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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Sensei's Daily Encouragement -May 31 2026- Year of Vibrant Growth for a Youthful Soka Gakkai Worldwide

    

Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda
 May 31, 2026
 
 Buddhism is about bringing happiness, joy and fulfillment to all. It enables us not only to become happy ourselves but to make causes for the enlightenment of our ancestors seven-plus generations back and for the happiness and prosperity of our children, grandchildren and descendants throughout future generations. This is the great benefit of Buddhism.
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 From the Writings of Nichiren Daishonin
 May 31, 2026
 
 Those who believe in the Lotus Sutra are as if in winter, but winter always turns to spring. Never, from ancient times on, has anyone heard or seen of winter turning back to autumn. Nor have we ever heard of a believer in the Lotus Sutra who turned into an ordinary person. The sutra reads, "If there are those who hear the Law, then not a one will fail to attain Buddhahood."
 
 The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, page 536
Winter Always Turns to Spring
Written to the lay nun Myoichi in May 1275
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 Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda
 May 31, 2026
 
 The poetic spirit encourages people in all ranks and places to return to their naked humanity. Neither sentimental nor fantastic, it embraces and affirms the whole world and all its inhabitants; it imparts the will to remain optimistic and unbending in the face of all hardships. As a believer in innate human goodness, I am certain that the concentrated power of good can overcome the greatest forces of evil. The poetic spirit helps us control the greed-dominated self. It helps us handle the actual while keeping our eyes turned toward the ideal.
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Excerpt from Daisaku Ikeda - A Youthful Diary (12 February 1954) p.157
 
I don’t feel so well. Very tired. Angry seniors, jealous friends and those who are full of hostility. A person with a goal and a mission will forge directly ahead, facing any difficulty with a smile.
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Sensei's Daily Encouragement -May 30 2026- Year of Vibrant Growth for a Youthful Soka Gakkai Worldwide

Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda
May 30, 2026
 
Those who make many friends have greater opportunities for growth and self-development; as such they make society a better place and lead happy, satisfying lives. In every situation, human relations, communication and personal interaction are vital. We need to initiate and nurture friendships and contacts with many people, both within the organization and in society at large. Our lives will open and be enriched to the extent that we do so.
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From the Writings of Nichiren Daishonin
May 30, 2026
 
But your faith alone will determine all these things. A sword will be useless in the hands of a coward. The mighty sword of the Lotus Sutra must be wielded by one courageous in faith. Then one will be as strong as a demon armed with an iron staff.
 
The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, page 412
Reply to Kyo'o
Written to Kyo'o and her parents, Shijo Kingo and Nichigen-nyo, on August 15, 1273
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Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda
May 30, 2026
 
All children are gems, full of precious potential. There is hope in every child since life itself is full of hope. Should the hopes of children be stifled or broken, that would be our responsibility as adults. It pains my heart to see what goes on in today's society. I do not want to see the eyes of children darkened with fear and clouded with tears of sorrow. Society must be absolutely transformed. Children are mirrors that reflect adult society. When adults are ailing and their vision clouded, children will also suffer. Let us wipe away the tears of sorrow from the face of each child! We must protect children and give them courage, strength and vitality. It is parents who nurture children, the hope of humanity. How noble parents are! What a great mission and responsibility they fulfill.
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Excerpt from Daisaku Ikeda - A Youthful Diary (11 February 1954) p.156
 
Must burn with a youthful passion to learn. Must advance with a seeking spirit, like one truly seeking the Way. This is the most important requisite for becoming an excellent leader.
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