Sensei's Daily Encouragement -February 22 2026- Year of Vibrant Growth for a Youthful Soka Gakkai Worldwide

  

Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda
February 22, 2026
 
What was the secret to Edison's success? He explained that it was to never give up before he succeeded in what he was trying to do. Not giving up-that's the only way. Once you give up you are defeated. This is equally true in the realm of faith. Quitting is not faith. We have to keep chanting until our prayers are answered. That is the correct way of prayer.
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From the Writings of Nichiren Daishonin
February 22, 2026
 
Though this mandala has but five or seven characters, it is the teacher of all Buddhas throughout the three existences and the seal that guarantees the enlightenment of all women. It will be a lamp in the darkness of the road to the next world and a fine horse to carry you over the mountains of death. It is like the sun and moon in the heavens or Mount Sumeru on earth. It is a ship to ferry people over the sea of the sufferings of birth and death. It is the teacher who leads all people to Buddhahood and enlightenment.
 
The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, page 414
On Offering Prayers to the Mandala of the Mystic Law
Recipient and date unknown
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Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda
February 22, 2026
 
Real optimism should not be confused with a carefree outlook on life, one in which we forfeit responsibility for our lives. The person undefeated by misfortune, poverty, insult and vilification, the person who can bounce back from every adversity and say, "What? That was nothing!" The person who marches on toward hope through sheer force of will - that person is a true optimist.
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Excerpt from Daisaku Ikeda - A Youthful Diary (23 January 1958) p.379
 
Took an injection in the morning. Sensei's condition, too, is not good. He has often said, "The source of energy for our struggle lies in building iron bodies, life force and good health." Yet this mentor and his disciple both suffer from weak health. Resent this trick of fate.
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Sensei's Daily Encouragement -February 21 2026- Year of Vibrant Growth for a Youthful Soka Gakkai Worldwide

  

Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda
February 21, 2026
 
Friendship is strong. Friendship, camaraderie and unity in faith lie at the heart of the SGI. They come before the organization. We must never make the mistake of thinking that it is the other way around. The organization serves as a means for deepening friendship, comradeship and faith. To confuse the means and the end is a terrible mistake.
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From The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin
February 21, 2026
 
Nam-myoho-renge-kyo will be your staff to take you safely over the mountains of death. The Buddhas Shakyamuni and Many Treasures, as well as the four bodhisattvas headed by Superior Practices, will lead you by the hand on your journey. If I, Nichiren, precede you in death, I will come to meet you at your last moment. If you should precede me, I will be sure to tell King Yama all about you. Everything that I tell you is true. According to the Lotus Sutra, Nichiren is the guide who knows the passes and gorges along the way."
 
The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, page 451
The Swords of Good and Evil
Written to Hojo Yagenta on February 21, 1274
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Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda
February 21, 2026
 
There is no way of life more desolate or more pitiful than one of ignorance of the fundamental joy that issues from the struggle to generate and regenerate one's own life from within. To be human is much more than the mere biological facts of standing erect and exercising reason and intelligence. The full and genuine meaning of our humanity is found in tapping the creative fonts of life itself.
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Excerpt from Daisaku Ikeda - A Youthful Diary (22 January 1958) p.378
 
There are three ways to live. Some people live in the past, some in the present and some in the future. The same principle applies to the Gakkai, as well as to society and politics.
Youth live for the future. The board of directors, therefore, should live actively for the present while watching over the youth who live for the future.
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Sensei's Daily Encouragement -February 20 2026- Year of Vibrant Growth for a Youthful Soka Gakkai Worldwide

  

Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda
February 20, 2026
 
In his later years, President Toda often told his disciples: "Be courageous in faith! No matter what other people may say, advance boldly! Lead confident lives! Make courage the Gakkai's eternal emblem!" This was the spirit with which he charged us before he died. Faith is the source of true strength and courage. Without courage and confidence we cannot be said to have genuine faith.
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From The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin
February 20, 2026
 
Even an ignorant person can obtain blessings by serving someone who expounds the Lotus Sutra. No matter if he is a demon or an animal, if someone proclaims even a single verse or phrase of the Lotus Sutra, you must respect him as you would the Buddha. This is what the sutra means when it says, "You should rise and greet him from afar, showing him the same respect you would a Buddha." You should respect one another as Shakyamuni and Many Treasures did at the ceremony in the " Treasure Tower " chapter.
 
The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, page 757
The Fourteen Slanders
Written to the lay priest Matsuno Rokuro Saemon on December 9, 1276
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Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda
February 20, 2026
 
When we plant the seeds of self-doubt, only noxious weeds sprout. When we limit ourselves with low expectations, the growth of the tree of happiness immediately ceases. The power of growth, of improvement, the power to overcome all stagnation and break through every obstacle and transform a barren wasteland into a verdant field -- that unstoppable power of hope resides right there in your own heart. It will well up from the rich earth of your innermost being when you face the future without doubt or fear: "I can do more. I can grow. I can become a bigger and better human being" --- life and faith are a never-ending struggle to grow.
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Excerpt from Daisaku Ikeda - A Youthful Diary (20 January 1958) p.378
 
Visited Sensei at home in Meguro. Talked intimately for about an hour and a half. Could only express my appreciation for his deep compassion and concern for the future and beyond. Received guidance on the upcoming general pilgrimage and the Gakkai's cultural movement, including my own personal affairs. Must become more deeply and powerfully conscious of Sensei's instructions; must put them into practice and prove their validity.
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Sensei's Daily Encouragement -February 19 2026- Year of Vibrant Growth for a Youthful Soka Gakkai Worldwide

  

Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda
February 19, 2026
 
This lifetime will never come again; it is precious and irreplaceable. To live without regret, it is crucial for us to have a concrete purpose and continually set goals and challenges for ourselves. It is equally important that we keep moving toward specific targets steadily and tenaciously, one step at a time.
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From The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin
February 19, 2026
 
Be sure to strengthen your faith, and receive the protection of Shakyamuni, Many Treasures, and the Buddhas of the ten directions. Exert yourself in the two ways of practice and study. Without practice and study, there can be no Buddhism. You must not only persevere yourself; you must also teach others. Both practice and study arise from faith. Teach others to the best of your ability, even if it is only a single sentence or phrase.
 
The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, page 386
The True Aspect of All Phenomena
Written to Sairen-bo Nichijo on May 17, 1273
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Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda
February 19, 2026
 
Chang-an writes, "If one befriends another person but lacks the mercy to correct him, one is in fact his enemy." The consequences of a grave offense are extremely difficult to erase. The most important thing is to continually strengthen our wish to benefit others - Nichiren
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Excerpt from Daisaku Ikeda - A Youthful Diary (19 January 1958) p.377
 
Rested all morning. Always thinking I must take care of my health. My wife's mother came over. It was about the children's education, our living expenses and other matters. She, my wife and I talked. Peacefully, warmly.
Tomorrow, I will have to bother Sensei at home. Took my children to the public bath in the evening. Wrote until 1:00
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Sensei's Daily Encouragement -February 18 2026- Year of Vibrant Growth for a Youthful Soka Gakkai Worldwide

  

Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda
February 18, 2026
 
Religious strife must be avoided at all cost; under no circumstance should it be allowed. People may hold different religious beliefs, but the bottom line is that we are all human beings. We all seek happiness and desire peace. Religion should bring people together. It should unite the potential for good in people's hearts toward benefiting society and humanity and creating a better future.
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From The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin
February 18, 2026
 
Grass without roots will die in no time and a river without a source will not flow far. A child without parents is looked down upon. Nam-myoho-renge-kyo, the heart of the "Life Span" chapter, is the mother of all Buddhas throughout the ten directions and the three existences of past, present and future.
 
The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, page 184
The Essence of the "Life Span" Chapter
Recipient unknown; written on April 17, 1271
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Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda
February 18, 2026
 
When you devote yourself to achieving your goal, you will not be bothered by shallow criticism. Nothing important can be accomplished if you allow yourself to be swayed by some trifling matter, always looking over your shoulder and wondering what others are saying or thinking. The key to achievement is to move forward along your chosen path with determination.
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Excerpt from Daisaku Ikeda - A Youthful Diary (07 January 1958) p.375
 
To the headquarters in the evening. Saw Sensei briefly. His condition seems extremely poor. Heartbreaking. Times have changed. Lamentable, regrettable. I, however have long to live before kosen-rufu is achieved. Sensei, please watch! The youth division will grow and will definitely carry on.
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To bed early. Cannot fight if I am exhausted. All that interest me is our battle for the Law.
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Sensei's Daily Encouragement -February 17 2026- Year of Vibrant Growth for a Youthful Soka Gakkai Worldwide

  

Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda
February 17, 2026
 
Life contains the capacity, like flames that reach toward heaven, to transform suffering and pain into the energy needed for value-creation, into light that illuminates darkness. Like the wind traversing vast spaces unhindered, life has the power to uproot and overturn all obstacles and difficulties. Like clear flowing water, it can wash away all stains and impurities. And finally life, like the great earth that sustains plants and vegetation, impartially protects all people with its compassionate, nurturing force.
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From The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin
February 17, 2026
 
Bodhisattva Superior Practices received the water of wisdom of the Mystic Law from the Thus Come One Shakyamuni and causes it to flow into the wasteland of the people's lives in the evil world of the latter age. This is the function of wisdom. Shakyamuni Buddha transferred this teaching to Bodhisattva Superior Practices, and now Nichiren propagates it in Japan .
 
The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin page 746
The Essentials for Attaining Buddhahood
Written to Soya Jiro Hyoe-no-jo Kyoshin on August 3, 1276
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Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda
February 17, 2026
 
True individuality never comes to full flower without hard work. Therefore, you're making a big mistake if you think that who you are right now represents all you are capable of being.
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Excerpt from Daisaku Ikeda - A Youthful Diary (06 January 1958) p.375
 
At 6:00, a New Year's Culture Department dinner at N. Having been invited, I attended. Made a congratulatory speech, K. gave words that contradicted what I had said. A small-minded person. Home, close to 10:00. Earnestly did gongyo. Will go to bed early.
From tomorrow, I will study Buddhism. Must study. Must not lose. One who doesn't study will definitely be defeated. One who continues to study will definitely win.
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Sensei's Daily Encouragement -February 16 2026- Year of Vibrant Growth for a Youthful Soka Gakkai Worldwide

  

Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda
February 16, 2026
 
I hope you will always live in unity with Nichiren Daishonin pursuing faith as disciples who are "of the same mind as Nichiren." Unfazed by the petty jealousies of others, please move forward boldly with joy and laughter.
Events
1222 Nichiren Daishonin is born.
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From The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin
February 16, 2026
 
According to the Buddhist teachings, prior to Shakyamuni slanderous monks would have incurred the death penalty. But since the time of Shakyamuni, the One Who Can Endure, the giving of alms to slanderous monks is forbidden in the sutra teachings.
 
The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, page 23
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
February 16, 2026
 
In the course of Buddhist practice, various things arise on account of the negative causes and tendencies in our own lives. There may be times when we think, "What did I do to deserve this?" But we should not be swayed every time such phenomena arise, for it is already certain that we will become happy in the end. We should regard as training everything that happens to us in our practice to reach the destination of happiness.
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Excerpt from Daisaku Ikeda - A Youthful Diary (05 January 1958) p.374/375
 
Had a fever all day. Troublesome – 99.9°F, I was told. Why do I always have this sort of fever? Lamentable. It always causes my wife to worry.
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Must take care of my health. This year, I want to forge a body and mind as strong as steel. Must build myself physically. Create a strong body.
This year – whether active, quiet or intense – will be a year to continuously face my destiny. My gaze is set straight ahead.
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