Sensei's Daily Encouragement -February 12 2026- Year of Vibrant Growth for a Youthful Soka Gakkai Worldwide

  

Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda
February 12, 2026
 
The important thing is to hold firm to your beliefs without being influenced or swayed by what others do or say. Those who live this way are strong and free of regret. What matters most is how you lead your life - not what those around you are doing.
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From The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin
February 12, 2026
 
Thus faith is the basic requirement for entering the way of the Buddha. In the fifty-two stages of bodhisattva practice, the first ten stages, dealing with faith are basic, and the first of these ten stages is that of arousing pure faith. Though lacking in knowledge of Buddhism, a person of faith, even if dull-witted, is to be reckoned as a person of correct views. But even though one has some knowledge of Buddhism, if one is without faith, then one is to be considered a slanderer and an icchantika, or person of incorrigible disbelief.
 
The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, page 141
The Daimoku of the Lotus Sutra
Recipient unknown; written on January 6, 1266
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Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda
February 12, 2026
 
You may have fundamental questions about yourself and your identity: Who am I? What should I do with my life? It is quite natural to feel unsure about the best way to proceed. If you haven't yet decided on your future course, I feel the best thing is just to concentrate your energies on what you need to do right now, and gradually your full potential will emerge.
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Excerpt from Daisaku Ikeda - A Youthful Diary (28 December 1957) p. 369
 
I will only be twenty-nine for a few more days. Soon I will be thirty. I can no longer go on being a spoiled child. Must study. Must develop my true ability. Must fight.
…
With each year's passage, I feel my responsibility deepen. Another year of Sensei's lectures and of advancing my own study has ended. As I look back, I keenly sense my growth this year. Deeply, powerfully, toward revealing the actual proof of the inconspicuous benefit of Nichiren Daishonin's Buddhism.
 
Will climb the coming year's new slope.
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Sensei's Daily Encouragement -February 11 2026- Year of Vibrant Growth for a Youthful Soka Gakkai Worldwide

  

Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda
February 11, 2026
 
The moment we resolve "I will become healthy!" "I will become strong!" "I will work cheerfully for kosen-rufu!" our lives begin to move in that direction. We have to make up our minds.
Events
1900 Josei Toda, the Soka Gakkai's second president, is born.
1996 Toda Institute for Global Peace and Policy Research founded by SGI President Ikeda in Tokyo; offices opened in Hawaii in 1997.
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From The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin
February 11, 2026
 
Shakyamuni Buddha who attained enlightenment countless kalpas ago, the Lotus Sutra that leads all people to Buddhahood, and we ordinary human beings are in no way different or separate from one another. To chant Myoho-renge-kyo with this realization is to inherit the ultimate Law of life and death. This is a matter of the utmost importance for Nichiren's disciples and lay supporters, and this is what it means to embrace the Lotus Sutra.
 
The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, page 216
The Heritage of the Ultimate Law of Life
Written to Sairen-bo Nichijo on February 11, 1272
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Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda
February 11, 2026
 
There was a word that second Soka Gakkai president Josei Toda often stressed with the fervent wish to impart its importance to his successors. That word was courage. He once gave this clear-cut guidance: " The essence of Buddhism is compassion. We, too, need to have compassion but, being ordinary mortals, the reality is that it is quite difficult for us. Courage substitutes for compassion. I am speaking of the courage to save others from suffering. To practice Buddhism with courage translates into compassion."
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Excerpt from Daisaku Ikeda - A Youthful Diary (27 December 1957) p.368/369
 
In the afternoon, a Daibyakurenge panel discussion in the conference room at the headquarters. The topic. "Remembering High Priest Nichiko Hori." My voice was weak, perhaps due to fatigue. Had difficulty speaking.
Our voices reflect the state of our bodies and minds. Our speech reveals the power of our lives. The voice is important. Ancient texts speak of demons and evil spirits that devour people's voices. I believe such (vocal) problems cannot be solved by medicine alone. I think they are problems of our entire being.
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Sensei's Daily Encouragement -February 10 2026- Year of Vibrant Growth for a Youthful Soka Gakkai Worldwide

  

Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda
February 10, 2026
 
Kosen-rufu is a supreme, golden path extending throughout the Latter Day of the Law into the eternal future. Let us continue to advance boldly and intrepidly along this path as Nichiren Daishonin teaches. This is the way world peace will be accomplished. If we do not widely spread the principles and ideals of the Daishonin's Buddhism, there will be no hope for the peace and happiness of humankind.
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From The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin
February 10, 2026
 
If even Shariputra, the foremost in wisdom among the disciples of the Buddha, failed to understand people's capacity, then how much more difficult must it be for ordinary teachers today, in the Latter Day of the Law, to have such an understanding! Ordinary teachers who lack an understanding of people's capacity should teach only the Lotus Sutra to those who are under their instruction.
 
The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, page 49
The Teaching, Capacity, Time, and Country
Recipient unknown; written on February 10, 1262
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Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda
February 10, 2026
 
Nichiren explains that to know oneself is to know all things in the universe. When you change, your environment changes, too. When your inner resolve changes, everything is transformed. This principle is summed up by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe's maxim,
 "Nothing's outside that's not within."
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Excerpt from Daisaku Ikeda - A Youthful Diary (26 December 1957) p.368
 
It has been seven years since Sensei assumed the presidency, and his goal of 750,000 member households had been fulfilled. What should be the youth division goal? As a first step, it is our destiny to gather 100,000 young men, as Sensei stated in his essay, "Youth, Be Patriotic." It's up to me. Until then, I will resolutely battle the devil of illness. Can only pray for Sensei's recovery.
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Sensei's Daily Encouragement -February 9 2026- Year of Vibrant Growth for a Youthful Soka Gakkai Worldwide

  

Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda
February 9, 2026
 
There is no place in the SGI for cowards or for egoists who are given to arbitrary or self-serving views. Our movement has no need for the fainthearted, filled with doubt, who readily succumb to negative influences. Let us strive for the Law and live with dignity as proud members of the SGI! The 21st century shall be the essential phase of our movement. Bathed in the brilliant light of dawn, let us take our places on that golden stage and lead truly magnificent lives!
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From The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin
February 9, 2026
 
What good karma must you have formed in the past, then, to have been born a person able to recite even so much as a verse or a phrase of the Lotus Sutra!"
 
The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, page 69
The Recitation of the "Expedient Means" and "Life Span" Chapters
Written to Hiki Daigaku Saburo Yoshimoto's wife on April 17, 1264
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Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda
February 9, 2026
 
You must never slacken in your efforts to build new lives for yourselves. Creativeness means pushing open the heavy door to life. This is not an easy struggle. Indeed, it may be the hardest task in the world. For opening the door to your own life is more difficult than opening the doors to the mysteries of the universe.
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Excerpt from Daisaku Ikeda - A Youthful Diary (26 December 1957) p.368
 
Took a taxi from home. Think of the cab fare as a medical expense for maintaining my health.
Sensei is profoundly ill. I, too, am ill. Regrettable.
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Sensei's Daily Encouragement -February 8 2026- Year of Vibrant Growth for a Youthful Soka Gakkai Worldwide

  

Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda
February 8, 2026
 
I hope that as leaders you will always express your appreciation for and do your utmost to support the many sincere members who are steadfastly exerting themselves in faith. The Daishonin says that when you see someone who embraces the Mystic Law, you should rise and greet them from afar, showing them the same respect you would a Buddha.
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From The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin
February 8, 2026
 
 Not even the wisdom of the Buddha can fathom the blessings that one will obtain by giving alms to Nichiren and by becoming his disciple and lay supporter.
 
The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, page 384
The True Aspect of All Prenomena
Written to Sairen-bo Nichijo on May 17, 1273
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Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda
February 8, 2026
 
 Josei Toda often compared death to sleep. When we have been awake for a long time, we tire and go to sleep. And when we wake up after a sound sleep, our vitality is restored. After we have been alive for a long time, we grow weary and die. And then we set out on a new life with a fresh spirit. Death is a period of "recharging" for our next existence.
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Excerpt from Daisaku Ikeda - A Youthful Diary (25 December 1957) p.368
 
A message from Sensei containing next year's direction.
 
1. Faith to establish family harmony
2. Faith to enable each individual to obtain happiness.
3. Faith to overcome obstacles.
 
Our magnificent religious revolution advances…
 
The meeting ended 9:30. Headed home. Read the Gosho alone. It is shameful for a leader be deficient in study. How could I, as a seeker of the way, fail to do so. Must never become an arrogant person. Strictly admonished by my mentor's eyes.
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Sensei's Daily Encouragement -February 7 2026- Year of Vibrant Growth for a Youthful Soka Gakkai Worldwide

  

Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda
February 7, 2026
 
Your environment does not matter. Everything starts with you. You must forge yourself through your own efforts. I urge each of you to create something, start something and make a success of something. That is the essence of human existence, the challenge of youth. Herein lies a wonderful way of life always aiming for the future.
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From The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin
February 7, 2026
 
I am much distressed to hear that your illness has become so serious. Swords exist to cut down enemies and medicine exists to cure sickness. King Ajatashatru murdered his father and made himself an enemy of the Buddha. But after foul sores broke out on his body, he converted to the Buddha's teachings and embraced the Lotus Sutra, whereupon his sores healed and he prolonged his life by forty years.
 
The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, page 610
Reply to the Lay Priest Takahashi
Written to the lay priest Takashashi
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Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda
February 7, 2026
 
In his writings, regarding Buddhist practice, Nichiren repeatedly emphasized the importance of the heart. While teaching that faith and courage are the powers and functions of the heart that enable us to open the world of Buddhahood in our lives, he also cautioned against the heart's negative functions, such as disbelief and cowardice, which close us off to our potential for Buddhahood.
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Excerpt from Daisaku Ikeda - A Youthful Diary (25 December 1957) p.367/368
 
The headquarters leaders meeting at Toshima Civic Auditorium. Sensei did not attend. We have finally achieved a membership of 750,000 households. Our goal has been brilliantly achieved. President Toda's conviction has clearly become a reality. Lots of thoughts, stemming from a realization in the depths of my life about the strict, exacting nature of the Buddhist Law.
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Sensei's Daily Encouragement -February 6 2026- Year of Vibrant Growth for a Youthful Soka Gakkai Worldwide

  

Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda
February 6, 2026
 
Unless we live fully right now, not sometime in the future, true fulfillment in life will forever elude us. Rather than putting things off till the future, we should find meaning in life, thinking and doing what is most important right now, right where we are - setting our hearts aflame and igniting our lives. Otherwise, we cannot lead an inspired existence.
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From The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin
February 6, 2026
 
Therefore, I say to you, my disciples, try practicing as the Lotus Sutra teaches, exerting yourselves without begrudging your lives! Test the truth of Buddhism now!"
 
The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, page 583
The Selection of the Time
Written to Yui in 1275
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Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda
February 6, 2026
 
The Buddhist view is that to die a good death, one must have led a good life. The knowledge that death represents the return of the individual life to the great universal life prior to another phenomenal manifestation is a source of splendid strength, rich with compassion and wisdom. As he or she strives to perfect himself by doing good for others, the Buddhist is constantly aware that death is a fulfilling and enriching part of life. For people who believe this, death is not defeat, but a wonderful stimulus to live more vigorously and more meaningfully.
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Excerpt from Daisaku Ikeda - A Youthful Diary (22 December 1957) p.367
 
Rested for a while in the late afternoon. My strength returned. Getting rest is also important. Physical strength and energy are the source of power for waging a campaign.
 
Though winning and losing are normal events in the course of a person's life, I pray to the Buddha for my final victory.
 
I will engrave in my life this waka poem I received from Sensei; I shall not forget it.
 
In the evening, my wife and I discussed our plans for the coming year. Hope rises. The future opens.
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