Sensei's Daily Encouragement -August 9 2026- Year of Vibrant Growth for a Youthful Soka Gakkai Worldwide

    


Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda
 August 9, 2026
 
The course of our lives is determined by how we react - what we decide and what we do - at the darkest of times. The nature of that response determines a person's true worth and greatness.
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From the Writings of Nichiren Daishonin
 August 9, 2026
 
The Buddha promised in the Lotus Sutra that, for women, the sutra will serve as a lantern in the darkness, as a ship when they cross the sea, and as a protector when they travel through dangerous places.
 
The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, page 614
The Supremacy of the Law
Written to Oto, the daughter of Nichimiyo in 1272
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Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda
 August 9, 2026
 
Faith and daily life, faith and work - these are not separate things. They are one and the same. To think of them as separate - that faith is faith, and work is work - is theoretical faith. Based on the recognition that work and faith are one and the same, we should put 100 percent of our energy into our jobs and 100 percent into our faith, too. When we resolve to do this, we enter the path of victory in life. Faith means to show irrefutable proof of victory amid the realities of society and in our own daily lives.
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Daisaku Ikeda - A Youthful Diary (25 August 1954) p.198
 
A cool day. Feeling physically healthy. Must never forget faith. Must remember to maintain strict practice and training. I, myself, am weak. On my own, I am timid and cowardly. Strong faith is important. Need a strong senior; rather, a strong mentor in life. Then, I must become a strong disciple.
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Sensei's Daily Encouragement -August 8 2026- Year of Vibrant Growth for a Youthful Soka Gakkai Worldwide

    

Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda
August 8, 2026
 
The present, as I am sure you all sense, is an age pervaded by great weariness and apathy. I would like you to be aware that the power and energy to serve humanity in such an enervated age can only be born from a vigorous, indomitable, noble will. Though the times may be rife with petty human conflicts, a pervading sense of hopelessness and all manner of turbulent storms, I hope that all of you will forge ahead boldly, with unflagging good cheer.
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From the Writings of Nichiren Daishonin
August 8, 2026
 
The sutras expounded prior to the Lotus Sutra cannot lead to Buddhahood because they are provisional and expedient teachings that separate reality and wisdom. The Lotus Sutra, however, unites the two as a single entity. The sutra says that the Buddhas open the door of Buddha wisdom to all living beings, show it, cause them to awaken to it, and induce them to enter its path. By realizing this Buddha wisdom, one attains Buddhahood.
 
 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
August 8, 2026
 
Depending on the use to which it is put, religion can be a demonic force. Religion should bring us together, but it is exploited by some to create greater schisms among us. Nothing could be more unfortunate. Religion must always be for the people. People do not exist for the sake of religion. This must be the fundamental guideline of religion in the twenty-first century.
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Daisaku Ikeda - A Youthful Diary (03 August 1954) p.196
 
The summer training course.
Spent a meaningful time at the training course. Visited Shiraito Falls and even went under the falls. Strove to further develop my state of life at this training course. At next year’s training course, I will have been practicing this faith for eight full years. Must do my best.
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Sensei's Daily Encouragement -August 7 2026- Year of Vibrant Growth for a Youthful Soka Gakkai Worldwide

    

Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda
August 7, 2026
 
Gandhi stressed the importance of being resolute in one's determinations: "A man who says that he will do something 'as far as possible,' betrays either his pride or his weakness, though he himself may attribute it to his humility. There is, in fact, not a trace of humility in such an attitude of mind." In short, he asserts that someone who makes halfhearted pronouncements is either arrogant or cowardly. 
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From the Writings of Nichiren Daishonin
August 7, 2026
 
When praised highly by others, one feels that there is no hardship one cannot bear. Such is the courage that springs from words of praise.
 
The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, page 385
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
August 7, 2026
 
The people we are close to are important. We should treat them as our treasures. When dealing with others, we should always be sincere and polite. Nothing is stronger than sincerity. I have made many friends around the world and made them all with the same sincerity. A relationship built with sincerity will never be destroyed, but relationships build by means of tactics and scheming always collapse in the end.
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Daisaku Ikeda - A Youthful Diary (30 July 1954) p.196
 
Went to Omiya on business. Resent K.’s insolence. Wait another five or ten years, then we will see who is victorious. Exhausted, returned home just after 8:00. Bored. Must take care of my health. Sat quietly at my desk, scribbling notes in my notebook.
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Sensei's Daily Encouragement -August 6 2026- Year of Vibrant Growth for a Youthful Soka Gakkai Worldwide

   

Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda
August 6, 2026
 
Youth, and indeed life itself, flashes by in the blink of an eye. That is why it is important for you to ask yourselves what you can do for those who are suffering, what you can do to resolve the mournful contradictions that plague society, and boldly take on these great challenges without shunning the problems and difficulties you will inevitably face.
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From The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin
August 6, 2026
 
Though numerous, the Japanese will find it difficult to accomplish anything, because they are divided in spirit. In contrast, although Nichiren and his followers are few, because they are different in body, but united in mind, they will definitely accomplish their great mission of widely propagating the Lotus Sutra.
 
The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, page 618
Many in Body, One in Mind
Written to the lay priest Takahashi on August 6, year unknown
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Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda
August 6, 2026
 
Prayer in Nichiren Buddhism is fundamentally a vow. It is a pledge or commitment to follow a chosen course of action, it is a declaration to challenge a clear objective. As such, how could anything be more wonderful than the vow to realize our personal human revolution and actualize the goal of world peace?
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Daisaku Ikeda - A Youthful Diary (29 July 1954) p.196
 
In the evening, a staff meeting at the G. Chinese restaurant…
 
President Toda gave guidance on various topics including:
 
1. The question of stock prices.
2. The increased issuance of bank notes by the Bank of Japan, and this year’s national budget.
3. Praiseworthy individuals who embraced faith in the past.
4. Kosen-rufu in East Asia and the economy.
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Sensei's Daily Encouragement -August 5 2026- Year of Vibrant Growth for a Youthful Soka Gakkai Worldwide

    

Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda
August 5, 2026
 
We cannot build true character if we allow ourselves to be swayed by passing praise or censure. "Don't concern yourself with petty criticisms! Commune constantly with fine books and fine people and improve yourself!" This was the creed by which Mr. Makiguchi and Mr. Toda lived their lives.
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From The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin
August 5, 2026
 
The great lantern that illuminates the long night of the sufferings of birth and death, the sharp sword that severs the fundamental darkness inherent in life, is none other than the Lotus Sutra.
 
The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, page 1038
A Comparison of the Lotus and Other Sutras
Written to Toki Jonin on May 26, 1280
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Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda
August 5, 2026
 
Buddhist optimism is not the escapist optimism of those who throw up their hands and say, "Somehow or other things will work out." Rather it means clearly recognizing evil as evil and suffering as suffering and resolutely fighting to overcome it. It means believing in one's ability and strength to struggle against any evil or any obstacle. It is to possess a fighting optimism.
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Daisaku Ikeda - A Youthful Diary (28 July 1954) p.195
 
A hot day. Bought two Japan Airlines tickets, one for Sensei and one for myself. Feel a childlike excitement at flying for the first time. Went to the headquarters at 6:30 to discuss problems and lay plans for a Study Department general meeting. Late in the evening, received a phone call from Sensei. Was scolded severely. This has deep meaning. Had no time to offer an explanation.
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Sensei's Daily Encouragement -August 4 2026- Year of Vibrant Growth for a Youthful Soka Gakkai Worldwide

    

Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda
August 4, 2026
 
The resolve to accomplish your goals is what counts. If you earnestly put your mind to something, your brain, your body, your environment - everything will start working toward achieving that end.
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From The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin
August 4, 2026
 
I spoke out solely because I had long known that the people of Japan would meet with great suffering, and I felt pity for them. Thoughtful persons should therefore realize that I have met these trials for their sake. If they were people who understood their obligations or who were capable of reason, then out of two blows that fall upon me, they would receive one in my stead.
 
The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, page 828
Reply to Yasaburo
Written to Saito Yasaburo on August 4, 1277
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Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda
August 4, 2026
 
In Buddhist terms, the great universe and the self - the great macrocosm and the microcosm are one. Since the self and all phenomena are one, all things are interrelated. Termed dependent origination, this teaching explains that all things weave a single whole in which individuals live in relation to all others.
In other words, all beings and phenomena exist or occur because of their relationship with other beings and phenomena, and nothing in either the human or the nonhuman world exists in isolation. All things are mutually related to and interdependent with all other things. They all form a great cosmos maintaining the rhythms of life.
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Daisaku Ikeda - A Youthful Diary (26 July 1954) p.195
 
Today was the first summer like day of the season. Worried if the low temperatures continue, the rice crops will suffer. Praying for an abundant harvest…
In this world, economic collapse means the end of everything – the nation, the individual and the family. Is this the way it should be? No, the ultimate problem lies in preventing the environment from sapping people’s determination, in other words, their resolution to defeat devilish forces. Either our determination is destroyed by the environment or we develop a condition of life powerful enough to reconstruct the environment. Must ponder deeply the relationship between life and its environment.

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Sensei's Daily Encouragement -August 3 2026- Year of Vibrant Growth for a Youthful Soka Gakkai Worldwide

    

Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda
August 3, 2026
 
As human beings, let us reach beyond our small, limited selves and attain an all-encompassing state of being, our hearts communing with the vast universe.
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From The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin
August 3, 2026
 
Judging from these examples, we may conclude that for evil people living in the latter age the attainment of Buddhahood does not depend upon whether their offenses are slight or grave, but solely upon whether or not they have faith in this sutra.
 
 The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, page 409
Reply to Hakiri Saburo
Written to Hakiri Rokuro Saburo on August 3, 1273
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Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda
August 3, 2026
 
Be resolved to summon forth the great power of faith, and chant Nam-myoho-renge-kyo with the prayer that your faith will be steadfast and correct at the moment of death. Never seek any other way to inherit the ultimate Law of life and death, and manifest it in your life. Only then will you realize that earthly desires are enlightenment, and that the sufferings of birth and death are nirvana. Even embracing the Lotus Sutra would be useless without the heritage of faith – Nichiren
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Daisaku Ikeda - A Youthful Diary (22 July 1954) p.193
 
Opportunities to talk with Sensei are few. Feel a sense of solitude. Cannot comprehend his life force and sublime state of mind. He is truly awakened to the mysterious law of Buddhism. Passionate, quiet, cool, insightful, composed, domineering, severe, compassionate…
Want to purify my faith, step by step. Deeply ashamed of my lack of ability, my tendency to rely on shallow understanding.

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