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

    

Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda
November 7, 2024

Throughout his life, Shakyamuni encouraged people with his clear, sonorous voice. A Buddhist text describes how Shakyamuni warmheartedly welcomed everyone he met, expressing his joy at seeing them. He showed affection, joy and gentleness in all his interactions. He greeted everyone with courtesy and respect. He never scowled or grimaced. And to put others at ease and encourage them to speak up, Shakyamuni would always break the ice by initiating the conversation. It was the power of Shakyamuni's eloquence and sincerity that made it possible for Buddhism to gain wide acceptance among the people of his time.
________________________________
 
From the Writings of Nichiren Daishonin
November 7, 2024
 
I knew from the outset that, if I set aside my fears and declared things exactly as they are, I would be sentenced to death. And even if I should escape the death penalty, I would surely be condemned to exile. So great is the debt of gratitude I owe the Buddha, however, that I have not let others intimidate me, but have spoken out.
 
The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, page 529
Letter to the Lay Priest Ichinosawa
Written to the wife of the lay priest Ichinosawa on May 8, 1275
________________________________
 
Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda
November 7, 2024
 
True ease and comfort are not found in a quiet, uneventful life. This may sound paradoxical, but hardships bring about ease and comfort. For only by establishing strong individual lives capable of boldly challenging difficult obstacles can we find true "peace and security in this lifetime," as the Lotus Sutra says.
________________________________

Excerpt from Daisaku Ikeda - A Youthful Diary (10 April 1956) p.295/6
 
Human society is complex. At times, I become disgusted with society. Arrogance, power, scheming… Fortune, sincerity, conviction… A baffling mixture of realities. Youth is painful. Heard the Tokyo-area members are facing a difficult struggle in the House of Councillors election campaign. They must not forget that only faith and unity will lead to victory. "Too many cooks…" Leaders! Understand Sensei's intention! There is no other way to victory.
________________________

Sensei's Daily Encouragement -November 6 2024- Year of Fresh Departure for a Youthful Soka Gakkai Worldwide

    

Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda
November 6, 2024
 
To establish meaningful lives, I hope that during your youth you will work hard to polish you intellect. Life, in a sense, is a battle of wisdom. It is the power of Buddhism that enables one to win this battle. True faith is characterized by a brilliance of intellect and depth of wisdom that result from devotion to practice.
________________________________
 
From the Writings of Nichiren Daishonin
November 6, 2024
 
In the end, no one can escape death. The sufferings at that time will be exactly like what we are experiencing now. Since death is the same in either case, you should be willing to offer your life for the Lotus Sutra. Think of this offering as a drop of dew rejoining the ocean, or a speck of dust returning to the earth.
 
The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, page 1003
The Dragon Gate
Written to Nanjo Tokimitsu on November 6, 1279
________________________________
 
Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda
November 6, 2024
 
Society is where we put the teachings of Buddhism into practice. The essence of Buddhism shines in our actions in society.
________________________________
 
Excerpt from Daisaku Ikeda - A Youthful Diary (9 April 1956) p.295
 
Spent the morning discussing various plans with the Culture Department chief. He is young. I, too, am young. We each have strong opinions. Reflect. We must excuse each other's intrinsic arrogance.
 
Left for home on the Dove at 12:30 from Umeda Station. Couldn't read during the eight-hour train ride. Regret I wasted the time. Must quit smoking if I want to improve my health.
        ________________________________

Sensei's Daily Encouragement -November 5 2024- Year of Fresh Departure for a Youthful Soka Gakkai Worldwide

    

Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda
November 5, 2024
 
It is important that we live cheerfully. With a strong spirit of optimism, we need to be able to continually direct our minds in a bright, positive and beneficial direction and help those around us do so, too. We should strive to develop a state of life where we feel a sense of joy no matter what happens.
________________________________
 
From the Writings of Nichiren Daishonin
November 5, 2024
 
Tsukimaro must have chanted Nam-myoho-rennge-kyo with her very first cry at birth. The Lotus Sutra speaks of "the true aspect of all phenomena." T'ien-t'ai said, "Voices do the Buddha's work." This is also what I think. The deaf cannot hear the thunder, and blind cannot see the light of the sun and moon. But I am quite certain that the ten demon daughters must be together side by side, giving the baby her first bath and watching over her growth.
 
The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, page 188
The Birth of Tsukimaro
Written to Nichigen-nyo and Shijo Kingo on May 8, 1271
________________________________
 
Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda
November 5, 2024
 
Each of you should summon up the courage of a lion king and never succumb to threats from anyone. The lion king fears no other beast, nor do its cubs. Slanderers are like barking foxes, but Nichiren's followers are like roaring lions – Nichiren
________________________________
 
Excerpt from Daisaku Ikeda - A Youthful Diary (25 March 1956) p.290
 
Discussed propagation for about an hour.
Finally, Sensei said, in essence, that shakubuku means to live with the great conviction that we ourselves are entities of Myoho-renge-kyo.
We carry out the gentle practice of Shoju based on the spirit of Shakubuku. In other words, shakubuku naturally includes the practice of shoju. In terms of 'offerings of wealth' and 'offering of the Law', true shakubuku corresponds to an offering of the Law.
        ________________________________

Sensei's Daily Encouragement -November 4 2024- Year of Fresh Departure for a Youthful Soka Gakkai Worldwide

    

From the Writings of Nichiren Daishonin
November 4, 2024
 
If you truly fear the sufferings of birth and death and yearn for nirvana, if you carry out your faith and thirst for the way, then the sufferings of change and impermanence will become no more than yesterday's dream, and the awakening of enlightenment will become today's reality.
 
The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, page 130
Conversation between a Sage and an Unenlightened Man
Recipient unknown; written in 1265
________________________________
 
Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda
November 4, 2024
 
Trust is difficult to earn and it is easily lost - the trust built over a decade can be shattered in an instant by one offhanded remark or deed. A person who is not swayed from their chosen path, even during the most trying times, will ultimately find that he or she is trusted by all.
________________________________
 
Excerpt from Daisaku Ikeda - A Youthful Diary (09 February 1956) p.289
 
Gave personal guidance at the headquarters in the afternoon. Right before my eyes, I can see people's suffering caused by the poison of misleading religions. True Buddhism versus misguided teachings. Though religions may appear similar on the surface, why can't people understand the fundamental differences in religion lie in whether they lead us to happiness or suffering, to good or evil? Poured all my energy into personal guidance
        ________________________________

Sensei's Daily Encouragement -November 3 2024- Year of Fresh Departure for a Youthful Soka Gakkai Worldwide

    

Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda
November 3, 2024
 
Buddhism places the highest value on human rights and seeks to ensure that human rights are respected. In caring for just one person, one tries to thoroughly protect and do everything he can for that person. One who respects and embraces the children of the Buddha in this way is a truly capable person and a true leader.
________________________________
 
From the Writings of Nichiren Daishonin
November 3, 2024
 
Your boils have resulted from only one offense, slandering the correct teaching. The Mystic Law you now embrace surpasses the moon-loving meditation. How could your boils possibly not be healed and your life span not extended?
 
The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, page 634
On Curing Karmic Disease
Written to the lay priest Ota Jomyo on November 3, 1275
________________________________
 
Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda
November 3, 2024
 
The Lotus Sutra is a scripture to be practiced. Its teachings are meant to be put into action. Our faith and study of Buddhist doctrine are enhanced and given life through actual practice. Nichiren Buddhism is not a teaching of quiet contemplation and meditation; it is a teaching of action. Failing to translate the teachings of Buddhism into action is to go against Buddhism's fundamental spirit.
________________________________
 
Excerpt from Daisaku Ikeda - A Youthful Diary (09 February 1956) p.289
 
Nothing is as unpredictable as destiny, the path that lies ahead. No one can know the future. Have recently come to understand faith as something ultimately, absolutely essential.
…
The fortress of Osaka is solidifying with each passing year. In July, I will wage the maiden battle to fuse Buddhism with society. This will also be Sensei's first major battle for the Daishonin's Buddhism. Must fight resolutely and repay my debt of gratitude. My determination is profound and vast.
        ________________________________

Sensei's Daily Encouragement -November 2 2024- Year of Fresh Departure for a Youthful Soka Gakkai Worldwide

    

Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda
November 2, 2024
 
There are cases when we wonder why merit doesn't reveal itself in spite of our earnest and high degree of faith. At such times, rather than suspecting that you may entertain doubt about the Gohonzon, it is better to ask yourself whether you are guilty of a type of slander. Because a person who is contemptuous, hating, jealous or holds grudges will realize no benefits.
________________________________
 
From the Writings of Nichiren Daishonin
November 2, 2024
 
You should realize that it is because of a profound karmic relationship from the past that you can teach others even a sentence or phrase of the Lotus Sutra.
 
The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, page 33
A Ship to Cross the Sea of Suffering
Written to Shiji Shiro on April 28, 1261
________________________________
 
Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda
November 2, 2024
 
The Lotus Sutra explains that the self is one with the universe. The practice of the Lotus Sutra is the practice of compassion to respect and revere everyone as a treasure tower, and to become happy conjointly with others in accord with the principle of the oneness of self and others, while overcoming the various difficulties we face.
________________________________
 
Excerpt from Daisaku Ikeda - A Youthful Diary (07 February 1956) p.289
 
The "Life Span" chapter of the Lotus Sutra reads:
 
Abandoning restraint, they give themselves up to the five desires
and fall into the evil paths of existence.
Always I am aware of which living beings
practice the way, and which do not,
and in response to their needs for salvation
I preach various doctrines for them.
At all times I think to myself:
How can I cause living beings
to gain entry into the unsurpassed way
and quickly acquire the body of a Buddha? – (LS16, 231-32)
 
A lonely day.
        ________________________________

Sensei's Daily Encouragement -November 1 2024- Year of Fresh Departure for a Youthful Soka Gakkai Worldwide

    

Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda
 November 1, 2024
 
The Daishonin has taught us that through gongyo and chanting daimoku we can reach an elevated state in which, while engaged in our daily lives, we travel throughout the entire universe. When you worship the Gohonzon, the door to your microcosm is opened to the entire universe, the macrocosm, and you experience a great, boundless joy, as if you were looking out over the entire cosmos. You feel great satisfaction and rejoicing, a great wisdom, as if you held the entire universe in your palm. 
________________________________
 
From the Writings of Nichiren Daishonin
 November 1, 2024
 
It must be ties of karma from the distant past that have destined you to become my disciple at a time like this. Shakyamuni and Many Treasures certainly realized this truth. The sutra's statement, "Those persons who had heard the Law dwelled here and there in various Buddha lands, constantly reborn in company with their teachers," cannot be false in any way.
 
The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, page 217
The Heritage of the Ultimate Law of Life
Written to Sairen-bo Nichijo on February 11, 1272
________________________________
 
Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda
 November 1, 2024
 
Buddhism is not a religion that closes its eyes to people's suffering; it is a teaching that opens people's eyes. Therefore, Buddhism is the path that enables people to become happy. To turn away our eyes from the contradictions of society and rid ourselves of all worldly thoughts is not the way of Buddhist practice. The true spirit of meditation lies in manifesting our innate wisdom in society and resolutely struggling for the happiness of ourselves and others, and to construct a better society. 
________________________________
 
Excerpt from Daisaku Ikeda - A Youthful Diary (02 & 07 February 1956) p.288
 
Keeping a diary has become a burden.
…
As a person of average capacity, I have many aspects – I sometimes feel like writing and at other times do not. As a youth, I have many aspects – at times I am swept away by swift currents, and other times I stand fast amid the raging torrents. At times I enjoy solitude, while other times I delight in talking with others. Life has many aspects.
        ________________________________