Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda
July 10, 2023
Beethoven is called a genius. But we need to be aware that his genius was based on incredibly strenuous effort. It all comes down to hard work, to tenacious efforts. You cannot become a person of the highest caliber if you have a casual, easygoing attitude, thinking things will somehow just fall into place. Accordingly, Beethoven's motto was "No day without a line." Every day without fail, he wrote music. He would not let even a single day pass without working assiduously. To continue every day-this is just like our practice of gongyo. Making persistent efforts each day is a source of tremendous strength.
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From the Writings of Nichiren Daishonin
July 10, 2023
Just as the Buddha's words in the sutra predict, the ruler grew hostile and the common people began to attack me. And because they treated me with enmity, heaven grew enraged, the sun and moon displayed great changes in their behavior, and huge comets appeared. The earth shook as though it would turn over, internecine strife broke out, and they were attacked by a foreign country. All happened just as the Buddha had predicted, and there is no doubt that I, Nichiren, am the votary of the Lotus Sutra.
The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, page 607
Reply to the Lay Priest Takahashi
Written to the lay priest Takahashi on July 12, 1275
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Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda
July 10, 2023
People's hearts are growing more complex, more confused and harder to understand. The same is true for human institutions. The darkness of this complicated and disturbed age may grow even deeper. This is why there is an even greater need for the brilliant inner light of culture, for education that polishes people's wisdom and character. This is the key to winning in life.
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Daisaku Ikeda - A Youthful Diary (22 June 1954) p.181
There are days when the sun shines and others when it remains hidden. There are days my faith is dynamic and others when it seems somehow weak. Is it fitting to compare the two? What great effort is required to continue throughout life with faith like flowing water. My deepest respect goes to those who have assiduously persevered in their faith for ten or twenty years, though they may be aged or living a mundane life.
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