Sensei's Daily Encouragement - January 7 2024 - Year of Fresh Departure for a Youthful Soka Gakkai Worldwide

    

Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda
January 7, 2024
 
When we plant the seed of happiness that is faith and carefully tend its growth, it will produce fruit without fail. We have to bear in mind, however, that we cannot plant a seed today and expect it to bear fruit tomorrow. That's not reasonable and Buddhism is reason. If we persevere in the practice of "faith equals daily life" in accord with reason, then our prayers will definitely be answered. This is Nichiren Daishonin's promise to us. And his words are true beyond any doubt. 
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From The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin
January 7, 2024
 
If you wish to free yourself from the sufferings of birth and death you have endured since time without beginning and to attain without fail unsurpassed enlightenment in this lifetime, you must perceive the mystic truth that is originally inherent in all living beings. This truth is Myoho-renge-kyo. Chanting Myoho-renge-kyo will therefore enable you to grasp the mystic truth innate in all life.
 
The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, page 3
On Attaining Buddhahood in This Lifetime
Written to Toki Jonin in 1255
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Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda
January 7, 2024
 
Hand in hand with (and inseparable from) our personal awakening, the aim of Buddhist practice is to establish - a truly peaceful society based on the empowerment of all individuals, a true state of equality and justice grounded in respect for the Buddha nature inherent in everyone .
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Excerpt from Daisaku Ikeda - A Youthful Diary (29 October 1957) p.348
 
Overslept. Was it from taking the night train yesterday? Every joint in my body aches.
"I've been waiting for you," Sensei said with a stern look when I arrived at the morning study session. As his disciple, I have absolutely no excuse. Reflected seriously.
…
Stopped at a stand on the way home from the station where I ate eighteen barbecued beef skewers. My stomach hurts. Had better control my appetite.
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