Sensei's Daily Encouragement -January 25 2026- Year of Vibrant Growth for a Youthful Soka Gakkai Worldwide

  

Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda
January 25, 2026
 
The important thing is to hold on resolutely to one's convictions come what may, just as the Daishonin teaches. People who possess such unwavering conviction will definitely become happy.
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From The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin
January 25, 2026
 
Buddhism teaches that, when the Buddha nature manifests itself from within, it will receive protection from without. This is one of its fundamental principles.
 
The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, page 848
The Three Kinds of Treasure
Written to Shijo Kingo on September 11, 1277
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Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda
January 25, 2026
 
You cannot judge the quality of another's friendship by superficial appearances, especially when things are going smoothly. It is only when we have experienced the worst, most crushing of times - when we have plumbed the depths of life - that we can experience the joys of genuine friendship. Only a man of principle, a woman of resolve - a person who stays true to their chosen path - can be a trusted and true friend and have real friends in turn.
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Excerpt from Daisaku Ikeda - A Youthful Diary (28 November 1957) p.359
 
The time is coming for the youth division to reveal its true potential. Resolved to ponder deeply the next stage of the organization's development. The youth division leaders themselves have stopped growing. One reason is they lack direction. The second is that they lack dialogue with their mentor. The third, among others, is that their seniors don't instill them with confidence.
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Sensei's Daily Encouragement -January 24 2026- Year of Vibrant Growth for a Youthful Soka Gakkai Worldwide

  

Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda
January 24, 2026

We use our voices not only to chant daimoku but to guide, encourage and introduce others to the Daishonin's Buddhism. Our voice, therefore, is very important. An angry voice, a coarse voice, a cold voice, an imperious voice - none of these will communicate how wonderful Nichiren Daishonin's Buddhism is. I would like you to be humanistic leaders who can encourage others with bright warm voices, so that they will say, "What a lovely voice!" and "I'm always so inspired when I hear you speak." Becoming this kind of leader is one actual proof of your human revolution.
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From The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin
January 24, 2026

I explained the teachings of the Lotus Sutra to you before. Matters of minor importance arise from good, but when it comes to a matter of great importance, great disaster without fail changes into great fortune.

The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, page 824
A Warning against Begrudging One's Fief
Written to Shijo Kingo in July 1277
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Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda
January 24, 2026

Buddhism teaches equality and absolute respect for the dignity of life. Educating people to be citizens of the world begins with cultivating respect, compassion and empathy for others. I am certain that friendship and limitless trust in people can empower us to overcome socially disruptive discrimination and hatred. Open-minded exchanges on the popular level will be increasingly important in the years to come. When people engage in mind-to-mind dialogue, they are grateful to see ethnic and cultural differences not as obstacles but as expressions of society - enriching diversity that engenders respect and a desire for further exploration.
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Excerpt from Daisaku Ikeda - A Youthful Diary (27 November 1957) p.358

Attended a private funeral service for Nichiko Hori. High priest Nichijun led gongyo at 1:00pm at Sessen Manor. At 2:00, the casket was brought out.

His sublime countenance at death is that of a great philosopher of this century who, throughout his ninety-one years, devoted himself to an exhaustive study of the profound principles of this great Buddhism. Boundlessly moved. It is clear-cut proof of the power of Buddhism. We recently bid farewell to Nissho, and now we pay our last respects to Nichiko. It's as if the grand stage is changing in preparation for kosen-rufu. I have one request (of Nichiko): that you continue to encourage and guide me until the day of kosen-rufu, and when I die, that you will take my childish hand and welcome me.
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Sensei's Daily Encouragement -January 23 2026- Year of Vibrant Growth for a Youthful Soka Gakkai Worldwide

  

Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda
January 23, 2026

As practitioners of the Daishonin's Buddhism we get up in the morning and do gongyo. Some perhaps may do so rather reluctantly! Nevertheless, doing gongyo is itself a truly great and noble thing. Gongyo is a solemn ceremony in which we are looking out and over the universe. It is a dialogue with the universe
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From The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin
January 23, 2026

A wisteria vine, by twining around a pine, may climb a thousand fathoms into the air; and a crane, because it has wings to rely upon, can travel ten thousand ri. It is not their own strength that allows them to do these things. This applies likewise in the case of the priest Jibu-bo. Though he himself is like the wisteria vine, because he clings to the pine that is the Lotus Sutra, he is able to ascend the mountain of perfect enlightenment.

The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, page 820
On Offerings for Deceased Ancestors
Written to Jibu-bo Nichii's grandmother on July 13, 1279
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Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda
January 23, 2026

Mahatma gandhi said, "Good travels at a snail's pace." The peace movement cannot accomplish things radically and all at once. Often, it can only advance by gradual and protracted means. Gradualism does not, however, imply negative compromise or merely passing time. It means truly reforming our times by sowing seeds of peace in individual minds through sincere dialogue and, in this way, cultivating consensus.
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Excerpt from Daisaku Ikeda - A Youthful Diary (25 November 1957) p.358

Morning gongyo is difficult, both spiritually and physically. Received a message from Sensei saying, "Look after things well while I'm away."

Sensei! Please don't die until kosen-rufu is achieved! I, too, must survive.

Deeply, powerfully determined. Quietly, naturally reflected on Sensei's guidance: how to view the times; how to raise able individuals; how to judge a person's character; the merits and weaknesses of Nobunaga's leadership; of Hideyoshi's and Ieyasu's.

(Oda Nobunaga was the initiator of the unification of Japan under the shogunate in the late 16th century, which ruled Japan until the Meiji Restoration in 1868. His work was continued, completed and finalized by his successors Toyotomi Hideyoshi and Tokugawa Ieyasu.)
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Sensei's Daily Encouragement -January 22 2026- Year of Vibrant Growth for a Youthful Soka Gakkai Worldwide

  

Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda
January 22, 2026

Ultimately, happiness rests on how you establish a solid sense of self or being. Happiness does not lie in outward appearances nor in vanity. It is a matter of what you feel inside; it is a deep resonance in your life. To be filled each day with a rewarding sense of exhilaration and purpose, a sense of tasks accomplished and deep fulfillment - people who feel this way are happy. Those who have this sense of satisfaction even if they are extremely busy are much happier than those who have time on their hands but feel empty inside.
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From The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin
January 22, 2026

A hundred years of practice in the land of Perfect Bliss cannot compare to the benefit gained from one day's practice in the impure world. Two thousand years of propagating Buddhism during the Former and Middle Days of the Law are inferior to an hour of propagation in the Latter Day of the Law. This is in no way because of Nichiren's wisdom, but simply because the time makes it so. In spring the blossoms open, in autumn the fruit appears. Summer is hot, winter is cold. The season makes it so, does it not?"

The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, page 736
On Repaying Debts of Gratitude
Written to Joken-bo and Gijo-bo on July 21, 1276
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Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda
January 22, 2026

There is a saying that the earth upon which we fall is the same ground which enables us to push ourselves up again. There's another which maintains that barley grows better after it has been trampled on. Human relationships are sometimes painful, but there is no such pain from which we cannot recover. It is up to us to decide to live a life free from self-doubt and despair in spite of our failures. Indeed, it is during our most humbling moments that we should show greatest poise and grace. Then the dignity of our lives will truly shine
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 Excerpt from Daisaku Ikeda - A Youthful Diary (23 November 1957) p.357

The YWD general meeting held at the Kawasaki Civic Auditorium… Sensei did not attend. A sad, forlorn general meeting. Is this evidence that the Gakkai has entered an important new stage?
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The general meeting centered on the theme of President Toda's "Declaration for the Abolition of Nuclear Weapons." I also talked about the atomic bomb…

An executive conference at F. until late in the evening. My wife went to Sensei's home in Meguro to check on him. His condition did not seem good, she told me. Greatly concerned. Deeply regret not having gone to Sensei's home to report. Extremely exhausted.
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Sensei's Daily Encouragement -January 21 2026- Year of Vibrant Growth for a Youthful Soka Gakkai Worldwide

  

Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda
January 21, 2026

Humanity today lacks hope and vision for the future. It is for precisely this reason that the Bodhisattvas of the Earth have appeared. Without your presence, the future of humanity would be bleak and spiritual decline its destination. That is why you have been born in this age and are now playing an active role in society. This is the meaning of jiyu, or "emerging from the earth." Consequently, each of you will definitely become happy. Please be confident that you will lead lives overflowing with good fortune throughout the three existences of past, present and future.
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From The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin
January 21, 2026

I hope all those who are serious in their resolve will gather in one place and listen to this letter.

The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, page 622
The Problem to Be Pondered Night and Day
Written to Toki Jonin on August 12, 1275
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Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda
January 21, 2026

We ordinary people can see neither our own eyelashes, which are so close, nor the heavens in the distance. Likewise, we do not see that the Buddha exists in our own hearts - Nichiren
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Excerpt from Daisaku Ikeda - A Youthful Diary (21 November 1957) p.357

Worried about Sensei all day. When I consider the Gakkai's future, I realize I, too have hit rock bottom in terms of health, nerves and fatigue. Visited barber shop in the early evening. Somewhat refreshed.

Day after day is a battle of human revolution. Like a human projectile, I will throw myself into battle again today and prevail while chanting daimoku. This is my entire life; the ultimate essence of faith.
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Sensei's Daily Encouragement -January 20 2026- Year of Vibrant Growth for a Youthful Soka Gakkai Worldwide

  

Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda
January 20, 2026

In this lifetime, to demonstrate the power of faith in the Mystic Law to others some of you may have been born into poverty so that you could show actual proof by gaining secure and comfortable lives. Some of you may have been born with ill health so that you could show proof by growing strong and healthy. Irrespective of your situations, however, the light of faith in the depths of your beings will continue to shine on eternally with diamond-like brilliance.
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From The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin
January 20, 2026

Strengthen your resolve more than ever. Ice is made of water, but it is colder than water. Blue dye comes from indigo, but when something is repeatedly dyed in it, the color is better than that of the indigo plant. The Lotus Sutra remains the same, but if you repeatedly strengthen your resolve, your color will be better than that of others, and you will receive more blessings than they do.

The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, page 615
The Supremacy of the Law
Written to Oto and her mother, Nichimyo, on August 4, 1275
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Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda
January 20, 2026

A complete lack of exertion or stress may seem desirable, but in fact it results in boredom and stagnation. It is essential that we keep making continuous efforts amid challenging circumstances, pushing forward with dynamic creativity and breaking through all obstacles. That is the way to develop new strength and achieve fresh growth, whether it be in the case of an individual or an organization.
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Excerpt from Daisaku Ikeda - A Youthful Diary (20 November 1957) P 356/357

Read Collected Works of Chikamatsu Monzaemon. Though he is not a favorite of mine, I am surprised at the excellence of his style and descriptiveness. He may be one of Japan's great literary masters.

A sense of mission and hope is welling up from deep within me that sometime during my lifetime, I will record for posterity a record of President Toda's life. Want my mind to become clear and precise.

In the quiet of the late night, my wife, beautiful in her Japanese kimono, brings me tea. The clock reads 1:10 a.m.
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Sensei's Daily Encouragement -January 19 2026- Year of Vibrant Growth for a Youthful Soka Gakkai Worldwide

  

Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda
January 19, 2026

Suffering and undergoing hardships for the sake of friends and for spreading the Law shows the sense of responsibility of a genuine leader and is the behaviour of a bodhisattva. There is no suffering or hardship that a Bodhisattva of the Earth cannot surmount. So no matter what happens, I would like you to steadily advance one step at a time, always chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo with a vibrant voice.
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From The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin
January 19, 2026

It is certain that, even if there were an age when the sun rises in the west, or a time were to come when the moon emerges from the ground, the Buddha's words would never prove false. Judging from this, there cannot be the least doubt that your late father is now in the presence of Shakyamuni Buddha, the lord of teachings, and that you will receive great blessings in your present existence. How wonderful, how splendid!"

The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, page 655
Good Fortune in This Life
Written to Nanjo Tokimitsu on January 19, 1276
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Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda
January 19, 2026

The years pass. The times change. All that survives and transcends this inevitable process, that shines brighter with each new era, is the record of a great human spirit that has endured the unendurable and remained true to the very end to its deepest convictions.
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Excerpt from Daisaku Ikeda - A Youthful Diary (20 November 1957) p.356

Sensei is resting at home. Extreme illness has prevented him from going to Hiroshima after all. I wonder how he is taking it. Rather, I think it is for the best. Nevertheless, his resolute guidance will remain in my life forever.

Happy to hear that Dr H. came by last night to examine him. Can only chant to the Gohonzon for Sensei to live long.
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