Sensei's Daily Encouragement - 21 October 2020 - Year of Advancement and Capable People



    

Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda

October 21, 2020 

The mentality of getting others to do the hard work while one sits back and takes it easy - that is bureaucratism at its worst; it is not faith. The spirit of taking on the hard work oneself - that is faith, that is humanism.

 

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From the Writings of Nichiren Daishonin

October 21, 2020 

The mighty warrior General Li Kuang, whose mother had been devoured by a tiger, shot an arrow at the stone he believed was the tiger. The arrow penetrated the stone all the way up to its feathers. But once he realised it was only a stone he was unable to pierce it again. Later he came to be known as General Stone Tiger. This story applies to you. Though enemies lurk in wait for you, your resolute faith in the Lotus Sutra has forestalled great dangers before they could begin. Realising this, you must strengthen your faith more than ever.

The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, page 953

General Stone Tiger

Written to Shijo Kingo on October 22, 1278

 

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Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda

October 21, 2020 

Our lives grow to the degree that we give hope and courage to others and enable them to develop their lives. Therefore, while we speak of practicing Buddhism for others, it is we ourselves who ultimately benefit. With this understanding comes the ability to take action with a sense of appreciation.

 

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Excerpt from Daisaku Ikeda - A Youthful Diary (10 November 1955) p.271 

Everyone has periods when things go well and times when they aren't so smooth. But such distinctions disappear when a person is truly strong and capable.…

At night, I composed a poem titled "Human Revolution":…

Beginningless voyage of life,

Eternal motion of the macrocosm

As the morning sun soars into the sky,

Life stirs anew among the buds. 

The power of myoho, fundamental force of nature,

Strong enough to shatter boulders,

Or dispel the darkness of our evil karma.