Tuesday 30 April 2019

Sensei's Daily Encouragement - 30 APRIL 2019 - Year of Soka Victory - Toward Our 90th Anniversary

    

Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda
April 30, 2019
 
Nobel laureate Gabriela Mistral (1889-1957) of Chile, was well respected as a humanistic educator. Indicative of the great spirit of compassion and caring with which she interacted with her students is her "Teacher's Prayer": "Let me be more mother than the mother herself in my love and defense of the child who is not flesh of my flesh. Help me to make one of my children my most perfect poem and leave within him or her my most melodious melody from that day when my own lips no longer sing." With this same spirit, let us care for and nurture young people.
 
 
From the Writings of Nichiren Daishonin
April 30, 2019
 
You are indeed an unusual woman since you asked me to explain the effects of various degrees of slander. You are every bit as praiseworthy as the dragon king's daughter when she said, "I unfold the doctrines of the great vehicle to rescue living beings from suffering." The Lotus Sutra reads, "If one can ask about its meaning, that will be difficult indeed." There are very few people who inquire about the meaning of the Lotus Sutra.
 
The Embankments of Faith
Written to the lay nun Sennichi on September 3, 1275
 
 
Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda
April 30, 2019
 
Nichiren wrote that wrath can be either good or bad. Self-centered anger generates evil, but wrath at social injustice becomes the driving force for reform. Strong language that censures and combats a great evil often awakens adverse reactions from society, but this must not intimidate those who believe they are right. A lion is a lion because he roars.
 
 
Excerpt from Daisaku Ikeda - A Youthful Diary (19 June 1953) p.143
 
Physically and mentally exhausted. All day long, I feel like a person suffering from a serious illness. How regrettable, how sad! Could this be the result of my past misdeeds or karma? How bitter my destiny. Must not allow it to defeat me. Because I have a mission, I must win! There are many things I must accomplish. Will dedicate this life to my mentor, Josei Toda.




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Monday 29 April 2019

Sensei's Daily Encouragement - 29 APRIL 2019 - Year of Soka Victory - Toward Our 90th Anniversary

    

Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda
April 29, 2019
 
What is success in life? Who are the truly successful? There are famous and powerful people who become pitiful figures in their old age. There are people who die alone, feeling empty and desolate inside. Just what is success? The English thinker Walter Pater (1839-94) wrote: "To burn always with this hard, gemlike flame, to maintain this ecstasy, is success in life." The person who lives life fully, glowing with life's energy, is the person who lives a successful life.
 
 
From the Writings of Nichiren Daishonin
April 29, 2019
 
Little streams come together to form the great ocean, and tiny particles of dust accumulate to form Mount Sumeru . When I, Nichiren, first took faith in the Lotus Sutra, I was like a single drop of water or a single particle of dust in all the country of Japan . But later, when two people, three people, ten people, and eventually a hundred, a thousand, ten thousand, and a million people come to recite the Lotus Sutra and transmit it to others, then they will form a Mount Sumeru of perfect enlightenment, an ocean of great nirvana.
 
The Selection of the Time
Written to Yui in 1275
 
 
Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda
April 29, 2019
 
Our efforts for the sake of dialogue, in order to be worthy of the term dialogue, must be carried through to the end. To refuse peaceful exchange and choose force is to compromise and give in to human weakness; it is to admit the defeat of the human spirit. Socrates encourages his youthful disciples to train and strengthen themselves spiritually, to maintain hope and self-control, to advance courageously, choosing virtue over material wealth, truth over fame.
 
 
Excerpt from Daisaku Ikeda - A Youthful Diary (17 June 1953) p.142
 
After 10:00, I was summoned by the police about a matter of giving notice of our intention to hold a meeting. Alone, I went to Koiwa police headquarters. The situation has become more and more interesting. After explaining everything thoroughly, I returned home late at night.
In anything, whoever continues to fight on will be a winner in the end.


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Sunday 28 April 2019

Sensei's Daily Encouragement - 28 APRIL 2019 - Year of Soka Victory - Toward Our 90th Anniversary



    

Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda
April 28, 2019
 
How incredible it is to chant this wonderful daimoku each day! Nichiren Daishonin writes, "There is no greater happiness for human beings than chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo. The sutra [Lotus Sutra] says, The people there [in my land] are happy and at ease.
 
Events
1253 Nichiren Daishonin chants Nam-myoho-renge-kyo for the first time.
 
From The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin
April 28, 2019
 
The greater the hardships befalling him, the greater the delight he feels, because of his strong faith. Doesn't a fire burn more briskly when logs are added? All rivers flow into the sea, but does the sea turn back their waters? The currents of hardship pour into the sea of the Lotus Sutra and rush against its votary. The river is not rejected by the ocean; nor does the votary reject suffering. Were it not for the flowing rivers, there would be no sea. Likewise, without tribulation there would be no votary of the Lotus Sutra.
 
 
Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda
April 28, 2019
 
When deluded, one is called an ordinary being, but when enlightened, one is called a Buddha. This is similar to a tarnished mirror that will shine like a jewel when polished. A mind now clouded by the illusions of the innate darkness of life is like a tarnished mirror, but when polished, it is sure to become like a clear mirror, reflecting the essential nature of phenomena and the true aspect of reality. Arouse deep faith, and diligently polish your mirror day and night. How should you polish it? Only by chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo -Nichiren
 
Excerpt from Daisaku Ikeda - A Youthful Diary (17 June 1953) p.142
 
A corps meeting at M.'s in Koiwa. There were about a hundred participants. Pleased to see everyone in high spirits, filled with hope, determination and vitality... Soiled clothes, wrinkled shirts, unkempt hair – they have, however, the precious eyes of youth looking toward and living for the future. Furthermore, though not apparent on the surface theirs is a gathering of young pioneers of the Mystic Law.
Resolved deep in my heart to develop them into a group of a hundred, a thousand, or ten thousand youth. Will take good care of my juniors. Must make them better than myself. This is the mission of a leader or senior in faith.


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Saturday 27 April 2019

Sensei's Daily Encouragement - 27 APRIL 2019 - Year of Soka Victory - Toward Our 90th Anniversary

    

Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda
April 27, 2019
 
Age is not an excuse for giving up. If you allow yourself to grow passive and draw back, it's a sign of personal defeat. There may be a retirement age at work, but there is no retirement age in life. How then could there be any "going into retirement" in the world of faith? The Buddhist Law is eternal, extending across the three existences of past, present and future, and one of the benefits of faith is perennial youth and eternal life.
 
 
From The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin
April 27, 2019
 
The five characters of Myoho-renge-kyo, the heart of the essential teaching of the Lotus Sutra, contain the benefit amassed through the countless practices and meritorious deeds of all Buddhas throughout the three existences. Then, how can these five characters not include the benefits obtained by observing all of the Buddhas' precepts?
 
The Teaching, Practice, and Proof
Written to Sammi-bo on March 21, 1275
 
 
 Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda
April 27, 2019
 
We all long for things of beauty - beauty of nature, of appearance, of life, a beautiful family and so on. But these cannot be gained if we are withdrawn and isolated, just looking at ourselves. We must create better relationships with other people and interact with our community and society with an open heart. We must be kind to nature. It is only through this process that we really grow and cultivate our own beauty.
 
 
Excerpt from Daisaku Ikeda - A Youthful Diary (16 June 1953) p.141
 
Strictly reflected that I, alone, am responsible for Sensei's anger.
Faith will change everything. The power of faith is the only way to a solution and further advancement.

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Friday 26 April 2019

Sensei's Daily Encouragement - 26 APRIL 2019 - Year of Soka Victory - Toward Our 90th Anniversary

    

Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda
April 26, 2019
 
What matters is winning in the end, the wins and losses along the way are of secondary significance. It's final victory in life that counts and that is the reason for our Buddhist practice. No matter how powerful or famous or privileged a person might be, Nichiren Daishonin says, from a Buddhist point of view it is all nothing more than a dream, an illusory pleasure; true happiness can only be attained by revealing the state of Buddhahood within our own life.
 
 
From The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin
April 26, 2019
 
There are two types of illness: minor and serious. Early treatment by a skilled physician can cure even serious illnesses, not to mention minor ones. Karma also may be divided into two categories: fixed and unfixed. Sincere repentance will eradicate even fixed karma, to say nothing of karma that is unfixed.
 
On Prolonging One's Life Span
Written to the lay nun Myojo in 1279
 
 
Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda
April 26, 2019
 
As globalization proceeds, we enter an age in which everybody's actions strongly influence everybody else. When we realize this, we can then alter our mindset and strive to build a global society of mutual coexistence and mutual prosperity. This will be done by going beyond devotion to the interests of the nation-state and devoting ourselves to the interests of all humanity. As Martin Luther King Jr. said, injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere. The key to the solution is the imagination to care for others. It is the empathizing heart or what Buddhists refer to when they talk about mercy.
 
 
Excerpt from Daisaku Ikeda - A Youthful Diary (16 June 1953) p.141
 
The Suiko Group met in the evening. Sensei was furious. We were at fault. Reflected on our complete lack of spirit and fortitude. Sensei left the meeting after only an hour or so. We stayed and went over our attitude and behavior until 10:00. My heart is like a dark cloud.
 
1. Take care to be on time.
2. Unity among the corps chiefs.
3. The Suiko Group's purpose, determination and passion
 





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Thursday 25 April 2019

Sensei's Daily Encouragement - 25 APRIL 2019 - Year of Soka Victory - Toward Our 90th Anniversary


    

Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda
April 25, 2019
 
 Adversity gives birth to greatness. The greater the challenges and difficulties we face, the greater opportunity we have to grow and develop as people. A life without adversity, a life of ease and comfort, produces nothing and leaves us with nothing. This is one of the indisputable facts of life.
 
 
From The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin
April 25, 2019
 
 Buddhahood is the most difficult to demonstrate. But since you possess the other nine worlds, you should believe that you have Buddhahood as well. Do not permit yourself to have doubts. Expounding on the human world, the Lotus Sutra says, "The Buddhas wish to open the door of Buddha wisdom to all living beings." . . . That ordinary people born in the latter age can believe in the Lotus Sutra is due to the fact that the world of Buddhahood is present in the human world.
 
The Object of Devotion for Observing the mind Established in the Fifth Five-Hundred-Year Period after the Thus Come One's Passing
Written to Toki Jonin on April 25, 1273
 
 
 Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda
April 25, 2019
 
 If you think about it, although we may not be destined to die five minutes from now, we are all, without exception, going to die at some point. We can count on it 100 percent. There is nothing surer than this. Victor Hugo says, "We are all under sentence of death, but with a sort of indefinite reprieve." Ideally, we should live every minute of our lives valuably, as if it were the last moment of our lives. Those who live aimlessly are left with a sense of emptiness at the end of their lives, but those who live all-out, striving right to the end, will die peacefully. Leonardo da Vinci says, "As a well-spent day brings happy sleep, so life well used brings happy death." One aware that death could come at any time will live each day to the fullest.
 
 
Excerpt from Daisaku Ikeda - A Youthful Diary (15 June 1953) p.141
 
Completely exhausted, both physically and spiritually…
In the evening, attended Musashino District's general meeting. No spirit whatsoever. It's a shame.
Lately I feel my mind becoming dull. No other fundamental solution than to "substitute faith for wisdom."





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