Sensei's Daily Encouragement -September 2 2026- Year of Vibrant Growth for a Youthful Soka Gakkai Worldwide

    

Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda
September 2, 2026

The stronger the oppression from without, the stronger one's determination to summon forth one's inner resources to fight against it -- this is the spirit of youth.
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From the Writings of Nichiren Daishonin
September 2, 2026

I hear that these priests have been slandering me for some years now. These mosquitos and gadflies, as it were, are such fools that they groundlessly revile Nichiren, who is like the lion king, when they have neither listened to nor seen him.

The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, page 856
The Third Doctrine
Written to Toki Jonin on October 1, 1277
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Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda
September 2, 2026

Ultimately, happiness rests on how you establish a solid sense of self or being. Happiness does not lie in outward appearances nor in vanity. It is a matter of what you feel inside; it is a deep resonance in your life. To be filled each day with a rewarding sense of exhilaration and purpose, a sense of tasks accomplished and deep fulfillment -- people who feel this way are happy. Those who have this sense of satisfaction even if they are extremely busy are much happier than those who have time on their hands but feel empty inside.
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 Daisaku Ikeda - A Youthful Diary (8 February 1955) p.222

 A quiet day. Reflected, must sincerely consider my societal obligations and responsibilities without ever becoming arrogant.

From tomorrow, must further intensify my determination and deal with everything that arises. Inertia and construction; obligation and privilege; negative and positive. Also, discipline and self-indulgence; confidence and self-contempt. What fine qualities and superior points do great people hold in common? Ultimately, isn’t it that they have successfully challenged and overcome their own weaknesses and persevered until they achieved their desired goals?
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Sensei's Daily Encouragement -September 1 2026- Year of Vibrant Growth for a Youthful Soka Gakkai Worldwide

    


Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda
September 1, 2026

A mother's beliefs have a powerful influence on her children. In the realm of Nichiren Daishonin's Buddhism, too, the children of families where the mother's faith is strong invariably develop into admirable adults.
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From the Writings of Nichiren Daishonin
September 1, 2026

In kindling a fire, three things are needed: a good piece of steel, a good flint, and good tinder. The same is true of prayer. Three things are required a good teacher, a good believer, and a good teaching before prayers can be effective and disasters banished from the land.

The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, page 880
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
September 1, 2026

We must establish the correct standard of value upon the foundation of the dignity of life. Leaders of society, including politicians and schoolteachers, should teach children the distinction between good and evil and lead society in the direction of goodness. Today, however, the higher the status that people achieve, the more wrongdoings they tend to commit. Those in high status think only of their selfish interests while exploiting ordinary people. The "me first" attitude prevails. Looking at those adults, children cannot possibly grow up right. Such social trends, in a sense, are destroying our children. Adults must first reflect on their own way of life. Without self-reflection, adults are not qualified to scold children.
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Daisaku Ikeda - A Youthful Diary (03 February 1955) p.220

At times I am frustrated by certain aspects of my nature, while at others I think it is fine the way it is. Ultimately, no matter what criticism or slander I encounter, I will follow my mentor and, while invoking the Mystic Law, shall continue each day with patience and perseverance, carrying out my Buddhist practice so that I will have no regrets.
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Sensei's Daily Encouragement -August 31 2026- Year of Vibrant Growth for a Youthful Soka Gakkai Worldwide

    


Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda
August 31, 2026

As long as we pray earnestly and sincerely with all our being, if we have strong and genuine faith, even though results may not be immediately visible, they will definitely manifest without fail in generations of our children and our children's children. I would like all of you to have absolute confidence in this.
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From the Writings of Nichiren Daishonin
August 31, 2026

Believers in the Lotus Sutra should fear those who attempt to obstruct their practice more than they fear bandits, burglars, night raiders, tigers, wolves, or lions even more than invasion now by the Mongols.

The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, page 495
Letter to the Brothers
Written to Ikegami Muneaka and Ikegami Muneaga on April 16, 1275
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Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda
August 31, 2026

Overcoming the four sufferings of birth, old age, sickness and death is not just a matter of theory. We mustn't move away from the issues of how we can lead healthy, fulfilling and long lives, and how we can die without suffering. Buddhism teaches the wisdom that enables us to do this.
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Excerpt from Daisaku Ikeda - A Youthful Diary (29 January 1955) p.218

Went to the headquarters at 3:30 to work on public relations matters. It seems others are not given much responsibility. Cannot help feeling the responsibility always falls on me. Am I complaining?
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Sensei's Daily Encouragement -August 30 2026- Year of Vibrant Growth for a Youthful Soka Gakkai Worldwide

    


Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda
 August 30, 2026

The Daishonin states, "The voice does the Buddha's work" (Gosho Zenshu, p. 708). To chant the Mystic Law is to praise the Gohonzon. Hearing the sound of our daimoku, the heavenly deities will be set into motion and work to protect us. A weak and unclear voice will not move the heavenly deities. That is why it is important for us to chant daimoku with voices that are clear, strong and brimming with joy.
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From the Writings of Nichiren Daishonin
 August 30, 2026

Misfortune comes from one's mouth and ruins one, but fortune comes from one's heart and makes one worthy of respect.

The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, page 1137
New Year's Gosho
Written to the wife of Omosu on January 5, year unknow
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Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda
 August 30, 2026

Buddhism stresses the interconnectedness of all life. It is only the limited capacity of our senses that causes us to place so much stock in the separation between "them" and "us." Because of this interconnectedness, by using violence, you not only injure or destroy the other person but also yourself. Those who use violence and devalue others' lives actually devalue and ruin their own lives.
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Daisaku Ikeda - A Youthful Diary (28 January 1955) p.218

At 4:20 in the afternoon, my second child was born. Relieved to see he is healthy and normal. Feel great appreciation to the Gohonzon.

The mystery of life. Scholars, medical doctors, scientists, politicians or diplomats – none can solve, with even the slightest confidence, the indeterminable question of this child’s destiny. Ultimately, life’s fundamental questions can be answered nowhere but within Buddhism’s essence. From today, my awareness of my responsibility as a parent, and for my entire family has deepened. Must have strength. Must protect my children and my family and bring them happiness.
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Sensei's Daily Encouragement -August 29 2026- Year of Vibrant Growth for a Youthful Soka Gakkai Worldwide

    


Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda
August 29, 2026

Worldly success and good circumstances based on luck can easily crumble. They are as transient as an illusion. But the state of Buddhahood, once attained, can never be destroyed, not for all eternity. We will enjoy an existence overflowing with good fortune and immense joy in lifetime after lifetime.
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From the Writings of Nichiren Daishonin
August 29, 2026

[As a youth] he received great wisdom from the living Bodhisattva Space Treasury. He prayed to the bodhisattva to become the wisest person in Japan. The bodhisattva must have taken pity on him, for he presented him with a great jewel as brilliant as the morning star, which Nichiren tucked away in his right sleeve. Thereafter, on perusing the entire body of sutras, he was able to discern in essence the relative worth of the eight schools as well as of all the scriptures.

The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, page 650
Letter to the Priests of Seicho-ji
Written to the priests of Seicho-ji temple on January 11, 1276
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Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda
August 29, 2026

Though one might point at the earth and miss it, though one might bind up the sky, though the tides might cease to ebb and flow and the sun rise in the west, it could never come about that the prayers of the practitioner of the Lotus Sutra would go unanswered -Nichiren
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Daisaku Ikeda - A Youthful Diary (13 January 1955) p.215/16

Went to T.’s home for a study meeting. All were serious. Ashamed of my own lack of study. No matter how high our leadership positions, if we fail to study seriously, our juniors will eventually surpass us. Frightening. The Daishonin’s words, “Exert yourself in the two ways of practice and study,” apply equally to everyone. I am no exception.
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Sensei's Daily Encouragement -August 28 2026- Year of Vibrant Growth for a Youthful Soka Gakkai Worldwide

    

Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda
August 28, 2026

Success is not a matter of accumulating more of this or that, it is not measured in quantity. It means changing the quality of your life. Wealth, power, fame and knowledge alone cannot make you happy, no matter how much of these you acquire. Nor can you take them with you when you die. But by improving the quality of your life you will at last approach true happiness.
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From the Writings of Nichiren Daishonin
August 28, 2026

Everyone in Japan, from the sovereign on down to the common people, without exception has tried to do me harm, but I have survived until this day. You should realize that this is because, although I am alone, I have firm faith.

The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, page 614
The Supremacy of the Law
Written to Oto and her mother, Nichimyo, on August 4, 1275
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Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda
August 28, 2026

Anger is fundamentally an arrogant state of life. People in the state of anger are attached to the illusory assumption that they are better than others and direct their energy toward sustaining and enhancing this image. To ensure that others think of them in similarly glowing terms, they can never reveal their true feelings. Instead, they act obsequiously while a burning desire to surpass all others is their exclusive focus. With their inner feelings and their outward appearance out of accord, they don't speak from the heart. Buddhism teaches that the heart is most important. Of two people making comparable efforts, the results will differ greatly if one person is motivated by a value that transcends the self-good, beauty, the well-being of others - while the other is motivated by ego.
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Daisaku Ikeda - A Youthful Diary (12 January 1955) p.215

Awaiting the growth of the Seikyo Press as a pioneer of journalism. It must set the pace for Kosen Rufu’s progress.

The paper began with just one or two amateurs and has now grown to a circulation in the tens of thousands. People laughed. “What can amateurs accomplish?” they asked. But Sensei replied, “In five years’ time, even amateurs will turn into professionals.”
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Sensei's Daily Encouragement -August 27 2026- Year of Vibrant Growth for a Youthful Soka Gakkai Worldwide

    

Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda
August 27, 2026

The important thing is to keep working for kosen-rufu to the very end. On any journey, we cannot hope to reach our destination if we stop halfway. Likewise, if despite our good fortune in meeting and embarking on the unsurpassed way of Buddhism, we stop halfway, all the efforts we have made thus far will have been in vain, we will not be able to attain Buddhahood.
Events
1260 Matsubagayatsu Persecution. Incited by priests, Pure Land believers descend on the Daishonin's hermitage at Matsubagayatsu,Japan, to kill him. He is forced to flee for his l
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From the Writings of Nichiren Daishonin
August 27, 2026

Mugwort that grows in the midst of hemp or a snake inside a tube [will as a matter of course become straight], and those who associate with people of good character will consequently become upright in heart, deed and word. The Lotus Sutra exerts a similar influence. The Buddha will look upon one who simply puts faith in this sutra as a good person.

The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, page 1128
The Bodies and Minds of Ordinary Beings
Recipient and date unknown
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Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda
August 27, 2026

When we create or appreciate art, we set free the spirit trapped within. That is why art arouses such joy. Art - whether skillfully executed or not - is the emotion, the pleasure of expressing life as it is. Those who see art are moved by its passion and strength, its intensity and beauty. That is why it is impossible to separate life from art. Political and economic developments may seem to dominate the news, but culture and education are the forces that actually shape an age, since they transform the human heart.
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Daisaku Ikeda - A Youthful Diary (07 January 1955) p.214

The annual children’s group meeting…

Everyone seemed to enjoy themselves. President Toda gave strict guidance to one couple who was late. Feel that this was only proper. Pained when I think of those who couldn’t attend. Whenever people are enjoying themselves, others are definitely sad or lonely. Want never to forget this throughout my life. Want to be a man of fairness, that is, an ally to those who work behind the scenes, to those who are lonely, who are suffering.
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