Sensei's Daily Encouragement -March 14 2026- Year of Vibrant Growth for a Youthful Soka Gakkai Worldwide

    

Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda
March 14, 2026
 
As SGI leaders, how we interpret the words of members and what we say in response is important. A genuine leader is someone who gives measured thought to such matters. When talking with individuals, ask yourselves: "What are they worried about?" "What are they trying to say?" "What are they thinking? "What is it they seek?" Try to discern these things in others. Try to know. Try to understand. This is the challenge of leadership. From such compassion arises wisdom.
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From The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin
March 14, 2026
 
While I was there, however, you and your husband, the lay priest of Ko, being apprehensive of the eyes of others, brought me food in the middle of the night. Never fearing even punishment from the provincial officials, you are persons who were ready to sacrifice yourselves for me. Thus, though it was a harsh land, when I left, I felt as if the hair that had been shaved from my head were being tugged from behind and as if with each step I took I were being pulled back.
 
The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, page 596
Letter to the Lay Nun of Ko
Written to the lay nun of Ko on June 16, 1275
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Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda
March 14, 2026
 
Depending on their outlook, people's old age will dramatically differ, especially in terms of the richness and fulfillment they will experience. Everything is up to our attitude, how we approach life. Do we look at old age as a descending path to oblivion? Or is it a period in which we can attain our goals and bring our lives to a rewarding, satisfying completion?
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Daisaku Ikeda – A Youthful Diary (05 December 1952) p.118
 
The brilliant moon shining in the cold night sky makes me temporarily forget the whirlpool of intense struggle I am in the midst of. How it calms my agitated mind, affording a respite to prepare me for tomorrow and the future! This is the Buddhism of 'the oneness of body and mind.' I have never before been as keenly aware of this principle, in my body, my spirit and my life, as I have this year. Rather, this year I sensed it so deeply I often felt alone or in anguish.
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Sensei's Daily Encouragement -March 13 2026- Year of Vibrant Growth for a Youthful Soka Gakkai Worldwide

    

Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda
March 13, 2026
 
If we don't practice gongyo, the rhythm of our lives will be thrown off kilter, just as a machine that isn't oiled will rust. Gongyo and chanting daimoku are like starting an automobile's engine every day and driving in the direction of happiness and truth. By doing so day after day, you will gradually attain perfect unity with the universe and the Law. That state is the state of the Buddha.
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From The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin
March 13, 2026
 
Abutsu-bo is therefore the treasure tower itself, and the treasure tower is Abutsu-bo himself. No other knowledge is purposeful. It is the treasure tower adorned with the seven kinds of treasures - hearing the correct teaching, believing it, keeping the precepts, engaging in meditation, practicing assiduously, renouncing one's attachments, and reflecting on oneself. You may think you offered gifts to the treasure tower of the Thus Come One Many Treasures, but that is not so. You offered them to yourself.
 
The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, page 299
On the Treasure Tower
Written to Abutsu-bo Nittoko on March 13, 1272
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Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda
March 13, 2026
 
In the face of rejection, you must learn to be courageous. It is important to believe in yourself. Be like the sun, which shines on serenely even though not all the heavenly bodies reflect back its light and even though some of its brilliance seems to radiate only into empty space. While those who reject your friendship may sometimes fade out of your life, the more you shine your light, the more brilliant your life will become.
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Daisaku Ikeda – A Youthful Diary (10 June 1951) p. 116

Before the Gohonzon, I must make a vow and deeply apologize. Also I must reflect on the following points:
 
1. Take action for propagation and practice for others.
2. Awaken to a sense of responsibility for the sake of my district.
3. Be careful about my speech.
4. Deeply reflect on my tendency to insist on my own viewpoint.
5. Be careful to show proper courtesy to senior members.
 
My language and actions with regard to Y. were clearly wrong. Must reflect. There is truly no end to my problems.
 
When we reflect, we can advance. Resolutely, determinedly. Nothing else suits my nature.
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Sensei's Daily Encouragement -March 12 2026- Year of Vibrant Growth for a Youthful Soka Gakkai Worldwide

  

  

Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda
March 12, 2026
 
As SGI members our work, our mission, is clear. We have the unparalleled task of working for the happiness of all humanity in an endeavour we call kosen-rufu. To participate in SGI activities and challenge ourselves earnestly on the path of our mission are the greatest happiness. It all comes down to whether we can appreciate this point.
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From The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin
March 12, 2026
 
I recently received an official pardon, and I will return to Kamakura. Can this be the year in which the passage "What I long ago hoped for has now been fulfilled" comes true for me? Without your protection, could I possibly have sustained my life? Could I have survived to be pardoned? My life's achievements are due entirely to you and to those like you.
 
The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, page 454
Letter to Endo Saemon-no-jo
Written to Endo Saemon-no-jo on March 12, 1274
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Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda
March 12, 2026
 
The human being is not a frail wretch at the mercy of fate. Shakyamuni insisted that to change oneself now is to change the future on a vast scale. The Western impression that Buddhism is all about meditation is alien to the spirit of Shakyamuni. The goal of Nichiren Buddhism is neither escape from reality nor passive acceptance. It is to live strongly, proactively, in such a way as to refine one's own life and reform society through a constant exchange between the outside world and the individual's inner world.
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Daisaku Ikeda – A Youthful Diary (9 June 1951) p. 115/116
 
It is now mid-1951. How quickly the time has gone! How will I, the company and society change in the next ten years? No one can know.
Those who can continue to advance boldly, according to their own convictions, without being swayed by others, are great. Without being stubborn or narrow-minded, they must have firm conviction in the fundamental truth.
Many appear to be great individuals. But looking more closely, they lack compassion. For myself, all that remains is to follow Mr. Toda.
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Sensei's Daily Encouragement -March 11 2026- Year of Vibrant Growth for a Youthful Soka Gakkai Worldwide

  

  
Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda
March 11, 2026
 
All right, let's get to work again!" This is the spirit of people of genuine substance. Those who avoid hard work or neglect the things they have to do, who just while away their time, eating, sleeping, playing, watching television -- such individuals will never experience true happiness, satisfaction or joy.
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From The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin
March 11, 2026
 
You, yourself, are a Thus Come One who is originally enlightened and endowed with the three bodies. You should chant Nam-myoho-renge-kyo with this conviction. Then the place where you chant daimoku will become the dwelling place of the treasure tower.
 
The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, page 299
On the Treasure Tower
Written to Abutsu-bo Nittoku on March 13, 1272
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Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda
March 11, 2026
 
The Indian philosopher Swami Vivekananda declared: "It is religion, maker of men, that we need. It is education, maker of men that we need." Fostering people, building character - this is absolutely fundamental for creating a bright future. Toward this end, both the profound spirituality of religion and the intellectual illumination of education are essential.
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Daisaku Ikeda – A Youthful Diary (8 June 1951) p. 115
 
1. Write a poem titled "Forward, White Horse!"
2. Reflect on myself for not compiling President Toda's guidance.
3. Strictly and seriously refrain from overestimating myself.
4. Be clear about what I do and don't know.
5. Take people's good qualities to heart and make them a model for myself.
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Sensei's Daily Encouragement -March 10 2026- Year of Vibrant Growth for a Youthful Soka Gakkai Worldwide

  

  
Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda
March 10, 2026
 
 Where is happiness to be found? The famous Roman philosopher - emperor Marcus Aurelius (121-180 ce) said, "A man's true delight is to do the things he was made for." Human happiness, he maintains, lies in doing those things only humans can: seeking the truth and acting to help those who are suffering. Goethe also asserted that those who work cheerfully and take joy in the fruits of their labour are truly happy. These are the words of great thinkers and as you can see they are in complete accord with the teachings of Buddhism.
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 From The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin
March 10, 2026
 
 A sutra says: "Rely on the Law and not upon persons. Rely on the meaning of the teaching and not upon the words. Rely on wisdom and not upon discriminative thinking. Rely on sutras that are complete and final and not on those that are not complete and final." The meaning of this passage is that one should rely not upon the words of the bodhisattvas and teachers but should heed what was established by the Buddha.
 
The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, page 872
How Those Initially aspiring to the Way Can Attain Buddhahood through the Lotus Sutra
Written to the lay nun Myoho in 1277
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Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda
March 10, 2026
 
 There is a great difference between simply living a long life and living a full and rewarding life. What's really important is how much rich texture and colour we can add to our lives during our stay here on Earth - however long that stay may be. Quality is the true value, not quantity.
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Daisaku Ikeda – A Youthful Diary (31 May 1951) p.114
 
Awoke at 6:50. Did gongyo, feeling refreshed both in body and spirit.
Not to be filled with vitality and burning with passion during the precious years of youth would be a waste. Advancement – what a youthful word, filled with possibilities for the future. I will, throughout my life, use and practice this word both in name and in reality. Advancement – this word implies growth, hope, courage, youth and justice.
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Sensei's Daily Encouragement -March 9 2026- Year of Vibrant Growth for a Youthful Soka Gakkai Worldwide

  

  
Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda
March 9, 2026
 
The fundamental spirit of Buddhism is that all people are equal. A person is not great simply because of his or her social standing, fame, academic background or position in the organization. In the world of faith, the truly great are those who spread the Mystic Law and strive for kosen-rufu, who actively work for the sake of Buddhism and the happiness of others. Supremely respectworthy are those who champion the cause of kosen-rufu.
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From The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin
March 9, 2026
 
Our contemporaries think of the five characters of Myoho-renge-kyo only as a name, but this is not correct. It is the essence, that is, the heart of the Lotus Sutra. . . . Those who seek the heart of the sutra apart from its title are as foolish as the turtle who sought the monkey's liver outside the monkey, or the monkey who left the forest and sought fruit on the seashore.
 
The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, page 861
This is What I Heard
Written to the lay priest Soya Jiro on November 28, 1277
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Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda
March 9, 2026
 
Some people are overly critical of themselves and become listless and unassertive as a result. Rather than engaging in pointless self-flagellation, young people would do best just being what young people are: bold, audacious and gutsy -- and throwing themselves entirely into whatever the task at hand.
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Daisaku Ikeda – A Youthful Diary (31 May 1951) p.114
 
The greater the hardships we encounter, the more courageous and passionate we must become.
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Sensei's Daily Encouragement -March 8 2026- Year of Vibrant Growth for a Youthful Soka Gakkai Worldwide

  

  
Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda
March 8, 2026
 
The great French philosopher Jean-Jacques Rousseau (1712- 78) wrote in his work Emile: "There is no happiness without courage nor virtue without struggle." Without courage there is no happiness and it is impossible to create a life of value. This is an unchanging rule of human existence.
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From The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin
March 8, 2026
 
The debt of gratitude owed to one's father and mother is as vast as the ocean. If one cares for them while they are alive but does nothing to help them in their next life, it will be like a mere drop of water.
 
The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, page 1033
On Filial and Unfilial Conduct
Written to Nanjo Tokimitsu on March 8, 1280
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Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda
March 8, 2026
 
No great achievement is accomplished overnight or without difficulty. Should benefit be obtained easily without making any efforts in Buddhist practice, we'd probably just as easily abandon our faith and end up miserable as a consequence. Because it isn't easy to get into a highly ranked school, students study with all their might, gaining an abundance of knowledge and ability. Faith follows basically the same formula: Practice is essential to attaining Buddhahood.
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Daisaku Ikeda – A Youthful Diary (30 May 1951) p.114
 
More and more like summer every day.
First, believe in the Gohonzon
First, never doubt the Gohonzon
First, continue to pray to the Gohonzon
First, never leave the Gohonzon
First, proclaim the greatness of the Gohonzon.
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