Sensei's Daily Encouragement -November 20 2024- Year of Fresh Departure for a Youthful Soka Gakkai Worldwide

    

Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda
November 20, 2024
 
What is the purpose of life? It is happiness. But here are two kinds of happiness: relative and absolute. Relative happiness comes in a wide variety of forms. The purpose of Buddhism is to attain Buddhahood. In modern terms, this could be explained as realizing absolute happiness - a state of happiness that can never be destroyed or defeated.
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From the Writings of Nichiren Daishonin
November 20, 2024
 
You should not have the slightest fear in your heart. It is lack of courage that prevents one from attaining Buddhahood, although one may have professed faith in the Lotus Sutra many times since innumerable kalpas ago.
 
The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, page 637
The Three Obstacles and Four Devils
Written to Ikegami Hyoe no Sakan Munenga on November 20, 1277
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Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda
November 20, 2024
 
Many things happen in life. There are joyous days and times of suffering. Sometimes unpleasant things occur. But that's what makes life so interesting. The dramas we encounter are part and parcel of being human. If we experienced no change or drama in our lives, if nothing unexpected ever happened, we would merely be like automatons, our lives unbearably monotonous and dull. Therefore, please develop a strong self so that you can enact the drama of your life with confidence and poise in the face of whatever vicissitudes you may encounter.
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Excerpt from Daisaku Ikeda - A Youthful Diary (09 December 1956) p.309
 
Got up a little before 6:00 – pilgrimage. Mentally and physically exhausted; woke up just in time. Arrived at the head temple just after 11:00…
 
The light rain gave way to weather that was almost too good to be true. Chanted before the Dai-Gohonzon at 2:00. Gongyo was excruciatingly difficult, but afterward it was as if a dark cloud in my heart had lifted to reveal a clear state of life.
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Sensei's Daily Encouragement -November 19 2024- Year of Fresh Departure for a Youthful Soka Gakkai Worldwide

    

Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda
November 19, 2024
 
The innate power of humanity is the driving force that breaks down all barriers of discrimination. The ultimate expression of this humanity is Buddhahood; it is the power of the Mystic Law. Daimoku is therefore the fundamental energy for realizing victory in the struggle for human rights.
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From the Writings of Nichiren Daishonin
November 19, 2024
 
In this age, it is as natural for a woman to change her fixed karma by practicing the Lotus Sutra as it is for rice to ripen in fall or chrysanthemums to bloom in winter. When I prayed for my mother, not only was her illness cured, but her life was prolonged by four years. Now you too have fallen ill, and as a woman, it is all the more timely for you to establish steadfast faith in the Lotus Sutra and see what it will do for you.
 
The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, page 955
On Prolonging One's Life Span
Written to the lay nun Myojo in 1279
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Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda
November 19, 2024
 
To be concerned only with one's own happiness is egoism. To claim you care only about the happiness of others is hypocrisy. Genuine happiness is becoming happy together with others. Josei Toda said: "Just becoming happy oneself -- there's nothing difficult to that. It's easy. Helping others become happy is the foundation of our faith."
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Excerpt from Daisaku Ikeda - A Youthful Diary (07 December 1956) p.308
 
Not feeling well all day. Deplore my frail health. It's miserable, sad. How will I accomplish anything great in the future with this health? At what age am I destined to die?
If the principle that 'the ultimate reality of an individual's life pervades the entire universe' is true, then it should be possible to reform my life, including its physical aspect, through determined faith.
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Sensei's Daily Encouragement -November 18 2024- Year of Fresh Departure for a Youthful Soka Gakkai Worldwide

    

Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda
November 18, 2024
 
The Soka Gakkai's goal is kosen-rufu -- realizing human happiness and world peace by widely spreading the philosophy and ideals of Nichiren Daishonin's Buddhism. We will continue to strive earnestly for this goal, undaunted by criticism, slander or malicious attempts to hinder our progress. That is because what we are doing is the will and decree of the original Buddha, Nichiren Daishonin. I proclaim that all who energetically exert themselves for the cause of kosen-rufu are genuine disciples of the Daishonin and genuine members of the SGI.

Events

Soka Gakkai Founding Day
1930 Soka Gakkai is established.
1944 Tsunesaburo Makiguchi, the Soka Gakkai's first president, dies in prison.
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From the Writings of Nichiren Daishonin
November 18, 2024
 
How long does a lifetime last? If one stops to consider, it is like a single night's lodging at a wayside inn. Should one forget that fact and seek some measure of worldly fame and profit? Though you may gain them, they will be mere prosperity in a dream, a delight scarcely to be prized. You would do better simply to leave such matters to the karma formed in your previous existences.
 
The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, page 63
Questions and Answers about Embracing the Lotus Sutra
Recipient unknown; written in March 1263
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Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda
November 18, 2024
 
If you want to build a happy life, you have to give careful thought to the foundations. Happiness certainly cannot be secured on appearances or affectation. Happiness comes down to the inner state of our life at a given moment.
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Excerpt from Daisaku Ikeda - A Youthful Diary (04 December 1956) p.306/307
 
The father states, "Arrogant people do not last long," to which the son replies with a smile, "People who are not arrogant do not last long either."
 
I value these words as well.
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Talked informally with youth division staff members in conference room #1 at the headquarters. Went home feeling desolate. People are all conceited, wrapped up only in themselves.
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Sensei's Daily Encouragement -November 17 2024- Year of Fresh Departure for a Youthful Soka Gakkai Worldwide

    

Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda
November 17, 2024
 
Only if you challenge your human revolution in a manner that is true to yourself will the people around you naturally begin to trust and respect you. That in itself is the greatest way of laying the groundwork for the spread of Nichiren Daishonin's Buddhism.
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From the Writings of Nichiren Daishonin
November 17, 2024
 
The same is true of your attaining Buddhahood. No matter what grave offenses you might have committed, because you did not turn against the Lotus Sutra, but showed your devotion by accompanying me, you will surely become a Buddha. Yours is like the case of King Possessor of Virtue, who gave his life to save the monk Realization of Virtue and became Shakyamuni Buddha. Faith in the Lotus Sutra acts as a prayer [to attain Buddhahood]. Strengthen your resolve to seek the way all the more and achieve Buddhahood in this lifetime.
 
The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, page 946
The Receipt of New Fiefs
Written to Shijo Kingo in October 1278
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Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda
November 17, 2024
 
The Lotus Sutra, which explains that all people can attain Buddhahood and that all people are Buddhas, embodies a spirit of supreme respect for human beings. By contrast, those teachings and ideas that seek to turn people into objects to be exploited embody ultimate disrespect for human beings. Such disrespect is an expression of fundamental darkness. On the level of the individual, practicing the Lotus Sutra means confronting the fundamental darkness in one's own life.
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Excerpt from Daisaku Ikeda - A Youthful Diary (04 December 1956) p.306
 
Once again pondered Ieyasu's admonition: "A person faces three turning points in life that one should bear well in mind. The first is around the age of seventeen or eighteen when one may become tainted through the bad influence of friends. The second is around thirty when one may become arrogant about things, failing to show respect even to venerable seniors. Then, around forty, one may grow bored with life and be given to reminiscing about the past, thus growing weak at heart."
I should thoroughly self-reflect. In any event, these words are very interesting.
 
Tokugawa Ieyasu (January 31, 1543 – June 1, 1616) was the founder and first shogun of the Tokugawa shogunate of Japan.
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Sensei's Daily Encouragement -November 16 2024- Year of Fresh Departure for a Youthful Soka Gakkai Worldwide

    

Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda
November 16, 2024
 
When we speak of showing actual proof, it doesn't mean we have to try to put on a show of being in any way more knowledgeable or accomplished than we are. It is my hope that, in the manner that best suits your situation, you will prove the validity of this Buddhism by steadily improving in your daily life and in polishing your character, as well as in your family, place of work and community.
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From the Writings of Nichiren Daishonin
November 16, 2024
 
Thus it seemed that I could not possibly escape with my life. Whatever the design of the heavenly gods in the matter may have been, every single steward and Nembutsu believer worthy of the name kept strict watch on my hut day and night, determined to prevent anyone from communicating with me. Never in any lifetime will I forget how under those circumstances you, with Abutsu-bo carrying a wooden container of food on his back, came in the night again and again to bring me aid.
 
The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, page 932
The Sutra of True Requital
Written to the lay nun Sennichi on July 28, 1278
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Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda
November 16, 2024
 
The real essence and practice of humanism is found in heartfelt, one-to-one dialogue. Be it summit diplomacy or the various interactions of private citizens in different lands, genuine dialogue has the kind of intensity described by the great twentieth-century humanist and philosopher Martin Buber as an encounter "on the narrow ridge" in which the slightest inattention could result in a precipitous fall. Dialogue is indeed this kind of intense, high-risk encounter.
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Excerpt from Daisaku Ikeda - A Youthful Diary (03 December 1956) p.306
 
Each day has become hectic. Especially since now is the year end. It seems that without adequate physical, spiritual and mental strength, one cannot accomplish anything great. The unity of body and mind. Life is ultimately a manifestation of its inner reality. This is not merely spiritual. It is the oneness of body and mind. We call this myoho, The Mystic Law.
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Sensei's Daily Encouragement -November 15 2024- Year of Fresh Departure for a Youthful Soka Gakkai Worldwide

    

Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda
 November 15, 2024
 
Please steadily advance along the fundamental path of "faith manifests itself in daily life," living in the way that best suits you. Just as the sun rises every day, if you persistently advance based on the Mystic Law, the absolute Law of the universe, you will definitely be able to lead a life in which all desires are fulfilled, a life that you cannot now even conceive of. Please be convinced that you are now leading the most certain and valuable life.
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From the Writings of Nichiren Daishonin
 November 15, 2024
 
The benefit of all the other sutras is uncertain, because they teach that one must first make good causes and only then can one become a Buddha at some later time. With regard to the Lotus Sutra, when one's hand takes it up, that hand immediately attains Buddhahood, and when one's mouth chants it, that mouth is itself a Buddha, as, for example, the moon is reflected in the water the moment it appears from behind the eastern mountains, or as a sound and its echo arise simultaneously.
 
The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, page 1099
Wu-lung and I-lung
Written to the lay nun Ueno on November 15, 1281
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Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda
 November 15, 2024
 
We are always changing. If you decide passively, "I'm a quiet type now, so I'll just go through life being quiet," then you won't fully realize your unique potential. On the other hand, you can challenge yourself to become someone, who, though quiet and reserved by nature, will nevertheless say what needs to be said at the right moment, clearly and completely, someone who has the courage to speak out and stand up for the truth.
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Excerpt from Daisaku Ikeda - A Youthful Diary (02 December 1956) p.305/6
 
Went to the public baths alone and spent the morning there.
Read while lying down until nightfall. My wife's mother came by. She is always a wonderful mother. Miss my own mother. Promised to buy my wife and her mother each a new obi. This is my greatest gift – to let them be beautiful, be happy and enjoy themselves.
 
Obi (帯, おび) is a sash for traditional Japanese dress.
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Sensei's Daily Encouragement -November 14 2024- Year of Fresh Departure for a Youthful Soka Gakkai Worldwide

  

Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda
November 14, 2024
 
In a family, if one person is unhappy, then so is the entire family. Therefore, I would like you to sincerely pray for and protect one another so that there are no people who are unfortunate and unhappy, or who abandon their faith, and that every person will become happy. These are the kinds of humanistic bonds among fellow members that give birth to true unity. Coercion or force stemming from power and authority is ineffective at critical moments.
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From the Writings of Nichiren Daishonin
November 14, 2024
 
When once we chant Myoho-renge-kyo, with just that single sound we summon forth and manifest the Buddha nature of all Buddhas; all existences; all bodhisattvas; all voice-hearers; all the deities such as Brahma, Shakra, and King Yama; the sun and moon, and the myriad stars; the heavenly gods and earthly deities, on down to hell-dwellers, hungry spirits, animals, asuras, human and heavenly beings, and all other living beings. This blessing is immeasurable and boundless.
 
The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, page 887
How Those Initially Aspiring to the Way Can Attain Buddhahood through the Lotus Sutra
Written to the lay nun Myoho in 1277
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Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda
November 14, 2024
 
Our voice resonates with life. Because this is so, it can touch the lives of others. The caring and compassion imbued in your voice finds passage to the listener's soul, striking his or her heart and causing it to sing out; the human voice summons something profound from deep within, and can even compel a person into action.
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Excerpt from Daisaku Ikeda - A Youthful Diary (02 December 1956) p.305
 
Awoke around 6:00 from a frightening dream. Boundless agony, even after awakening. Proof that the Mystic Law has not yet permeated the mysterious inner world of my life. It was just a nightmare, but it makes me think of life in the state of hell after death. Want to have sublime and beautiful dreams.
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