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

    

    

(Apologies sent October 9 by mistake yesterday hence 8 Oct today)
 
Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda
October 8, 2026

When you encounter a wall, you should tell yourself, "Since there is a wall here, a wide, open expanse must lie on the other side." Rather than becoming discouraged, know that encountering a wall is proof of the progress that you have made so far. I hope that you will continually advance in your Buddhist practice with this conviction blazing ever more strongly in your heart.
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From the Writings of Nichiren Daishonin
October 8, 2026

Where there is water, fish dwell. Where there are woods, birds gather. On the mountain island of Peng-lai there are many jewels, and onMount Malaya sandalwood trees grow. There is gold in the mountains from which the river Li-shui flows. Now this place, too, is like that. It is the place of the cluster of blessings where the Buddhas and bodhisattvas dwell.

The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, page 1070
The Place of the Cluster of Blessings
Written to Shijo Kingo on October 8, 1280
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Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda
October 8, 2026

Life is like a sea voyage. We each need to open up our own course in life with the strength of our convictions, unperturbed by the crashing breakers of life's stormy seas. The fiercer the tempest rages, the more we need to rouse our own fighting spirit and man the tiller with all our strength and skill crying, "Bring it on!" Through this type of arduous struggle we can forge the practical wisdom to triumph consistently and, as victorious champions, to create history.
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Excerpt from Daisaku Ikeda - A Youthful Diary (16 October 1955) p. 258

A clear autumn day. Not a cloud in the sky.
I adore my sons, Hiromasa and Shirohisa. Don’t feel at all like their father. Is it because I’m still so young myself or is it due to my spoiled nature? In any case, all I can do is pray from the depths of my heart that these two will become men of justice who can open their golden wings and take flight as capable people for kosen-rufu.
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Sensei's Daily Encouragement -October 9 2026- Year of Vibrant Growth for a Youthful Soka Gakkai Worldwide

   
Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda
October 9, 2026
 
There may be times, certainly, when being a member of an organization seems bothersome and we just want to be alone. But how sad it is if we are left alone without any support and then lose our faith. True growth comes from striving together with our fellow members in the living realm of human beings, experiencing the rich gamut of human emotions.
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From the Writings of Nichiren Daishonin
October 9, 2026
 
Admirable Nichiro, because you have read the entirety of the Lotus Sutra with both the physical and spiritual aspects of your life, you will also be able to save your father and mother, your six kinds of relatives, and all living beings. Others read the Lotus Sutra with their mouths alone, in word alone, but they do not read it with their hearts. And even if they read it with their hearts, they do not read it with their actions. It is reading the sutra with both one's body and mind that is truly praiseworthy!"
 
The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, page 204Letter to Priest Nichiro in Prison
Written to Chikugo-bo Nichiro on October 9, 1271
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Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda
October 9, 2026
 
Those who say "I'll do it," who are willing to take on a challenge even if they are alone, are true winners. The determination, the commitment to take action yourself, is the force that leads to victory. As Buddhism teaches in the principle of a life-moment possesses three thousand realms, our mind or attitude can change everything.
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Excerpt from Daisaku Ikeda - A Youthful Diary (19 October 1955) p. 259
 
Suffered all day, immersed in pain. My temperature was 101.3° F. My head hurts, my back hurts. What kind of illness is this? Going to chant a thousand or two thousand daimoku. Must create a wellspring of life force. Must defeat this devilish illness. Must not die.
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Sensei's Daily Encouragement -October 7 2026- Year of Vibrant Growth for a Youthful Soka Gakkai Worldwide

  

Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda
October 7, 2026
 
What will the future be like? No one knows the answer to that question. All we know is that the effects that will appear in the future are all contained in the causes that are made in the present. The important thing, therefore, is that we stand up and take action to achieve great objectives without allowing ourselves to be distracted or discouraged by immediate difficulties.
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From the Writings of Nichiren Daishonin
October 7, 2026
 
It seems to me that on the path to attain Buddhahood it may invariably be when one has done something like lay down one's life that one becomes a Buddha. I think that perhaps it is encountering such difficulties as have already been explained in the sutra being cursed, vilified, attacked with swords and staves, shards and rubble, and banished again and again that is reading the Lotus Sutra with one's life. My faith springs up all the more, and I am confident about my next existence.
 
The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, page 202
Banishment to Sado
Writen to Enjo-bo in October 1271
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Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda
October 7, 2026
 
If you remain sincere in your interactions with others, you will one day find yourself surrounded by good friends. And among those people, your friendships will be as strong and unshakable as towering trees. Don't be impatient. Work first on developing yourself, and you can rest assured that an infinite number of wonderful encounters await you in the future.
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Excerpt from Daisaku Ikeda - A Youthful Diary (14 October 1955) p. 257
 
Talked with G. at my house. Very low spirits. For both G. and myself, next spring’s House of Councillors election will be a decisive first battle. If we fail, the pace of kosen-rufu will be impaired.
Want to score a solid victory in my maiden battle, not for myself, not for honor, but to realize the principles of Buddhism within society. My own mission has become all the more important. When viewed from the standpoint of ‘consistency from beginning to end,’ this battle will be the beginning, and all future elections, the end. If beginning and end are consistent, then this is the key battle, the one we must win.
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Sensei's Daily Encouragement -October 6 2026- Year of Vibrant Growth for a Youthful Soka Gakkai Worldwide

  

Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda
October 6, 2026
 
Mr. Toda once told me: "You can make a defeat the cause for future victory. You can also make victory the cause for future defeat." The Buddhism of Nichiren Daishonin is the Buddhism of the True Cause, the Buddhism of the present and future. We don't dwell on the past. We are always challenging ourselves from the present toward the future. "The whole future lies ahead of us! We have only just begun!" -- because we advance with this spirit, we will never be deadlocked.
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From the Writings of Nichiren Daishonin
October 6, 2026
 
The Nirvana Sutra teaches the principle of lessening one's karmic retribution. If one's heavy karma from the past is not expiated within this lifetime, one must undergo the sufferings of hell in the future, but if one experiences extreme hardship in this life [because of the Lotus Sutra], the sufferings of hell will vanish instantly. And when one dies, one will obtain the blessings of the human and heavenly worlds, as well as those of the three vehicles and the one vehicle.
 
The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, page 199
Lessening One's Karmic Retribution
Written to Ota Saemon-no-jo, the lay priest Soya and the Dharma Bridge Kimbara on October 5, 1271
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Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda
October 6, 2026
 
If you summon your courage to challenge something, you'll never regret it. How sad it would be to spend your life wishing, "If only I had a little more courage." Whatever the outcome, the important thing is to take a step forward on the path that you believe is right. There's no need to worry about what others may think. It's your life, after all. Be true to yourself.
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Excerpt from Daisaku Ikeda - A Youthful Diary (07 October 1955) p.254
 
Made many minor mistakes lately. Whatever my past faults or errors, if I can change poison into medicine, I have nothing to be ashamed of.
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Sensei's Daily Encouragement -October 5 2026- Year of Vibrant Growth for a Youthful Soka Gakkai Worldwide

  

Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda
October 5, 2026
 
Nichiren Daishonin said to one of his lay followers: "I entrust you with the propagation of Buddhism in your province. Because the seeds of Buddhahood sprout in response to the proper influence, one expounds the teaching of the one vehicle".
 
Events: SGI-USA Day.

1960 President Ikeda arrives in San Francisco on his first trip to the continental United States, setting in motion the American movement to spread the Daishonin's Buddhism. At Coit Tower, President Ikeda declares that this day will one day be looked upon as a significant step forward for the Daishonin's Buddhism.
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From the Writings of Nichiren Daishonin
October 5, 2026
 
One may be letter-perfect in reciting the Lotus Sutra, but it is far more difficult to act as it teaches.
 
The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, page 200
Lessening One's Karmic Retribution
Written to Ota Saemon-no-jo, the lay priest Soya and the Dharma Bridge Kimbara on October 5, 1271
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Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda
October 5, 2026
 
No matter what the circumstances, you should never concede defeat. Never conclude that you've reached a dead end, that everything is finished. You possess a glorious future. And precisely because of that, you must persevere and study. Life is eternal. We need to focus on the two existences of the present and the future and not get caught up in the past. We must always have the spirit to begin anew "from this moment," to initiate a new struggle each day.
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Excerpt from Daisaku Ikeda - A Youthful Diary (06 October 1955) p. 253
 
1. Must take pains to treat people with compassion.
2. Advance with warmth and tolerance.
 
Why? Think it is because I am intense and passionately emotional by nature. Want to be first in Japan and then in the whole world. Is having such a desire a cause for happiness or unhappiness? This I must ask myself.
Do not wish to have regrets in this lifetime.
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Sensei's Daily Encouragement -October 4 2026- Year of Vibrant Growth for a Youthful Soka Gakkai Worldwide

    

Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda
October 4, 2026
 
We are people of faith and faith is the ultimate conviction. Nothing could be sadder nor more short-sighted, therefore, than complaining or giving up when we encounter some small obstacle in our path. A genuine Buddhist is a person of wisdom and conviction.
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From the Writings of Nichiren Daishonin
October 4, 2026
 
In the light of the above points, this shows, my followers, that you had better cut short your sleep by night and curtail your leisure by day, and ponder this! You must not spend your lives in vain and regret it for ten thousand years to come.
 
The Problem to Be Pondered Nigh and Day
Written to Toki Jonin on August 23, 1275
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Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda
October 4, 2026
 
The expansive world lies not in some distant place; it exists right where you are. That is why you need to win where you are right now. Today's victory is linked to your eternal victory.
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Excerpt from Daisaku Ikeda - A Youthful Diary (05 October 1955) p. 253
 
At 8:30, in reception room # 1, the Seikyo Shimbun sponsored a discussion meeting on the condition of the erroneous sects. The writers have grown considerably. Trust their conviction as bold, youthful pioneers. Awakened with indignation to the poisonous nature and the devilish reality of other sects. Strengthened and solidified my resolve to stand alone and fight. Though others do not see, Dosho and Domyo*, the guardian deities, know all. When I realize that all is apparent to the Mystic Law, my heart fills with joy.
 
*Dosho and Domyo: Two gods said to dwell on a person’s shoulders from the time of birth and record all of his or her actions, to report to King Emma, who judges the dead. They represent the law of cause and effect operating within one’s life.
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Sensei's Daily Encouragement -October 3 2026- Year of Vibrant Growth for a Youthful Soka Gakkai Worldwide

    

Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda
October 3, 2026
 
Never be shaken, no matter what happens or what others may say. Never be flustered; never lose confidence. This is the way we should strive to live our lives. Being able to do so is a sign of genuine character.
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From the Writings of Nichiren Daishonin
October 3, 2026
 
One who, on hearing the teachings of the Lotus Sutra, makes even greater efforts in faith is a true seeker of the way. T'ien-t'ai states, "From the indigo, an even deeper blue." This passage means that, if one dyes something repeatedly in indigo, it becomes even bluer than the indigo leaves. The Lotus Sutra is like the indigo, and the strength of one's practice is like the deepening blue.
 
The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, page 457
Hell Is the Land of Tranquil Light
Written to Nanjo Tokimitsu's mother on July 11, 1274
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Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda
October 3, 2026
 
Buddhism teaches that self-awareness arises through our encounters with the eternal. Buddhism urges us to be receptive to the most profound meaning of living, in the eternal process of cosmic evolution, and further urges that we accept, as our mission, compassionate behaviour toward all beings.
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Excerpt from Daisaku Ikeda - A Youthful Diary (05 October 1955) p. 252/253
 
A clear autumn day. Can’t stop thinking about Sensei, even for a moment. Actually, my lifelong destiny was determined when I met him and will continue to be guided by him until the end. How fortunate! Though I began poor and sick, nothing could be more glorious than to have Sensei watch over me throughout my life. Articles criticizing the Gakkai have appeared in several magazines. Have gradually sensed the presence of the three powerful enemies. Never fear. What is crucial now is the spirit never to retreat or regress in faith.
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