Sensei's Daily Encouragement -October 20 2026- Year of Vibrant Growth for a Youthful Soka Gakkai Worldwide

    

Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda
October 20, 2026
 
President Toda detested formality. And for this reason, as his disciple, I have tried to place foremost emphasis on substance. Formalities are important in certain cases, but mere formality without substance is evil. Formalities in and of themselves have no life; whereas substance is alive. Formality is provisional and substance essential. Formality is conventional and therefore conservative, but substance provides the impetus for progress and development.
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From the Writings of Nichiren Daishonin
October 20, 2026
 
From here we are going to cross the sea to the island province of Sado , but at the moment the winds are not favourable, so I do not know when we will depart. The hardships along the way were worse than I could have imagined, and indeed more than I can put down in writing. I will leave you to surmise what I endured. But I have been prepared for such difficulties from the outset, so ther0e is no point in starting to complain about them now. I shall accordingly say no more of the matter.

Letter from Teradomari
Written to Toki Jonin on October 22, 1271
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Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda
October 20, 2026
 
We should all develop the mind to rejoice in, praise and share in the gift of those who have artistic talents and a richness of heart, whether they achieve wide recognition or not. Cultivating such a beautiful mind is a very worthy effort. Culture and art are not just decorations. They are not just accessories. What matters is whether culture enriches the essential substance of our lives.
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Excerpt from Daisaku Ikeda - A Youthful Diary (10 November 1955) p.270/271
 
Morning gongyo is most crucial. It determines today’s victory or defeat, whether this day of life will be one of prosperity or decline. Gongyo is the practical application of the philosophy of ‘the simultaneity of cause and effect.’
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Sensei's Daily Encouragement -October 19 2026- Year of Vibrant Growth for a Youthful Soka Gakkai Worldwide

    

Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda
October 19, 2026
 
No matter what happens, please continue to chant daimoku - in both good times and bad, irrespective of joys or sorrows, happiness or suffering. Then you will be able to seize victory in your daily life and in society.
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From the Writings of Nichiren Daishonin
October 19, 2026
 
Though the moon is forty thousand yojanas high in the heavens, its reflection appears instantly in a pond on the earth; and the sound of the drum at the Gate of Thunder is immediately heard a thousand, ten thousand ri in the distance. Though you remain in Sado, your heart has come to this province. The way of attaining Buddhahood is just like this. Though we live in the impure land, our hearts reside in the pure land of Eagle Peak . Merely seeing each other's face would in itself be insignificant. It is the heart that is important.
 
The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, page 949
The Drum at the Gate of Thunder
Written tot he lay nun Sennichi on October 19, 1278
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Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda
October 19, 2026
 
Our individual experiences of triumph over our problems give courage and hope to many others. Our personal victories, in other words, become parables expressing the power of the Mystic Law. And those who hear our experiences can share them with still others.
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Excerpt from Daisaku Ikeda - A Youthful Diary (06 November 1955) p. 266
 
Trying to reflect thoroughly on my way of giving guidance.
 
1. Guidance should be clear and to the point
2. Guidance should express a purpose or objective
3. Guidance should be given with the Buddhist spirit of compassion and filled with confidence.
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Sensei's Daily Encouragement -October 18 2026- Year of Vibrant Growth for a Youthful Soka Gakkai Worldwide

   

Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda
 October 18, 2026
 
A victor is one whose life shines with faith. Emerson, one of the favourite writers of my youth, once said, "That which befits us...is cheerfulness and courage, and the endeavour to realize our aspirations." To advance toward our dreams cheerfully, to courageously work toward achieving them - this is what gives sublime meaning and value to our lives.
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From the Writings of Nichiren Daishonin
 October 18, 2026
 
Without exception, all these Buddhas, bodhisattvas, great sages, and, in general, all the various beings of the two worlds and the eight groups who appear in the "Introduction" chapter of the Lotus Sutra dwell in the Gohonzon. Illuminated by light of the five characters of the Mystic Law, they display the dignified attributes they inherently possess. This is the object of devotion.

The Real Aspect of the Gohonzon
Written to Nichinyo on August 23, 1277
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Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda
 October 18, 2026
 
Such things as money, fame, and material possessions offer a fleeting satisfaction, something that can be called relative happiness. However, when we transform our lives internally, when we develop within ourselves a brilliant inner palace, then we can be said to have established absolute happiness. If we develop a state of mind as vast and resplendent as a magnificent palace, then nothing - no matter where we go or what we may encounter in life can undermine or destroy our happiness.
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Excerpt from Daisaku Ikeda - A Youthful Diary (31 October 1955) p.265
 
Worried about next spring’s House of Councillors election. This battle will determine my destiny. My only recourse is to believe in the Buddhist gods’ protection. No, rather than simply parroting Buddhist terms, I must first dedicate my entire spirit, my essence. Only then can I expect protection from the Buddhist gods. Must strictly avoid using terminology to support my own sense of value or my personal view of faith. Using Gosho terms irresponsibly will only impeded the progress of kosen rufu
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Sensei's Daily Encouragement -October 17 2026- Year of Vibrant Growth for a Youthful Soka Gakkai Worldwide

    

Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda
October 17, 2026
 
I hope that each of you will study broadly and develop your understanding of life, society and the universe, based on your faith in Nichiren Daishonin's Buddhism. This type of learning enables you to cultivate a rich state of life, or inner world, drawing forth profound wisdom and limitless leadership ability from the depths of your life.
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From the Writings of Nichiren Daishonin
October 17, 2026
 
In the eighth volume of Great Concentration and Insight and in the eighth volume of The Annotations on "Great Concentration and Insight" it says, "The stronger one's faith, the greater the protection of the gods." This means that the protection of the gods depends on the strength of one's faith. The Lotus Sutra is a fine sword, but its might depends upon the one who wields it.
 
The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, page 953
General Stone Tiger
Written to Shijo Kingo on October 22, 1278
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Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda
October 17, 2026
 
One's actions in previous existences are all engraved in and contained in this lifetime. The causes for our present suffering or joy, happiness or misery, all lie in our own past actions. But Nichiren Buddhism enables us to fundamentally reform our destiny. When we truly base ourselves on Buddhism's view of life's eternity, we realize the first thing to change is how we live in the present. In Nichiren Buddhism, change arises from the depths of our being. Strong, pure vitality abundantly wells forth. The iron chains of destiny are cut and our original identity, the fresh and robust world of Buddhahood, appears.
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Excerpt from Daisaku Ikeda - A Youthful Diary (31 October 1955) p. 265
 
Isn’t conservatism a tendency to place great importance upon, or become caught up in, formality? Isn’t it also the inclination to cherish only the past while disregarding reform for the future? Reform – not in the commonly understood sense of the word but true reform – is to enable genuine vitality to surge forth from the midst of a society enslaved by formalism. In other words, by invoking the Mystic Law, we bring forth pure, fresh life force, revolutionizing our own lives and thereby transforming our environment.
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Sensei's Daily Encouragement -October 16 2026- Year of Vibrant Growth for a Youthful Soka Gakkai Worldwide

    

Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda
October 16, 2026
 
Intellect will play a very important role in the coming age. By intellect I mean refined wisdom, clear reasoning, profound philosophy and broad-ranging knowledge. We are entering an age when people will develop their intelligence and wisdom, infusing society with their new outlook.
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From the Writings of Nichiren Daishonin
October 16, 2026
 
None of you who declare yourselves to be my disciples should ever give way to cowardice.
 
The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, page 764
The Actions of the Votary of the Lotus Sutra
Written to the lay nun Konichi in 1276
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Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda
October 16, 2026
 
The air around us is filled with radio waves of various frequencies. While these are invisible, a television set can collect them and turn them into visible images. The practice of chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo aligns the rhythm of our own lives with the world of Buddhahood in the universe. It "tunes" our lives, so to speak, so that we can manifest the power of Buddhahood in our very beings.
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Excerpt from Daisaku Ikeda - A Youthful Diary (30 October 1955) p.265
 
Is it detrimental to think about myself too deeply? Or is it absolutely necessary? Some people become negative through too much self-criticism. Others, after deep introspection, can forge ahead boldly. These days, isn’t it more important to always challenge our situation with youthful courage instead of being foolishly self-critical? Ultimately, once we embrace the Mystic Law, we should feel free to think, move and advance in a way most natural to us, so long as we do not cause others trouble.
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Sensei's Daily Encouragement -October 15 2026- Year of Vibrant Growth for a Youthful Soka Gakkai Worldwide

    


Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda
October 15, 2026
 
There is no need to be impatient. Anything that is accomplished quickly and easily will not long endure. Now is the time to concentrate on the construction of a solid foundation. I hope you will complete this work slowly but surely, filled with hope and joy.
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From the Writings of Nichiren Daishonin
October 15, 2026
 
Do not these interpretations make clear that, among all the teachings of the Buddha's lifetime, the Lotus Sutra is first, and that, among the teachings of the Lotus Sutra, that of women attaining Buddhahood, is first? For this reason, though the women of Japan may be condemned in all sutras other than the Lotus Sutra as incapable of attaining Buddhahood, as long as the Lotus Sutra guarantees their enlightenment, what reason have they to be downcast?"
 
The Sutra of True Requital
Written to the lay nun Sennichi on July 28, 1278
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Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda
October 15, 2026
 
I view things through the Buddha eye, I see the living beings in the six paths, how poor and distressed they are, without merit or wisdom, how they enter the perilous road of birth and death, their sufferings continuing with never a break, how deeply they are attached to the five desires, like a yak enamored of its tail, blinding themselves with greed and infatuation, their vision so impaired they can see nothing. They do not seek the Buddha, with his great might, or the Law that can end their sufferings, but enter deeply into erroneous views, hoping to shed suffering through greater suffering. For the sake of these living beings I summon up a mind of great compassion -The Lotus Sutra
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Excerpt from Daisaku Ikeda - A Youthful Diary (28 October 1955) p.263
 
Fall, the season for reading. No, I would rather make each of the 365 days of the year a “day for reading.”
1. Must read the Gosho in its entirety.
2. Will thoroughly read Nichikan’s Six-volume Writings.
3. Will carefully read good books of past and present, East and West – especially during the next three years.
The course of my life will be determined over these three years.
Fate, destiny – they are like the flow of a great river.
No one to confide in, no one to blame.
To the dentist in the afternoon. Can everything be this bad? 
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Sensei's Daily Encouragement -October 14 2026- Year of Vibrant Growth for a Youthful Soka Gakkai Worldwide

  

Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda
October 14, 2026
 
True joy is to be found in working for kosen-rufu, in practicing and taking action for the happiness of oneself and others. The greatest joy in life is to be found in SGI activities. Our activities for kosen-rufu become memories that shine ever more brilliantly in our lives as time goes by.
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From the Writings of Nichiren Daishonin
October 14, 2026
 
Make every possible effort for the sake of your next life. What is most important is that, by chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo alone, you can attain Buddhahood. It will no doubt depend on the strength of your faith. To have faith is the basis of Buddhism.
 
The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, page 832
The Real Aspect of the Gohonzon
Written to Nichinyo on August 23, 1277
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Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda
October 14, 2026
 
Life is best lived by being bold and daring. People tend to grow fearful when they taste failure, face a daunting challenge or fall ill. Yet that is precisely the time to become even bolder. Those who are victors at heart are the greatest of all champions.
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Excerpt from Daisaku Ikeda - A Youthful Diary (27 October 1955) p.262/263
 
Thought about the following points:
 
1. Don’t be a person who makes excuses.
2. Feel joy at others’ prosperity and happiness.
3. Don’t meddle in others’ affairs.
 
Visited S.’s home in Yaguchi after the lecture. Was joyfully welcomed by all present. Home a little after 10:00. My two children are sleeping quietly. They are so cute. Want them to become excellent, capable people for kosen-rufu.
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How trivial are worldly conflicts. How empty, the glories and pleasure of this world, vanishing before a single breeze. Fame and riches, too, vanish like a solitary bubble on a mighty river’s surface.
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