Sensei's Daily Encouragement -July 17 2026- Year of Vibrant Growth for a Youthful Soka Gakkai Worldwide

    

Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda
July 17, 2026

 Life isn't always smooth. If it were, we would never grow and develop as human beings. If we succeed, we are envied if we fail, we are ridiculed and attacked. Sadly, this is how people are. Unexpected grief and suffering may lie ahead of you. But it is precisely when you encounter such trying times that you must not be defeated. Never give up. Never retreat.
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 From the Writings of Nichiren Daishonin
July 17, 2026

 Those who chant Myoho-renge-kyo [the title of the Lotus Sutra] even without understanding its meaning realize not only the heart of the Lotus Sutra, but also the "main cord," or essential principle of the Buddha's lifetime teachings.

 The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, page 860
"This is What I Heard"
Written to the lay priest Soya Jiro on November 28, 1277
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 Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda
July 17, 2026

 Human beings inherently possess the strength to overcome any hardship. Religions have traditionally taught the importance of such spiritual strength. This is Buddhism's point of origin. Shakyamuni Buddha taught us to strive to win happiness and peace, not outside but within ourselves.
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Daisaku Ikeda - A Youthful Diary (29 June 1954) p.184

6:00, at the headquarters – the oral exams were held. I was responsible for the examinees from Suginami and Osaka chapters, who numbered twenty-six in all. At the last professors meeting, I was scolded severely by President Toda with regards to my grading of Assistant Professor S.’s test. I had tried to be fair and accurate, but Sensei told me that to become a great leader, I must become more generous in my grading. Am I too strict? Had taken my way of grading for granted. Returned home, feeling lonesome. It was after 11:00
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Sensei's Daily Encouragement -July 16 2026- Year of Vibrant Growth for a Youthful Soka Gakkai Worldwide

    

Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda
July 16, 2026

 The powerful may appear great, but in reality they are not. Greatest of all are the ordinary people. If those in power lead lives of idle luxury it is because the people are silent. We have to speak out. With impassioned words, we need to resolutely attack abuses of power that cause people suffering. This is fighting on the side of justice. It is wrong to remain silent when confronted with injustice. Doing so is tantamount to supporting and condoning evil.
 Events
1260 Nichiren Daishonin submits his treatise "On Establishing the Correct Teaching for the Peace of the Land ."
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 From the Writings of Nichiren Daishonin
July 16, 2026

 I have pondered the matter carefully with what limited resources I possess, and have looked a little at the scriptures for an answer. The people of today all turn their backs upon what is right to a person, they give their allegiance to evil. This is the reason that the benevolent deities have abandoned the nation and departed together, that sages leave and do not return. And in their stead devils and demons come, and disasters and calamities occur. I cannot keep silent on this matter. I cannot suppress my fears.

 The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, page 7
On Establshing 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
July 16, 2026

 What will the future be like? No one knows the answer to this question. All we know is that the effects that will appear in the future are contained in the causes 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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Daisaku Ikeda - A Youthful Diary (29 June 1954) p. 184

Administered a practice exam for our chapter members taking the Study Department oral exam this evening. Wonder how many from our chapter will pass. Those who have studied tirelessly and acquired real ability will do well on the test. Must emphasize that those lacking in study will not be qualified future leaders. I think tests are unnecessary. The times, however, demand a system of examinations. Are the only excellent people those who can pass university exams? Are the members who pass Gakkai study exams not happier than they? Ultimately, this will be clearly proven through lifelong experience.
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Sensei's Daily Encouragement -July 15 2026- Year of Vibrant Growth for a Youthful Soka Gakkai Worldwide

    

Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda
July 15, 2026

 What is the treasure of youth? It is struggle; it is hard work. Unless you struggle, you cannot become truly strong. Those who fight hard during their youth will have nothing to fear when the time comes to put the finishing touches on their lives. They will possess a great state of life that towers strong and unshakable. In Buddhism, we call this the state of Buddhahood, which nothing can undermine or destroy. It is a state of mind enjoyed by invincible champions of life.
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 From the Writings of Nichiren Daishonin
July 15, 2026

 I, Nichiren, am hated by the people of Japan. This is entirely due to the fact that the lord of Sagami regards me with animosity. I grant that the government has acted quite without reason, but even before I encountered my difficulties, I foresaw that troubles of this kind would occur, and I resolved that, whatever might happen to me in the future, I must not bear any hatred toward others. This determination has perhaps acted as a prayer, for I have been able to come safely through any number of trials.

 The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, page 686
On Consecrating an Image of Shakyamuni Buddha Made by Shijo Kingo
Written to Shijo Kingo on July 15, 1276
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 Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda
July 15, 2026

 Daily life can seem all too drab and unexciting. Living itself can sometimes seem a strain, and few of us realistically expect what joy we feel to last forever. But when we fall in love, life seems filled with drama and excitement. We feel like the leading character in a novel. But, if you get lost in love just because you are bored, and consequently veer from the path you should be following, then love is nothing more than escapism.
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Daisaku Ikeda - A Youthful Diary (29 June 1954) p. 184

Morning, scolded by Sensei. For me, scolding is frequent.

My young brother visited for the first time in a year. We ate together at I. restaurant. Feel so sorry for him. As a memento of our meeting, I gave him a fountain pen, a carrying case for his monthly train pass and some spending money.
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Sensei's Daily Encouragement -July 14 2026- Year of Vibrant Growth for a Youthful Soka Gakkai Worldwide

    

Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda
July 14, 2026

Governments come and go, economies rise and fall and society constantly changes. Only the good fortune that we accumulate during our lives lasts forever. The true victors are those who cultivate the tree of Buddhahood in the vast earth of their lives, while achieving success both in society and their personal lives through true faith and a true way of living.
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From the Writings of Nichiren Daishonin
July 14, 2026

Outstanding Principles also declares: "Neither teacher 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.". . . The purpose of [this passage] of commentary is to clarify that the attainment of Buddhahood in one's present form is limited to the Lotus Sutra alone.

The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, page 1052
The Doctrine of Attaining buddhahood in One's Present Form
Written to Myoichi-nyo on July 14, 1280
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Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda
July 14, 2026

An awareness of death enables us to live each day each moment - filled with appreciation for the unique opportunity we have to create something of our time on Earth. I believe that in order to enjoy true happiness, we should live each moment as if it were our last. Today will never return. We may speak of the past or of the future, but the only reality we have is that of this present instant. And confronting the reality of death actually enables us to bring unlimited creativity, courage and joy into each instant of our lives.
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Daisaku Ikeda - A Youthful Diary (28 June 1954) p.183

Missed seeing Sensei in the morning. A lifelong mentor makes me profoundly happy. No honor in the world compares to that of having a lifelong mentor.
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Sensei's Daily Encouragement -July 13 2026- Year of Vibrant Growth for a Youthful Soka Gakkai Worldwide

  

Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda
July 13, 2026

The glory we enjoy in a dream vanishes without a trace when we awaken. When an illusion disappears, nothing is left of its joy except a sense of emptiness, like that which one feels when finally sobering from a state of drunkenness. The joy of Buddhahood, however, is profound, indestructible and everlasting.
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From the Writings of Nichiren Daishonin
July 13, 2026

The Venerable Maudgalyayana put his faith in the Lotus Sutra, which is the greatest good there is, and thus not only did he himself attain Buddhahood, but his father and mother did so as well. And, amazing as it may seem, all the fathers and mothers of the preceding seven generations and the seven generations that followed, indeed, of countless lifetimes before and after, were able to become Buddhas.

The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, page 820
On Offerings for Deceased Ancestors
Written to Jibu-bo Nichii's grandmother on July 13, 1279
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Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda
July 13, 2026

People shouldn't hesitate to exert their all, in a way true to themselves. How can you possibly ever know how far or fast you can go if you've never run all-out? To give up even before you've tried is actually arrogance - an affront to the wondrous power of life within you and disrespectful to yourself. It is cowardly.
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Daisaku Ikeda - A Youthful Diary (25 June 1954) p.182/83

Awakened by a nightmare. A dream of death – a dream of demons; it was a long, long dream of death.

Seriously reflecting on my inability to do a perfect gongyo…

A Study Department professors meeting beginning at 5:30. Everyone devoted themselves to their study with serious expressions. Must not fall behind the others. As a future leader, must never neglect study.
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Sensei's Daily Encouragement -July 12 2026- Year of Vibrant Growth for a Youthful Soka Gakkai Worldwide

    

Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda
July 12, 2012

I imagine that some of you have family members who are not yet practicing Nichiren Daishonin's Buddhism. There is no need to be impatient or to agonize over this. Whether people take faith has to do with their mystic connection with Buddhism, which takes a variety of different forms. Important is the presence of one person who is practicing. One person's attainment of Buddhahood brings happiness to family members and relatives and all those around him or her. When a single sun rises, everything is illuminated.
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From the Writings of Nichiren Daishonin
July 12, 2012

When I think that I will surely eradicate these karmic impediments and in the future go to the pure land of Eagle Peak, though various grave persecutions fall on me like rain and boil up like clouds, since they are for the sake of the Lotus Sutra, even these sufferings do not seem like sufferings at all.


The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, page 191
The Origin of the Service for Deceased Ancestors
Written to Shijo Kingo on July 12, 1271
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Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda
July 12, 2012

No one can better bask in summer's balm than those who have endured winter's bite. Similarly, it is those who have suffered through life's darkest hours who are able to truly savour the bright dawn of happiness. The person who has transformed the worst of fate into the best of fortune is life's champion.
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Daisaku Ikeda - A Youthful Diary (23 June 1954) p.182

Seriously reflected on my morning lack of daimoku...
Would like to develop the habit of reading, even if only a little, every morning.
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Sensei's Daily Encouragement -July 11 2026- Year of Vibrant Growth for a Youthful Soka Gakkai Worldwide

  

Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda
July 11, 2026

It is important that youth in particular actively seek challenges to forge and strengthen themselves. Those who enjoy material luxury from a young age and do not work hard cannot become people of outstanding character. They cannot become great leaders who protect the people. I hope that you will work hard, sparing no effort, and develop yourselves as indomitable champions, shaken or disheartened by nothing.
Events
1951 Young men's division established.
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From the Writings of Nichiren Daishonin
July 11, 2026

Neither the pure land nor hell exists outside ourselves; both lie only within one's own heart. Awakened to this truth, one is called a Buddha; deluded about it, one is called an ordinary person. The Lotus Sutra reveals this truth, and one who embraces the Lotus Sutra will realize that hell is itself the Land of Tranquil Light .

The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, page 456
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
July 11, 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 - Nichiren
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Daisaku Ikeda - A Youthful Diary (22 June 1954) p.181

I sometimes feel indignant over the rapidly changing nature of people's minds. Ultimately, the important thing is that I, myself, live on strongly. Must stride on, boldly and freely, across the land.
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