Sensei's Daily Encouragement - May 01 2022 - The year of Youth and Dynamic Progress



                
  
Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda
May 1, 2022

As you make your way home tonight, may you pause for a moment to gaze up at the night sky and let your heart communicate with the moon in wordless dialogue. Perhaps you might compose a poem and set it down in your journal entry for today. I would like you to possess such a poetic spirit.
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 From the Writings of Nichiren Daishonin
                                                     May 1, 2022                                                                                                                                                               
Though the teaching that I am now propagating seems limited, it is extremely profound. That is because it goes deeper than the teaching expounded by Tien-tai, Dengyo, and others. It is the three important matters in the "Life Span" chapter of the essential teaching. Practicing only the seven characters of Nam-myoho-renge-kyo seems limited, but since they are the master of all the Buddhas of the three existences, the teacher of all the bodhisattvas in the ten directions, and the guide that enables all living beings to attain the Buddha way, it is profound.

The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, page 317
Earthly Desires are Enlightenment
Written to Shijo Kingo on May 2, 1272
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Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda
May 1, 2022

Nichiren states, "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." If we apply this passage to various influences upon children, we may say that the environment surrounding children, particularly the behaviours of adults, has a great impact on children. Parents must set good examples before nagging them to do this or that. Parents must strive to become a good, upright influence for children like hemp for mugwort. It is also important for parents to bring their children closer to "people of good character" outside their own families so that children may advance in a more positive direction
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Excerpt from Daisaku Ikeda - A Youthful Diary (1953) p.143/144

Physical condition very poor, Missed the fourth-level lecture in the evening and went home early. Imagined my friends listening to the lecture in high spirit. So this is how painful it is to be resting when I should be advancing. Thought about tomorrow's work. Felt lifeless. Decided to chant many daimoku.
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