Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda Sunday, October 7, 2012
What will the future be like? No one knows the answer to that question. All we know is that the effects that will appear in the future are all contained in the causes that are made in the present. The important thing, therefore, is that we stand up and take action to achieve great objectives without allowing ourselves to be distracted or discouraged by immediate difficulties.
From the Writings of Nichiren Daishonin Sunday, October 7, 2012
It seems to me that on the path to attain Buddhahood it may invariably be when one has done something like lay down one's life that one becomes a Buddha. I think that perhaps it is encountering such difficulties as have already been explained in the sutra being cursed, vilified, attacked with swords and staves, shards and rubble, and banished again and again that is reading the Lotus Sutra with one's life. My faith springs up all the more, and I am confident about my next existence.
The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, page 202 Banishment to Sado Writen to Enjo-bo in October 1271
Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda Sunday, October 7, 2012
If you remain sincere in your interactions with others, you will one day find yourself surrounded by good friends. And among those people, your friendships will be as strong and unshakable as towering trees. Don't be impatient. Work first on developing yourself, and you can rest assured that an infinite number of wonderful encounters await you in the future.
Daisaku Ikeda - A Youthful Diary (1958) p.378
There are three ways to live. Some people live in the past, some in the present and some in the future. The same principle applies to the Gakkai, as well as to society and politics. Youth live for the future. The board of directors, therefore, should live actively for the present while watching over the youth who live for the future.
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Sunday, 7 October 2012
Sensei's Daily Encouragement - 07 October 2012 - The Year of Developing a Youthful SGI
Saturday, 6 October 2012
Sensei's Daily Encouragement - 06 October 2012 - The Year of Developing a Youthful SGI
Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda Saturday, October 6, 2012
Mr. Toda once told me: "You can make a defeat the cause for future victory. You can also make victory the cause for future defeat." The Buddhism of Nichiren Daishonin is the Buddhism of the True Cause, the Buddhism of the present and future. We don't dwell on the past. We are always challenging ourselves from the present toward the future. "The whole future lies ahead of us! We have only just begun!" -- because we advance with this spirit, we will never be deadlocked.
From the Writings of Nichiren Daishonin Saturday, October 6, 2012
The Nirvana Sutra teaches the principle of lessening one's karmic retribution. If one's heavy karma from the past is not expiated within this lifetime, one must undergo the sufferings of hell in the future, but if one experiences extreme hardship in this life [because of the Lotus Sutra], the sufferings of hell will vanish instantly. And when one dies, one will obtain the blessings of the human and heavenly worlds, as well as those of the three vehicles and the one vehicle.
The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, page 199 Lessening One's Karmic Retribution Written to Ota Saemon-no-jo, the lay priest Soya and the Dharma Bridge Kimbara on October 5, 1271
Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda Saturday, October 6, 2012
If you summon your courage to challenge something, you'll never regret it. How sad it would be to spend your life wishing, "If only I had a little more courage." Whatever the outcome, the important thing is to take a step forward on the path that you believe is right. There's no need to worry about what others may think. It's your life, after all. Be true to yourself.
Daisaku Ikeda - A Youthful Diary (1958) p.378
Visited Sensei at home in Meguro. Talked intimately for about an hour and a half. Could only express my appreciation for his deep compassion and concern for the future and beyond. Received guidance on the upcoming general pilgrimage and the Gakkai's cultural movement, including my own personal affairs. Must become more deeply and powerfully conscious of Sensei's instructions; must put them into practice and prove their validity.
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Friday, 5 October 2012
Sensei's Daily Encouragement - 05 October 2012 - The Year of Developing a Youthful SGI
Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda
Friday, October 5, 2012
Nichiren Daishonin said to one of his lay followers: "I entrust you with the propagation of Buddhism in your province. Because the seeds of Buddhahood sprout in response to the proper influence, one expounds the teaching of the one vehicle".
Events: SGI-USA Day.
1960 President Ikeda arrives in San Francisco on his first trip to the continental United States, setting in motion the American movement to spread the Daishonin's Buddhism. At Coit Tower, President Ikeda declares that this day will one day be looked upon as a significant step forward for the Daishonin's Buddhism.
From the Writings of Nichiren Daishonin
Friday, October 5, 2012
One may be letter-perfect in reciting the Lotus Sutra, but it is far more difficult to act as it teaches.
The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, page 200
Lessening One's Karmic Retribution
Written to Ota Saemon-no-jo, the lay priest Soya and the Dharma Bridge Kimbara on October 5, 1271
Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda
Friday, October 5, 2012
No matter what the circumstances, you should never concede defeat. Never conclude that you've reached a dead end, that everything is finished. You possess a glorious future. And precisely because of that, you must persevere and study. Life is eternal. We need to focus on the two existences of the present and the future and not get caught up in the past. We must always have the spirit to begin anew "from this moment," to initiate a new struggle each day.
Daisaku Ikeda - A Youthful Diary (1958) p.377
Rested all morning. Always thinking I must take care of my health. My wife's mother came over. It was about the children's education, our living expenses and other matters. She, my wife and I talked. Peacefully, warmly.
Tomorrow, I will have to bother Sensei at home. Took my children to the public bath in the evening. Wrote until 1:00
Thursday, 4 October 2012
Sensei's Daily Encouragement - 04 October 2012 - The Year of Developing a Youthful SGI
Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda
Thursday, October 4, 2012
We are people of faith and faith is the ultimate conviction. Nothing could be sadder nor more short-sighted, therefore, than complaining or giving up when we encounter some small obstacle in our path. A genuine Buddhist is a person of wisdom and conviction.
From the Writings of Nichiren Daishonin
Thursday, October 4, 2012
In the light of the above points, this shows, my followers, that you had better cut short your sleep by night and curtail your leisure by day, and ponder this! You must not spend your lives in vain and regret it for ten thousand years to come.
The Problem to Be Pondered Nigh and Day
Written to Toki Jonin on August 23, 1275
Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda
Thursday, October 4, 2012
The expansive world lies not in some distant place; it exists right where you are. That is why you need to win where you are right now. Today's victory is linked to your eternal victory.
Daisaku Ikeda - A Youthful Diary (1958) p.375
To the headquarters in the evening. Saw Sensei briefly. His condition seems extremely poor. Heartbreaking. Times have changed. Lamentable, regrettable. I, however have long to live before kosen-rufu is achieved. Sensei, please watch! The youth division will grow and will definitely carry on.
…
To bed early. Cannot fight if I am exhausted. All that interest me is our battle for the Law.
Wednesday, 3 October 2012
Sensei's Daily Encouragement - 03 October 2012 - The Year of Developing a Youthful SGI
Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda
Wednesday, October 3, 2012
Never be shaken, no matter what happens or what others may say. Never be flustered; never lose confidence. This is the way we should strive to live our lives. Being able to do so is a sign of genuine character.
From the Writings of Nichiren Daishonin
Wednesday, October 3, 2012
One who, on hearing the teachings of the Lotus Sutra, makes even greater efforts in faith is a true seeker of the way. T'ien-t'ai states, "From the indigo, an even deeper blue." This passage means that, if one dyes something repeatedly in indigo, it becomes even bluer than the indigo leaves. The Lotus Sutra is like the indigo, and the strength of one's practice is like the deepening blue.
The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, page 457
Hell Is the Land of Tranquil Light
Written to Nanjo Tokimitsu's mother on July 11, 1274
Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda
Wednesday, October 3, 2012
Buddhism teaches that self-awareness arises through our encounters with the eternal. Buddhism urges us to be receptive to the most profound meaning of living, in the eternal process of cosmic evolution, and further urges that we accept, as our mission, compassionate behaviour toward all beings.
Daisaku Ikeda - A Youthful Diary (1958) p.375
At 6:00, a New Year's Culture Department dinner at N. Having been invited, I attended. Made a congratulatory speech, K. gave words that contradicted what I had said. A small-minded person. Home, close to 10:00. Earnestly did gongyo. Will go to bed early.
From tomorrow, I will study Buddhism. Must study. Must not lose. One who doesn't study will definitely be defeated. One who continues to study will definitely win.
Tuesday, 2 October 2012
Sensei's Daily Encouragement - 02 October 2012 - The Year of Developing a Youthful SGI
Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda
Tuesday, October 2, 2012
Please make every effort to find and raise capable people. My wish is that you construct a wonderful organization, joyfully building growing spheres of friendship and a solidarity of people who cherish hope for life and the future. Please lead the most wonderful of lives.
Events
World Peace Day.
1960 President Ikeda lands in Hawaii on his first trip outside Japan , beginning his worldwide efforts for peace, culture and education based on Nichiren Daishonin's Buddhism.
From the Writings of Nichiren Daishonin
Tuesday, October 2, 2012
At first only Nichiren chanted Nam-myoho-renge-kyo, but then two, three, and a hundred followed, chanting and teaching others. Propagation will unfold this way in the future as well. Does this not signify "emerging from the earth?" At the time when the Law has spread far and wide, the entire Japanese nation will chant Nam-myoho-renge-kyo, as surely as an arrow aimed at the earth cannot miss the target.
The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, page 385
The True Aspect of All Phenomena
Written to Sairen-bo Nichijo on May 17, 1273
Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda
Tuesday, October 2, 2012
Our individual circle of friendship is part of the global circle of friendship; it is one and the same. A drop of rain from the sky, a drop of water from the river, or a drop of water from the ocean are all just that - a drop of water - until they accumulate. The friends we make in our own small circle contribute to the spread of friendship around the world. Making one true friend is a step toward creating world peace.
Daisaku Ikeda - A Youthful Diary (1958) p.374/375
Had a fever all day. Troublesome – 99.9°F, I was told. Why do I always have this sort of fever? Lamentable. It always causes my wife to worry.
…
Must take care of my health. This year, I want to forge a body and mind as strong as steel. Must build myself physically. Create a strong body.
This year – whether active, quiet or intense – will be a year to continuously face my destiny. My gaze is set straight ahead.
Monday, 1 October 2012
Sensei's Daily Encouragement - 01 October 2012 - The Year of Developing a Youthful SGI
Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda
Monday, October 1, 2012
I hope that leaders will earnestly pray for the prosperity, safety and happiness of the members who are all so infinitely noble and praiseworthy. May you also never forget to develop yourselves and pray to become people who are liked and trusted by the members, who can work unstintingly for the members' happiness and well-being.
From the Writings of Nichiren Daishonin
Monday, October 1, 2012
I do not know whether these trials equal or surpass those of the Buddha. Nagarjuna, Vasubandhu, T'ien-t'ai, and Dengyo, however, cannot compare with me in what they suffered. Had it not been for the advent of Nichiren in the Latter Day of the Law, the Buddha would have been a teller of great lies, and the testimony given by Many Treasures and by the Buddhas of the ten directions would have been false. In the 2,230 and more years since the Buddha's passing, Nichiren is the only person in the entire land of Jambudvipa who has fulfilled the Buddha's words.
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)
Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda
Monday, October 1, 2012
Time is constantly passing, one moment following fast upon the other. That's why it's so important to press forward boldly, without complaining or fretting. The person who looks to the future and keeps moving ahead is eternally youthful. Such a person's heart is filled with flowers and shines brilliantly.
Daisaku Ikeda - A Youthful Diary (1958) p.374
Played Shogi (Japanese chess) with Sensei at the Rikyo-bo. Won one and lost one. I think this will be a deeply meaningful memory. Attended an evening discussion meeting with Osaka members. Must summon my life force – for the members, for my juniors – and earnestly dedicate myself for their sake. If I fail to do so, there is no reason for me to be with my mentor.
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