Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda
Thursday, January 29, 2015
Practicing Buddhism means being victorious. In advancing one step at a time amid the realities of our daily lives, in showing concrete actual proof, in becoming victors and successes we are demonstrating with our very beings the validity of Nichiren Daishonin's Buddhism and serving as a source of hope and inspiration for those who will follow us on the path of faith.
From The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin
Thursday, January 29, 2015
Understand then that the votary who practices the Lotus Sutra exactly as the Buddha teaches will without fail be attacked by the three powerful enemies. In the more than two thousand years that have passed since the Buddha's advent, Shakyamuni himself, T'ien-t'ai and Dengyo were the only three who perfectly carried out the Buddha's teachings. Now in the Latter Day of the Law, Nichiren and his disciples and lay believers are just such practitioners.
On Practicing the Buddha's Teachings
Written to all followers in May 1273
Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda
Thursday, January 29, 2015
It may seem perfectly all right to put ourselves and our own wishes first, to simply follow the dictates of our emotions and cravings, but the truth is that there is nothing more unreliable than our own mind. Life doesn't always go like clockwork and things will not necessarily turn out as we hope or plan. Consequently, Nichiren frequently stressed: "You should become the master of your mind, not let your mind master you." We mustn't allow ourselves to be ruled by a self-centered mind. Rather, we have to discipline our mind and gain mastery over it.
Excerpt from Daisaku Ikeda - A Youthful Diary (20 July 1958) p.411
Took the 12:00 p.m. steamship to Sado Island with quite a few others, crossing amid giant waves. Many became seasick from the rolling of the ship. We finally arrived after being sprayed by the waves for more than four hours. All ferry service after ours was cancelled. An unforgettable day.
Checked into an inn and slept deeply from fatigue.
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Visited Ichinosawa and a temple at Tsukahara on the next day… Became aware of the enormous difference between the real history of these places and what they represent now. In any case, enjoyed walking and reminiscing about the Daishonin's history…
My very first visit to Sado. Resolved to visit again and spend more time.
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