Sensei's Daily Encouragement -February 27 2026- Year of Vibrant Growth for a Youthful Soka Gakkai Worldwide

  

Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda
February 27, 2026
 
Originally, every person's life is a brilliantly shining mirror. Differences arise depending on whether one polishes this mirror: A polished mirror is the Buddha's life, whereas a tarnished mirror is that of a common mortal. Chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo is what polishes our lives.
 
Events: SGI-USA Womens Day.
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From the Writings of Nichiren Daishonin
February 27, 2026
 
However, people all turn their backs on these sutra passages, and the world as a whole is completely confused with regard to the principles of Buddhism. Why do you persist in following the teachings of evil friends? T'ien-t'ai said that to accept and put faith in the doctrines of evil teachers is the same as drinking poison. You should deeply consider this and beware.
 
The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, page 61
Questions and Answers about Embracing the Lotus Sutra
Recipient unknown; written in March 1263
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Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda
February 27, 2026
 
We each move forward secure on our own earth, not the earth of others. Happiness is something we must create for ourselves. No one else can give it to us.
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Excerpt from Daisaku Ikeda - A Youthful Diary (07 February 1958) p.383/84
 
Is it a turbulent time when the bold and daring will win? Or does true humanity lie in warmth and sensitivity? Confusing for a youth.
Thought about the stout heart of faith, the pure practice of faith. Also pondered revolution, selfless devotion, common sense and wisdom.
Must seriously consider a method and vision for 'the kosen-rufu through positive relationship' and 'the kosen-rufu of substantiation.' 

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Sensei's Daily Encouragement -February 26 2026- Year of Vibrant Growth for a Youthful Soka Gakkai Worldwide

  

Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda
February 26, 2026
 
Buddhism teaches that life at each moment embraces all phenomena. This is the doctrine of a life-moment possessing 3,000 realms, which is the Lotus Sutra's ultimate teaching and Buddhism's essence. Because of the profound way our lives interact with people around us, it is vital that we reach out to others, that we be engaged with our environment and with our local community. A self-absorbed practice or theory without action is definitely not Buddhism.
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From the Writings of Nichiren Daishonin
February 26, 2026
 
The Great Teacher Tz'u-en wrote a work in ten volumes entitled Praising the Profundity of the Lotus Sutra in which he praised the Lotus Sutra, but the Great Teacher Dengyo criticized it, saying, "Though he praises the Lotus Sutra, he destroys its heart." If we consider these examples carefully, we will realize that, among those who read the Lotus Sutra and sing its praises, there are many who are destined for the hell of incessant suffering.
 
The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, page 718
On Repaying Debts of Gratitude
Written to Joken-bo and Gijo-bo on July 21, 1276
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Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda
February 26, 2026
 
No discrimination exists in Nichiren Buddhism. Nichiren teaches that the Buddha and all people are absolutely equal. Chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo with faith in this point is a matter of the utmost importance. Doing so is to embrace the Lotus Sutra. It is also an act of succeeding to the heritage of Buddhism. In this light, we can say that the gist of the teaching of the Lotus Sutra is that all people are equal.
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Excerpt from Daisaku Ikeda - A Youthful Diary (04 February 1958) p.383
 
A fever in the morning. Could not get out of bed. Rested quietly all day. My cold seems to be getting worse. A doctor who lives in the neighborhood came over….
My wife's father, T. and Z. came over to see me. Talked with them while resting. Enjoyed sweet bean soup with rice cake.
Reflected on the following:
1. The outcome of the Osaka trial
2. The third and fourth presidents of the Soka Gakkai.
3. Compiling a sequel to (Toda's) The Human Revolution.
4. Construction of the Gakkai headquarters building.
5. Financial planning for my family

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Sensei's Daily Encouragement -February 25 2026- Year of Vibrant Growth for a Youthful Soka Gakkai Worldwide

  

Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda
February 25, 2026
 
Gandhi taught people to live with lion-like courage, impressing upon them that they could not afford to leave things up to others, that they had to stand up for themselves and fight for justice. Ultimately, the only way forward is by developing self-reliance, forging a stand-alone spirit. That is the only path to victory.
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From the Writings of Nichiren Daishonin
February 25, 2026
 
Today there are people who have faith in the Lotus Sutra. The belief of some is like fire while that of others is like water. When the former listen to the teachings, their passion flares up like fire, but as time goes on, they tend to discard their faith. To have faith like water means to believe continuously without ever regressing.
 
 The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, page 899
The Two Kinds of Faith
Written to Nanjo Tokumitsu on February 25, 1278
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Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda
February 25, 2026
 
When you hold fast to your beliefs and live true to yourself, your true value as a human being shines through. Buddhism teaches the concept of "realizing your inherent potential." In other words manifesting your true entity, your innate self, revealing it and bringing it to shine, illuminating all around you. It refers to your most refined individuality and uniqueness.
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Excerpt from Daisaku Ikeda - A Youthful Diary (02 February 1958) p.382
 
Had dinner with my family for the first time in a while. My wife and children seemed happy. My wife's father came over. He is in good spirits. Chanted for his longevity. All of us did a resounding gongyo and chanted daimoku together.
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Sensei's Daily Encouragement -February 24 2026- Year of Vibrant Growth for a Youthful Soka Gakkai Worldwide

  

Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda
February 24, 2026
 
Buddhism is not about leading a self-centered existence. If we do not base our lives on the Law, we are not practicing Buddhism. The German writer Friedrich von Schiller writes, "The brave man thinks upon himself the last." This is analogous to the spirit of not begrudging one's life taught in the Lotus Sutra. This means treasuring the Law more highly than one's life. The Law and kosen-rufu are central.
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From the Writings of Nichiren Daishonin
February 24, 2026
 
No matter how humble a person may be, if his wisdom is the least bit greater than yours, you should ask him about the meaning of the sutra. But the people in this evil age are so arrogant, prejudiced, and attached to fame and profit that they are afraid that, should they become the disciple of a humble person or try to learn something from him, they will be looked down upon by others. They never rid themselves of this wrong attitude, so they seem to be destined for the evil paths.
 
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 24, 2026
 
According to Buddhism, health is not a condition in which we merely escape negative influences. It is a highly positive, active state in which we hold ourselves responsible for such influences, in which we face and try to solve various problems - not just our own but others problems, too. The word disease implies a lack of ease, which conversely implies that health is a state of comfort. In the Buddhist sense, however, being "at ease" does not mean freedom from difficulties, it means having the strength to meet and overcome any problem.
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Excerpt from Daisaku Ikeda - A Youthful Diary (30 January 1958) p.381
 
After the conference, returned to the headquarters to write an article. Completely forgot I had called my wife and promised to meet her at Kamata Station at 10:00 p.m. Made my pregnant wife wait for more than one hour in the cold. Terribly sorry for her. On the way home, the two of us stopped at a street vendor and ate grilled tripe to warm our chilled bodies.
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Sensei's Daily Encouragement -February 23 2026- Year of Vibrant Growth for a Youthful Soka Gakkai Worldwide

  

Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda
February 23, 2026
 
Without courage we cannot be compassionate. Courage and compassion are inseparable, like the two sides of a coin. Faith is the wellspring of courage. The Daishonin says, "Nichiren's disciples cannot accomplish anything if they are cowardly," (The Major Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, vol. 1, p. 128). A cowardly person cannot realize victory in life. Unless we have the courage to really dedicate our lives to kosen-rufu, we cannot construct true happiness for ourselves and others.
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From the Writings of Nichiren Daishonin
February 23, 2026
 
Even though one may encounter a wise teacher and the true sutra and thereby embrace the correct teaching, when one resolves to break free from the sufferings of birth and death and attain Buddhahood, one will inevitably encounter seven grave matters known as the three obstacles and four devils, just as surely as a shadow follows the body and clouds accompany rain. Even if you should manage to overcome the first six, if you are defeated by the seventh, you will not be able to become a Buddha.
 
The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, page 894
Letter to Misawa
Written to Misawa Kojiro on February 23, 1278
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Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda
February 23, 2026
 
The only way for human beings to change is for them to conquer their inner darkness and rediscover the eternal dignity within their own lives. Cultivating the noble spirit with which all people are endowed will directly lead to a change in the destiny of humankind.
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Excerpt from Daisaku Ikeda - A Youthful Diary (25 January 1958) p.379
 
To say nam is to express one's heart of respect and praise. Unable to do gongyo and chant daimoku with a rich heart. Reflected deeply. 
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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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