Sensei's Daily Encouragement -30 November 2018 - ‘Year of Brilliant Achievement in the New Era of Worldwide Kosen Rufu

      

Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda

November 30, 2018

 

President Toda often said: "Those of you who have problems or sufferings, pray earnestly! Buddhism is a deadly serious win-or-lose struggle. If you should [pray with such an earnest attitude] and still have no solution forthcoming, then I will give you my life!" This invincible conviction on which Mr. Toda was willing to stake his life inspired the members.

 

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From the Writings of Nichiren Daishonin

November 30, 2018

 

Though water may be muddied, it will again become clear. Though the moon may hide behind the clouds, it will surely reappear. Similarly, in time my innocence became apparent, and my predictions proved not to have been in vain.

 

The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, page 1007

Letter to the Lay Priest Nakaoki

Written to the lay priest Nakaoki and his wife on November 30, 1279

 

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Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda

November 30, 2018

 

That we take pains to protect weapons while we expose children - the future of the race - to peril is impermissible. To ignore this absurdity will spell defeat for humanity. We must not live to destroy. We have the spiritual power to create peace and happiness.

 

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Excerpt from Daisaku Ikeda - A Youthful Diary (27 December 1956) p.316/317

 

Sensei talked about deductive and inductive reasoning. Consciousness as viewed by the Western philosopher Heinrich Rickert of the new Kantian school and the theory of consciousness espoused in Eastern philosophy are diametrically opposed. Western philosophy posits that consciousness begins with the six senses and then arrives at what Buddhism refers to as the seventh, eighth and ninth levels of consciousness. Buddhism, on the other hand, teaches that consciousness arises out of the "Palace of the Ninth Consciousness of Essential Truth" and permeates the eighth, seventh, and first six levels of consciousness. There are deductive civilizations and inductive civilizations. Which surpasses the other? It is important to strike a balance between these two. What will the future hold?

Sensei's Daily Encouragement -29 November 2018 - ‘Year of Brilliant Achievement in the New Era of Worldwide Kosen Rufu

     

Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda

 November 29, 2018

 

Compassion is the very soul of Buddhism. To pray for others, making their problems and anguish our own; to embrace those who are suffering, becoming their greatest ally; to continue giving them our support and encouragement until they become truly happy - it is in such humanistic actions that the Daishonin's Buddhism lives and breathes.

 

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From the Writings of Nichiren Daishonin

 November 29, 2018

 

Whether or not your prayer is answered will depend upon your faith; [if it is not,] I will in no way be to blame. When the water is clear, the moon is reflected. When the wind blows, the trees shake. Our minds are like the water. Faith that is weak is like muddy water, while faith that is brave is like clear water. Understand that the trees are like principles, and the wind that shakes them is like the recitation of the sutra.

 

The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, page 1079

Reply to the Lay Nun Nichigon

Written to the lay nun Nichigon on November 29, 1280

 

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Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda

 November 29, 2018

 

Do not become subservient. Do not dwell on every tiny setback in the course of pursuing your chosen path. To do so would be foolish. Victory or defeat is determined by our entire lives. Moreover, our final years are the most crucial. What is enviable about the pretentious rich? What is great about conceited celebrities? What is admirable about political leaders who gained their positions of power by treating others with contempt? Dig right where you stand, for there lies a rich wellspring!

 

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Excerpt from Daisaku Ikeda - A Youthful Diary (22 December 1956) p.315

 

In any general meeting, or any important campaign, I am always standing behind the scenes, unknown to anyone, without worrying about pleasing anyone or whether anyone appreciate me; there I pour my entire life into leading the battle and driving a wedge of faith. I smile happily at this destiny. Firmly believe everything is revealed under the light of the Mystic Law.

 

Sensei's Daily Encouragement -28 November 2018 - ‘Year of Brilliant Achievement in the New Era of Worldwide Kosen Rufu

      

Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda

November 28, 2018

 

Nichiren Daishonin discusses the meaning of the Chinese characters for the word benefit (Jpn kudoku), as follows: "The ku of kudoku means to extinguish evil and doku means to bring forth good" (Gosho Zenshu, p. 762). We fight against those who try to destroy the True Law. That struggle purifies us and brings forth benefits in our lives. Justice or happiness without a battle is just an illusion. Thinking that happiness means a life free of hard work and effort is fantasy.

Events

 

SGI Day of Spiritual Independence

1991 Nichiren Shoshu excommunicates 12 million SGI members worldwide.

 

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From the Writings of Nichiren Daishonin

November 28, 2018

 

Buddhism spreads according to the time and the people's capacity. Although I may not be worthy of this teaching, I expound it because the time is right.

 

The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, page 861

This is What I Heard

Written to the lay priest Soya Jiro on November 28, 1277

 

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Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda

November 28, 2018

 

Many young women agonize over perceived personality flaws and a lack of self-confidence. Nichiren Buddhism, however, teaches the great path of human revolution that enables each of us to shine in our own unique way. With this philosophy, you can decisively overcome a weak and easily swayed life-state and become a person of strength and purpose. It will allow you to withstand the storms of suffering and build a rock-solid foundation that will support you throughout your entire precious lives.

 

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Excerpt from Daisaku Ikeda - A Youthful Diary (20 December 1956) p.314

 

In keeping a diary, am I engraving a glimpse of my life for posterity? Will it remain in history? A free dialogue. In any case, I will write on. There are times, however, when I write about the real state of things and times I do not. Sly, people are. Want to get up early these days. My life is becoming stagnant.

  

Sensei's Daily Encouragement -27 November 2018 - ‘Year of Brilliant Achievement in the New Era of Worldwide Kosen Rufu

       

Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda

November 27, 2018

 

Faith is the ultimate essence of intellect. Through the practice of correct faith, the intellect comes to shine. Intellect without correct faith lacks a firm anchor in the soil of life and eventually becomes disordered. This prompted the first Soka Gakkai president, Tsunesaburo Makiguchi, to remark that many modern thinkers were suffering from what he termed "higher psychosis." Faith without intellect, meanwhile, leads to blind faith and fanaticism. Faith or intellect alone - one without the other - is unhealthy.

 

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From the Writings of Nichiren Daishonin

November 27, 2018

 

Only in the Lotus Sutra do we read that a woman who embraces this sutra not only excels all other women, but also surpasses all men.

 

The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, page 462

The Unity of Husband and Wife

Written to Nichigen-nyo on January 27, 1275

 

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Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda

November 27, 2018

 

The true victors in life are those who, enduring repeated challenges and setbacks, have sent the roots of their being to such a depth that nothing can shake them.

 

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Excerpt from Daisaku Ikeda - A Youthful Diary (19 December 1956) p.313/314

 

Confucius said:

"At thirty, I stood tall.

"At forty, I was free from doubt.

"At fifty, I realized heaven's will."

Yet, as a disciple of Nichiren Daishonin, it is not necessary to delineate things in terms of age. This is due to 'the simultaneity of cause and effect,' the 'three thousand realms in a single moment of life.' This is true as long as I feel my mission and maintain the unity of 'many in body, one in mind.' This should be the absolute basis of everything.

In any event, all I need is to continue my human revolution throughout my life based on faith.