Sensei's Daily Encouragement - 11 February 2021 - Year of Hope and Victory



    

Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda 

February 11, 2020

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, 2020 

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, 2020

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 

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.