absurdity will spell defeat for humanity. We must not live to destroy. We have the spiritual power to create peace and happiness.

 

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Excerpt from Daisaku Ikeda - A Youthful Diary (25 December 1957) p.367/368

 

The headquarters leaders meeting at Toshima Civic Auditorium. Sensei did not attend. We have finally achieved a membership of 750,000 households. Our goal has been brilliantly achieved. President Toda's conviction has clearly become a reality. Lots of thoughts, stemming from a realization in the depths of my life about the strict, exacting nature of the Buddhist Law.

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

Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda

Saturday, November 29, 2014

 

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.

 

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From the Writings of Nichiren Daishonin

Saturday, November 29, 2014

 

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

 

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Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda

Saturday, November 29, 2014

 

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!

 

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Excerpt from Daisaku Ikeda - A Youthful Diary (22 December 1957) p.367

 

Rested for a while in the late afternoon. My strength returned. Getting rest is also important. Physical strength and energy are the source of power for waging a campaign.

 

Though winning and losing are normal events in the course of a person's life, I pray to the Buddha for my final victory.

 

I will engrave in my life this waka poem I received from Sensei; I shall not forget it.

 

In the evening, my wife and I discussed our plans for the coming year. Hope rises. The future opens.

 

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

Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda

Friday, November 28, 2014

 

Nichiren Daishonin discusses the meaning of the Chinese characters for the word benefit (Jpn kudoku), as follows: "The ku of kudoku means to extinguish evil and doku means to bring forth good" (Gosho Zenshu, p. 762). We fight against those who try to destroy the True Law. That struggle purifies us and brings forth benefits in our lives. Justice or happiness without a battle is just an illusion. Thinking that happiness means a life free of hard work and effort is fantasy.

Events

 

SGI Day of Spiritual  Independence

1991 Nichiren Shoshu excommunicates 12 million SGI members worldwide.

 

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From the Writings of Nichiren Daishonin

Friday, November 28, 2014

 

Buddhism spreads according to the time and the people's capacity. Although I may not be worthy of this teaching, I expound it because the time is right.

 

The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, page 861

This is What I Heard

Written to the lay priest Soya Jiro on November 28, 1277

 

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Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda

Friday, November 28, 2014

 

Many young women agonize over perceived personality flaws and a lack of self-confidence. Nichiren Buddhism, however, teaches the great path of human revolution that enables each of us to shine in our own unique way. With this philosophy, you can decisively overcome a weak and easily swayed life-state and become a person of strength and purpose. It will allow you to withstand the storms of suffering and build a rock-solid foundation that will support you throughout your entire precious lives.

 

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Excerpt from Daisaku Ikeda - A Youthful Diary (19 December 1957) p. 365

 

A fever again today. Physically and mentally weary. Coughing. Must take care.

 

Read the Gosho:

Iron, when heated in the flames and pounded, becomes a fine sword. Worthies and sages are tested by abuse. "Letter from Sado"

 

Read the following in a book. "A person who lives to seventy has spent nineteen years working, twenty-three years sleeping, four years sick, nine years enjoying some form of amusement, two years getting dressed or changing clothes and three years eating." 

 

Think of it! How many years of our lives are spent in a valuable way?

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

Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda

Wednesday, November 26, 2014

 

Buddhism teaches that being led astray by evil friends, (negative influences) is to be feared more than being killed by a mad elephant. A mad elephant can only destroy our physical body, but evil friends, if we allow ourselves to be influenced by them, will drag us down into a state of hell.

 

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From the Writings of Nichiren Daishonin

Wednesday, November 26, 2014

 

Even if we should gather all the water of the four great oceans to wet inkstones, burn all the trees and plants to cinders to make ink, collect the hairs of all beasts for writing brushes, employ all the surfaces of the worlds in the ten directions for paper and, with these, set down expressions of gratitude, how could we possibly repay our debt to the Buddha?"

 

The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, page 44

The Four Debts of Gratitude

Written to Kudo Sakon-no-jo Yoshitaka on January 16, 1262

 

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Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda

Wednesday, November 26, 2014

 

 

Life is long. The important thing is to remain true to a lofty goal to the very end. Buddhism enables you to adorn the final chapter of your life with brilliant success, just as the golden sun colours the sky in glorious crimson hues and beams of sublime light. To do so, you need to keep making efforts year after year and winning year after year.

 

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Excerpt from Daisaku Ikeda - A Youthful Diary (18 December 1957) p.365

 

Had a fever all day. A daily battle against the devil of illness. Decided to reread Collected Works of George A. Gamow. Transcending my past preconceptions about Buddhism, I steadily realize the greatness of this Buddhism of sowing.

 

As my mentor always says, "The more science advances, the easier it will be to prove the profound significance of this great Buddhism."

 

(George Gamow (1904-1968), Ukrainian-born theoretical physicist and cosmologist; an early advocate and developer of Lemaître's Big Bang theory)

 

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

Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda

Tuesday, November 25, 2014

 

Please do not forget your mother's love or the hardships she has endured for you. I am convinced that while people keep the memory of their mothers' loving faces alive in their mind, they will never go far astray. Similarly, as long as we bear in mind the Daishonin's profound compassion and live in deep appreciation of it, our lives will be illuminated brightly by the light of Buddhahood.  And enveloped in the Gohonzon's great compassion, we will walk along a path that is filled with tranquility and immeasurable joy.

 

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From the Writings of Nichiren Daishonin

Tuesday, November 25, 2014

 

Strive ever harder in faith, and never give in to negligence. All the people appear to believe sincerely when they first embrace the Lotus Sutra, but as time passes, they tend to become less devout; they no longer revere nor make offerings to the priest, giving themselves up to arrogance and forming distorted views. This is most frightening.

 

The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, page 1027

Letter to Niike

Written to Niike Saemon-no-jo in February 1280

 

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Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda

Tuesday, November 25, 2014

 

Suppose that a person is standing at the foot of a tall embankment and is unable to ascend. And suppose that there is someone on top of the embankment who lowers a rope and says, "If you take hold of this rope, I will pull you up to the top of the embankment." If the person at the bottom begins to doubt that the other has the strength to pull him up, or wonders if the rope is not too weak and therefore refuses to put forth his hand and grasp it, then how is he ever to get to the top of the embankment? But if he follows the instructions, puts out his hand, and takes hold of the rope, then he can climb up – Nichiren

 

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Excerpt from Daisaku Ikeda - A Youthful Diary (17 December 1957) p. 364

 

The general director stopped by in the morning. He brought his dog with him. Left for Sensei's house in Meguro at 8:00. He talked with us for about an hour. Reported on yesterday's general meeting and other matters. Sensei treated us to strawberries.

 

He said, "Daisaku, I want to fight for the next seven years until we attain a membership of two million households." "I will fight resolutely, with a hundred times the courage," I replied.

 

Nevertheless, in the depths of my life I feel a hint of loneliness. My sadness will not disappear. How long will Sensei live? What is his condition? Ah, how distressing. How miserable. How terribly regrettable. Sensei, I know. I do.

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

Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda

Monday, November 24, 2014

 

Rosa Parks wrote in her book Quiet Strength: "I find that if I am thinking too much of my own problems and the fact that at times things are not just like I want them to be, I do not make any progress at all. But if I look around and see what I can do, and then I do it, I move on." Youth, and indeed life itself, flashes by in the blink of an eye. That is why it is important for you young people to ask yourselves what you can do for those who are suffering, what you can do to resolve the contradictions that plague society and to boldly take on these great challenges.

 

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From the Writings of Nichiren Daishonin

Monday, November 24, 2014

 

A person of wisdom is one who, understanding the time, spreads the teachings of the Lotus Sutra accordingly; this is his most important task. If a person's throat is dry, what he needs is water; he has no use for bows and arrows, weapons and sticks. If a person is naked, he wants a suit of clothes but has no need for water. From one or two examples you can guess the principle that applies in general.

 

The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, page 518

Letter to Horen

Written to Soya Kyoshin in April 1275

 

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Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda

Monday, November 24, 2014

 

There is no one lonelier or more unhappy than a person who does not know the pure joy of creating a life for himself or herself. To be human is not merely to stand erect and manifest intelligence or knowledge. To be human in the full sense of the word is to lead a creative life. The struggle to create new life from within is a truly wonderful thing. There is found the brilliant wisdom that guides and directs the workings of reason; the light of insight that penetrates the farthest reaches of the universe; the undaunted will to see justice done that meets and challenges all the assaults of evil; the spirit of unbounded care that embraces all who suffer. When these are fused with that energy of compassion that pours forth from the deepest sources of cosmic life, an ecstatic rhythm arises to colour the lives of all people.

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Excerpt from Daisaku Ikeda - A Youthful Diary (15 December 1957) p.364

 

On the evening of the 14^th, attended a meeting in Yoshihara City in Shizuoka Prefecture – a group of members connected with Bunkyo Chapter.

 

No spirit or vigor. Need to dispatch a capable leader to this area.

 

Returned home late at night. My wife waited up for me, sewing.

A beautiful night. Want to build a family vulnerable to no one, dependent upon no one.

 

Yes! Will advance tomorrow again, even if only an inch or two.

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

Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda

Sunday, November 23, 2014

 

If I were to make an allegory, thought and philosophy would be like the heart or respiratory system of the human body. When the heart is sound, the whole body can maintain healthy activity. This same principle applies to both the individual and society. The SGI has a mission to serve as the heart that ensures the healthy functioning of society. Consequently, taking good care of the SGI, (the heart) allows the fresh life-giving blood of humanism to flow to and nourish all areas of society, including culture, politics and the economy.

 

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From the Writings of Nichiren Daishonin

Sunday, November 23, 2014

 

You absolutely must not lament over my exile. It says in the "Encouraging Devotion" chapter and in the "Never Disparaging" chapter [that the votary of the Lotus Sutra will meet with persecution]. Life is limited; we must not begrudge it. What we should ultimately aspire to is the Buddha land.

 

The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, page 214

Aspiration for the  Buddha   Land

Written to Toki Jonin on November 23, 1271

 

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Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda

Sunday, November 23, 2014

 

The purpose of Buddhism is to bring out the Buddha nature that all people inherently possess, to awaken people to it and enable them to attain Buddhahood. Moreover, the Lotus Sutra does not allow for any discrimination; all people are equally entitled to salvation.

 

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Excerpt from Daisaku Ikeda - A Youthful Diary (10 December 1957) p. 363

 

In the evening, a corps chiefs meeting in preparation for the Sixth Youth Division General Meeting. The meeting, a meaningful one, lasted until after 8:00. If they maintain the same degree of earnestness as today, then according to the concept of 'consistency from beginning to end,' the general meeting ought to be a great success.

 

An important cause for victory is determined by the progress of the planning phase.

 

Sensei's Daily Encouragement - 22 November 2014 - Year of Opening a New Era of Worldwide Kosen-rufu

Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda

Saturday, November 22, 2014

 

There is a Russian proverb that says: "It is no use to blame the looking glass if your face is awry." Likewise, one's happiness or unhappiness is entirely the reflection of the balance of good and bad causes accumulated in one's life. No one can blame others for his misfortunes. In the world of faith, it is necessary to realize this all the more clearly.

 

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From the Writings of Nichiren Daishonin

Saturday, November 22, 2014

 

But now you, born a woman in the evil world of the latter age, while being reviled, struck and persecuted by the barbaric inhabitants of this island country who are unaware of these things, have endured and are propagating the Lotus Sutra. The Buddha at Eagle Peaksurely perceives that you surpass the nun [Mahaprajapate] as greatly as clouds do mud. The name of that nun, the Buddha Gladly Seen by All Living Beings, is no unrelated matter; it is now the name of the lay nun Myoho.

 

The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, page 1106

Reply to the Lay Nun Myoho

Written to the lay nun Myoho in 1281

 

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Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda

Saturday, November 22, 2014

 

Wisdom, not might, is the most important thing. Wisdom and compassion are deeply connected. Giving earnest thought to others' welfare, asking ourselves what can we do to help -- using our minds in this way is a sign of compassion.

 

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Excerpt from Daisaku Ikeda - A Youthful Diary (09 December 1957) p. 362

 

A cold day. When Sensei is not active, the Gakkai is somehow quiet. Asking myself whether this is acceptable.

Must increase my life force with daimoku. "Myo means 'to revive'."

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On the 12^th, the main funeral service for High Priest Nichiko Hori will be held at the head temple. My last pilgrimage of this year. Wish to offer him a heartfelt send-off to  Eagle   Peak . Did a fulfilling gongyo. Read.

 

Sensei's Daily Encouragement - 21 November 2014 - Year of Opening a New Era of Worldwide Kosen-rufu

Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda

Friday, November 21, 2014

 

If you practice faith while doubting its effects, you will get results that are at best unsatisfactory. This is the reflection of your own weak faith on the mirror of the cosmos. On the other hand, when you stand up with strong confidence, you will accrue limitless blessings.

 

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From the Writings of Nichiren Daishonin

Friday, November 21, 2014

 

There is definitely something extraordinary in the ebb and flow of the tide, the rising and setting of the moon, and the way in which summer, autumn, winter and spring give way to each other. Something uncommon also occurs when an ordinary person attains Buddhahood. At such a time, the three obstacles and four devils will invariably appear, and the wise will rejoice while the foolish will retreat.

 

The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, page 637

The Three Obstacles and Four Devils

Written to Ikegami Hyoe no Sakan Munenga on November 20, 1277

 

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Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda

Friday, November 21, 2014

 

Everyone born in this world has a unique role that only he or she can fulfill. Were this not the case, we would not be here. The universe never acts without cause; everything invariably has a reason for being. Even the weeds people love to loathe serve a purpose.

 

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Excerpt from Daisaku Ikeda - A Youthful Diary (05 December 1957) p.361/62

 

A slight fever. A dark and gloomy day.

Spent the whole day battling myself; fighting for kosen-rufu. Way behind in writing my article. Very troubling.

Keenly aware of the excellence of President Makiguchi's and President Toda's scholarship. Lament my own lack of ability. Have no choice but to do human revolution.

Attended a YMD group chiefs meeting in the evening. Talked about Eta Benzo, the pioneer of Obihiro.

 

Boldly, I set my heart on the  Northern   Sea .

Let the wind blow!

Let the waves rise!

 

This verse speaks of destiny.

 

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