Sensei's Daily Encouragement -05 September 2018 - ‘Year of Brilliant Achievement in the New Era of Worldwide Kosen Rufu

            

Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda

September 5, 2018

 

Young people in school should make study their first priority. It goes without saying that faith is important, but faith is something we practice throughout our entire lives. There is a certain period and age when we should study. If we don't work hard during that period, we may fail to acquire important knowledge and skills, and we may come to regret it deeply later. Faith manifests itself in daily life. For young people in school, faith manifests itself in their studies. During this period, to devote themselves to study represents an important part of their practice of faith.

 

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From the Writings of Nichiren Daishonin

September 5, 2018

 

These passages from the sutras speak of powerful enemies of the correct teaching. Such enemies are to be found not so much among evil rulers and evil ministers, among non-Buddhists and devil kings, or among monks who disobey the precepts. Rather they are those great slanderers of the Law who are to be found among the eminent monks who appear to be upholders of the precepts and men of wisdom.

 

The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, page 584

The Selection of the Time

Written to Yui in 1275

 

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Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda

September 5, 2018

 

In the "Record of the Orally Transmitted Teachings," Nichiren says, "One should regard meeting obstacles as true peace and comfort." You may wonder how encountering obstacles could be a source of peace and comfort. But the truth of the matter is that through struggling against and overcoming difficulties, we can transform our destiny and attain Buddhahood. Confronting adversity, therefore, represents peace and comfort.

 

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Daisaku Ikeda - A Youthful Diary (15 February 1955) p. 224

 

President Toda gave severe guidance from the morning on. My heart feels as if I am standing on an icy mountain peak, naked before the cold wind. No excuse. Spiritual age, physical age: must revolutionize both simultaneously. Actual proof will result from my Buddhist practice, due to the principle of 'the oneness of body and mind.'

Sensei's Daily Encouragement -04 September 2018 - ‘Year of Brilliant Achievement in the New Era of Worldwide Kosen Rufu

            

Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda

September 4, 2018

 

Leaders who are responsible for organizing and holding discussion meetings in the SGI must study. If they do not, they cannot hope to satisfy the participants and inspire them with fresh energy and enthusiasm.

 

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From the Writings of Nichiren Daishonin

September 4, 2018

 

Question: Why do you alone spew forth such evil words about other people? Answer: I, Nichiren, am not condemning others. I am only pointing out the questionable places in their doctrines. If they want to get angry at me, then let them!".

 

The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, page 867

Letter to Shomitsu-bo

Written to Shomitsu-bo in 1277

 

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Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda

September 4, 2018

 

What was the secret to Thomas Edison's success? He explained that it was to never give up before he succeeded in what he was trying to do. Not giving up -- that's the only way. Once you give up you are defeated. This is equally true in the realm of faith. Quitting is not faith. We have to keep chanting until our prayers are answered. That is the correct way of prayer.

 

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Daisaku Ikeda - A Youthful Diary (10 February 1955) p.223

 

 Fatigued throughout my body. An agonizing day. Is it my evil karma? I am reading with my life the passage from a sutra that states, "The people's sins are like frost or dew, which vanish in the sunlight of wisdom."

At noon, shopped for birthday gifts for President Toda… Purchased a dress shirt, two neckties, pearl cuff links and a shoehorn. Confident these gifts express my sincere feeling.

Sensei's Daily Encouragement -03 September 2018 - ‘Year of Brilliant Achievement in the New Era of Worldwide Kosen Rufu

            

Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda

September 3, 2018

 

True character is only forged through hardship and suffering. Moreover, it is the mentor-disciple relationship, not organizational structures, that builds character. Many great scholars, pioneers and leaders of the world have come to note how crucial the mentor-disciple relationship is.

 

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From the Writings of Nichiren Daishonin

September 3, 2018

 

Suppose there is a ship that sails on the open sea. Though the ship is stoutly built, if it is flooded by a leak, those on the ship are sure to drown together. Though the embankment between rice fields is firm, if there is an ant hole in it, then surely, in the long run, it will not remain full of water. Bail the seawater of slander and disbelief out of the ship of your life, and solidify the embankments of your faith.

 

The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, page 626

The Embankments of Faith

Written to the lay nun Sennichi on September 3, 1275

 

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Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda

September 3, 2018

 

Viewing events and situations in a positive light is important. The strength, wisdom and cheerfulness that accompany such an attitude lead to happiness. To regard everything in a positive light or with a spirit of goodwill, however, does not mean being foolishly gullible and allowing people to take advantage of your good nature. It means having the wisdom and perception to actually move things in a positive direction by seeing things in their best light, while all the time keeping your eyes firmly focused on reality.

 

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 Daisaku Ikeda - A Youthful Diary (9 February 1955) p.222

 

 Must apologize to President Toda for many things. Must spur myself on. Youth must not be caught up in the past. Isn't the Daishonin's teaching that of 'for the present and the future'? If people become too caught up in the past, their hearts will age and their spirit will die. Must forge ahead, even if laughed at or scorned.

Sensei's Daily Encouragement -02 September 2018 - ‘Year of Brilliant Achievement in the New Era of Worldwide Kosen Rufu

            

Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda

September 2, 2018

 

The stronger the oppression from without, the stronger one's determination to summon forth one's inner resources to fight against it -- this is the spirit of youth.

 

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From the Writings of Nichiren Daishonin

September 2, 2018

 

I hear that these priests have been slandering me for some years now. These mosquitos and gadflies, as it were, are such fools that they groundlessly revile Nichiren, who is like the lion king, when they have neither listened to nor seen him.

 

The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, page 856

The Third Doctrine

Written to Toki Jonin on October 1, 1277

 

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Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda

September 2, 2018

 

Ultimately, happiness rests on how you establish a solid sense of self or being. Happiness does not lie in outward appearances nor in vanity. It is a matter of what you feel inside; it is a deep resonance in your life. To be filled each day with a rewarding sense of exhilaration and purpose, a sense of tasks accomplished and deep fulfillment -- people who feel this way are happy. Those who have this sense of satisfaction even if they are extremely busy are much happier than those who have time on their hands but feel empty inside.

 

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 Daisaku Ikeda - A Youthful Diary (8 February 1955) p.222

 

 A quiet day. Reflected, must sincerely consider my societal obligations and responsibilities without ever becoming arrogant.

From tomorrow, must further intensify my determination and deal with everything that arises. Inertia and construction; obligation and privilege; negative and positive. Also, discipline and self-indulgence; confidence and self-contempt. What fine qualities and superior points do great people hold in common? Ultimately, isn't it that they have successfully challenged and overcome their own weaknesses and persevered until they achieved their desired goals?

Sensei's Daily Encouragement -01 September 2018 - ‘Year of Brilliant Achievement in the New Era of Worldwide Kosen Rufu

           

Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda

September 1, 2018

 

A mother's beliefs have a powerful influence on her children. In the realm of Nichiren Daishonin's Buddhism, too, the children of families where the mother's faith is strong invariably develop into admirable adults.

 

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From the Writings of Nichiren Daishonin

September 1, 2018

 

In kindling a fire, three things are needed: a good piece of steel, a good flint, and good tinder. The same is true of prayer. Three things are required a good teacher, a good believer, and a good teaching before prayers can be effective and disasters banished from the land.

 

The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, page 880

How Those Initially Aspiring to the Way Can Attain Buddhahood through the Lotus Sutra

Written to the lay nun Myoho in 1277

 

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Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda

September 1, 2018

 

We must establish the correct standard of value upon the foundation of the dignity of life. Leaders of society, including politicians and schoolteachers, should teach children the distinction between good and evil and lead society in the direction of goodness. Today, however, the higher the status that people achieve, the more wrongdoings they tend to commit. Those in high status think only of their selfish interests while exploiting ordinary people. The "me first" attitude prevails. Looking at those adults, children cannot possibly grow up right. Such social trends, in a sense, are destroying our children. Adults must first reflect on their own way of life. Without self-reflection, adults are not qualified to scold children.

 

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Daisaku Ikeda - A Youthful Diary (03 February 1955) p.220

 

At times I am frustrated by certain aspects of my nature, while at others I think it is fine the way it is. Ultimately, no matter what criticism or slander I encounter, I will follow my mentor and, while invoking the Mystic Law, shall continue each day with patience and perseverance, carrying out my Buddhist practice so that I will have no regrets.