Sensei's Daily Encouragement - 28 February 2015 - Year of Dynamic Development in the New Era of Worldwide Kosen Rufu

Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda

Saturday, February 28, 2015

 

 You can forge the path to a fulfilling and enjoyable life if you have the depth of faith to regard everything as a source for creating happiness and value. Conversely, if you see everything only in a negative or pessimistic light, your life will gradually but inevitably be plunged into darkness. Buddhism teaches the subtle principle of ichinen, and moreover, the power of faith.

 

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From the Writings of Nichiren Daishonin

Saturday, February 28, 2015

 

 Since you now appear certain to attain Buddhahood, perhaps the heavenly devil and evil spirits are using illness to try to intimidate you. Life in this world is limited. Never be even the least bit afraid!".

 

The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, page 1109

The Proof of the Lotus Sutra

Written to Nanjo Tokimitsu on February 28, 1282

 

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Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda

Saturday, February 28, 2015

 

Make goals. Whether big or small, work toward realizing them. You must be serious about and dedicated to your goals - you'll get nowhere if you just treat them like jokes. An earnest, dedicated spirit shines like a diamond and moves people's hearts. That is because a brilliant flame burns within. If we are sincere, people will understand our intentions, and our positive qualities will shine forth. It is pointless to be caught up in outward appearances. The German poet Johann Wolfgang von Goethe writes: "How may one get to know oneself? Never by contemplation,only , indeed, by action. Seek to do your duty, and you will know at once how it is with you."

 

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Excerpt from Daisaku Ikeda - A Youthful Diary (06 January 1959) p.432/433

 

The first day of the year to see the headquarters staff. Everyone in high spirits. One staff member gives me a headache.

In the afternoon, the New Year's banquet was held at R. restaurant in Shinbashi. Had a blowfish dish for dinner. Delicious.

Afterward at around 6:00, we all went to the top of the  Tokyo  tower. Took in the night view of  Tokyo . A chilly wind constantly blew. Not very enjoyable.

Stopped for a haircut. Went to a youth division meeting in Bunkyo feeling refreshed.

 

Sensei's Daily Encouragement - 27 February 2015 - Year of Dynamic Development in the New Era of Worldwide Kosen Rufu

Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda

Friday, February 27, 2015

 

Originally, every person's life is a brilliantly shining mirror. Differences arise depending on whether one polishes this mirror: A polished mirror is the Buddha's life, whereas a tarnished mirror is that of a common mortal. Chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo is what polishes our lives.

 

Events; SGI-USA Womens Day.

 

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From the Writings of Nichiren Daishonin

Friday, February 27, 2015

 

However, people all turn their backs on these sutra passages, and the world as a whole is completely confused with regard to the principles of Buddhism. Why do you persist in following the teachings of evil friends? T'ien-t'ai said that to accept and put faith in the doctrines of evil teachers is the same as drinking poison. You should deeply consider this and beware.

 

The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, page 61

Questions and Answers about Embracing the Lotus Sutra

Recipient unknown; written in March 1263

 

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Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda

Friday, February 27, 2015

 

We each move forward secure on our own earth, not the earth of others. Happiness is something we must create for ourselves. No one else can give it to us.

 

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Excerpt from Daisaku Ikeda - A Youthful Diary (06 January 1959) p.431

 

Gird myself for each day.

Sense the ground is being laid for my destined appointment - a position from which I will make a declaration for kosen-rufu. Something has started to move in response to the pulse of my inner resolve. Have not choice but to entrust everything to the Gohonzon.

 

My wife told me our children enjoy playing with other neighbourhood kids.

 

Sensei's Daily Encouragement - 26 February 2015 - Year of Dynamic Development in the New Era of Worldwide Kosen Rufu

Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda

Thursday, February 26, 2015

 

Buddhism teaches that life at each moment embraces all phenomena. This is the doctrine of a life-moment possessing 3,000 realms, which is the Lotus Sutra's ultimate teaching and Buddhism's essence. Because of the profound way our lives interact with people around us, it is vital that we reach out to others, that we be engaged with our environment and with our local community. A self-absorbed practice or theory without action is definitely not Buddhism.

 

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From the Writings of Nichiren Daishonin

Thursday, February 26, 2015

 

The Great Teacher Tz'u-en wrote a work in ten volumes entitled Praising the Profundity of the Lotus Sutra in which he praised the Lotus Sutra, but the Great Teacher Dengyo criticized it, saying, "Though he praises the Lotus Sutra, he destroys its heart." If we consider these examples carefully, we will realize that, among those who read the Lotus Sutra and sing its praises, there are many who are destined for the hell of incessant suffering.

 

The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, page 718

On Repaying Debts of Gratitude

Written to Joken-bo and Gijo-bo on July 21, 1276

 

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Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda

Thursday, February 26, 2015

 

No discrimination exists in Nichiren Buddhism. Nichiren teaches that the Buddha and all people are absolutely equal. Chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo with faith in this point is a matter of the utmost importance. Doing so is to embrace the Lotus Sutra. It is also an act of succeeding to the heritage of Buddhism. In this light, we can say that the gist of the teaching of the Lotus Sutra is that all people are equal.

 

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Excerpt from Daisaku Ikeda - A Youthful Diary (03 January 1959) p.431

 

Did gongyo and chanted daimoku joyfully. The whole family had a breakfast together.

 

Read New Year's greeting cards. Wrote thirty replies.

Many people visited me at home in the morning. Extremely busy receiving them. Want to respond with this same spirit to anyone throughout my life.

In the afternoon, read Prominent Figures in Business.

When all is said and done, nothing surpasses the education, guidance, action, philosophy, character and humanity my mentor shared with me for ten years. What he gave me surpasses reading ten thousand volumes or having ten thousand leaders.

 

Sensei's Daily Encouragement - 25 February 2015 - Year of Dynamic Development in the New Era of Worldwide Kosen Rufu

Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda

Wednesday, February 25, 2015

 

Gandhi taught people to live with lion-like courage, impressing upon them that they could not afford to leave things up to others, that they had to stand up for themselves and fight for justice. Ultimately, the only way forward is by developing self-reliance, forging a stand-alone spirit. That is the only path to victory.

 

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From the Writings of Nichiren Daishonin

Wednesday, February 25, 2015

 

Today there are people who have faith in the Lotus Sutra. The belief of some is like fire while that of others is like water. When the former listen to the teachings, their passion flares up like fire, but as time goes on, they tend to discard their faith. To have faith like water means to believe continuously without ever regressing.

 

 The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, page 899

The Two Kinds of Faith

Written to Nanjo Tokumitsu on February 25, 1278

 

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Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda

Wednesday, February 25, 2015

 

When you hold fast to your beliefs and live true to yourself, your true value as a human being shines through. Buddhism teaches the concept of "realizing your inherent potential." In other words manifesting your true entity, your innate self, revealing it and bringing it to shine, illuminating all around you. It refers to your most refined individuality and uniqueness.

 

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Excerpt from Daisaku Ikeda - A Youthful Diary (02 January 1959) p.430/431

 

My thirty-first birthday...

 

The harder I work each day, the nobler the history I create. Want to create a glorious record this year...

 

From this year, will make each entry in this diary as if it were my last will and testament. Every day will be an account of golden accomplishments and training. Must keep a record. What will my life be like from today on? Sensei, please watch over me.

 

The new year brims with determination and hope like sunrise; and with agonizing worries.

 

Sensei's Daily Encouragement - 24 February 2015 - Year of Dynamic Development in the New Era of Worldwide Kosen Rufu

Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda

Tuesday, February 24, 2015

 

Buddhism is not about leading a self-centered existence. If we do not base our lives on the Law, we are not practicing Buddhism. The German writer Friedrich von Schiller writes, "The brave man thinks upon himself the last." This is analogous to the spirit of not begrudging one's life taught in the Lotus Sutra. This means treasuring the Law more highly than one's life. The Law and kosen-rufu are central.

 

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From the Writings of Nichiren Daishonin

Tuesday, February 24, 2015

 

No matter how humble a person may be, if his wisdom is the least bit greater than yours, you should ask him about the meaning of the sutra. But the people in this evil age are so arrogant, prejudiced, and attached to fame and profit that they are afraid that, should they become the disciple of a humble person or try to learn something from him, they will be looked down upon by others. They never rid themselves of this wrong attitude, so they seem to be destined for the evil paths.

 

The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, page 757

The Fourteen Slanders

Written to the lay priest Matsuno Rokuro Saemon on December 9, 1276

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Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda

Tuesday, February 24, 2015

 

According to Buddhism, health is not a condition in which we merely escape negative influences. It is a highly positive, active state in which we hold ourselves responsible for such influences, in which we face and try to solve various problems - not just our own but others problems, too. The word disease implies a lack of ease, which conversely implies that health is a state of comfort. In the Buddhist sense, however, being "at ease" does not mean freedom from difficulties, it means having the strength to meet and overcome any problem.

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Excerpt from Daisaku Ikeda - A Youthful Diary (01 January 1959) p.430

 

This year marks the 706th  anniversary of the establishment of Nichiren Daishonin's Buddhism...

Arrived at the Gakkai headquarters at 11:00...

Must take the lead this year - as a young general with unyielding, immovable resolve - if I am a direct disciple of President Josei Toda.

After reciting the sutra and chanting daimoku, listened to the tape of my mentor's lecture last New Year's Day...

Left  Tokyo  Station on a 1:35p.m. train for the head temple with top leaders...

Gathered here at the head temple, the faces of my fellow members from around the nation. They are the ones - out of the multitudes - with whom I share a karmic bond; the ones I have encountered in the present age, out of the thousands of years of human history. I will never neglect them.

Sensei's Daily Encouragement - 23 February 2015 - Year of Dynamic Development in the New Era of Worldwide Kosen Rufu

Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda

Monday, February 23, 2015

 

Without courage we cannot be compassionate. Courage and compassion are inseparable, like the two sides of a coin. Faith is the wellspring of courage. The Daishonin says, "Nichiren's disciples cannot accomplish anything if they are cowardly," (The Major Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, vol. 1, p. 128). A cowardly person cannot realize victory in life. Unless we have the courage to really dedicate our lives to kosen-rufu, we cannot construct true happiness for ourselves and others.

 

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From the Writings of Nichiren Daishonin

Monday, February 23, 2015

 

Even though one may encounter a wise teacher and the true sutra and thereby embrace the correct teaching, when one resolves to break free from the sufferings of birth and death and attain Buddhahood, one will inevitably encounter seven grave matters known as the three obstacles and four devils, just as surely as a shadow follows the body and clouds accompany rain. Even if you should manage to overcome the first six, if you are defeated by the seventh, you will not be able to become a Buddha.

 

The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, page 894

Letter to Misawa

Written to Misawa Kojiro on February 23, 1278

 

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Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda

Monday, February 23, 2015

 

The only way for human beings to change is for them to conquer their inner darkness and rediscover the eternal dignity within their own lives. Cultivating the noble spirit with which all people are endowed will directly lead to a change in the destiny of humankind.

 

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Excerpt from Daisaku Ikeda - A Youthful Diary (10 December 1958) p.426

 

Stayed at the headquarters until late. Concerned about the salary of the headquarters staff.

Cannot help sensing that more hardships await us next year. How many are willing to take full responsibility and fight this noble battle to spread the Law? The road ahead is severe.

 

It was December 12 - the winter of 1950... Recalled the poem Sensei composed during the difficulties with his publishing company, the Nihon Shogakkan:

 

Amidst the ferocious blizzard,

A man, courageous and persistent, walks on,

Gladdened by the love of his comrades.

Sensei's Daily Encouragement - 22 February 2015 - Year of Dynamic Development in the New Era of Worldwide Kosen Rufu

Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda

Sunday, February 22, 2015

 

What was the secret to  Edison 's success? He explained that it was to never give up before he succeeded in what he was trying to do. Not giving up-that's the only way. Once you give up you are defeated. This is equally true in the realm of faith. Quitting is not faith. We have to keep chanting until our prayers are answered. That is the correct way of prayer.

 

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From the Writings of Nichiren Daishonin

Sunday, February 22, 2015

 

Though this mandala has but five or seven characters, it is the teacher of all Buddhas throughout the three existences and the seal that guarantees the enlightenment of all women. It will be a lamp in the darkness of the road to the next world and a fine horse to carry you over the mountains of death. It is like the sun and moon in the heavens or  Mount   Sumeru  on earth. It is a ship to ferry people over the sea of the sufferings of birth and death. It is the teacher who leads all people to Buddhahood and enlightenment.

 

The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, page 414

On Offering Prayers to the Mandala of the Mystic Law

Recipient and date unknown

 

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Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda

Sunday, February 22, 2015

 

Real optimism should not be confused with a carefree outlook on life, one in which we forfeit responsibility for our lives. The person undefeated by misfortune, poverty, insult and vilification, the person who can bounce back from every adversity and say, "What? That was nothing!" The person who marches on toward hope through sheer force of will - that person is a true optimist.

 

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Excerpt from Daisaku Ikeda - A Youthful Diary (25 November 1958) p.425

 

Visited the head temple the day before yesterday.

Problems are arising constantly with other religious groups. Cannot afford to be defeated. Must not degrade the law.

Day after day, the Gakkai stands amidst the violent storm. No other way but to stake my life and take the lead with profound resolve.

Read randomly until midnight.

Friends of falsehood are worse than public enemies. Want true friends.

Sensei's Daily Encouragement - 21 February 2015 - Year of Dynamic Development in the New Era of Worldwide Kosen Rufu

Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda

Saturday, February 21, 2015

 

Friendship is strong. Friendship, camaraderie and unity in faith lie at the heart of the SGI. They come before the organization. We must never make the mistake of thinking that it is the other way around. The organization serves as a means for deepening friendship, comradeship and faith. To confuse the means and the end is a terrible mistake.

 

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From The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin

Saturday, February 21, 2015

 

Nam-myoho-renge-kyo will be your staff to take you safely over the mountains of death. The Buddhas Shakyamuni and Many Treasures, as well as the four bodhisattvas headed by Superior Practices, will lead you by the hand on your journey. If I, Nichiren, precede you in death, I will come to meet you at your last moment. If you should precede me, I will be sure to tell King Yama all about you. Everything that I tell you is true. According to the Lotus Sutra, Nichiren is the guide who knows the passes and gorges along the way."

 

The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, page 451

The Swords of Good and Evil

Written to Hojo Yagenta on February 21, 1274

 

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Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda

Saturday, February 21, 2015

 

There is no way of life more desolate or more pitiful than one of ignorance of the fundamental joy that issues from the struggle to generate and regenerate one's own life from within. To be human is much more than the mere biological facts of standing erect and exercising reason and intelligence. The full and genuine meaning of our humanity is found in tapping the creative fonts of life itself.

 

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Excerpt from Daisaku Ikeda - A Youthful Diary (11 November 1958) p.425

 

Made clean copies of Sensei's imprisonment records for the future. Recorded his guidance for the sake of those to follow.

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Organized Sensei's guidance alone. My heart burns, at times, with passion at the guidance of this leader of unprecedented caliber. When can I extol him to the world?

"Buddhas! Bodhisattvas! Heavenly gods! Let me live long!" I pray. Long enough to finish recording the accurate history of kosen-rufu led by my mentor and leave it behind for eternity.

To this end, must take care of my health. To this end, as the sutra states, "Let us live out our lives!" (LS16, 228)

Home just after midnight.

A tranquil room, rich with the scents of autumn.