Sensei's Daily Encouragement -February 8 2026- Year of Vibrant Growth for a Youthful Soka Gakkai Worldwide

  

Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda
February 8, 2026
 
I hope that as leaders you will always express your appreciation for and do your utmost to support the many sincere members who are steadfastly exerting themselves in faith. The Daishonin says that when you see someone who embraces the Mystic Law, you should rise and greet them from afar, showing them the same respect you would a Buddha.
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From The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin
February 8, 2026
 
 Not even the wisdom of the Buddha can fathom the blessings that one will obtain by giving alms to Nichiren and by becoming his disciple and lay supporter.
 
The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, page 384
The True Aspect of All Prenomena
Written to Sairen-bo Nichijo on May 17, 1273
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Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda
February 8, 2026
 
 Josei Toda often compared death to sleep. When we have been awake for a long time, we tire and go to sleep. And when we wake up after a sound sleep, our vitality is restored. After we have been alive for a long time, we grow weary and die. And then we set out on a new life with a fresh spirit. Death is a period of "recharging" for our next existence.
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Excerpt from Daisaku Ikeda - A Youthful Diary (25 December 1957) p.368
 
A message from Sensei containing next year's direction.
 
1. Faith to establish family harmony
2. Faith to enable each individual to obtain happiness.
3. Faith to overcome obstacles.
 
Our magnificent religious revolution advances…
 
The meeting ended 9:30. Headed home. Read the Gosho alone. It is shameful for a leader be deficient in study. How could I, as a seeker of the way, fail to do so. Must never become an arrogant person. Strictly admonished by my mentor's eyes.
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Sensei's Daily Encouragement -February 7 2026- Year of Vibrant Growth for a Youthful Soka Gakkai Worldwide

  

Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda
February 7, 2026
 
Your environment does not matter. Everything starts with you. You must forge yourself through your own efforts. I urge each of you to create something, start something and make a success of something. That is the essence of human existence, the challenge of youth. Herein lies a wonderful way of life always aiming for the future.
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From The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin
February 7, 2026
 
I am much distressed to hear that your illness has become so serious. Swords exist to cut down enemies and medicine exists to cure sickness. King Ajatashatru murdered his father and made himself an enemy of the Buddha. But after foul sores broke out on his body, he converted to the Buddha's teachings and embraced the Lotus Sutra, whereupon his sores healed and he prolonged his life by forty years.
 
The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, page 610
Reply to the Lay Priest Takahashi
Written to the lay priest Takashashi
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Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda
February 7, 2026
 
In his writings, regarding Buddhist practice, Nichiren repeatedly emphasized the importance of the heart. While teaching that faith and courage are the powers and functions of the heart that enable us to open the world of Buddhahood in our lives, he also cautioned against the heart's negative functions, such as disbelief and cowardice, which close us off to our potential for Buddhahood.
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Excerpt from Daisaku Ikeda - A Youthful Diary (25 December 1957) p.367/368
 
The headquarters leaders meeting at Toshima Civic Auditorium. Sensei did not attend. We have finally achieved a membership of 750,000 households. Our goal has been brilliantly achieved. President Toda's conviction has clearly become a reality. Lots of thoughts, stemming from a realization in the depths of my life about the strict, exacting nature of the Buddhist Law.
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Sensei's Daily Encouragement -February 6 2026- Year of Vibrant Growth for a Youthful Soka Gakkai Worldwide

  

Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda
February 6, 2026
 
Unless we live fully right now, not sometime in the future, true fulfillment in life will forever elude us. Rather than putting things off till the future, we should find meaning in life, thinking and doing what is most important right now, right where we are - setting our hearts aflame and igniting our lives. Otherwise, we cannot lead an inspired existence.
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From The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin
February 6, 2026
 
Therefore, I say to you, my disciples, try practicing as the Lotus Sutra teaches, exerting yourselves without begrudging your lives! Test the truth of Buddhism now!"
 
The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, page 583
The Selection of the Time
Written to Yui in 1275
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Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda
February 6, 2026
 
The Buddhist view is that to die a good death, one must have led a good life. The knowledge that death represents the return of the individual life to the great universal life prior to another phenomenal manifestation is a source of splendid strength, rich with compassion and wisdom. As he or she strives to perfect himself by doing good for others, the Buddhist is constantly aware that death is a fulfilling and enriching part of life. For people who believe this, death is not defeat, but a wonderful stimulus to live more vigorously and more meaningfully.
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Excerpt from Daisaku Ikeda - A Youthful Diary (22 December 1957) p.367
 
Rested for a while in the late afternoon. My strength returned. Getting rest is also important. Physical strength and energy are the source of power for waging a campaign.
 
Though winning and losing are normal events in the course of a person's life, I pray to the Buddha for my final victory.
 
I will engrave in my life this waka poem I received from Sensei; I shall not forget it.
 
In the evening, my wife and I discussed our plans for the coming year. Hope rises. The future opens.
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Sensei's Daily Encouragement -February 5 2026- Year of Vibrant Growth for a Youthful Soka Gakkai Worldwide

  


Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda
February 5, 2026
 
I hope that you will always speak the truth boldly, saying what needs to be said no matter whom you're addressing. When it comes to championing a just cause, you must never be cowardly, never fawn, never try to curry favour.
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From The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin
February 5, 2026
 
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.
 
 The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, page 3
On Attaining Buddhahood in This Lifetime
Written to Toki Jonin in 1255
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Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda
February 5, 2026
 
Life for everyone is a struggle against the sufferings of birth, old age, sickness and death. Happiness is not the absence of problems or worries; it is to be undefeated no matter what problems or worries we may face. And this happiness is not solely focused on oneself. Truly happy are those who can help others become happy.
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Excerpt from Daisaku Ikeda - A Youthful Diary (19 December 1957) p. 365
 
A fever again today. Physically and mentally weary. Coughing. Must take care.
 
Read the Gosho:
Iron, when heated in the flames and pounded, becomes a fine sword. Worthies and sages are tested by abuse. "Letter from Sado"
 
Read the following in a book. "A person who lives to seventy has spent nineteen years working, twenty-three years sleeping, four years sick, nine years enjoying some form of amusement, two years getting dressed or changing clothes and three years eating."
 
Think of it! How many years of our lives are spent in a valuable way?
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Sensei's Daily Encouragement -February 4 2026- Year of Vibrant Growth for a Youthful Soka Gakkai Worldwide

  

Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda
February 4, 2026
 
Please never turn your back on your faith. Courage is crucial. There is no room for faintheartedness in faith. The timid doom themselves to ridicule - from their partners, from their children, from their friends, from the world at large. The Daishonin declares that there is no place for cowards among his disciples. President Toda said the same.
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From The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin
February 4, 2026
 
The Buddha taught that the blessings of a single offering to the votary of this sutra are a hundred, thousand, ten thousand, million times greater than those of offering countless treasures to Shakyamuni for eighty million kalpas. When one encounters this sutra, one will overflow with happiness and shed tears of joy. It seems impossible to repay one's debt to Shakyamuni. But by your frequent offerings to me deep in these mountains you will repay the merciful kindness of both the Lotus Sutra and Shakyamuni Buddha.
 
 The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, page 1027
Letter to Niike
Written to Niike Saemon-no-jo in February 1280
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Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda
February 4, 2026
 
You mustn't allow yourselves to grow old before your time. Please live with a youthful spirit. That is what Buddhism teaches us to do, and it is how life ought to be lived. If you make a commitment to work for the sake of others, you will be rejuvenated. If you devote your life to helping others, you'll stay young. The power of Nam-myoho-renge-kyo guarantees that.
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Excerpt from Daisaku Ikeda - A Youthful Diary (18 December 1957) p.365
 
An early evening chapter administrators meeting at my house. A serious conference attended by the chapter chief.
Tired. Truly exhausted.
1. Discussed the basic direction for the coming year.
2. To be a leader means to have confidence.
3. The mysterious nature of life, which is in a constant state of flux.
4. The necessity of the Gakkai accomplishing great change in this seventh year since Sensei assumed the presidency.
 
Discussed the above topics openly and frankly. All are good and precious members.
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Sensei's Daily Encouragement -February 3 2026- Year of Vibrant Growth for a Youthful Soka Gakkai Worldwide

  


Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda
February 3, 2026
 
I can declare with confidence that each of you who bravely exerts yourself in doing Gakkai activities and taking leadership for kosen-rufu, calmly overcoming every obstacle along the way, will enjoy immeasurable benefit. I can state with certitude too that each of you is in perfect accord with the Daishonin's spirit. Your efforts win his unrestrained applause and approval.
Events: 
1987 Calabasas, California, campus of Soka University of America, founded by SGI President Ikeda, opens.
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From The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin
February 3, 2026
 
Great events never have minor omens. When great evil occurs, great good follows. Since great slander already exists in our land, the great correct Law will spread without fail. What could any of you have to lament? Even if you are not the Venerable Mahakashyapa, you should all perform a dance. Even if you are not Shariputra, you should leap up and dance. When Bodhisattva Superior Practices emerged from the earth, did he not emerge dancing?"
 
 The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, page 1119
Great Evil and Great Good
Date and recipient unknown
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Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda
February 3, 2026
 
Because we live in the human realm, we of course experience problems and suffering. Life is filled with contradictions. But if we refuse to be defeated by them and persist in our faith, we are certain to advance along the path towards happiness and victory. This is the essential power of Buddhism.
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Excerpt from Daisaku Ikeda - A Youthful Diary (18 December 1957) p.365
 
Had a fever all day. A daily battle against the devil of illness. Decided to reread Collected Works of George A. Gamow. Transcending my past preconceptions about Buddhism, I steadily realize the greatness of this Buddhism of sowing.
 
As my mentor always says, "The more science advances, the easier it will be to prove the profound significance of this great Buddhism."
 
(George Gamow (1904-1968), Ukrainian-born theoretical physicist and cosmologist; an early advocate and developer of Lemaître's Big Bang theory)
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Sensei's Daily Encouragement -February 2 2026- Year of Vibrant Growth for a Youthful Soka Gakkai Worldwide

  

Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda
February 2, 2026
 
Because life is long, you should not be impatient. What matters most is that you embrace the Gohonzon throughout your life. It is vitally important to continually challenge yourself to chant even a little more daimoku and to pray before the Gohonzon for the fulfillment of your desires.
 
Events: 1987 SGI President Ikeda formally opens the World Peace Ikeda Auditorium, the 1st building designed and built specifically for SGI-USA activities.
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From The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin
February 2, 2026
 
Here I will make a great vow. Though I might be offered the rulership of Japan if I would only abandon the Lotus Sutra, accept the teachings of the Meditation Sutra, and look forward to rebirth in the Pure Land, though I might be told that my father and mother will have their heads cut off if I do not recite the Nembutsu, whatever obstacles I might encounter, so long as persons of wisdom do not prove my teachings to be false, I will never yield! All other troubles are no more to me than dust before the wind.
 
 The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, page 280
The Opening of the Eyes
Written to Shijo Kingo in February 1272
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Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda
February 2, 2026
 
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 - Nichiren
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Excerpt from Daisaku Ikeda - A Youthful Diary (17 December 1957) p. 364
 
The general director stopped by in the morning. He brought his dog with him. Left for Sensei's house in Meguro at 8:00. He talked with us for about an hour. Reported on yesterday's general meeting and other matters. Sensei treated us to strawberries.
 
He said, "Daisaku, I want to fight for the next seven years until we attain a membership of two million households." "I will fight resolutely, with a hundred times the courage," I replied.
 
Nevertheless, in the depths of my life I feel a hint of loneliness. My sadness will not disappear. How long will Sensei live? What is his condition? Ah, how distressing. How miserable. How terribly regrettable. Sensei, I know. I do.
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