Sensei's Daily Encouragement - 07 April 2012 - The Year of Developing a Youthful SGI

Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda

Saturday, April 7, 2012

 

Strength is the source of happiness. We mustn't shy away from life's challenges. We mustn't be defeated. Refusing to be defeated equals victory. A person who perseveres to the end is a winner. In the course of promoting our movement, the Soka Gakkai has never pulled back in the face of any hindrance. We have kept moving forward. And that is the key to our success. Never to retreat a single step, no matter what - that is the Soka Gakkai spirit. Those who embrace this spirit can achieve unlimited victory.

 

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From The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin

Saturday, April 7, 2012

 

If you try to treat someone's illness without knowing its cause, you will only make the person sicker than before.

 

The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, page 774

The Actions of the Votary of the Lotus Sutra

Written to the lay nun Konichi in 1276

 

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Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda

Saturday, April 7, 2012

 

The Buddhist teaching of the inseparability of evil and good means that everything can be made one or the other in an instant, according to what we harbour in our hearts. Everything begins with the self. A change in one's outlook or intention triggers a change in the self and radiates outward to effect society-wide revolutions. This idea is what we in the SGI refer to as "human revolution."

 

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Daisaku Ikeda - A Youthful Diary (1954) p.200

 

Had dinner with Sensei and his wife at the N. Chinese restaurant.  Sensei's physical condition is extremely poor.  Was scolded severely.  Certainly, what I said was wrong.  Can only reflect seriously.

Received guidance about the future responsibilities of the president and general director.  Very strict.  Sensei is truly a fearsome teacher.  Must study!  Must remind myself again and again to study!

 

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Sensei's Daily Encouragement - 06 April 2012 - The Year of Developing a Youthful SGI

Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda

Friday, April 6, 2012

 

There is no retirement age in faith. Sincere faith never ages. Those who exert themselves for the sake of the Law are ever young. Our heart is what matters most. Let us strive to the end of our days for kosen-rufu.

 

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From The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin

Friday, April 6, 2012

 

So if a woman makes offerings to the Lotus Sutra now in the last five hundred year period, [Bodhisattva Gladly Seen's] benefits will all be bequeathed to her without exception, just as a wealthy man transfers his entire fortune to his only son.

 

The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, page 911

An Outline of the "Entrustment" and Other Chapters

Written to Nichinyo on June 25, 1278

 

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Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda

Friday, April 6, 2012

 

Pure and committed practice of Nichiren Buddhism entirely changes the meaning of hardships in our lives. We no longer view challenges and trials as negatives to be avoided but as things which, when overcome, bring us closer to our attainment of Buddhahood.

 

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Daisaku Ikeda - A Youthful Diary (1954) p.200

 

Sleepy all day.  It's gotten cooler.  Lacking sleep, especially the past several days.  A life that lacks common sense will definitely come to an impasse.  Must be careful.

Attended a general meeting of Toshima District, Bunkyo Chapter, at Jozai-ji in the evening.  Returned home extremely disappointed.  Arrived at home a little before 11:00.  Read Heroes of East and West.

 

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Sensei's Daily Encouragement - 05 April 2012 - The Year of Developing a Youthful SGI

Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda

Thursday, April 5, 2012

 

In all things patience is the key to victory. Those who cannot endure cannot hope to win. Ultimate triumph belongs to those who can forbear.

 

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From The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin

Thursday, April 5, 2012

 

I, Nichiren, observing this state of affairs, proceeded to consult the great collection of Buddhist scriptures. There I discovered the reason why these prayers are without effect and on the contrary actually make the situation worse, along with passages of proof to support it. In the end I had no other recourse than to compile a work to present my findings, entitling it On Establishing the Correct Teaching for the Peace of the Land…

This I did solely that I might repay the debt of gratitude that I owe to my native land.

 

The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, page 161

The Rationale for Writing "On Establishing the Correct Teaching for the Peace of the Land"

Written to Hogan on April 5, 1268

 

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Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda

Thursday, April 5, 2012

 

Even places that have been shrouded in darkness for billions of years can be illuminated. Even a stone from the bottom of a river can be used to produce fire. Our present sufferings, no matter how dark, have certainly not continued for billions of years - nor will they linger forever. The sun will definitely rise. In fact, its ascent has already begun.

 

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Daisaku Ikeda - A Youthful Diary (1954) p.199

 

An evening lecture in Tsurumi.  "On the Buddha's Prophecy."  When I have truly prepared myself, my lectures go very well.  This is how it should always be.  Met with M. at a sushi shop until 11:00.  He had visited Miss I. during lunch.  Dinner was ready when I returned home.  My wife reminded me that when I left for work in the morning I had promised her to be home in time for dinner.  No excuse.

 

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Sensei's Daily Encouragement - 04 April 2012 - The Year of Developing a Youthful SGI

Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda

Wednesday, April 4, 2012

 

There is no means other than faith by which to open our lives and our inner state of Buddhahood. Faith is the most "open" state of mind of all. Infinite clusters of good fortune spill forth from this unbarred treasure house of life.

 

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From The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin

Wednesday, April 4, 2012

 

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.

 

The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, page 997

On Persecutions Befalling the Sage

Written to all followers (and entrusted to shijo Kingo) on October 1, 1279

 

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Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda

Wednesday, April 4, 2012

 

The flower of the Law blooms within the human being. It shines through our character. The Lotus Sutra is wholly a teaching for human beings. The purpose of religion is to help each person become happy. But even a teaching whose original intent was to promote human happiness may start to restrict people. Even the Lotus Sutra could be used incorrectly to justify discrimination. What is necessary to prevent the danger of such distortion from occurring? It is the disciple's inheritance of the resolute spirit and faith of the mentor to lead people to happiness.

 

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Daisaku Ikeda - A Youthful Diary (1954) p.199

 

Another cool day.  Everyone has been warning me to eat more vegetables.  Agree with them.  It stands to reason that a good daily diet is more important to my health than medicine.

6:30 – a headquarters leaders meeting at Toshima Civic Auditorium.  Afterward, the top leaders met at Jozai-ji.  Worried that the senior leaders are not listening carefully enough to the other leaders' views and ideas.  Can only await the board of directors' further growth.

 

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Sensei's Daily Encouragement - 03 April 2012 - The Year of Developing a Youthful SGI

Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda

Tuesday, April 3, 2012

 

From one perspective, gongyo and daimoku are lyrics and songs. They are an ode to life. I hope, therefore, that your gongyo and daimoku will be such that even people who are not practicing will be favourably impressed by the sonorous and invigorating sound of your voices. That too will contribute to the spread of kosen-rufu.

 

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From The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin

Tuesday, April 3, 2012

 

If one doubts the strength of the Buddha when he says, "I am the only person who can rescue and protect others," if one is suspicious of the rope held out by the Lotus Sutra when its teachings declare that one can "gain entrance though faith alone," if one fails to chant the Mystic Law which guarantees that "such a person assuredly and without doubt [will attain the Buddha way]," then the Buddha's power cannot reach one, and it will be impossible to scale the embankment of enlightenment.

 

The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, page 59

Questions and Answers about Embracing the Lotus Sutra

Recipient unknown; written in March 1263

 

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Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda

Tuesday, April 3, 2012

 

A life lived without purpose or value, the kind in which one doesn't know the reason why one was born, is joyless and lacks lustre. To just live, eat and die without any real sense of purpose surely represents a life pervaded by the life-state of animals. On the other hand, to do, create or contribute something that benefits others, society and ourselves and to dedicate ourselves as long as we live up to that challenge - that is a life of true satisfaction, a life of value. It is a humanistic and lofty way to live.

 

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Daisaku Ikeda - A Youthful Diary (1954) p.198

 

Glad my physical condition has improved.  With this as a turning point, must further my human revolution.  Stayed home all morning.  The children are noisy, but it's good they are in high spirits.  Amazed a how quickly they are growing.  Never want to grow old.  Wish to live out this century as a youth.

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Sensei's Daily Encouragement - 02 April 2012 - The Year of Developing a Youthful SGI

Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda

Monday, April 2, 2012

 

Why are human beings born? This question has posed a great challenge. President Toda lucidly set forward his conclusion. Namely, that this world is a place for people to, as the Lotus Sutra states, "enjoy themselves at ease." We were born here in order to thoroughly savour the joys of life. Faith in the Daishonin's Buddhism is what enables us to bring forth the great life force we need to lead such an existence.

 

Events

1958 Josei Toda, the Soka Gakkai's second President, dies.

 

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From The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin

Monday, April 2, 2012 

 

Though I may be a person of little ability, I have reverently given myself to the study of the Mahayana. A blue fly, if it clings to the tail of a thoroughbred horse, can travel ten thousand miles, and the green ivy that twines around the tall pine can grow to a thousand feet.

 

The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, page 17

On Establishing the Correct Teaching for the Peace of the Land

Submitted to Hojo Tokiyori on July 16, 1260

 

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Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda

Monday, April 2, 2012

Promptness is crucial in leading a victorious life. How we start each morning determines that day's victory or defeat. It's important that we resolve to win in the morning and begin our work with an energetic, refreshed spirit. We mustn't forget that this is the secret to continual success. We live in a tumultuous age, and in such times, swift action is the key to success.

 

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Daisaku Ikeda - A Youthful Diary (1954) p.198

 

A cool day.  Feeling physically healthy.  Must never forget faith.  Must remember to maintain strict practice and training.  I, myself, am weak.  On my own, I am timid and cowardly.  Strong faith is important.  Need a strong senior; rather, a strong mentor in life.  Then, I must become a strong disciple

 

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Sensei's Daily Encouragement - 01 April 2012 - The Year of Developing a Youthful SGI

Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda

Sunday, April 1, 2012

 

Emerson writes: "And so of cheerfulness, or a good temper, the more it is spent, the more of it remains." Cheerfulness is not the same as frivolousness. Cheerfulness is born of a fighting spirit. Frivolousness is the reverse side of cowardly escape. Emerson also said that "power dwells with cheerfulness, hope puts us in a working mood." Without cheerfulness there is no strength. Let us strive to advance still more brightly and cheerfully.

 

Events

1974 SGI President Ikeda gives his first university lecture, at UCLA.

 

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From The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin

Sunday, April 1, 2012

 

This teaching was not propagated in the Former or Middle Day of the Law because the other sutras had not yet lost their power of benefit. Now, in the Latter Day of the Law, neither the Lotus Sutra nor the other sutras lead to enlightenment. Only Nam-myoho-renge-kyo can do so. This is not my own judgment. Shakyamuni, Many Treasures, the Buddhas of the ten directions, and the bodhisattvas who emerged from the earth as numerous as the dust particles of a thousand worlds have so determined it.

 

The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, page 903

The Teaching for the Latter Day

Written to Nonjo Tokimitsu on April 1, 1278

 

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Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda

Sunday, April 1, 2012

 

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? -The Lotus Sutra 

 

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Daisaku Ikeda - A Youthful Diary (1954) p.196

 

The summer training course. 

Spent a meaningful time at the training course.  Visited Shiraito Falls and even went under the falls.  Strove to further develop my state of life at this training course.  At next year's training course, I will have been practicing this faith for eight full years.  Must do my best.

 

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