Sensei's Daily Encouragement - 30 March 2015 - Year of Dynamic Development in the New Era of Worldwide Kosen Rufu

Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda

Monday, March 30, 2015

 

There are many elements involved in a prayer being answered, but the important thing is to keep praying until it is. By continuing to pray, you can reflect on yourself with unflinching honesty and begin to move your life in a positive direction on the path of earnest, steady effort. Even if your prayer doesn't produce concrete results immediately, your continual prayer will at some time manifest itself in a form greater than you had ever hoped.

 

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From The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin

Monday, March 30, 2015

 

To mix other practices with this Nam-myoho-renge-kyo is a grave error. A lantern is useless when the sun rises. How can dewdrops be beneficial when the rain falls? Should one feed a newborn baby anything other than its mother's milk? No addition of other medicines is needed with a good medicine.

 

The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, page 903

The Teaching for the Latter Day

Written to Nanjo Tokimitsu on April 1, 1278

 

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Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda

Monday, March 30, 2015

 

It is important to develop your character to be as powerful as a mighty river. Continue to advance bravely in the face of every challenge, paying no heed to the obstacles in your way. Become a great river of bottomless compassion and wisdom, overflowing with boundless invincibility and passion.

 

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Daisaku Ikeda - A Youthful Diary (22 December 1959) p.451

 

Worried about my children's sickness. Our home seems to be getting chilly from drafts coming through the cracks.

 

Very cold last night. Have I caught a cold too? Had a fever of a little over 100°. Rested in the morning. Asked my wife to call the headquarters immediately. While laying down, read A Biography of Bokudo Inukai.

 

Sensei's Daily Encouragement - 29 March 2015 - Year of Dynamic Development in the New Era of Worldwide Kosen Rufu

Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda

Sunday, March 29, 2015

 

 Molly Brown was on board the Titanic when it tragically sunk in 1912. Although she knew the ship was taking on water, she shouted to a panic-stricken fellow passenger: "There's no danger. It simply can't go down, because I'm on it and I'm unsinkable." Her bantering words, which rang out with the determination never to be defeated and never to give in to despair are said to have given courage to her fellow passengers. Those who stand up at a crucial moment demonstrate genuine greatness.

 

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From The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin

Sunday, March 29, 2015

 

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. Ah, you should be ashamed of them! And you should fear them too!"

 

The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, page 58

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

Sunday, March 29, 2015

 

Nichiren spoke of earthly desires being used as fuel for the flame of wisdom. Buddhism teaches the converting of personal ambitions and desires, even base ones, into good traits like wisdom through altruistic living. A Buddhist doctrine that earthly desires are enlightenment indicates that greed, anger (violence) and egocentricism can be transformed into altruistic traits like compassion, trust and nonviolence. The underlying delusions that drive our desires - including the desire for the development of science and civilizations can be essentially transformed in a way that changes selfishness into altruism, violence into nonviolence and suspicion into trust.

 

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Daisaku Ikeda - A Youthful Diary (04 December 1959) p.449

 

The next four years – 1960, 1961, 1962 and 1963 – will be the most important, decisive years for the Gakkai's future.

Concerned about my senior leaders' lack of seeking minds. Troubled by their growing arrogance.

There will be no progress of kosen-rufu if we neglect outstandingly capable young people. Youthful talent will make the Gakkai grow. Want to warn them never to become incompetent leaders.

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

Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda

Saturday, March 28, 2015

 

Youth must have the spirit to attack injustice, the spirit to refute that which is wrong, the spirit to spread the Daishonin's teaching. Just giving an appearance of promoting kosen-rufu and going with the flow, afraid of making waves, are the actions of self-serving youth, who are spiritually old and decrepit.

 

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From The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin

Saturday, March 28, 2015

 

The heart of the Lotus Sutra is its title, or the daimoku, of Nam-myoho-renge-kyo. Truly, if you chant this in the morning and evening, you are correctly reading the entire Lotus Sutra. Chanting daimoku twice is the same as reading the entire sutra twice, one hundred daimoku equal one hundred readings of the sutra, and a thousand daimoku, a thousand readings of the sutra. Thus, if you ceaselessly chant daimoku, you will be continually reading the Lotus Sutra.

 

The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, page 923

The One Essential Phrase

Written to the lay nun Myoho on July 3, 1278

 

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Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda

Saturday, March 28, 2015

 

A Buddha is definitely not an absolute being living a static existence. A Buddha shares the sufferings of others and, sensing the condition of the time, earnestly ponders how to transform that condition. A Buddha vows to struggle in order to lead the people and the age to enlightenment. The strength of this vow causes the Buddha's enlightenment to mature into rich wisdom.

 

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Daisaku Ikeda - A Youthful Diary (30 November 1959) p.449

 

My recollections of President Toda are limitless...

 

On my way home stopped at the barber shop. Disturbed by the words of cunning elder leaders. Wonder if such people exist in society?

 

In any case resolved never to become a despicable man oblivious of the debt of gratitude owed to his mentor. Will not deviate even the slightest from my mentor's last will and testament. If we are content with fulfilling only our own selfish desires, how can we possibly claim to be true disciples?

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

Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda

Friday, March 27, 2015

 

While controlling your mind, which is at once both extremely subtle and solemnly profound, you should strive to elevate your faith with freshness and vigour. When you do so, both your life and your surroundings will open wide before you and every action you take will become a source of benefit. Understanding the subtle workings of one's mind is the key to faith and attaining Buddhahood in this lifetime.

 

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From The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin

Friday, March 27, 2015

 

You also are a practitioner of the Lotus Sutra, and your faith is like the waxing moon or the rising tide. Be deeply convinced, then, that your illness cannot possibly persist, and that your life cannot fail to be extended! Take care of yourself, and do not burden your mind with grief.

 

The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, page 656

The Bow and Arrow

Written to the lay nun Toki on March 27, 1276

 

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Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda

Friday, March 27, 2015

 

By changing our inner state of mind, we can change any suffering or hardship into a source of joy, regarding it as a means for forging and developing our lives. To turn even sorrow into a source of creativity - this is the way of life of a Buddhist.

 

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Daisaku Ikeda - A Youthful Diary (28 November 1959) p.448

 

Bicycled to Kamata Station. It was cold.

 

Lectured on Nichikan's "The Threefold Secret Teaching" in the evening. Painfully aware of the need for lifelong study. Will never be arrogant and remiss, filled with regrets.

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Faith leads to the study of Buddhist teachings, that is, the study of being human.

 

Dedication to the Mystic Law while young creates a genuine, noble time of youth, it gives rise to joy and excitement in everything.

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

Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda

Wednesday, March 25, 2015

 

We are no longer in an age when one person can shoulder everything. Of course, for the day-to-day running of the organization someone will still be officially designated as President, but ultimately our future development hinges on every member having the commitment required of a Soka Gakkai President. With this spirit, this sense of responsibility, this leadership in your activities, may you always work for kosen-rufu and for the victory of the people. May you also build a Soka Gakkai where everyone can advance joyfully, a Soka Gakkai of undying progress.

 

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From The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin

Wednesday, March 25, 2015

 

A wife who leads her husband to take faith will enjoy the same benefit as Lady Pure Virtue. All the more fortunate is a case like yours, in which both wife and husband have faith! It is like a bird possessing two wings, or a cart having two wheels. What is there that you two cannot achieve? Because there is a heaven and an earth, a sun and a moon, the sun shines and the rain falls, and the plants and trees of benefit will surely blossom and bear fruit.

 

The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, page 915

An Outline of the "Entrustment" and Other Chapters

Written to Nichinyo on June 25, 1278

 

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 Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda

Wednesday, March 25, 2015

 

The significance of Buddhism lies both in the discovery of the Buddha nature in all beings and in the establishment of a practical method for bringing it out, so that human beings can derive maximum meaning from their lives. This reformation of the inner human world - what we in the Soka Gakkai call human revolution - is especially relevant to modern civilization, which has long been trapped in a sort of spiritual quicksand. We can escape the quicksand by calling forth the supreme human potential available to each of us.

 

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Daisaku Ikeda - A Youthful Diary (10 September 1959) p.447

 

Our mentor was a teacher of propagation. Accordingly, his disciples must forever advance in propagation. Do not retreat even a step no matter who slanders you, no matter what persecution befalls you!

 

The Gakkai's fundamental role is to guide people in faith. Therefore we must offer compassion-filled guidance and encouragement to those who embrace the Gohonzon so they may receive immense benefit.

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

Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda

Tuesday, March 24, 2015

 

When we practice gongyo and chant daimoku before the Gohonzon, the good and evil capacities of our lives begin to function as the exalted form of fundamental existence. Lives that are full of the pain of Hell, lives that are in the state of Hunger, lives warped by the state of Anger - such lives too begin to move in the direction of creating their own personal happiness and value. Lives being pulled toward misfortune and unhappiness are redirected and pulled in the opposite direction, toward good, when they make the Mystic Law their base.

 

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From The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin

Tuesday, March 24, 2015

 

I feel great pity for you and the others, but there is little I can do to help. Nevertheless, I pray day and night to the Lotus Sutra. Spare no effort in offering up prayers with firm faith. It is not that my resolve [to save you] is weak. Rather, it depends on the strength of each person's faith.

 

The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, page 678

The Story of Ohashi no Taro

Written to Nanjo Tokimitsu on March 24, 1276

 

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Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda

Tuesday, March 24, 2015

 

The struggle we go through to have our prayers answered makes us stronger. If we were to immediately get everything we prayed for, we would become spoiled and decadent. We would lead indolent lives, devoid of any hard work or struggle. As a result, we would become shallow human beings. What, then, would be the point of faith?

 

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Daisaku Ikeda - A Youthful Diary (08 September 1959) p.447

 

Sometimes, we criticize or disparage others; at other times, we are criticized or disparaged.

We must hold one another's character in utmost respect. Criticizing or disparaging one another without polishing ourselves is foolish.

 

Life is long. Must strive in faith and in building my own humanity.

 

Must fear not the words uttered by deluded common mortals but the Daishonin's golden words.

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

Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda

Monday, March 23, 2015

 

Let us all set our sights on leading great lives dedicated always to truth and move toward that goal in good health, brimming with hope. Let us live our lives boldly, without regret, advancing with patience, enthusiasm and a genuine spirit of friendship and camaraderie.

 

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From The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin

Monday, March 23, 2015

 

If only you chant Nam-myoho-renge-kyo, then what offense could fail to be eradicated? What blessing could fail to come? This is the truth, and it is of great profundity. You should believe and accept it.

 

The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, page 130

Conversation between a Sage and an Unenlightened Man

Recipient unknown; written in 1265

 

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Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda

Monday, March 23, 2015

 

I am the father of living beings and I should rescue them from their sufferings and give them the joy of the measureless and boundless Buddha wisdom so that they may find their enjoyment in that - The Lotus Sutra

 

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Daisaku Ikeda - A Youthful Diary (02 September 1959) p.447

 

97.5º - a record breaking temperature.

 

An evening board of directors meeting was held for the first time in a while. It was carried out merely by force of habit. Was it because of the heat? Or because of the lack of self-awareness and responsibility?

 

The gap between young and old widens with each passing day. Wanted to express indignation to my seniors. "Have you already forgotten presidents Makiguchi and Toda?"

 

Must place our foremost emphasis on realizing kosen-rufu, on establishing a society rooted in Buddhist ideals and on demonstrating our mentor's success. We must consider everything from this viewpoint.

 

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