Wednesday, May 25, 2019
The heart is most important of all. In his classic The Little Prince, the French author Antoine de Saint-Exupery writes: "It is only with the heart that one can see rightly; what is essential is invisible to the eye." It is just as he says. We cannot always tell whether something is genuine just with our eyes. Only by looking with the heart can we discern the true essence.
From the Writings of Nichiren Daishonin
Wednesday, May 25, 2019
If a spark as small as a bean is set to a single blade of grass in a spring field of a thousand square ri thick with grass, it becomes in an instant an immeasurable, boundless blaze. Such is also the case with this robe [you have offered]. Though only one robe, it has been offered to the Buddhas of all the characters of the Lotus Sutra. Be firmly convinced that the benefits from this will extend to your parents, your grandparents, nay, even to countless living beings, not to mention your own husband, whom you hold most dear.
The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, page 533
The Offering of an Unlined Robe
Written to the lady of Sajiki on May 25, 1275
Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda
Wednesday, May 25, 2019
The Indian poet Rabindranath Tagore compares the function of evil to the banks of a river. The river banks are obstructions, but they are necessary for keeping the river on track and flowing steadily forward. Without banks, the river would overflow, causing destruction instead of creating value.
Excerpt from Daisaku Ikeda - A Youthful Diary (12 January 1954) p.154
Held a group chiefs meeting at our chapter chief's house at 6:00. I scolded the leaders. Feeling sorry for them, I apologized in my heart. Sometimes, however, this cannot be helped if everyone is to advance.
After the group chiefs meeting, we held a senior leaders meeting until 11:00. The men's division leaders looked tired. On the way home, I thought to myself that more consideration should be given to the participants' age when planning late meetings.
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