Sensei's Daily Encouragement -February 10 2026- Year of Vibrant Growth for a Youthful Soka Gakkai Worldwide

  

Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda
February 10, 2026
 
Kosen-rufu is a supreme, golden path extending throughout the Latter Day of the Law into the eternal future. Let us continue to advance boldly and intrepidly along this path as Nichiren Daishonin teaches. This is the way world peace will be accomplished. If we do not widely spread the principles and ideals of the Daishonin's Buddhism, there will be no hope for the peace and happiness of humankind.
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From The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin
February 10, 2026
 
If even Shariputra, the foremost in wisdom among the disciples of the Buddha, failed to understand people's capacity, then how much more difficult must it be for ordinary teachers today, in the Latter Day of the Law, to have such an understanding! Ordinary teachers who lack an understanding of people's capacity should teach only the Lotus Sutra to those who are under their instruction.
 
The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, page 49
The Teaching, Capacity, Time, and Country
Recipient unknown; written on February 10, 1262
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Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda
February 10, 2026
 
Nichiren explains that to know oneself is to know all things in the universe. When you change, your environment changes, too. When your inner resolve changes, everything is transformed. This principle is summed up by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe's maxim,
 "Nothing's outside that's not within."
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Excerpt from Daisaku Ikeda - A Youthful Diary (26 December 1957) p.368
 
It has been seven years since Sensei assumed the presidency, and his goal of 750,000 member households had been fulfilled. What should be the youth division goal? As a first step, it is our destiny to gather 100,000 young men, as Sensei stated in his essay, "Youth, Be Patriotic." It's up to me. Until then, I will resolutely battle the devil of illness. Can only pray for Sensei's recovery.
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Sensei's Daily Encouragement -February 9 2026- Year of Vibrant Growth for a Youthful Soka Gakkai Worldwide

  

Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda
February 9, 2026
 
There is no place in the SGI for cowards or for egoists who are given to arbitrary or self-serving views. Our movement has no need for the fainthearted, filled with doubt, who readily succumb to negative influences. Let us strive for the Law and live with dignity as proud members of the SGI! The 21st century shall be the essential phase of our movement. Bathed in the brilliant light of dawn, let us take our places on that golden stage and lead truly magnificent lives!
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From The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin
February 9, 2026
 
What good karma must you have formed in the past, then, to have been born a person able to recite even so much as a verse or a phrase of the Lotus Sutra!"
 
The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, page 69
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
February 9, 2026
 
You must never slacken in your efforts to build new lives for yourselves. Creativeness means pushing open the heavy door to life. This is not an easy struggle. Indeed, it may be the hardest task in the world. For opening the door to your own life is more difficult than opening the doors to the mysteries of the universe.
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Excerpt from Daisaku Ikeda - A Youthful Diary (26 December 1957) p.368
 
Took a taxi from home. Think of the cab fare as a medical expense for maintaining my health.
Sensei is profoundly ill. I, too, am ill. Regrettable.
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Sensei's Daily Encouragement -February 8 2026- Year of Vibrant Growth for a Youthful Soka Gakkai Worldwide

  

Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda
February 8, 2026
 
I hope that as leaders you will always express your appreciation for and do your utmost to support the many sincere members who are steadfastly exerting themselves in faith. The Daishonin says that when you see someone who embraces the Mystic Law, you should rise and greet them from afar, showing them the same respect you would a Buddha.
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From The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin
February 8, 2026
 
 Not even the wisdom of the Buddha can fathom the blessings that one will obtain by giving alms to Nichiren and by becoming his disciple and lay supporter.
 
The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, page 384
The True Aspect of All Prenomena
Written to Sairen-bo Nichijo on May 17, 1273
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Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda
February 8, 2026
 
 Josei Toda often compared death to sleep. When we have been awake for a long time, we tire and go to sleep. And when we wake up after a sound sleep, our vitality is restored. After we have been alive for a long time, we grow weary and die. And then we set out on a new life with a fresh spirit. Death is a period of "recharging" for our next existence.
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Excerpt from Daisaku Ikeda - A Youthful Diary (25 December 1957) p.368
 
A message from Sensei containing next year's direction.
 
1. Faith to establish family harmony
2. Faith to enable each individual to obtain happiness.
3. Faith to overcome obstacles.
 
Our magnificent religious revolution advances…
 
The meeting ended 9:30. Headed home. Read the Gosho alone. It is shameful for a leader be deficient in study. How could I, as a seeker of the way, fail to do so. Must never become an arrogant person. Strictly admonished by my mentor's eyes.
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Sensei's Daily Encouragement -February 7 2026- Year of Vibrant Growth for a Youthful Soka Gakkai Worldwide

  

Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda
February 7, 2026
 
Your environment does not matter. 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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From The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin
February 7, 2026
 
I am much distressed to hear that your illness has become so serious. Swords exist to cut down enemies and medicine exists to cure sickness. King Ajatashatru murdered his father and made himself an enemy of the Buddha. But after foul sores broke out on his body, he converted to the Buddha's teachings and embraced the Lotus Sutra, whereupon his sores healed and he prolonged his life by forty years.
 
The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, page 610
Reply to the Lay Priest Takahashi
Written to the lay priest Takashashi
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Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda
February 7, 2026
 
In his writings, regarding Buddhist practice, Nichiren repeatedly emphasized the importance of the heart. While teaching that faith and courage are the powers and functions of the heart that enable us to open the world of Buddhahood in our lives, he also cautioned against the heart's negative functions, such as disbelief and cowardice, which close us off to our potential for Buddhahood.
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Excerpt from Daisaku Ikeda - A Youthful Diary (25 December 1957) p.367/368
 
The headquarters leaders meeting at Toshima Civic Auditorium. Sensei did not attend. We have finally achieved a membership of 750,000 households. Our goal has been brilliantly achieved. President Toda's conviction has clearly become a reality. Lots of thoughts, stemming from a realization in the depths of my life about the strict, exacting nature of the Buddhist Law.
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Sensei's Daily Encouragement -February 6 2026- Year of Vibrant Growth for a Youthful Soka Gakkai Worldwide

  

Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda
February 6, 2026
 
Unless we live fully right now, not sometime in the future, true fulfillment in life will forever elude us. Rather than putting things off till the future, we should find meaning in life, thinking and doing what is most important right now, right where we are - setting our hearts aflame and igniting our lives. Otherwise, we cannot lead an inspired existence.
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From The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin
February 6, 2026
 
Therefore, I say to you, my disciples, try practicing as the Lotus Sutra teaches, exerting yourselves without begrudging your lives! Test the truth of Buddhism now!"
 
The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, page 583
The Selection of the Time
Written to Yui in 1275
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Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda
February 6, 2026
 
The Buddhist view is that to die a good death, one must have led a good life. The knowledge that death represents the return of the individual life to the great universal life prior to another phenomenal manifestation is a source of splendid strength, rich with compassion and wisdom. As he or she strives to perfect himself by doing good for others, the Buddhist is constantly aware that death is a fulfilling and enriching part of life. For people who believe this, death is not defeat, but a wonderful stimulus to live more vigorously and more meaningfully.
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Excerpt from Daisaku Ikeda - A Youthful Diary (22 December 1957) p.367
 
Rested for a while in the late afternoon. My strength returned. Getting rest is also important. Physical strength and energy are the source of power for waging a campaign.
 
Though winning and losing are normal events in the course of a person's life, I pray to the Buddha for my final victory.
 
I will engrave in my life this waka poem I received from Sensei; I shall not forget it.
 
In the evening, my wife and I discussed our plans for the coming year. Hope rises. The future opens.
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Sensei's Daily Encouragement -February 5 2026- Year of Vibrant Growth for a Youthful Soka Gakkai Worldwide

  


Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda
February 5, 2026
 
I hope that you will always speak the truth boldly, saying what needs to be said no matter whom you're addressing. When it comes to championing a just cause, you must never be cowardly, never fawn, never try to curry favour.
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From The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin
February 5, 2026
 
You must never think that any of the eighty thousand sacred teachings of Shakyamuni Buddha's lifetime or any of the Buddhas and bodhisattvas of the ten directions and three existences are outside yourself. Your practice of the Buddhist teachings will not relieve you of the sufferings of birth and death in the least unless you perceive the true nature of your life.
 
 The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, page 3
On Attaining Buddhahood in This Lifetime
Written to Toki Jonin in 1255
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Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda
February 5, 2026
 
Life for everyone is a struggle against the sufferings of birth, old age, sickness and death. Happiness is not the absence of problems or worries; it is to be undefeated no matter what problems or worries we may face. And this happiness is not solely focused on oneself. Truly happy are those who can help others become happy.
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Excerpt from Daisaku Ikeda - A Youthful Diary (19 December 1957) p. 365
 
A fever again today. Physically and mentally weary. Coughing. Must take care.
 
Read the Gosho:
Iron, when heated in the flames and pounded, becomes a fine sword. Worthies and sages are tested by abuse. "Letter from Sado"
 
Read the following in a book. "A person who lives to seventy has spent nineteen years working, twenty-three years sleeping, four years sick, nine years enjoying some form of amusement, two years getting dressed or changing clothes and three years eating."
 
Think of it! How many years of our lives are spent in a valuable way?
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Sensei's Daily Encouragement -February 4 2026- Year of Vibrant Growth for a Youthful Soka Gakkai Worldwide

  

Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda
February 4, 2026
 
Please never turn your back on your faith. Courage is crucial. There is no room for faintheartedness in faith. The timid doom themselves to ridicule - from their partners, from their children, from their friends, from the world at large. The Daishonin declares that there is no place for cowards among his disciples. President Toda said the same.
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From The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin
February 4, 2026
 
The Buddha taught that the blessings of a single offering to the votary of this sutra are a hundred, thousand, ten thousand, million times greater than those of offering countless treasures to Shakyamuni for eighty million kalpas. When one encounters this sutra, one will overflow with happiness and shed tears of joy. It seems impossible to repay one's debt to Shakyamuni. But by your frequent offerings to me deep in these mountains you will repay the merciful kindness of both the Lotus Sutra and Shakyamuni Buddha.
 
 The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, page 1027
Letter to Niike
Written to Niike Saemon-no-jo in February 1280
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Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda
February 4, 2026
 
You mustn't allow yourselves to grow old before your time. Please live with a youthful spirit. That is what Buddhism teaches us to do, and it is how life ought to be lived. If you make a commitment to work for the sake of others, you will be rejuvenated. If you devote your life to helping others, you'll stay young. The power of Nam-myoho-renge-kyo guarantees that.
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Excerpt from Daisaku Ikeda - A Youthful Diary (18 December 1957) p.365
 
An early evening chapter administrators meeting at my house. A serious conference attended by the chapter chief.
Tired. Truly exhausted.
1. Discussed the basic direction for the coming year.
2. To be a leader means to have confidence.
3. The mysterious nature of life, which is in a constant state of flux.
4. The necessity of the Gakkai accomplishing great change in this seventh year since Sensei assumed the presidency.
 
Discussed the above topics openly and frankly. All are good and precious members.
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