Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda
Wednesday, December 23, 2015
Leo Tolstoy concluded that the only way to bring about a fundamental change in society is to realize a change in public opinion, a change in people's minds. Then how can we change public opinion? Tolstoy asserted: "It is only necessary for people to say what they really think or at least to refrain from saying what they do not think." It is vital, in other words, not to be swayed by others' opinions or past ways of thinking or doing. Instead each of us must become wise, possessing our own firm convictions.
From The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin
Wednesday, December 23, 2015
In view of all this, your sincerity in sending a gift of five strings of blue-duck coins whenever the opportunity arises truly entitles you to be known as one who propagates the daimoku of the Lotus Sutra in Japan . As first one person, then two persons, then a thousand, ten thousand, a hundred thousand and then all the people throughout the country come to chant the daimoku, before you know it their blessings will accrue to you.
The Blessings of the Lotus Sutra
This letter was written at Minobu in 1276 and addressed to Myomitsu, a believer who lived at Kuwagayatsu in Kamakura .
Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda
Wednesday, December 23, 2015
Peace and culture are one. A genuinely cultured nation is a peaceful nation, and vice versa. When conflicts multiply, culture wanes and nations fall into a hellish existence. The history of the human race is a contrast between culture and barbarity. Only culture is a force strong enough to put an end to conflict and lead humanity in the direction of peace.
Excerpt from Daisaku Ikeda - A Youthful Diary ( 31 December 1950) p.70
Next year, I want to go to night school again.
Next year, I want to study to my heart's content.
I cannot foresee what turn my destiny will take next year.
Next year, too, my whole life will be to act as my teacher guides me.
The twenty-second year of my youth is ending, etching in my heart its history and memories in the workings of cause and effect.
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