Sensei's Daily Encouragement - 30 November 2015 - Year of Dynamic Development in the New Era of Worldwide Kosen Rufu

Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda

Monday, November 30, 2015

 

President Toda often said: "Those of you who have problems or sufferings, pray earnestly! Buddhism is a deadly serious win-or-lose struggle. If you should [pray with such an earnest attitude] and still have no solution forthcoming, then I will give you my life!" This invincible conviction on which Mr. Toda was willing to stake his life inspired the members.

 

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From the Writings of Nichiren Daishonin

Monday, November 30, 2015

 

Though water may be muddied, it will again become clear. Though the moon may hide behind the clouds, it will surely reappear. Similarly, in time my innocence became apparent, and my predictions proved not to have been in vain.

 

The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, page 1007

Letter to the Lay Priest Nakaoki

Written to the lay priest Nakaoki and his wife on November 30, 1279

 

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Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda

Monday, November 30, 2015

 

That we take pains to protect weapons while we expose children - the future of the race - to peril is impermissible. To ignore this absurdity will spell defeat for humanity. We must not live to destroy. We have the spiritual power to create peace and happiness.

 

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Excerpt from Daisaku Ikeda - A Youthful Diary (31 October 1950) p.58

 

Some people's lives are like aimless ships.

Others face life courageously, like battle cruisers of small purpose.

Others meet the high waves like warships of great ambition.

Some have no ships at all.  Some are in danger of drowning and sinking.

Some travel about with confidence, though they ride in small boats.

Others overload their tiny boats and do not realize they will capsize.

I want my life to be of the highest purpose, aboard the greatest vessel.

Sensei's Daily Encouragement - 29 November 2015 - Year of Dynamic Development in the New Era of Worldwide Kosen Rufu

Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda

Sunday, November 29, 2015

 

Compassion is the very soul of Buddhism. To pray for others, making their problems and anguish our own; to embrace those who are suffering, becoming their greatest ally; to continue giving them our support and encouragement until they become truly happy - it is in such humanistic actions that the Daishonin's Buddhism lives and breathes.

 

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From the Writings of Nichiren Daishonin

Sunday, November 29, 2015

 

Whether or not your prayer is answered will depend upon your faith; [if it is not,] I will in no way be to blame. When the water is clear, the moon is reflected. When the wind blows, the trees shake. Our minds are like the water. Faith that is weak is like muddy water, while faith that is brave is like clear water. Understand that the trees are like principles, and the wind that shakes them is like the recitation of the sutra.

 

The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, page 1079

Reply to the Lay Nun Nichigon

Written to the lay nun Nichigon on November 29, 1280

 

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Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda

Sunday, November 29, 2015

 

Do not become subservient. Do not dwell on every tiny setback in the course of pursuing your chosen path. To do so would be foolish. Victory or defeat is determined by our entire lives. Moreover, our final years are the most crucial. What is enviable about the pretentious rich? What is great about conceited celebrities? What is admirable about political leaders who gained their positions of power by treating others with contempt? Dig right where you stand, for there lies a rich wellspring!

 

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Excerpt from Daisaku Ikeda - A Youthful Diary (31 October 1950) p.58

 

Farewell to a memorable October. A month of sufferings and pleasures, of disagreeable experiences and joyful ones.

A month of strife, of the rough billows of reality, of lakes of lyrical emotion and hopes like rainbows in the sky.

The curtain falls on the drama of this precious month.

...

On a vast stage, against the backdrop of nature, appalling scenes of human creation unfold, one after another.

Neither victors nor vanquished know the destiny at work backstage.

 

Sensei's Daily Encouragement - 28 November 2015 - Year of Dynamic Development in the New Era of Worldwide Kosen Rufu

Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda

Saturday, November 28, 2015

 

Nichiren Daishonin discusses the meaning of the Chinese characters for the word benefit (Jpn kudoku), as follows: "The ku of kudoku means to extinguish evil and doku means to bring forth good" (Gosho Zenshu, p. 762). We fight against those who try to destroy the True Law. That struggle purifies us and brings forth benefits in our lives. Justice or happiness without a battle is just an illusion. Thinking that happiness means a life free of hard work and effort is fantasy.

Events

 

SGI Day of Spiritual  Independence

1991 Nichiren Shoshu excommunicates 12 million SGI members worldwide.

 

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From the Writings of Nichiren Daishonin

Saturday, November 28, 2015

 

Buddhism spreads according to the time and the people's capacity. Although I may not be worthy of this teaching, I expound it because the time is right.

 

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

Saturday, November 28, 2015

 

Many young women agonize over perceived personality flaws and a lack of self-confidence. Nichiren Buddhism, however, teaches the great path of human revolution that enables each of us to shine in our own unique way. With this philosophy, you can decisively overcome a weak and easily swayed life-state and become a person of strength and purpose. It will allow you to withstand the storms of suffering and build a rock-solid foundation that will support you throughout your entire precious lives.

 

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Excerpt from Daisaku Ikeda - A Youthful Diary (30 October 1950) p.58

 

Youth. Youth has many dreams. Fearful dreams. Beautiful dreams. Dreams of yearning. Dreams of hardship/

Impressionable youth. My dreams expand daily; both suffering and joy have their significance. Dreams of youth, chasing after rainbows.

Turning the wheel of effort, progress, perseverance and hope, we must pursue our dreams.

Sensei's Daily Encouragement - 27 November 2015 - Year of Dynamic Development in the New Era of Worldwide Kosen Rufu

Friday, November 27, 2015

 

Faith is the ultimate essence of intellect. Through the practice of correct faith, the intellect comes to shine. Intellect without correct faith lacks a firm anchor in the soil of life and eventually becomes disordered. This prompted the first Soka Gakkai president, Tsunesaburo Makiguchi, to remark that many modern thinkers were suffering from what he termed "higher psychosis.  " Faith without intellect, meanwhile, leads to blind faith and fanaticism. Faith or intellect alone - one without the other - is unhealthy.

 

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From the Writings of Nichiren Daishonin

Friday, November 27, 2015

 

Only in the Lotus Sutra do we read that a woman who embraces this sutra not only excels all other women, but also surpasses all men.

 

The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, page 462

The Unity of Husband and Wife

Written to Nichigen-nyo on January 27, 1275

 

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Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda

Friday, November 27, 2015

 

The true victors in life are those who, enduring repeated challenges and setbacks, have sent the roots of their being to such a depth that nothing can shake them.

 

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Excerpt from Daisaku Ikeda - A Youthful Diary (27 October 1950) p.56/57

 

Personal and family troubles cause people to suffer. These are the most immediate and the most important of problems. Politics, science, institutions, education and so forth all represent attempts to solve certain issues, but for the personal and family problems closest at hand they offer no actual solution. The only fundamental answer lies in a correct faith.

Sensei's Daily Encouragement - 26 November 2015 - Year of Dynamic Development in the New Era of Worldwide Kosen Rufu

Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda

Thursday, November 26, 2015

 

Buddhism teaches that being led astray by evil friends, (negative influences) is to be feared more than being killed by a mad elephant. A mad elephant can only destroy our physical body, but evil friends, if we allow ourselves to be influenced by them, will drag us down into a state of hell.

 

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From the Writings of Nichiren Daishonin

Thursday, November 26, 2015

 

Even if we should gather all the water of the four great oceans to wet inkstones, burn all the trees and plants to cinders to make ink, collect the hairs of all beasts for writing brushes, employ all the surfaces of the worlds in the ten directions for paper and, with these, set down expressions of gratitude, how could we possibly repay our debt to the Buddha?"

 

The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, page 44

The Four Debts of Gratitude

Written to Kudo Sakon-no-jo Yoshitaka on January 16, 1262

 

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Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda

Thursday, November 26, 2015

 

 

Life is long. The important thing is to remain true to a lofty goal to the very end. Buddhism enables you to adorn the final chapter of your life with brilliant success, just as the golden sun colours the sky in glorious crimson hues and beams of sublime light. To do so, you need to keep making efforts year after year and winning year after year.

 

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Excerpt from Daisaku Ikeda - A Youthful Diary (26 October 1950) p.56

 

Read from the essays of Francis Bacon. Found them meaningful.

 

Visited I.'s home in Ito, as Mr. Toda's representative. My mission there all but completed. We feel happiest when our dreams and mission are fulfilled.

 

Lately I've been extremely tired mentally.

 

Sensei's Daily Encouragement - 25 November 2015 - Year of Dynamic Development in the New Era of Worldwide Kosen Rufu

Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda

Wednesday, November 25, 2015

 

Please do not forget your mother's love or the hardships she has endured for you. I am convinced that while people keep the memory of their mothers' loving faces alive in their mind, they will never go far astray. Similarly, as long as we bear in mind the Daishonin's profound compassion and live in deep appreciation of it, our lives will be illuminated brightly by the light of Buddhahood. And enveloped in the Gohonzon's great compassion, we will walk along a path that is filled with tranquillity and immeasurable joy.

 

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From the Writings of Nichiren Daishonin

Wednesday, November 25, 2015

 

Strive ever harder in faith, and never give in to negligence. All the people appear to believe sincerely when they first embrace the Lotus Sutra, but as time passes, they tend to become less devout; they no longer revere nor make offerings to the priest, giving themselves up to arrogance and forming distorted views. This is most frightening.

 

The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, page 1027

Letter to Niike

Written to Niike Saemon-no-jo in February 1280

 

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Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda

Wednesday, November 25, 2015

 

Suppose that a person is standing at the foot of a tall embankment and is unable to ascend. And suppose that there is someone on top of the embankment who lowers a rope and says, "If you take hold of this rope, I will pull you up to the top of the embankment." If the person at the bottom begins to doubt that the other has the strength to pull him up, or wonders if the rope is not too weak and therefore refuses to put forth his hand and grasp it, then how is he ever to get to the top of the embankment? But if he follows the instructions, puts out his hand, and takes hold of the rope, then he can climb up – Nichiren

 

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Excerpt from Daisaku Ikeda - A Youthful Diary (12 October 1950) p.56

 

1. Remember the spirit of untiring practice

2. Love the truth

3. Live in the way that's right for me.

Sensei's Daily Encouragement - 24 November 2015 - Year of Dynamic Development in the New Era of Worldwide Kosen Rufu

Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda

Tuesday, November 24, 2015

 

Rosa Parks wrote in her book Quiet Strength: "I find that if I am thinking too much of my own problems and the fact that at times things are not just like I want them to be, I do not make any progress at all. But if I look around and see what I can do, and then I do it, I move on." Youth, and indeed life itself, flashes by in the blink of an eye. That is why it is important for you young people to ask yourselves what you can do for those who are suffering, what you can do to resolve the contradictions that plague society and to boldly take on these great challenges.

 

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From the Writings of Nichiren Daishonin

Tuesday, November 24, 2015

 

A person of wisdom is one who, understanding the time, spreads the teachings of the Lotus Sutra accordingly; this is his most important task. If a person's throat is dry, what he needs is water; he has no use for bows and arrows, weapons and sticks. If a person is naked, he wants a suit of clothes but has no need for water. From one or two examples you can guess the principle that applies in general.

 

The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, page 518

Letter to Horen

Written to Soya Kyoshin in April 1275

 

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Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda

Tuesday, November 24, 2015

 

There is no one lonelier or more unhappy than a person who does not know the pure joy of creating a life for himself or herself. To be human is not merely to stand erect and manifest intelligence or knowledge. To be human in the full sense of the word is to lead a creative life. The struggle to create new life from within is a truly wonderful thing. There is found the brilliant wisdom that guides and directs the workings of reason; the light of insight that penetrates the farthest reaches of the universe; the undaunted will to see justice done that meets and challenges all the assaults of evil; the spirit of unbounded care that embraces all who suffer. When these are fused with that energy of compassion that pours forth from the deepest sources of cosmic life, an ecstatic rhythm arises to colour the lives of all people.

 

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Excerpt from Daisaku Ikeda - A Youthful Diary (22 October 1950) p.56

 

Friendship based on the Law is noble. Friends are precious indeed.

 

My mind has been slow all day. Is this my lack of faith?

 

A full three years have passed since my conversion. I will make this a starting point toward the next stage. I need a renewed self-awakening in faith.

 

I must chant daimoku to open the curtain on the next scene. I shall spur on my weak self.

 

Sensei's Daily Encouragement - 23 November 2015 - Year of Dynamic Development in the New Era of Worldwide Kosen Rufu

Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda

Monday, November 23, 2015

 

If I were to make an allegory, thought and philosophy would be like the heart or respiratory system of the human body. When the heart is sound, the whole body can maintain healthy activity. This same principle applies to both the individual and society. The SGI has a mission to serve as the heart that ensures the healthy functioning of society. Consequently, taking good care of the SGI, (the heart) allows the fresh life-giving blood of humanism to flow to and nourish all areas of society, including culture, politics and the economy.

 

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From the Writings of Nichiren Daishonin

Monday, November 23, 2015

 

You absolutely must not lament over my exile. It says in the "Encouraging Devotion" chapter and in the "Never Disparaging" chapter [that the votary of the Lotus Sutra will meet with persecution]. Life is limited; we must not begrudge it. What we should ultimately aspire to is the Buddha land.

 

The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, page 214

Aspiration for the Buddha Land

Written to Toki Jonin on November 23, 1271

 

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Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda

Monday, November 23, 2015

 

The purpose of Buddhism is to bring out the Buddha nature that all people inherently possess, to awaken people to it and enable them to attain Buddhahood. Moreover, the Lotus Sutra does not allow for any discrimination; all people are equally entitled to salvation.

 

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Excerpt from Daisaku Ikeda - A Youthful Diary (21 October 1950) p.55

 

History never stops. It is created continuously, day by day and year by year.

 

The past several thousand years now care out the present - no, rather they mark the first step toward the next five thousand years.

This is a great truth.

 

Mr. Josei Toda spoke to me entrusting to me in details various matters for the future. His will reverberates in my heart.