Sensei's Daily Encouragement -January 6 2025- Year of Soaring Higher Toward a Youthful Soka Gakkai Worldwide

    

Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda
January 6, 2025
 
We practice this Buddhism to make our prayers and dreams come true and to achieve the greatest possible happiness. The purpose of Nichiren Daishonin's Buddhism is to enable us to realize victory. The fact that our prayers are answered proves the correctness of this teaching.
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From The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin
January 6, 2025
 
The Lotus Sutra of the Correct Law says that, if one hears this sutra and proclaims and embraces its title, one will enjoy merit beyond measure. And the Supplemented Lotus Sutra of the Wonderful Law says that one who accepts and upholds the name of the Lotus Sutra will enjoy immeasurable good fortune. These statements indicate that the good fortune one receives from simply chanting the daimoku is beyond measure.
 
The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, page 143
The daimoku of the Lotus Sutra
Recipient unknown, written on January 6, 1266
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Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda
January 6, 2025
 
You must never think that any of the eighty thousand sacred teachings of Shakyamuni Buddha's lifetime or any of the Buddhas and bodhisattvas of the ten directions and three existences are outside yourself. Your practice of the Buddhist teachings will not relieve you of the sufferings of birth and death in the least unless you perceive the true nature of your life. If you seek enlightenment outside yourself, then your performing even ten thousand practices and ten thousand good deeds will be in vain. It is like the case of a poor man who spends night and day counting his neighbor's wealth but gains not even half a coin. -Nichiren
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Excerpt from Daisaku Ikeda - A Youthful Diary (25 October 1957) p.347
 
Was severely admonished by Sensei in the morning. Confucius said, "nine thoughts to one word," but I haven't been putting this into practice. Had better watch myself.
 
At 12:10, the ceremony to bring out the casket was held in the Reception Hall. Then, the main funeral ceremony was held before the Sutra Repository. Was moved by the service, which lasted more than two hours and was held in accord with ancient tradition.

Heartbroken to see Sensei and his wife in tears, purely bidding their final farewell to Nissho….
Oh, how things change. Common mortal reflect the general principle that all is transient, nothing is permanent. In light of the Mystic Law, this principle becomes the four virtues – eternity, happiness, true self and purity. I, my wife, my mentor and my friends – several decades from now, we will all have passed from this world. Impermanence.
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Sensei's Daily Encouragement -January 5 2025- Year of Fresh Departure for a Youthful Soka Gakkai Worldwide

    

Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda
January 5, 2025
 
Faith is light. The hearts of those with strong faith are filled with light. A radiance envelops their lives. People with unshakable conviction in faith enjoy a happiness that is as luminous as the full moon on a dark night, as dazzling as the sun on a clear day.
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From The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin
January 5, 2025
 
First of all, as to the question of where exactly hell and the Buddha exist, one sutra states that hell exists underground, and another sutra says that the Buddha is in the west. Closer examination, however, reveals that both exist in our five-foot body. This must be true because hell is in the heart of a person who inwardly despises his father and disregards his mother. It is like the lotus seed, which contains both blossom and fruit. In the same way, the Buddha dwells within our hearts.
 
The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, page 1137
New Year's Gosho
Written to the wife of Omosu on January 5, year unknown
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Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda
January 5, 2025
 
One of the epithets of a Buddha is, "Hero of the World." A Buddha is a valiant and noble champion who has conquered the sufferings of life in the real world. Nichiren writes: "Buddhism is like the body, and society like the shadow when the body bends, so does the shadow." People can not live apart from society. But to be constantly at the mercy of society's ups and downs is a miserable existence. It is crucial for us to be strong and wise. The "body" Nichiren refers to is, on the personal level, our faith.
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Excerpt from Daisaku Ikeda - A Youthful Diary (22 October 1957) p.345
 
In the evening, Sensei explained that the "Expedient Means" chapter of the Lotus Sutra is like a child's castle built upon sand (when compared to the true teaching hidden in the "Life Span" chapter) and clarified the benefit of the character ge of renge in terms of attaining Buddhahood. He deeply elucidated the difference between Shakyamuni's Buddhism, its history and ideas, and the Daishonin's supreme philosophy of Nam-myo-renge-kyo.
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Sensei's Daily Encouragement -January 4 2025- Year of Fresh Departure for a Youthful Soka Gakkai Worldwide

    

Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda
January 4, 2025
 
Life is a series of changes, a succession of ups and downs. But those who possess a prime point, a home to which they can return no matter what happens, are strong. To come home to the world of friendship in the SGI, to talk things over and prepare for a fresh departure - this is the way I hope all of you will live. When you do, you will advance upon a fundamentally unerring path to happiness.
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From The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin
January 4, 2025
 
You are already a lay practitioner and therefore one of the "good men" described in the sutra. One who listens to even a sentence or phrase of the sutra and cherishes it deep in one's heart may be likened to a ship that crosses the sea of the sufferings of birth and death. The Great Teacher Miao-lostated, "Even a single phrase cherished deep in one's heart will without fail help one reach the opposite shore. To ponder one phrase and practice it is to exercise navigation."
 
The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, page 33
A Ship to Cross the Sea of ​​Suffering
Written to Shiji Shiro on April 28, 1961
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Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda
January 4, 2025
 
The essential teaching of Buddhism is that the life of the Buddha resides in every plant and tree, even in the smallest dust mote. It's a philosophy founded on a profound reverence for life.
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Excerpt from Daisaku Ikeda - A Youthful Diary (18 October 1957) p. 344
 
A day I will remember as long as I live. The first court session began at 2:00. It ended with the verification of the defendants' identity.
 
Dashed to Kobe in the evening to give guidance. Two thousand and several hundred members gathered. The battle has finally begun.
Know that now is the opportune time to advance in faith!
My friends! Advance resolutely, toward the next victory!
I, too, will fight!
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Sensei's Daily Encouragement -January 3 2025- Year of Fresh Departure for a Youthful Soka Gakkai Worldwide

    

Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda
January 3, 2025
 
Eiji Yoshikawa (1892-1962), the renowned Japanese author of many epic historic novels, asserted, "Great character is forged through hardships." Surviving a life of hardships and difficulties, of stormy ups and downs, is what produces a person of great depth and character. True happiness is also found in such an unshakable state of life.
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From The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin
January 3, 2025
 
Just as flowers open up and bear fruit, just as the moon appears and invariably grows full, just as a lamp becomes brighter when oil is added, and just as plants and trees flourish with rain, so will human beings never fail to prosper when they make good causes.
 
The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, page 1013
The Third Day of the New Year
Written to Nanjo Tokimitsu on January 11, 1280
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Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda
January 3, 2025
 
There simply are no Buddhas who spend all their time sitting in meditation. Buddhas are Buddhas precisely because they continually ponder and take action to help others resolve their worries.
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Excerpt from Daisaku Ikeda - A Youthful Diary (17 October 1957) p.343/344
 
Tomorrow, the trial begins. My wife accompanied me to pay her respects to the Osaka members. Though we rode third-class, it was perhaps a trip I shall never forget.
 
In the evening, called on A., who is ill, at home, then offered greetings at T.'s, S.'s and Y.'s.
 
The devilish nature of authority; the impartiality of the court; the integrity of the lawyers – had better etch all these in my mind…
 
Talked with the members until late at night. They are people I will remember always.
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Sensei's Daily Encouragement -January 2 2025- Year of Fresh Departure for a Youthful Soka Gakkai Worldwide

    

Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda
January 2, 2025
 
The people are most important and noble. President Toda was firmly convinced of this point. And I have advanced with the same spirit. This is also Nichiren Daishonin's undying spirit. Please always treasure and protect this organization of the people that is the SGI.
Events
1928 Daisaku Ikeda, SGI president, is born.
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From The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin
January 2, 2025
 
The Buddha has already been called a skilled physician, and the Law has been likened to good medicine and all living beings to people suffering from illness. The Buddha took the teachings that he had preached in the course of his lifetime, ground and sifted them, blended them together, and compounded an excellent medicine, the pill of the Mystic Law. Regardless of whether one understands it or not, so long as one takes the pill, can one fail to be cured of the illness of delusion?
 
The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, page 132-33
Conversation between a Sage and an Unenlightened Man
Recipient unknown; written in 1265
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Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda
January 2, 2025
 
In Nichiren Buddhism, attaining enlightenment is not about embarking on some inconceivably long journey to become a resplendent, godlike Buddha; it is about accomplishing a transformation in the depths of one's being. In other words, it is not a matter of practicing in order to scale the highest summit of enlightenment at some point in the distant future. Rather, it is a constant, moment-to-moment inner struggle between revealing our innate Dharma nature or allowing ourselves to be ruled by our fundamental darkness and delusion.
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Excerpt from Daisaku Ikeda - A Youthful Diary (15 October 1957) p.343
 
Yesterday, the retired high priest, Nissho, died. Received communication there would be an evening service for him. Sensei came directly to the head temple from Osaka, and we, from Tokyo. Severely rebuked by Sensei, who said all communication had been poor. Reflecting, I realize he was right.
The evening memorial service was held at the Renyoan at 7:00. Countless emotions. Was moved to tears watching Sensei eulogize Nissho.
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At 11:00, the casket was removed. Can imagine what it must have been like when the Daishonin died.
Gazed upon High Priest Nissho's face one last time. Amazed at his sublime and venerable Buddha-like countenance. Returned to Tokyo with Sensei on the steam train, which left just after 3:00. In the train, received profound guidance concerning the future of the priesthood and the Gakkai.
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Sensei's Daily Encouragement -January 1 2025- Year of Fresh Departure for a Youthful Soka Gakkai Worldwide

    

Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda
January 1, 2025
 
Those who wake up each morning with work to accomplish and a mission to fulfill are the happiest people of all. SGI members are like this. For us each day is one of supreme purpose and satisfaction. For us each day is New Year's Day. Please exert yourselves vigorously with the determination to live each day to the fullest, so that you may compose a golden diary of life.
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From The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin
January 1, 2025
 
I have received a hundred slabs of steamed rice cake and a basket of fruit. New Year's Day marks the first day, the first month, the beginning of the year, and the start of spring. A person who celebrates this day will accumulate virtue and be loved by all, just as the moon becomes full gradually, moving from west to east, and as the sun shines more brightly, traveling from east to west.
 
The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, page 1137
New Year's Gosho
Written to wife of Omosu on January 5, year unknown
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Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda
January 1, 2025
 
If the minds of living beings are impure, their land is also impure, but if their minds are pure, so is their land. There are not two lands, pure or impure in themselves. The difference lies solely in the good or evil of our minds. It is the same with a Buddha and an ordinary being. While 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 – Nichiren.
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Excerpt from Daisaku Ikeda - A Youthful Diary (14 October 1957) p.343
 
Got my wife to help edit my manuscript. Worked until late. Moonlight glistens through the window. Ah! Youth's emotions and passion shine all the more brilliantly! And my wife's face is so beautiful. Both, so young. Will never forget our youth together.
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