Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda
Sunday, April 19, 2015
At a crucial moment it is the strength and courage of ordinary people who have no name or position in society that save the day. The famous, the well-connected, almost always have too much to lose, and they abandon the cause in order to protect themselves.
From The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin
Sunday, April 19, 2015
The human mind is inconstant; it is ever-changing and unfixed. I thought it wondrous that you pledged faith in my teachings while I was in the province of Sado, and your sincerity in sending your husband all the way here is even more remarkable. The provinces we live in are far apart, and months and years have passed, so I was concerned that you might slacken in your resolve. However, you are increasingly demonstrating the depth of your faith and accumulating good deeds. Surely this is not a result of practice over just one or two previous lifetimes.
The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, page 491
Reply to the Lay Priest of Ko
Written to the lay priest of Ko on April 12, 1275
Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda
Sunday, April 19, 2015
Grass and trees cannot grow without soil. The "soil" that fosters our growth includes our parents, teachers, seniors, or homeland, alma mater, community or company. In any case, everyone has some place where they grew up or someone who nurtured them. Human beings grow as a result of nurturing "soil" in which they express their ability and make the flowers of their lives blossom, just as the spirit of the rice plant returns to the soil and the stalk sprouts to flower and bear grain once again. We should repay our debts of gratitude to this soil in which we developed. This cycle of repaying gratitude will envelop one's whole existence. Your true humanity will never blossom if you seek only to develop yourself.
Daisaku Ikeda - A Youthful Diary (12 January 1960) p.464
In autumn 1947, decided to attend Josei Toda's lecture in Kanda, I was serious. Further solidified my resolve, thinking, "As long as I am with this mentor..." My friends were jovial, but my heart remained tranquil and constant.
On January 3, 1949, joined the editorial staff of the Nihon Shogakkan, President Toda's company. It was the first step I took as his disciple. Served him with all my heart. Gradually became aware of the strictness, of life, society and the Gakkai and began to study seriously.
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