Sensei's Daily Encouragement - 05 February 2021 - Year of Hope and Victory

  Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda

February 5, 2021 

I hope that you will always speak the truth boldly, saying what needs to be said no matter whom you're addressing. When it comes to championing a just cause, you must never be cowardly, never fawn, never try to curry favour.

 

---

From The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin

February 5, 2021 

You must never think that any of the eighty thousand sacred teachings of Shakyamuni Buddha's lifetime or any of the Buddhas and bodhisattvas of the ten directions and three existences are outside yourself. Your practice of the Buddhist teachings will not relieve you of the sufferings of birth and death in the least unless you perceive the true nature of your life. 

 The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, page 3

On Attaining Buddhahood in This Lifetime

Written to Toki Jonin in 1255

 

---

 

Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda

February 5, 2021 

Life for everyone is a struggle against the sufferings of birth, old age, sickness and death. Happiness is not the absence of problems or worries; it is to be undefeated no matter what problems or worries we may face. And this happiness is not solely focused on oneself. Truly happy are those who can help others become happy.

 

---

 

Excerpt from Daisaku Ikeda - A Youthful Diary (19 December 1957) p. 365 

A fever again today. Physically and mentally weary. Coughing. Must take care. 

Read the Gosho:

Iron, when heated in the flames and pounded, becomes a fine sword. Worthies and sages are tested by abuse. "Letter from Sado" 

Read the following in a book. "A person who lives to seventy has spent nineteen years working, twenty-three years sleeping, four years sick, nine years enjoying some form of amusement, two years getting dressed or changing clothes and three years eating." 

Think of it! How many years of our lives are spent in a valuable way?