Sensei's Daily Encouragement -June 7 2026- Year of Vibrant Growth for a Youthful Soka Gakkai Worldwide

    

Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda
June 7, 2026
 
 Faith and daily life, faith and work - these are not separate things. They are one and the same. To think of them as separate - that faith is faith, and work is work, is theoretical faith. Based on the recognition that work and faith are one and the same, we should put one hundred percent of our energy into our jobs and one hundred percent into our faith, too. When we resolve to do this, we enter the path of victory in life. Faith means to show irrefutable proof of victory amid the realities of society and in our own daily lives.
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 From the Writings of Nichiren Daishonin
 June 7, 2026
 
 Thus, as we have seen, even those who lack understanding, so long as they chant Nam-myoho-renge-kyo, can avoid the evil paths. This is like lotus flowers, which turn as the sun does, though the lotus has no mind to direct it, or like the plantain that grows with the rumbling of thunder, though this plant has no ears to hear it. Now we are like the lotus or the plantain, and the daimoku of the Lotus Sutra is like the sun or the thunder.
 
 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
 June 7, 2026
 
 Nam-myoho-renge-kyo enables us to make any hardship or setback the source of our new advancement and our treasure for the future. Therefore, you don't have to be afraid of making a mistake or encountering an obstacle. In short, as long as you are devoted to staying in the correct orbit of faith, you won't ever cease to advance toward your victory, even if you may go through some twists and turns in life.
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Excerpt from Daisaku Ikeda - A Youthful Diary (26 February 1954) p.160
 
Stopped by K.’s home during business hours. His faith seems to have gotten stronger. Glad my work is going smoothly. The ultimate objective in life, the culmination of our hopes and dreams, can be found in the life-condition we attain through faith.
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Sensei's Daily Encouragement -June 6 2026- Year of Vibrant Growth for a Youthful Soka Gakkai Worldwide

    

Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda
June 6, 2026
 
 Science is based on tested proof or empirical evidence. You conduct a test or experiment and then observe the results. Nichiren Daishonin's Buddhism, similarly, teaches that nothing beats actual proof. In this regard, it stands alone among the religions of the world. I hope that each year you will strive to show clear proof of victory in Buddhism and your studies. Please always remember that showing such proof is the mark of a true successor.
 
 Events
1871 Tsunesaburo Makiguchi, the Soka Gakkai’s first president, is born.
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 From the Writings of Nichiren Daishonin
June 6, 2026
 
 The Great Teacher Dengyo says: "Neither teachers nor disciples need undergo countless kalpas of austere practice in order to attain Buddhahood. Through the power of the Lotus Sutra of the Wonderful Law they can do so in their present form." This means that both the teacher who expounds the principles of the Lotus Sutra and the disciple who receives his teachings will, in no long time, together become Buddhas through the power of the Lotus Sutra.
 
 The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, page 133
Conversation between a Sage and an Unenlightened Man
Recipient unknown; written in 1265
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 Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda
June 6, 2026
 
 I have profound reverence for you, I would never dare treat you with disparagement or arrogance. Why? Because you are all practicing the bodhisattva way and are certain to attain Buddhahood - The Lotus Sutra
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Excerpt from Daisaku Ikeda - A Youthful Diary (23 February 1954) p.160
 
A Suiko Group meeting at 6:00. Sensei seemed extremely tired. He ended the meeting at 7:00. Deeply ashamed that I couldn't answer when he asked me a question. My own growth is the growth of the youth division. Self-awakening and growth are my absolute duty! Youth of Japan! Youth of the Gakkai! Try your best!
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Sensei's Daily Encouragement -June 5 2026- Year of Vibrant Growth for a Youthful Soka Gakkai Worldwide

    

Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda
June 5, 2026
 
Cowardice is harmful for it delights the enemies of Buddhism and obstructs the advance of kosen-rufu. The fainthearted cannot savour the true benefit of faith; their ability to tap the power of the Buddha and the power of the Law [of the Gohonzon] in their lives is enfeebled.
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 From the Writings of Nichiren Daishonin
June 5, 2026
 
 A person can know another's mind by listening to the voice. This is because the physical aspect reveals the spiritual aspect. The physical and spiritual, which are one in essence, manifest themselves as two distinct aspects; thus the Buddha's mind found expression as the written words of the Lotus Sutra. These written words are the Buddha's mind in a different form. Therefore, those who read the Lotus Sutra must not regard it as consisting of mere written words, for those words are in themselves the Buddha's mind.
 
 The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, page 86
Opening of the Eyes of Wooden and Painted Images
Recipient unknown; written in 1264
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 Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda
June 5, 2026
 
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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Excerpt from Daisaku Ikeda - A Youthful Diary (18 February 1954) p.159
 
Gentle rain. Finished reading The Count of Monte Cristo at the office. Reading develops wisdom and allows us to accumulate knowledge. It also enhances our ability to read and understand the Gosho. Someone once said: “Read throughout your life, even if only thirty minutes each day. In the course of a lifetime, this will add up to a tremendous amount of reading.”
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Sensei's Daily Encouragement -June 4 2026- Year of Vibrant Growth for a Youthful Soka Gakkai Worldwide

    

Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda
June 4, 2026
 
 Death will come to each of us some day. We can die having fought hard for our beliefs and convictions, or we can die having failed to do so. Since the reality of death is the same in either case, isn't it far better that we set out on our journey toward the next existence in high spirits and with a bright smile on our faces, knowing that in everything we did, we did the very best we could, thrilling with the sense "That was truly an interesting life?"
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 From the Writings of Nichiren Daishonin
June 4, 2026
 
 However great the good causes one may make, or even if one reads and copies the entirety of the Lotus Sutra a thousand or ten thousand times, or attains the way of perceiving three thousand realms in a single moment of life, if one fails to denounce the enemies of the Lotus Sutra, it will be impossible to attain the way.
 
 The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, page 78
Encouragement to a Sick Person
Written to Nanjo Hyoe Shichiro on December 13, 1264
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 Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda
June 4, 2026
 
 It's so important to keep the promises made to friends. This is the true meaning of friendship. To become people who can do so, however, we must first learn to keep our resolutions - the promises we have made to ourselves.
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Excerpt from Daisaku Ikeda - A Youthful Diary (16 February 1954) p.158
 
Sensei struggles relentlessly against the devil of sickness.
I, too, continuously battle the same devil.
Where there is passionate faith, there must be victory. I am young; my life begins from now. If only I can be the engine that turns President Toda’s plans and ideas into reality…
Life is nothing but struggle and advancement. Such is my destiny.
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Sensei's Daily Encouragement -June 3 2026- Year of Vibrant Growth for a Youthful Soka Gakkai Worldwide

    

Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda
June 3, 2026
 
 I would like each of you to rise to the challenge of revolutionizing the area where you live into an ideal community and to do so with the determination to start from where you are right now. This means building a good SGI organization in your local area and building it yourself with loving, painstaking care, the way an artist pours his or her heart and soul into creating a work of art. It also means fostering capable people. Buddhism, after all, can only flourish if there are people who uphold and practice its teachings.
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 From the Writings of Nichiren Daishonin
June 3, 2026
 
 As I said before, though no chapter of the Lotus Sutra is negligible, among the entire twenty-eight chapters, the "Expedient Means" chapter and the "Life Span" chapter are particularly outstanding. The remaining chapters are all in a sense the branches and leaves of these two chapters. Therefore, for your regular recitation, I recommend that you practice reading the prose sections of the "Expedient Means" and "Life Span" chapters.
 
 The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, page 71
The Recitation of the "Expedient Means" and "Life Span" Chapters
Written to Hiki Daigaku Saburo Yoshimoto's wife on April 17, 1264
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 Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda
June 3, 2026
 
 When we plant the seed of happiness that is faith and carefully tend its growth, it will produce fruit without fail. We have to bear in mind, however, that we cannot plant a seed today and expect it to bear fruit tomorrow. That's not reasonable and Buddhism is reason. If we persevere, bearing in mind the principle faith equals daily life in accord with reason, then our prayers will definitely be answered. This is Nichiren's promise to us. And his words are true beyond any doubt.
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Excerpt from Daisaku Ikeda - A Youthful Diary (15 February 1954) p.158
 
Reported to Sensei about our activities in Niigata. All he said was, "Thank you."
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Sensei's Daily Encouragement -June 2 2026- Year of Vibrant Growth for a Youthful Soka Gakkai Worldwide

    

Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda
June 2, 2026
 
 No matter where we go, we cannot escape from the sufferings that are part and parcel of life. If we cannot avoid these sufferings, then our only choice is to overcome them. And since we have no choice but to overcome them, then we might as well live joyfully and vigorously while doing so. Let's continue to strive and chant daimoku to the end.
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 From the Writings of Nichiren Daishonin
June 2, 2026
 
 Rather than offering up ten thousand prayers for remedy, it would be better simply to outlaw this one evil.
 
 The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, page 15
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
June 2, 2026
 
Unless we can perceive our fellow human beings and feel their sufferings as our own, we will never be free of conflict and war. In other words, a transformation within our own lives is important.
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Excerpt from Daisaku Ikeda - A Youthful Diary (14 February 1954) p.158
 
Poured all my energy into giving guidance.
Faith and guidance must be carried out with the realization that "now is my last moment."
Can I visit this area again one day?
I believe some can become happy as a result of the guidance they received during these two days.
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Sensei's Daily Encouragement -June 1 2026- Year of Vibrant Growth for a Youthful Soka Gakkai Worldwide

    

Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda
June 1, 2026
 
 A coward cannot become a Buddha. We cannot attain Buddhahood unless we possess the heart of a lion. The harsher the situation, the bolder the stand we must take. This is the essence of the Soka Gakkai spirit.
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 From the Writings of Nichiren Daishonin
June 1, 2026
 
 The heart of the Buddha's lifetime of teachings is the Lotus Sutra, and the heart of the practice of the Lotus Sutra is found in the "Never Disparaging" chapter. What does Bodhisattva Never Disparaging's profound respect for people signify? The purpose of the appearance in this world of Shakyamuni Buddha, the lord of teachings, lies in his behaviour as a human being.
 
 The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, page 851
The Three Kinds of Treasure
Written to Shijo Kingo on September 11, 1277
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 Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda
 June 1, 2026
 
 The gratification of desires is not happiness.Genuine happiness can only be achieved when we transform our way of life from the unthinking pursuit of pleasure to one committed to enriching our inner lives, when we focus on “being more” rather than simply having more.
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Excerpt from Daisaku Ikeda - A Youthful Diary (13 February 1954) p.157
 
At 12:30, took the Niagra Express to Niigata District for propagation activities, arriving around 6:00...
Praying that many capable future leaders will arise one after another from this area. Yet how many fellow members will truly trust and follow me?
Must not think people are attracted to me due to my own power or ability. They are following the power of the Mystic Law. The members will advance on account of the Gakkai’s power. Disgusted with my tendency to ignore my own lack of ability and pretend to know more than I do. Must seriously reflect.
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