Sensei's Daily Encouragement -May 24 2026- Year of Vibrant Growth for a Youthful Soka Gakkai Worldwide

    

Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda
May 24, 2026
 
President Toda said: "Those who do not value the organization are practicing self-centered faith. With such faith you cannot expect to receive the truly profound benefits of this practice." Working hard within the organization for people's happiness and welfare is itself truly noble Buddhist practice.
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From the Writings of Nichiren Daishonin
May 24, 2026
 
Though I have long since ceased to think about my home, seeing this laver brings back many familiar memories, and I am saddened and find it hard to bear. It is the same kind of laver I saw long ago on the shore at Kataumi, Ichikawa, and Kominato. I feel an unwarranted resentment that, while the color, shape, and taste of this laver have remained unchanged, my parents have passed away, and I cannot restrain my tears.
 
The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, page 466
Reply to Niiama
Written to the younger non Niiama on February 16, 1275
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Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda
May 24, 2026
 
The ultimate and most glorious of human relationships is the relationship of spiritual successors. Even animals have relationships of parent and child. There are animals that share partnerships similar to marriage, and even those that enjoy friendships. However, the relationship of mentor and disciple, of spiritual successors, exists only among human beings.
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Excerpt from Daisaku Ikeda - A Youthful Diary (11 January 1954) p.154
 
President Toda stated: “I am striving resolutely ahead to carry out a revolution. My revolution, however, is a bloodless revolution, based on compassion and reason.” His words resound in my mind.
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Sensei's Daily Encouragement -May 23 2026- Year of Vibrant Growth for a Youthful Soka Gakkai Worldwide

    

Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda
May 23, 2026
 
We need to cultivate the spirit to live with self-assurance, to make our way joyously through life. We practice this faith precisely to forge such a strong and vibrant inner resolve.
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From the Writings of Nichiren Daishonin
May 23, 2026
 
Ch'ung-hua and Y were the children of commoners, but both were extremely filial. Hearing of this, King Yao and King Shun summoned Ch'ung-hua and Y, and abdicated their thrones to them. Commoners became royalty in a day. Just as a commoner can become a king in this present life, so can an ordinary person become a Buddha instantly. This is the heart of the doctrine of three thousand realms in a single moment of life.

The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin,page 323
Letter to the Sage Nichimyo
Written to Nichimyo on May 25, 1272
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Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda
May 23, 2026
 
I believe that whether we can live a truly satisfying life to the end depends to a considerable extent on how we view death. Sadly, many older people are anxious and fearful about death. But, as a Buddhist, I find it helpful to compare the cycles of life and death to the daily rhythms of waking and sleeping. Just as we look forward to the rest sleep brings after the efforts and exertions of the day, death can be seen as a welcome period of rest and re-energizing in preparation for a new round of active life. And just as we enjoy the best sleep after a day in which we have done our very best, a calm and easy death can only follow a life lived to the fullest without any regrets.
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Excerpt from Daisaku Ikeda - A Youthful Diary (9 January 1954) p.153/54
 
Must deepen my study of Buddhism... The reason is that study is unquestionably the Gakkai’s cornerstone. It is therefore a leader’s most essential qualification. Enthusiasm and practice are also vital. In this connection, study becomes all the more important.
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Sensei's Daily Encouragement -May 22 2026- Year of Vibrant Growth for a Youthful Soka Gakkai Worldwide

    

Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda
May 22, 2026
 
We need to cultivate a state of life where we can thoroughly enjoy ourselves at all times. We should have such joy that even at the time of death we can declare with a happy smile: "That was wonderful! Where shall I go next?" This is the state of mind of a person with strong faith. Such individuals will be reborn without delay and in a form and in a place exactly according with their desires. Faith enables us to attain the kind of generous and all-embracing state of mind where we can enjoy everything in our lives.
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From the Writings of Nichiren Daishonin
May 22, 2026
 
When one has had the rare good fortune to be born a human being, and the further good fortune to encounter the teachings of Buddhism, how can one waste this opportunity? If one is going to take faith at all, then among all the various teachings of the Mahayana and the Hinayana, provisional and true doctrines, one should believe in the one vehicle, the true purpose for which the Buddhas come into this world and the direct path to attaining enlightenment for all living beings.
 
The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, page 60
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
May 22, 2026
 
Only within the open space created by dialogue, whether conducted with our neighbours, with history, with nature or the cosmos, can human wholeness be sustained. We are not born human in any but a biological sense; we can only learn to know ourselves and others and thus be trained in the ways of being human. We do this by immersion in the ocean of language and dialogue fed by the springs of cultural tradition.
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Excerpt from Daisaku Ikeda - A Youthful Diary (9 January 1954) p.153
 
Worked on the second Gosho proofreading in Hatake, under the direction of Nichijun*, the retired high priest. A noble task. A sublime and important undertaking.
Must deepen my study of Buddhism. Must likewise strengthen my understanding of philosophy.
 
(*ref: p136-138 The Untold History of the Fuji School)
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Sensei's Daily Encouragement -May 21 2026- Year of Vibrant Growth for a Youthful Soka Gakkai Worldwide

    

Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda
May 21, 2026
 
We must live with vibrant hope. Nothing is stronger than hope. The Mystic Law is itself eternal hope. Happiness belongs to those who never despair, no matter what happens.
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From the Writings of Nichiren Daishonin
May 21, 2026
 
If the nation is destroyed and people's homes are wiped out, then where can one flee for safety? If you care anything about your personal security, you should first of all pray for order and tranquillity throughout the four quarters of the land, should you not?"
 
The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, page 24
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
May 21, 2026
 
The best way to attain Buddhahood is to encounter a good friend. How far can our own wisdom take us? If we have even enough wisdom to distinguish hot from cold, we should seek out a good friend. But encountering a good friend is the hardest possible thing to do. For this reason, the Buddha likened it to the rarity of a one-eyed turtle finding a floating log with a hollow in it the right size to hold him, or to the difficulty of trying to lower a thread from the Brahma heaven and pass it through the eye of a needle on the earth - Nichiren
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Excerpt from Daisaku Ikeda - A Youthful Diary (22 December 1953) p.150
 
The morning lecture has progressed from law, to politics, to economics, to science, to Chinese literature. How can I ever repay my debt of gratitude to my mentor, who has striven to raise this disciple without regard even for his own health? Now is the time to accumulate my power and ability. Must develop my capability in preparation for the time to come.
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Sensei's Daily Encouragement -May 20 2026- Year of Vibrant Growth for a Youthful Soka Gakkai Worldwide

    

Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda
 May 20, 2026
 
We mustn't be afraid of anything. It is important to remain firm to our convictions. There is a great deal of scheming and duplicity in the world. It is foolish to allow ourselves to be swayed by such things; it only leads to unhappiness. The Mystic Law and Nichiren Daishonin are absolutely free of any falsehood. Therefore, to dedicate our lives to kosen-rufu is to lead the wisest possible existence.
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From the Writings of Nichiren Daishonin
 May 20, 2026
 
Both of you were born as commoners and live in Kamakura, yet you believe in the Lotus Sutra without concern for the prying eyes of others or the danger it may pose to your lives. This is nothing short of extraordinary.
 
The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, page 315
The Gods Same Birth and Same Name
Written to Nichigen-nyo in April 1272
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Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda
 May 20, 2026
 
The Lotus Sutra has the drama of fighting for justice against evil. It has a warmth that comforts the weary. It has a vibrant, pulsing courage that drives away fear. It has a chorus of joy at attaining absolute freedom throughout past, present and future. It has the soaring flight of liberty. It has brilliant light, flowers, greenery, music, paintings, vivid stories. It offers unsurpassed lessons on psychology, the workings of the human heart; lessons on life; lessons on happiness; and lessons on peace. It maps out the basic rules for good health. It awakens us to the universal truth that a change in one's heart can transform everything.
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Excerpt from Daisaku Ikeda - A Youthful Diary (04 November 1953) p.150
 
Returning home from a lecture in Toshima, I stopped at the chapter chief’s house. Deeply appreciate his family, which welcomes me brightly any time I stop by. Worked out various plans with my chapter chief. In the future, this family’s fortune will rise as high as a mountain.
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Sensei's Daily Encouragement -May 19 2026- Year of Vibrant Growth for a Youthful Soka Gakkai Worldwide

    

Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda
May 19, 2026
 
From the standpoint of the eternity of our lives, because we embrace the Mystic Law everything is moving in a positive direction, everything contributes to our happiness and our attainment of Buddhahood. We need to have confidence in the Mystic Law; we mustn't be swayed by immediate circumstances or allow them to cloud our faith.
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From the Writings of Nichiren Daishonin
May 19, 2026
 
Life is the foremost of all treasures. It is expounded that even the treasures of the entire major world system cannot equal the value of one's body and life. Even the treasures that fill the major world system are no substitute for life.
 
The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, page 1125
The Gift of Rice
Recipient and date unknown
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Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda
May 19, 2026
 
Nichiren was utterly convinced we could change even the most dire and painful reality, including the danger of war, and, indeed, that it was imperative we do so. This conviction underlies his unwavering determination to create a peaceful society by widely disseminating the teachings of Buddhism.
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Excerpt from Daisaku Ikeda - A Youthful Diary (04 November 1953) p.149/50
 
Feeling bad, physically and spiritually. Having sad thoughts, as if my life were about to end.
Twenty-five years along this journey of life.
Will I fall now?
It seems like Mr. Toda’s physical condition has gradually gotten worse.
Sensei! Please persevere!
I, too, will strive determinedly.
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Sensei's Daily Encouragement -May 18 2026- Year of Vibrant Growth for a Youthful Soka Gakkai Worldwide

    

Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda
May 18, 2026
 
Those who have experienced great suffering must win in life and become happy. If you're always losing and miserable, then you are not practicing the Daishonin's Buddhism correctly. You are not following the true path in life. Buddhism teaches the means by which the sad can become happy and the happy become happier still. That is the reason for our practice.
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From the Writings of Nichiren Daishonin
May 18, 2026
 
What we call faith is nothing unusual. Faith means putting one's trust in the Lotus Sutra, Shakyamuni, Many Treasures, the Buddhas and bodhisattvas of the ten directions, and the heavenly gods and benevolent deities, and chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo as a woman cherishes her husband, as a man lays down his life for his wife, as parents refuse to abandon their children, or as a child refuses to leave its mother.
 
The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, page 1036
The Meaning of Faith
Written to the lay nun Myoichi on May 18, 1280
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Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda
May 18, 2026
 
Nichiren Buddhism is concerned with a very practical problem - how people should live their lives - and never for an instant allows its attention to be diverted from that problem. And because this is its purpose, it demands as a first step that one conduct a thorough and fearless examination into the true nature of human life.
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Excerpt from Daisaku Ikeda - A Youthful Diary (22 October 1953) p.149
 
I, too, have reached a stage where I must move with a fresh determination and awareness. Must not revert to my shallow way of thinking from when I was single. I must now proceed responsibly in everything I do.
Ultimately, I must advance, step by step, with faith as my basis never yielding or losing sight of my goal.
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