Sensei's Daily Encouragement - 30 September 2017 - ‘Developing Youth in the New Era of Worldwide Kosen Rufu’

Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda

September 30, 2017

 

Those who strengthen their faith day by day and month after month are genuine practitioners. Our daily practice of gongyo, therefore, is important, as well as is attending meetings every month. We must not let our faith grow weak. We must make it stronger today than yesterday, stronger this month than last. Buddhist practice is a succession of such untiring efforts, the ultimate goal of which is attaining the summit of Buddhahood.

 

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From the Writings of Nichiren Daishonin

September 30, 2017

 

The meaning of this passage is that those who obtained benefit during the Former and Middle Days of the Law received "conspicuous" benefit, because the relationship they formed with the Lotus Sutra during the lifetime of the Buddha had finally matured. On the other hand, those born today in the Latter Day of the Law receive the seeds of Buddhahood for the first time, and their benefit is therefore "inconspicuous."

 

The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, page 474

The Teaching, Practice and Proof

Written to Sammi-bo on March 21, 1275

 

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Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda

September 30, 2017

 

Knowledge gives rise to wisdom. If you like, knowledge is the pump; wisdom is the water that we get from the pump. If we can't obtain water, the pump is useless. At the same time, without knowledge, without the pump, we won't be able to obtain water.

 

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Excerpt from Daisaku Ikeda - A Youthful Diary (1 October 1955) p.250

 

At 6:00, met with H., an M. newspaper reporter. Strongly refuted claims that we have been forcing people to convert. He seemed persuaded. Was astonished, however, at the prominent five-column story that appeared in the paper. The cynical press exerts a bad influence on society. Employing the brute force of words, the press reigns unchallenged. The weak are always made to suffer. An extremely biased democracy.

 

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Sensei's Daily Encouragement - 29 September 2017 - ‘Developing Youth in the New Era of Worldwide Kosen Rufu’

Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda

September 29, 2017

 

Faith, which at first glance may appear weak, is actually the most powerful force in the world. Many people put on a show of being strong, but true strength has nothing to do with appearances. On the contrary, we usually find that the weaker the individual, the greater their bravado or outward display of strength.

 

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From the Writings of Nichiren Daishonin

September 29, 2017

 

The number of those endowed with human life is as small as the amount of earth one can place on a fingernail. Life as a human being is hard to sustain ‚ as hard as it is for the dew to remain on the grass. But it is better to live a single day with honour than to live to 120 and die in disgrace. Live so that all the people of Kamakura will say in your praise that Nakatsukasa Saburo Saemon-no-jo is diligent in the service of his lord, in the service of Buddhism, and in his concern for other people.

 

The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, page 851

The Three Kinds of Treasure

Written to Shijo Kingo on September 11, 1277

 

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Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda

September 29, 2017

 

A sword is useless in the hands of a coward. The mighty sword of the Lotus Sutra must be wielded by one courageous in faith. Then one will be as strong as a demon armed with an iron staff - Nichiren

 

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Excerpt from Daisaku Ikeda - A Youthful Diary (30 September 1955) p.250

 

A youth division staff meeting at 6:00 at the headquarters. Nothing conclusive arose, as everyone promoted his personal viewpoint. They are forgetting their great mission and objective, their ideas stemming only from their own abilities or intellect. Had Sensei been present, they would have reached a conclusion right away. Frightening. The spirit and significance of the youth division staff conference President Toda entrusted to us has already been lost.

 

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Sensei's Daily Encouragement - 28 September 2017 - ‘Developing Youth in the New Era of Worldwide Kosen Rufu’

Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda

September 28, 2017

 

Faith means making a hundred percent effort ourselves - in our daimoku and in our actions. When we practice in this way, the Buddhist gods will lend us their protection. We mustn't have a complacent, dependent attitude in faith, chanting haphazardly without definite goals and making only halfhearted efforts in the belief that we'll automatically be protected. Depth of determination and unshakable character are vital. Those possessing these qualities are second to none in faith.

 

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From the Writings of Nichiren Daishonin

September 28, 2017

 

Never seek this Gohonzon outside yourself. The Gohonzon exists only within the mortal flesh of us ordinary people who embrace the Lotus Sutra and chant Nam-myoho-renge-kyo.

 

The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, page 832

The Real Aspect of the Gohonzon

Written to Nichinyo on August 23, 1277

 

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Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda

September 28, 2017

 

Your home is where your loved ones live. Your home is the place where you work together with your fellow human beings to build a paradise, a realm of peace and prosperity for all. When we are asked where our home is, we can answer: "My home is the world. Everywhere in the world where my fellow human beings live, all of it, is my home."

 

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Excerpt from Daisaku Ikeda - A Youthful Diary (26 September 1955) p.248

 

My oldest son had a high fever in the morning. Really suffering physically myself. A gray day. Understand the limits of the physical body. But the power called life force surpasses both physical and spiritual power. It is a mysterious energy that sets into motion functions far stronger than spiritual or physical power alone. Life force arises from the workings of one's determination. Actually it wells forth limitlessly through the power of the Mystic Law and the power of faith. It comes from practice. Will test this through my own experience and show actual proof.

 

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Sensei's Daily Encouragement - 27 September 2017 - ‘Developing Youth in the New Era of Worldwide Kosen Rufu’

Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda

September 27, 2017

 

Pioneering takes steady dedicated effort; it is advancing surely one step at a time. True Buddhist practice lies in such activities as visiting members, giving personal encouragement, talking to our friends about Buddhism and introducing others to faith. How many members do you take the time to visit and encourage in a month? In a year? True pioneering lies in making precisely such efforts. Our challenge is to deepen the understanding of friends and fellow members toward the philosophy and activities of the SGI through our encounters with them.

 

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From the Writings of Nichiren Daishonin

September 27, 2017

 

What the Lotus Sutra, T'ien-t'ai, and Miao-lo intend to say is that the act of accepting and upholding or protecting and embracing one verse of the Lotus Sutra surpasses the act of making offerings to all living beings, or making offerings to arhats, or even of filling the entire major world system with the seven kinds of treasures as an offering to all Buddhas.

 

The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, page 973

The Unmatched Blessings of the Law

Written to the lay priest Nishiyama on May 11, 1279

 

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Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda

September 27, 2017

 

The wise course is to control and make correct use of knowledge. Buddhism is a means for developing wisdom, and it teaches how to overcome the four inherent sufferings or sorrows - birth, aging, illness and death - in order to lead a happy, meaningful life. In addition it teaches how to control desire rather than be controlled by it.

 

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Excerpt from Daisaku Ikeda - A Youthful Diary (23 September 1955) p.247

 

Studied through the second part of "On Practicing the Buddha's Teachings." Deeply reflected on the idea of three levels of ability: unskilled, skilled and artistic. My lectures lack the skill to qualify me as a Study Department professor. Must develop genuine ability; must study and polish my skill. No choice but to forge ahead tirelessly, more than others, more than anyone. Twenty-seven years have passed since I began this voyage of life. Must stand up in three years, when I am thirty. Will live powerfully!

 

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Sensei's Daily Encouragement - 26 September 2017 - ‘Developing Youth in the New Era of Worldwide Kosen Rufu’

Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda

September 26, 2017

 

Our voice costs nothing and it is our strongest weapon. Nichiren Daishonin wrote, "Do not spare your voice" (Gosho Zenshu, p. 726).There are different voices for different situations: the clear, resounding voice that declares truth and justice; the strong voice that refutes evil; the bright, confident voice that tells others about the greatness of this Buddhism; the warm voice that gives encouragement; the sincere, friendly voice that offers praise and words of appreciation to others. The important thing is that we meet and speak with people widely, inside and outside the organization.

 

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From the Writings of Nichiren Daishonin

September 26, 2017

 

Although at heart you are of the same mind as Nichiren, since your person is in service to your lord, it would have been extremely difficult for you to have avoided the offense of complicity in slander. How admirable it is that, despite this, you communicated this teaching to your lord and urged him to take faith in it. Even though he may fail to accept it now, you have managed to avoid the offense of complicity.

 

The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, page 461

On Recommending This Teaching to Your Lord and Avoiding the Offense of Complicity in Slander

Written to Shijo Kingo on September 26, 1274

 

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Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda

September 26, 2017

 

Live in a way that is full of life‚ for yourself, for your loved ones, for your friends. People who do so will find the courage to transform sufferings into hopes. Not only that, but they will be able to light the lamp of hope in the hearts of many others, as well.

 

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Excerpt from Daisaku Ikeda - A Youthful Diary (22 September 1955) p.247

 

Becoming very cool. The autumn wind deeply penetrates my heart.

O. Company has now been in business for more than ten years. The staff has overcome hardships time and time again, each time establishing a stabler foundation. Feel satisfied. I am astonished to see such dramatic actual proof resulting from the accumulation of inconspicuous benefit.

1. When I reflect on my selfish ways, I break into a cold sweat.

2. Must revise my overly optimistic view of reality.

3. Remember always to train and develop myself.

 

Sensei's Daily Encouragement - 25 September 2017 - ‘Developing Youth in the New Era of Worldwide Kosen Rufu’

Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda

September 25, 2017

 

Everything ultimately depends on whether there is someone who is willing to wage a desperate all-out struggle, someone who will take 100 percent responsibility without relying on or leaving things to others, someone who will work with selfless dedication for the sake of the people without any concern for what others think. Such a person is a true leader and a genuine Buddhist.

 

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From the Writings of Nichiren Daishonin

September 25, 2017

 

Ever since I began to study the Law handed down from Shakyamuni Buddha and undertook the practice of the Buddhist teachings, I have believed it is most important to understand one's obligations to others, and made it my first duty to repay such debts of kindness. In this world, we owe four debts of gratitude. One who understands this is worthy to be called human, while one who does not is no more than an animal.

 

The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, page 122

Conversation between a Sage and an Unenlightened Man

Recipient unknown; written in 1265

 

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Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda

September 25, 2017

 

In the true reality of life as viewed from the enlightened state of the Buddha - who has broken free of all delusion - all things are equal, transcending distinctions and differences between subject and object, self and others, mind and body, the spiritual and the material. In its true aspect, life is infinitely expansive and eternal, without beginning or end. Life is dynamic; it is wisdom and compassion; it embodies the principle of the indivisibility of life and death; it is a universal law. The cosmos is not so big that life cannot embrace it, nor a particle of matter so small that life cannot be contained within it.

 

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Excerpt from Daisaku Ikeda - A Youthful Diary (21 September 1955) p.246

 

To carefully record one's own feelings, thoughts, recollections, secrets and even resentment in a single work - this, interestingly enough, is significant. It expands one's personal world and promotes interaction, dialogue and encouragement between one's self and the self of another. I strongly dislike a diary written only as a mere record of events or in an obligatory manner. Until I spread my yet immature wings, until my incomplete construction is successfully finished, I will maintain my dream of free skies, a free world and the free realm of action hidden deep within my heart. It is the fall of my twenty-seven year.

 

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Sensei's Daily Encouragement - 24 September 2017 - ‘Developing Youth in the New Era of Worldwide Kosen Rufu’

Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda

September 24, 2017

"What kinds of causes am I making right now?" "What actions am I taking?" The answers to these questions are what will determine our future in this life and throughout the three existences. Herein lies the foundation of faith. True glory and victory in life lie in basing oneself on this fundamental principle.

 

Events

1993 The Boston Research Centre for the 21st Century founded by SGI President Ikeda.

 

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From the Writings of Nichiren Daishonin

September 24, 2017

 

Though muddy water has no mind, it can catch the moon's reflection and so naturally become clear. When plants and trees receive the rainfall, they can hardly be aware of what they are doing, and yet do they not proceed to put forth blossoms? The five characters of Myoho-renge-kyo do not represent the sutra text, nor are they its meaning. They are nothing other than the intent of the entire sutra. So, even though the beginners in Buddhist practice may not understand their significance, by practicing these five characters, they will naturally conform to the sutra's intent.

 

The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, page 788

On the Four Stages of Faith and the Five Stages of Practice

Written to Toki Jonin on April 10, 1277

 

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Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda

September 24, 2017

 

We are all human beings, whatever our positions. If we open our hearts and speak with sincerity, we can communicate and touch others on the deepest level. World peace starts with trust between one individual and another.

 

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Excerpt from Daisaku Ikeda - A Youthful Diary (21 September 1955) p.246

 

The first page of my new diary notebook.

While life itself is eternal, everlasting, this life is like a dream; like the morning dew or winter frost that vanish instantly before the warmth of the rising sun. The record of this period of my life, my activities, and my future are, for better or for worse, less significant than a microbe. And yet, I will leave a mark on this earth and in the universe, a mark that likely will be seen and pondered by someone in the future. Human affairs are so small, so miniscule when viewed from the standpoint of limitless space and beginningless time.

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