Sensei's Daily Encouragement - April 25 2024 - Year of Fresh Departure for a Youthful Soka Gakkai Worldwide

    

Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda
April 25, 2024
 
 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.
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From The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin
April 25, 2024
 
 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 Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, page 358
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 
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 Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda
April 25, 2024
 
 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.
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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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Sensei's Daily Encouragement - April 24 2024 - Year of Fresh Departure for a Youthful Soka Gakkai Worldwide

    

Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda
April 24, 2024
 
When youth are awakened to a sense of mission, their power is limitless. Ultimately, we have to entrust our hopes and visions for the future to the youth. This is a golden rule. Youth is pure. Youth will rise up to fulfill their ideals without calculation or self-interest. The fundamental spirit of a leader must be to reach out to such young people, work with them and bring out their capabilities and direct their youthful energies in a positive direction.
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From The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin
April 24, 2024
 
What matters most is that we honour the Buddha's words. As a rule, people in the world value what is distant and despise what is near, but this is the conduct of the ignorant. Even the distant should be repudiated if it is wrong, while what is near should not be discarded if it accords with the truth. Even though people may revere [their predecessors' doctrines], if those doctrines are in error, how can we employ them today?"
 
The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, page 155
Reply to Hoshina Goro Taro
Written to Hoshina Boro Taro on December 5, 1267
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Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda
April 24, 2024
 
The Buddhas, the World-Honoured Ones, wish to open the door of Buddha wisdom to all living beings, to allow them to attain purity. That is why they appear in the world. They wish to show the Buddha wisdom to living beings, and therefore they appear in the world. They wish to cause living beings to awaken to the Buddha wisdom, and therefore they appear in the world. They wish to induce living beings to enter the path of Buddha wisdom, and therefore they appear in the world. -The Lotus Sutra.
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Excerpt from Daisaku Ikeda - A Youthful Diary (15 June 1953) p.141
 
Completely exhausted, both physically and spiritually. Slept until 10:30. Totally disgusted with K. The rain grew harder. it is as if my entire being were in pain. Don't they speak of "a sound mind in a sound body"? Rather, both body and mind must be healthy simultaneously. This is an ultimate principle of faith.
Must complete the following:
1. Accomplish my chapter's goal.
2. Accomplish my mission at work.
3. Pursue the study of Buddhism.
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Sensei's Daily Encouragement - April 23 2024 - Year of Fresh Departure for a Youthful Soka Gakkai Worldwide

    

Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda
April 23, 2024
 
Our fellow members are all family with whom we are linked by deep bonds. If we support and protect this family, they will act as protective forces in our environment, supporting and keeping us from harm in lifetime after lifetime. This is a profound principle of Buddhism.
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From The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin
April 23, 2024
 
As I have often mentioned before, it is said that, where there is unseen virtue, there will be visible reward. Your fellow samurai all slandered you to your lord, and he also has wondered if it was true, but because you have for some years now honestly maintained a strong desire for your lord's welfare in his next life, you received a blessing like this. This is just the beginning, be confident that the great reward also is sure to come.
 
The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, page 907
Unseen Virtue and Visible Reward
Written to Shijo Kingo on April 23, 1278
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Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda
April 23, 2024
 
When we are aware that each moment of each day, each gesture and step we take, is truly mystical and full of wonder, we will live our lives with greater thought and care. We will also have greater respect and appreciation for the lives of others.
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Excerpt from Daisaku Ikeda - A Youthful Diary (14 June 1953) p.140
 
I am already twenty five. When the first president, Mr. Makiguchi, was thirty two, he wrote his innovative work, Human Geography, which is known worldwide. And, beginning with Guidelines to Math, Mr. Toda, my revered teacher, while still in his thirties, published many books popular throughout Japan. What will I have accomplished when I am that age?
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Sensei's Daily Encouragement - April 22 2024 - Year of Fresh Departure for a Youthful Soka Gakkai Worldwide

    

 Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda
April 22, 2024 

I hope you will always have the spirit to learn with a lively curiosity and interest. When leaders are enthusiastic to keep on learning and growing, they inspire others. New ideas emerge and spread. Fresh energy to advance surges forth. Instead of pretending to know all the answers, assuming an air of wisdom, let us always strive for greater understanding and insight into all manner of things, so that we can continue learning together and spur one another to grow. This is the kind of spirit I want to cherish.
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From The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin
April 22, 2024
 
In the Latter Day of the Law, no treasure tower exists other than the figures of the men and women who embrace the Lotus Sutra. It follows, therefore, that whether eminent or humble, high or low, those who chant Nam-myoho-renge-kyo are themselves the treasure tower, and likewise, are themselves the Thus Come One Many Treasures.
 
The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, page 299
On the Treasure Tower
Written to Abutsu-bo Nittoku on March 13, 1272
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Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda
April 22, 2024
 
Do not compare yourselves to others. Be true to who you are and continue to learn with all your might. Even if you are ridiculed, even if you suffer disappointments and setbacks, continue to advance and do not be defeated.
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Excerpt from Daisaku Ikeda - A Youthful Diary (12 June 1953) p.140
 
To listen to Mr. Toda's excellent lecture and hear his conviction makes me truly happy.
My health steadily gets worse. It's really pitiful. Met over dinner with K. and some associates at the I. restaurant at 9:00. I have no vitality. It's agonizing.
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Sensei's Daily Encouragement - April 21 2024 - Year of Fresh Departure for a Youthful Soka Gakkai Worldwide

    

Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda
April 21, 2024
 
Buddhism is reason. It doesn't exist apart from society, apart from reality. That is why it is important for each of us to cultivate good judgment and common sense. We must respect and harmonize with society's ways. Respecting the life of each individual, we work among the people. This is the SGI's fundamental creed.
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From The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin
April 21, 2024
 
Amber draws dust, and a magnet attracts iron particles; here our evil karma is like the dust or iron, and the daimoku of the Lotus Sutra is like the amber or the magnet. If we consider these [analogies, we can see why] we should always chant Nam-myoho-renge-kyo.
 
The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, page 142
The Daimoku of the Lotus Sutra
Recipient unknown; written on January 6, 1266
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Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda
April 21, 2024
 
There are many people, many lives, on this planet, too numerous, in fact, to count. From this great multitude, we wondrously find ourselves together with those in our families - as parents and children, as brothers and sisters, as husbands and wives. If we do not live joyfully and cheerfully in the company of those with whom we share this profound bond, what is life for? Should the atmosphere at home be somber, you yourself can be the "sun." By being a shining presence, you can cast the light of hope on your father, mother and whole family.
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Excerpt from Daisaku Ikeda - A Youthful Diary (07 April 1953) p.139
 
The world is changing acutely. To the rest of the world, the Gakkai may still seem as insignificant as a particle of dust. But look at us ten, twenty, or rather thirty years from now! There is no doubt the Daishonin's great philosophy will shine brilliantly throughout the world. Until then, we must fight. Until then, we must advance, we who possess a sense of responsibility and mission.
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Sensei's Daily Encouragement - April 20 2024 - Year of Fresh Departure for a Youthful Soka Gakkai Worldwide

    

 Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda
April 20, 2024
 
To possess both wisdom and compassion is the heart of our human revolution. If you have wisdom alone and lack compassion, it will be a cold, perverse wisdom. If you have compassion alone and lack wisdom, you cannot give happiness to others. You are even likely to lead them in the wrong direction. Also you cannot achieve your own happiness.
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From The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin
April 20, 2024
 
From the time that I was born until today, I, Nichiren, have never known a moment's ease, I have thought only of propagating the daimoku of the Lotus Sutra. I do not know how long I or anyone else may live, but without fail, I will be with you at the time of your death and guide you from this life to the next.
 
The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, page 965
Persecution by Sword and Staff
Written to Nanjo Tokimitsu on April 20, 1279
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Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda
April 20, 2024
 
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 – Nichiren.
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Excerpt from Daisaku Ikeda - A Youthful Diary (09 March 1953) p.139
 
Gakkai leaders must protect and encourage from the bottom of their hearts those who show promise for the future as well as those who are alone and those who are sincere.
Will deeply self-reflect. Must never be conceited. Must never lose the spirit of construction, training, effort and study throughout my life.
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Sensei's Daily Encouragement - April 19 2024 - Year of Fresh Departure for a Youthful Soka Gakkai Worldwide

    

Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda
April 19, 2024
 
At a crucial moment it is the strength and courage of ordinary people who have no name or position in society that save the day. The famous, the well-connected, almost always have too much to lose, and they abandon the cause in order to protect themselves.
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From The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin
April 19, 2024
 
The human mind is inconstant; it is ever-changing and unfixed. I thought it wondrous that you pledged faith in my teachings while I was in the province of Sado, and your sincerity in sending your husband all the way here is even more remarkable. The provinces we live in are far apart, and months and years have passed, so I was concerned that you might slacken in your resolve. However, you are increasingly demonstrating the depth of your faith and accumulating good deeds. Surely this is not a result of practice over just one or two previous lifetimes.
 
The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, page 491
Reply to the Lay Priest of Ko
Written to the lay priest of Ko on April 12, 1275
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Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda
April 19, 2024
 
Grass and trees cannot grow without soil. The "soil" that fosters our growth includes our parents, teachers, seniors, or homeland, alma mater, community or company. In any case, everyone has some place where they grew up or someone who nurtured them. Human beings grow as a result of nurturing "soil" in which they express their ability and make the flowers of their lives blossom, just as the spirit of the rice plant returns to the soil and the stalk sprouts to flower and bear grain once again. We should repay our debts of gratitude to this soil in which we developed. This cycle of repaying gratitude will envelop one's whole existence. Your true humanity will never blossom if you seek only to develop yourself.
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Excerpt from Daisaku Ikeda - A Youthful Diary (09 March 1953) p.139
 
A lecture for Study Department seniors at the headquarters. Mr. Toda's strictness and the earnestness of those attending remind me of the severe training of master swordsmen. Whenever I participate in a study meeting, I feel I have not studied enough. Profoundly aware of the importance of study.
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