Sensei's Daily Encouragement -February 19 2026- Year of Vibrant Growth for a Youthful Soka Gakkai Worldwide

  

Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda
February 19, 2026
 
This lifetime will never come again; it is precious and irreplaceable. To live without regret, it is crucial for us to have a concrete purpose and continually set goals and challenges for ourselves. It is equally important that we keep moving toward specific targets steadily and tenaciously, one step at a time.
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From The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin
February 19, 2026
 
Be sure to strengthen your faith, and receive the protection of Shakyamuni, Many Treasures, and the Buddhas of the ten directions. Exert yourself in the two ways of practice and study. Without practice and study, there can be no Buddhism. You must not only persevere yourself; you must also teach others. Both practice and study arise from faith. Teach others to the best of your ability, even if it is only a single sentence or phrase.
 
The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, page 386
The True Aspect of All Phenomena
Written to Sairen-bo Nichijo on May 17, 1273
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Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda
February 19, 2026
 
Chang-an writes, "If one befriends another person but lacks the mercy to correct him, one is in fact his enemy." The consequences of a grave offense are extremely difficult to erase. The most important thing is to continually strengthen our wish to benefit others - Nichiren
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Excerpt from Daisaku Ikeda - A Youthful Diary (19 January 1958) p.377
 
Rested all morning. Always thinking I must take care of my health. My wife's mother came over. It was about the children's education, our living expenses and other matters. She, my wife and I talked. Peacefully, warmly.
Tomorrow, I will have to bother Sensei at home. Took my children to the public bath in the evening. Wrote until 1:00
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Sensei's Daily Encouragement -February 18 2026- Year of Vibrant Growth for a Youthful Soka Gakkai Worldwide

  

Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda
February 18, 2026
 
Religious strife must be avoided at all cost; under no circumstance should it be allowed. People may hold different religious beliefs, but the bottom line is that we are all human beings. We all seek happiness and desire peace. Religion should bring people together. It should unite the potential for good in people's hearts toward benefiting society and humanity and creating a better future.
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From The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin
February 18, 2026
 
Grass without roots will die in no time and a river without a source will not flow far. A child without parents is looked down upon. Nam-myoho-renge-kyo, the heart of the "Life Span" chapter, is the mother of all Buddhas throughout the ten directions and the three existences of past, present and future.
 
The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, page 184
The Essence of the "Life Span" Chapter
Recipient unknown; written on April 17, 1271
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Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda
February 18, 2026
 
When you devote yourself to achieving your goal, you will not be bothered by shallow criticism. Nothing important can be accomplished if you allow yourself to be swayed by some trifling matter, always looking over your shoulder and wondering what others are saying or thinking. The key to achievement is to move forward along your chosen path with determination.
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Excerpt from Daisaku Ikeda - A Youthful Diary (07 January 1958) p.375
 
To the headquarters in the evening. Saw Sensei briefly. His condition seems extremely poor. Heartbreaking. Times have changed. Lamentable, regrettable. I, however have long to live before kosen-rufu is achieved. Sensei, please watch! The youth division will grow and will definitely carry on.
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To bed early. Cannot fight if I am exhausted. All that interest me is our battle for the Law.
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Sensei's Daily Encouragement -February 17 2026- Year of Vibrant Growth for a Youthful Soka Gakkai Worldwide

  

Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda
February 17, 2026
 
Life contains the capacity, like flames that reach toward heaven, to transform suffering and pain into the energy needed for value-creation, into light that illuminates darkness. Like the wind traversing vast spaces unhindered, life has the power to uproot and overturn all obstacles and difficulties. Like clear flowing water, it can wash away all stains and impurities. And finally life, like the great earth that sustains plants and vegetation, impartially protects all people with its compassionate, nurturing force.
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From The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin
February 17, 2026
 
Bodhisattva Superior Practices received the water of wisdom of the Mystic Law from the Thus Come One Shakyamuni and causes it to flow into the wasteland of the people's lives in the evil world of the latter age. This is the function of wisdom. Shakyamuni Buddha transferred this teaching to Bodhisattva Superior Practices, and now Nichiren propagates it in Japan .
 
The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin page 746
The Essentials for Attaining Buddhahood
Written to Soya Jiro Hyoe-no-jo Kyoshin on August 3, 1276
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Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda
February 17, 2026
 
True individuality never comes to full flower without hard work. Therefore, you're making a big mistake if you think that who you are right now represents all you are capable of being.
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Excerpt from Daisaku Ikeda - A Youthful Diary (06 January 1958) p.375
 
At 6:00, a New Year's Culture Department dinner at N. Having been invited, I attended. Made a congratulatory speech, K. gave words that contradicted what I had said. A small-minded person. Home, close to 10:00. Earnestly did gongyo. Will go to bed early.
From tomorrow, I will study Buddhism. Must study. Must not lose. One who doesn't study will definitely be defeated. One who continues to study will definitely win.
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Sensei's Daily Encouragement -February 16 2026- Year of Vibrant Growth for a Youthful Soka Gakkai Worldwide

  

Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda
February 16, 2026
 
I hope you will always live in unity with Nichiren Daishonin pursuing faith as disciples who are "of the same mind as Nichiren." Unfazed by the petty jealousies of others, please move forward boldly with joy and laughter.
Events
1222 Nichiren Daishonin is born.
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From The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin
February 16, 2026
 
According to the Buddhist teachings, prior to Shakyamuni slanderous monks would have incurred the death penalty. But since the time of Shakyamuni, the One Who Can Endure, the giving of alms to slanderous monks is forbidden in the sutra teachings.
 
The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, page 23
On Establishing the Correct Teaching for the Peace of the Land
Submitted to Hojo Tokiyori on July 16, 1260
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Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda
February 16, 2026
 
In the course of Buddhist practice, various things arise on account of the negative causes and tendencies in our own lives. There may be times when we think, "What did I do to deserve this?" But we should not be swayed every time such phenomena arise, for it is already certain that we will become happy in the end. We should regard as training everything that happens to us in our practice to reach the destination of happiness.
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Excerpt from Daisaku Ikeda - A Youthful Diary (05 January 1958) p.374/375
 
Had a fever all day. Troublesome – 99.9°F, I was told. Why do I always have this sort of fever? Lamentable. It always causes my wife to worry.
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Must take care of my health. This year, I want to forge a body and mind as strong as steel. Must build myself physically. Create a strong body.
This year – whether active, quiet or intense – will be a year to continuously face my destiny. My gaze is set straight ahead.
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Sensei's Daily Encouragement -February 15 2026- Year of Vibrant Growth for a Youthful Soka Gakkai Worldwide

  

Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda
February 15, 2026
 
Life is full of unexpected suffering. Even so, as Eleanor Roosevelt says: "If you can live through that [a difficult situation] you can live through anything. You gain strength, courage and confidence by every experience in which you really stop to look fear in the face. You are able to say to yourself, 'I lived through this horror. I can take the next thing that comes along." That's exactly right. Struggling against great difficulty enables us to develop ourselves tremendously. We can call forth and manifest those abilities lying dormant within us. Difficulty can be a source of dynamic new growth and positive progress.
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From The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin
February 15, 2026
 
All disciples and lay supporters of Nichiren should chant Nam-myoho-renge-kyo with the spirit of many in body but one in mind, transcending all differences among themselves to become as inseparable as fish and the water in which they swim. This spiritual bond is the basis for the universal transmission of the ultimate Law of life and death. Herein lies the true goal of Nichiren's propagation. When you are so united, even the great desire for widespread propagation can be fulfilled.
 
The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, page 217
The Heritage of the Ultimate Law of Life
Written to Sairen-bo Nichijo on February 11, 1272
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Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda
February 15, 2026
 
Endless striving is the only way to realize peace. Negligence resulting from over-confidence and satisfaction invites peril. Peace, once achieved, does not last forever by itself. It requires vigilance throughout all the activities of daily life.
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Excerpt from Daisaku Ikeda - A Youthful Diary (03 January 1958) p.374
 
Played Shogi (Japanese chess) with Sensei at the Rikyo-bo. Won one and lost one. I think this will be a deeply meaningful memory. Attended an evening discussion meeting with Osaka members. Must summon my life force – for the members, for my juniors – and earnestly dedicate myself for their sake. If I fail to do so, there is no reason for me to be with my mentor.
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Sensei's Daily Encouragement -February 14 2026- Year of Vibrant Growth for a Youthful Soka Gakkai Worldwide

  

Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda

February 14, 2026
 
Strength is happiness. Strength is itself victory. In weakness and cowardice there is no happiness. When you wage a struggle, you might win or you might lose. But regardless of the short-term outcome, the very fact of your continuing to struggle is proof of your victory as a human being. A strong spirit, strong faith and strong prayer-developing these is victory and the world of Buddhahood.
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From The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin
February 14, 2026
 
Whether you chant the Buddha's name, recite the sutra, or merely offer flowers and incense, all your virtuous acts will implant benefits and roots of goodness in your life. With this conviction you should strive in faith.
 
The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin,
On Attaining Buddhahood in This Lifetime
Written to Toki Jonin in 1255
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Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda
February 14, 2026
 
A shallow person will have only shallow relationships. Real love is not one person clinging to another , it can only be fostered between two strong people secure in their individuality. Antoine de Saint- Exupery, author of The Little Prince wrote in a work called Wind, Sand and Stars, "Love is not two people gazing at each other, but two people looking ahead together in the same direction."
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Excerpt from Daisaku Ikeda - A Youthful Diary (01 January 1958) p.373
 
Woke up, 7:00. Physically and spiritually exhausted. Yet, I am throbbing with the awareness and determination that I am about to embark upon my thirties.
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At 9:00, greeted Sensei at his home in Meguro. Nothing could be greater than the youth division leaders' pride and joy upon welcoming the New Year with their mentor.
 
Sensei seemed in high spirits. Want to develop such faith that I will never leave him throughout my life. There is no other life for me.
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Sensei's Daily Encouragement -February 13 2026- Year of Vibrant Growth for a Youthful Soka Gakkai Worldwide

  

Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda
February 13, 2026
 
Remembering things about a person is an expression of compassion and concern. Forgetfulness shows a lack of compassion, a lack of responsibility.
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From The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin
February 13, 2026
 
Because I chant Nam-myoho-renge-kyo with my own mouth, I have been reviled, struck, exiled, and had my life threatened. However, in spite of all this, I have continued to exhort others to do likewise. Am I not then a votary of the Lotus Sutra?"
 
The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, page 892
No Safety in the Threefold World
Written to Matsuno Rokuro Saemon on February 13, 1278
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 Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda
February 13, 2026
 
Henry David Thoreau, a renowned American Renaissance thinker, wrote in his journal: "Nothing must be postponed. Take time by the forelock. Now or never! You must live in the present, launch yourself on every wave, find your eternity in each moment." We shouldn't put anything off but seize the moment, living with all our being in the present. If we do that, he says, each moment will become eternity.
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Excerpt from Daisaku Ikeda - A Youthful Diary (31 December 1957) p.370
 
An eternal goodbye to my twenty-ninth year. May I live gloriously in my thirties. It has been a difficult year. It may have been a losing battle. This coming year, I will definitely win and make a fresh start toward a splendid life. Farewell, 1957! Mount Fuji stands undaunted, as always, against the bitter wind. 
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