Sensei's Daily Encouragement - 07 November 2011

  

Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda
Monday, November 7, 2011

 

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.

 

 

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From the Writings of Nichiren Daishonin
Monday, November 7, 2011

 

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

 

 

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Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda
Monday, November 7, 2011

 

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.

 

 

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Daisaku Ikeda - A Youthful Diary (1951) p.84

It is very difficult to know oneself.  It may be that all troubles and failures spring from the inability to know oneself.

Destiny, fate, personality - at times, I feel I can do nothing to control these aspects of my life.  Must become stronger.  A good environment is important, and a capable leader or teacher is also necessary.  Most important, however, is the Gohonzon and my faith.

  

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Sensei's Daily Encouragement - 06 November 2011

 

Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda
Sunday, November 6, 2011

 

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.

 

 

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From the Writings of Nichiren Daishonin
Sunday, November 6, 2011

 

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

 

 

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Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda
Sunday, November 6, 2011

 

Society is where we put the teachings of Buddhism into practice. The essence of Buddhism shines in our actions in society.

 

 

 

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Daisaku Ikeda - A Youthful Diary (1951) p.84

 

 

Received strict guidance from Mr. Toda.  I've nearly come to understand the weak points of my own faith.

Propagation!... I will pour my whole life into working vigorously for kosen-rufu.  Mere ideology or speculation is fruitless.  For Youth, life should be based on nothing but practice and action.

Faith is the foundation of my life.

Pure faith, the root of my existence.

My weak self - low-spirited and agonized by troubles.  Ultimately the only way to solve these problems is to chant daimoku.  Is faith's ultimate purpose to prove myself to myself?   

 

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Sensei's Daily Encouragement - 05 November 2011

 

Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda
Saturday, November 5, 2011

 

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.

 

 

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From the Writings of Nichiren Daishonin
Saturday, November 5, 2011

 

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

 

 

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Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda
Saturday, November 5, 2011

 

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

 

 

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Daisaku Ikeda - A Youthful Diary (1951) p.82

 

The Human mind is complex.  It is vital to live strongly, courageously.  This is especially true for maintaining correct faith.

The eternity of life, the simultaneity of cause and effect, fate, destiny, the moment - when I consider these realities of life's continuum, I lament over my own lack of ability.  I know of no other way but the power of strong faith.

  

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Sensei's Daily Encouragement - 04 November 2011

 

Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda
Friday, November 4, 2011

 

The purpose of faith is to become happy. I hope all of you will take this sure path to happiness, never wandering onto byroads that lead to unhappiness. Please walk the great path of kosen-rufu with confidence and pride.

 

 

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From the Writings of Nichiren Daishonin

Friday, November 4, 2011

 

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

 

 

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Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda
Friday, November 4, 2011

 

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.

 

 

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Daisaku Ikeda - A Youthful Diary (1950) p.70

 

 

Next year, I want to go to night school again.

Next year, I want to study to my heart's content.

I cannot foresee what turn my destiny will take next year.  

Next year, too, my whole life will be to act as my teacher guides me.

The twenty-second year of my youth is ending, etching in my heart its history and memories in the workings of cause and effect.

 

 

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Sensei's Daily Encouragement - 03 November 2011

 

Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda
Thursday, November 3, 2011

 

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.

 

 

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From the Writings of Nichiren Daishonin
Thursday, November 3, 2011

 

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

 

 

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Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda
Thursday, November 3, 2011

 

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.

 

 

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Daisaku Ikeda - A Youthful Diary (1950) p.69

 

 

Life is a succession of struggles.  But I think the important thing is what we struggle for and what foundation underlies our striving.

The purpose of my own battle being sublime, as long as I have not the slightest particle of regret, it will be a battle of supreme happiness.  Now I realize there will be no regrets.  Therefore, I have only to march ahead with a smile.

 

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Sensei's Daily Encouragement - 02 November 2011

 

Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda
Wednesday, November 2, 2011

 

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.

 

 

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From the Writings of Nichiren Daishonin
Wednesday, November 2, 2011

 

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

 

 

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Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda
Wednesday, November 2, 2011

 

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.

 

 

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Daisaku Ikeda - A Youthful Diary (1950) p.68

 

Nothing is more changeable than the human mind.  Friends who were as close as fish and water until yesterday may become enemies brandishing arms at one another today.  A person deeply in love in the morning my change his or her mind by evening, as easily as water flows.  A visitor with whom one conversed intimately a few days ago may flare up in anger in response to a moment's shift of mind.

My heart does not change, but my circumstances are intimidating.

 

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Sensei's Daily Encouragement - 01 November 2011

Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda
Tuesday, November 1, 2011

 

 

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.

 

 

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From the Writings of Nichiren Daishonin
Tuesday, November 1, 2011

 

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

 

 

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Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda
Tuesday, November 1, 2011

 

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 mediation lies in manifesting our innate wisdom in society and resolutely struggling for the happiness of ourselves and others, and to construct a better society.

 

 

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Daisaku Ikeda - A Youthful Diary (1950) p.68

 

Life is a struggle.  

Yet, even in the midst of struggles, rest is necessary.

And in rest, we can dream of the next ideal.

That ideal must encompass the greatest good for the individual and society.

Then, while striving to realize it, we must arouse the full power of our bodies and minds.

For that purpose, rest is necessary.

After all, we must fight to the end in life -

For the highest ideal, the realization of kosen-rufu.

 

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