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

    

Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda
April 17, 2026
 
Nothing can equal the splendour of youth. To be young is to possess a treasure of infinite worth, far greater than any person of power. This is all the more true of you who possess the eternal treasure of the Mystic Law. Those who live based on this supreme Law are bodhisattvas and Buddhas.
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From The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin
April 17, 2026
 
Even if the sun and moon should never again emerge from the east, even if the great earth itself should turn over, even if the tides of the great ocean should cease to ebb and flow, even if broken stones are made whole, and even if the waters of the streams and rivers cease to flow into the ocean, no woman who believes in the Lotus Sutra could ever be dragged down by worldly faults and fall into the evil paths.
 
The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, page 70
The Recitation of the "Expedient Means" and "Life Span" Chapters
Written to the wife of Hiki Daigaku Saburo Yoshimoto on April 17, 1264
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Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda
April 17, 2026
 
The goal is not to eliminate desires, it is what one desires that is important. Earthly desires are enlightenment. The desire for supreme enlightenment, the search for enlightenment, is enlightenment. Satisfaction with one's accomplishments might seem like humility, but to underestimate life's potential is actually great arrogance.
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Excerpt from Daisaku Ikeda - A Youthful Diary (03 March 1953) p.138
 
I pray that, from among the members of my corps, men of power and ability for kosen-rufu will appear in rapid succession.
Members of my corps! I pray you will each develop into men who surpass me in capability.
Members of my corps! I pray that not one of you will discard your faith.
These days I deeply sense the tremendous mercy of the Gohonzon.
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Sensei's Daily Encouragement -April 16 2026- Year of Vibrant Growth for a Youthful Soka Gakkai Worldwide

    

Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda
April 16, 2026
 
Spending our time doing what we please may bring momentary pleasure, but it will not bring us true and lasting joy. We cannot become great artists or great actors of life - we cannot become great human beings. Literature, music and drama are all to be found in our activities for faith - in our prayers, our challenges to develop ourselves through SGI activities and our efforts to educate others. All value is encompassed in these activities. This is the profound realm of Buddhism.
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From The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin
April 16, 2026
 
[T'ien-t'ai writes:] "As practice progresses and understanding grows, the three obstacles and four devils emerge in confusing form, vying with one another to interfere. . . . One should be neither influenced nor frightened by them. If one falls under their influence, one will be led into the paths of evil. If one is frightened by them, one will be prevented from practicing the correct teaching." This statement not only applies to me, but also is a guide for my followers. Reverently make this teaching your own, and transmit it as an axiom of faith for future generations.
 
The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, page 501
Letter to the Brothers
Written to Ikegami Munenaka and Ikegami Munenga on April 16, 1275
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Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda
April 16, 2026
 
[T'ien-t'ai writes:] "Unless acted on, even the ideal of reverence for life can end up being a mere slogan without the power to transform reality. It must, therefore, be established as a genuine philosophy in our hearts and in the hearts of others. We must put this philosophy into practice through concrete actions for peace, working one step at a time toward its realization.
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Excerpt from Daisaku Ikeda - A Youthful Diary (02 March 1953) p.137
 
Began to study Nichikan’s “Commentary on ‘The Object of Devotion for Observing the Mind.’”
 
1. Must exert myself in study
2. Must approach it in a scholarly manner.
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Sensei's Daily Encouragement -April 15 2026- Year of Vibrant Growth for a Youthful Soka Gakkai Worldwide

    

Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda
April 15, 2026
 
Material possessions cannot be enjoyed after death. But millionaires rich in life force are able to freely make use of the treasures of the universe in lifetime after lifetime and enjoy a journey of eternal happiness. That is what constitutes proof of true victory in life.
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From The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin
April 15, 2026
 
The Lotus Sutra offers a secret means for leading all living beings to Buddhahood. It leads one person in the realm of hell, one person in the realm of hungry spirits, and thus one person in each of the nine realms of existence to Buddhahood, and thereby the way is opened for all living beings to attain Buddhahood.
 
The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, page 512
Letter to Horen
Written to Soya Kyoshin in April 1275
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Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda
April 15, 2026
 
Life and death are one, and the entity of our existence is eternal, persisting throughout past, present and future. The setting sun, radiant with joy, gives proof of its undiminished power and at the same time offers a promise of a bright tomorrow. Bringing our lives to a wonderful, satisfying close guarantees us the path to happiness throughout eternity.
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Excerpt from Daisaku Ikeda - A Youthful Diary (03 February 1953) p.136
 
A district lecture on the Gosho “On Establishing the Four Bodhisattvas as the Object of Devotion.”…
Feel sorry for those sincere members, since I lack capability as a lecturer. After the lecture, I gave personal guidance. To grasp people’s true suffering, to hear their true voices and guide them, enabling them to find the solution, is the noblest work we can undertake in life. I only worry that I lack the power to do so.
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Sensei's Daily Encouragement -April 14 2026- Year of Vibrant Growth for a Youthful Soka Gakkai Worldwide

  

Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda
April 14, 2026
 
Thoreau, a renowned American Renaissance thinker, wrote in his journal: "Nothing must be postponed. Take time by the forelock. Now or never! You must live in the present, launch yourself on every wave, find your eternity in each moment." We shouldn't put anything off but seize the moment, living with all our being in the present. If we do that, he says, each moment will become eternity.
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From The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin
April 14, 2026
 
The rice plant flowers and bears grain, but its spirit remains in the soil. This is the reason the stalk sprouts to flower and bear grain once again. The blessings that Nichiren obtains from propagating the Lotus Sutra will always return to Dozen-bo. How sublime! It is said that, if a teacher has a good disciple, both will gain the fruit of Buddhahood, but if a teacher fosters a bad disciple, both will fall into hell. If teacher and disciple are of different minds, they will never accomplish anything.
 
The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, page 909
Flowering and Bearing Grain
Written to Joken-bo and Gijo-bo in April 1278
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Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda
April 14, 2026
 
The tendency of human beings is to try and escape challenges and seek an easy and peaceful environment. But happiness cannot be found somewhere else - it is found within us. A genuine way of life consists of transforming where we are right now into a supreme paradise.
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Excerpt from Daisaku Ikeda - A Youthful Diary (02 February 1953) p.135
 
Rise and fall, prosperity and decline – human history filled with discord and misery. I believe the greatest person is one who strives to attain a bloodless revolution, based on a correct view of humanity, the world and the universe. This is a standard that transcends commonly held views of right and wrong.
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Sensei's Daily Encouragement -April 13 2026- Year of Vibrant Growth for a Youthful Soka Gakkai Worldwide

    

Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda
April 13, 2026
 
Quite simply, there can be no true democracy unless the citizens of a country realize that they are sovereign, that they are the main protagonists, and then with wisdom and a strong sense of responsibility take action based on that realization. Democracy cannot be successful in its mission unless the people rouse themselves to become more informed and involved, unless they unite, unless they establish an unshakable force for justice and keep a strict eye on the activities of the powerful.
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From The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin
April 13, 2026
 
Although I, Nichiren, am not a man of wisdom, the devil king of the sixth heaven has attempted to take possession of my body. But I have for some time been taking such great care that he now no longer comes near me. Therefore, because the power of the heavenly devil is ineffectual against me, he instead possesses the ruler and his high officials, or foolish priests such as Ryokan, and causes them to hate me.
 
The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, page 310
Reply to Sairen-bo
Written to Sairen-bo Nichijo on april 13, 1272
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 Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda
April 13, 2026
 
A great work of art is one that truly moves and inspires you. You yourself must be moved. Don't look at art with others eyes. Don't listen to music with others ears. You must react to art with your own feelings, your own heart and mind. If you allow yourself to be swayed by the opinions of others, it must be good because everyone else likes it, it must be bad, because no one else likes it - your feelings, your sensibility, which should be the very core of the artistic experience, will wither and die. To enjoy art to the fullest, you must abandon all preconceived notions, leaving a blank slate. Then confront the work directly, with your entire being. If you are deeply moved, then that work is, for you, a great work of art.
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Excerpt from Daisaku Ikeda - A Youthful Diary (01 February 1953) p.135
 
Attended a youth division meeting at 6:00pm. Witnessed their bold departure toward the coming year. How splendid! Someday, want Sensei to see the result of our behind-the-scenes unity and growth. I talked about the importance of study. I, myself, however, must first take the initiative and serve as an example. Personally resolved to take a great leap forward during the coming year.
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Sensei's Daily Encouragement -April 12 2026- Year of Vibrant Growth for a Youthful Soka Gakkai Worldwide

  

Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda
April 12, 2026
 
Young people are the leaders of the 21st century. For that reason it is important that you have an understanding of history, that you can see through to the heart of things. A penetrating view of history is essential. A superficial one won't suffice.
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From The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin
April 12, 2026
 
I have found that even those who appear to believe just as the sutra teaches may not actually have strong faith at all, as you are already well aware. . . The fact that her prayers have gone unanswered is like a strong bow with a weak bowstring, or a fine sword in the hands of a coward. It is in no sense the fault of the Lotus Sutra.
 
The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, page 489
The Royal Palace
Written in Shijo Kingo on April 12, 1275
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Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda
April 12, 2026
 
It's important to remember that your prayers always reflect your state of life. In that respect, prayer is a solemn means to raise your life-condition. And to get exactly the results that you're praying for, it is crucial to make determined, single-minded efforts toward that goal. That is the true path of manifesting faith in daily life. Those of you who proceed along this path day after day, year after year, will without fail develop - just like saplings into mighty trees, becoming people of outstanding strength and character.
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Excerpt from Daisaku Ikeda - A Youthful Diary (30 January 1953) p.135
 
The Gakkai headquarters leaders meeting…
Felt it to be miniature world of Buddhas and bodhisattvas who have passionately arisen to achieve kosen-rufu. It is apparent however, that steep mountains and violent storms await us. Will it be possible to achieve kosen-rufu in our time? Or will it be 50, 100, 200 years from now? In the end, there is no other way for me but to devote this life, until I die, to the battle of propagation, with a determination, conviction and dream for two hundred years from now.
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Sensei's Daily Encouragement -April 11 2026- Year of Vibrant Growth for a Youthful Soka Gakkai Worldwide

 

Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda
April 11, 2026
 
As long as our mind of faith is connected to the Gohonzon, our benefits will never disappear. That's why it is vital for us to persevere in our Buddhist practice throughout our lives no matter what, even if on some days our physical condition or other circumstances prevent us from doing gongyo and chanting daimoku to our full satisfaction. Those who continue to challenge themselves to the end savour ultimate victory.
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From The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin
April 11, 2026
 
The Flower Garland and the other various sutras are like stars in this dark night, while the Lotus Sutra is like the moon. For those who have faith in the Lotus Sutra, but whose faith is not deep, it is as though a half moon were lighting the darkness. But for those who have profound faith, it is as though a full moon were illuminating the night.
 
The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, page 94
The Essence of the "Medicine King" Chapter
Recipient unknown, written in 1265
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Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda
April 11, 2026
 
Worthy persons deserve to be called so because they are not carried away by the eight winds: prosperity, decline, disgrace, honour, praise, censure, suffering, and pleasure. They are neither elated by prosperity nor grieved by decline - Nichiren
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Excerpt from Daisaku Ikeda - A Youthful Diary (27 January 1953) p.134
 
Ichinen, single-minded determination – this is what enables the arrow to pierce the rock, as the saying goes. Mr. Toda’s frequent statement that “there is no power stronger or greater than faith” has gradually come to touch my heart.
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