Sensei's Daily Encouragement - 12 December 2019 - Year of Soka Victory - Toward Our 90th Anniversary





 

    

Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda

December 12, 2019 

Sometimes your children may not be able to do gongyo, but there is no reason for parents to become overly concerned or agitated about this. There are times when chanting only three daimoku is sufficient. To continue practicing [even though gongyo may not be consistent] is far more important. What matters is that the children maintain their connection to the Gohonzon and the SGI for their entire lives.

 

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From the Writings of Nichiren Daishonin

December 12, 2019 

Teach this doctrine to others clearly as I have taught you these many years. Those who call themselves my disciples and practice the Lotus Sutra should all practice as I do. If they do so, Shakyamuni, Many Treasures, Shakyamuni's emanations throughout the ten directions and the ten demon daughters will protect them. 

On Establishing the Four Bodhisattvas as the Object of Devotion

This letter was written at Minobu to Toki Jonin in 1279

 

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 Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda

December 12, 2019 

Happiness is a matter of the heart. This is not mere spiritualism. Our hearts are precious vessels endowed with the treasure of Buddhahood. When we strive earnestly in faith and practice and reveal our Buddhahood, we can walk along the sure and steady path to happiness and attain a state of complete fulfillment and satisfaction. Nichiren writes: "Fortune comes from one's heart and makes one worthy of respect."

 

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 Excerpt from Daisaku Ikeda - A Youthful Diary (04 May 1957) p.330 

Because we could not go shopping yesterday, promised to meet my wife again in the evening... but again, she had to wait for me for more than an hour in the cold. She was angry; sorry for her. From now on, I must be more careful.

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Sensei's Daily Encouragement - 11 December 2019 - Year of Soka Victory - Toward Our 90th Anniversary



Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda

December 11, 2019 

President Toda used to say, "Become individuals who are strong physically, intellectually and spiritually." To be strong in all three areas is the ideal. Many people may be strong in one or two of these areas, but only when all three are combined can we enjoy a well-balanced life, a life of resounding victory. Those who cultivate such all-around strength are never defeated.

 

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From the Writings of Nichiren Daishonin

December 11, 2019 

Over and over I recall the moment, unforgettable even now, when I was about to be beheaded and you accompanied me, holding the reins of my horse and weeping tears of grief. Nor could I ever forget it in any lifetime to come. If you should fall into hell for some grave offense, no matter how Shakyamuni might urge me to become a Buddha, I would refuse; I would rather go to hell with you. For if you and I should fall into hell together, we would find Shakyamuni Buddha and the Lotus Sutra there. 

The Three Kinds of Treasure

This letter was written at Minobu in 1277 and addressed to Shijo Kingo.

 

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Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda

December 11, 2019 

When a tree has been transplanted, though fierce winds may blow, it will not topple if it has a firm stake to hold it up. But even a tree that has grown up in place may fall over if its roots are weak. Even a feeble person will not stumble if those supporting him are strong, but a person of considerable strength, when alone, may fall down on an

uneven path --- Nichiren

 

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Excerpt from Daisaku Ikeda - A Youthful Diary (01 May 1957) p.329 

The Gakkai's future is extremely important. This year so far has been agonizing – fierce storms of 'the three obstacles and four devils' have arisen. The House of Councillors election in Osaka was a great loss. 

No matter how many times I stand on the field of battle,

I shall never forget today's sadness. 

One day we shall definitely defeat the establishment's corrupt influence. Definitely.

Sensei's Daily Encouragement - 10 December 2019 - Year of Soka Victory - Toward Our 90th Anniversary



 

     

Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda

December 10, 2019

 We must put down firm roots, we must be strong. Inner strength is a prerequisite for happiness, a prerequisite for upholding justice and one's beliefs. One of the Buddha's titles is "He Who Can Forbear." To courageously endure, persevere and overcome all difficulties - the Buddha is the ultimate embodiment of the virtue of forbearance. The power of faith gives us the strength to weather and survive any storm. Perseverance is the essence of a Buddha.

 

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From the Writings of Nichiren Daishonin

December 10, 2019 

The wonderful means of truly putting an end to the physical and spiritual obstacles of all living beings is none other than Nam-myoho-renge-kyo. 

The Wonderful Means of Surmounting Obstacles

While the year that this letter was written is not known with certainty, it is thought to date around 1277. It was addressed to Shijo Kingo.

 

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Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda

December 10, 2019 

Ralph Waldo Emerson once wrote: "Women are, by their power of conversation and their social influence, the civilizers of mankind. What is civilization? I answer, the power of good women." The solidarity of wise, good women will be the great power to guide the world toward peace and happiness.

 

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 Excerpt from Daisaku Ikeda - A Youthful Diary (27 March 1957) p.329 

Stomach cramps kept me in bed in the morning. My wife was extremely worried; she said I should see the doctor. Went to work in the afternoon. The devil of illness… Sorry to worry Sensei.…

Home just after 8:00. While lying down, carefully polished the Osaka House of Councillors election campaign strategy. Statistically speaking, we cannot win. Our only choice is to fight with the spirit to "lodge an arrow deep into a rock."* Pray, fight, open the way; forge a path. 

* "Lodge an arrow…": A reference to the story of General Stone Tiger, whose simple arrow penetrated a boulder he had mistaken for the tiger that had mauled his mother to death.

Sensei's Daily Encouragement - 09 December 2019 - Year of Soka Victory - Toward Our 90th Anniversary



 Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda

December 9, 2019 

Faith means infinite hope, and infinite hope resides in the SGI. As long as your faith is sincere, infinite glory, boundless good fortune and endless victory will unfold before you. You will never find yourselves at a dead end.

 

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 From the Writings of Nichiren Daishonin

December 9, 2019 

"How great is the difference between the blessings received when a sage chants the daimoku and the blessings received when we chant it?" To reply, one is in no way superior to the other. The gold that a fool possesses is in no way different from the gold that a wise man possesses; a fire made by a fool is the same as a fire made by a wise man. However, there is a difference if one chants the daimoku while acting against the intent of this sutra. 

The Fourteen Slanders

Written near the end of 1276, this letter was a reply to the lay priest Matsuno Rokuro Saemon.

 

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Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda

December 9, 2019 

Florence Nightingale, the founder of the modern nursing profession, proudly declared: "Let us be anxious to do well, not for selfish praise but to honour and advance the cause, the work we have taken up." The spirit to fulfill a noble mission is pure, strong, and beautiful. It is a spirit that we all should emulate.

 

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 Excerpt from Daisaku Ikeda - A Youthful Diary (19 March 1957) p.328 

Heavy fatigue from last night's train trip. Suffering from physical exhaustion all day. I don't like uneventful days. It is a difficult problem to change one's destiny.…

My quiet, rich and happy home. Powerful thoughts emerge as I chant daimoku. 

1. Lead a life for which I need make no excuse

2. Lead a sound and steady life.

3. Lead a healthy life. 

Another day of my youth has passed.

Sensei's Daily Encouragement - 08 December 2019 - Year of Soka Victory - Toward Our 90th Anniversary

  

Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda

December 8, 2019 

Joy is not simply your personal, egoistic happiness. Nor is it making others happy at the expense of your own happiness. You and others delighting together, you and others becoming happy together -- this is the Mystic Law and the wondrous thing about our realm of kosen-rufu. The Daishonin states, "Joy means that both oneself and others have wisdom and compassion" (Gosho Zenshu, p. 761).

 

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From the Writings of Nichiren Daishonin

December 8, 2019 

Gold can neither be burned by fire nor corroded or swept away by water, but iron is vulnerable to both. A wise person is like gold and a fool like iron. You are like pure gold because you embrace the "gold" of the Lotus Sutra. The Lotus Sutra reads in part, "Sumeru is the loftiest of all mountains. The Lotus Sutra is likewise the loftiest of all the sutras." It also states, "The good fortune of the believer cannot be burned by fire or washed away by water." 

Heritage of the Ultimate Law of Life

Written in 1272 this gosho was addressed to a question posed by Sairen-bo.

 

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Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda

December 8, 2019 

Education allows us to be truly human. It deepens us and enables us to build a better society and a brighter future. The profundity of education determines the profundity of culture, the nature of society and the firmness of peace. Education plays a major role in creating deep solidarity, mutual understanding and trust.

 

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Excerpt from Daisaku Ikeda - A Youthful Diary (06 March 1957) p.328 

The social standard for what constitutes good and bad people contains unresolved contradictions. Must become one who can deeply and keenly perceive good and evil based upon the standard of the Mystic Law. In leading people, it is important not to make mistakes. Must fairly and objectively perceive and understand the strong points and shortcomings of people's characters, their hearts and minds and their actions. Want to protect the disadvantaged. Want to enable good people to arise. Want to support people of justice and integrity… Toward the final victory.

Sensei's Daily Encouragement - 07 December 2019 - Year of Soka Victory - Toward Our 90th Anniversary





  

Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda

December 7, 2019

It is our hearts that change others' hearts. Friendship changes people. Travellers who pull their capes over their shoulders and brace themselves determinedly against the cold wind naturally relax and change their outlook and actions when warmed by the sun.

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From the Writings of Nichiren Daishonin

December 7, 2019 

A single life is worth more than the major world system. You still have many years ahead of you, and moreover you have encountered the Lotus Sutra. If you live even one day longer, you can accumulate that much more benefit. How precious your life is!" 

On Prolonging One's Life Span

Nichiren Daishonin sent this letter in 1279 to the lay nun Toki, the wife of Toki Jonin.

 

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Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda

December 7, 2019 

Peace can never be attained by passively waiting for it. It is necessary for each of us, no matter how weak we may feel we are, to build deep within our hearts a stronghold for peace that can withstand, and in the end silence, the incessant calls for war.

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Excerpt from Daisaku Ikeda - A Youthful Diary (06 March 1957) p.328

The social standard for what constitutes good and bad people contains unresolved contradictions. Must become one who can deeply and keenly perceive good and evil based upon the standard of the Mystic Law. In leading people, it is important not to make mistakes. Must fairly and objectively perceive and understand the strong points and shortcomings of people's characters, their hearts and minds and their actions. Want to protect the disadvantaged. Want to enable good people to arise. Want to support people of justice and integrity… Toward the final victory.

Sensei's Daily Encouragement - 06 December 2019 - Year of Soka Victory - Toward Our 90th Anniversary

   

    Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda

December 6, 2019

 Where can we find the royal road to reformation and change? Emerson declared: "Not he is great who can alter matter, but he who can alter my state of mind." He strongly urged us to undergo an inner reformation. I want you to be assured that the challenge to which we set ourselves day after day - that of our human revolution -- is the royal road to bringing about a reformation in our families, local regions and societies. An inner revolution is the most fundamental and at the same time the ultimate revolution for engendering change in all things.

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From the Writings of Nichiren Daishonin

December 6, 2019

The host: You have associated with a friend in the orchid room and have become as straight as mugwort growing among the hemp. If you will truly give consideration to the troubles I have been describing and put entire faith in these words of mine, then the winds will blow gently, the waves will be calm, and in no time at all we will enjoy bountiful harvests.

 On Establishing The Correct Teaching (1260)

The work consists of a dialogue between a host and a visitor. The host

represents Nichiren Daishonin, and the visitor, it is thought, represents Hojo Tokiyori. At the outset, the host lays the blame for the disasters that have befallen the country on the belief in an erroneous religion, the Pure Land teachings of Honen.

 

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Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda

December 6, 2019

 Human society can be full of contradictions. It can be unfair; unforgiving, too. Yet we cannot afford to turn our backs to the world. A person who does loses, and no excuse can gloss that over. Given a choice whether to sink or swim, one must swim to the very end, no matter how the seas around us may rage.

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Excerpt from Daisaku Ikeda - A Youthful Diary (06 March 1957) p.328

Read Japan's Prime Ministers and How to Lead People. Uninteresting. Abe Isenokami Masahiro was councilor to the shogun at twenty-five. In England, William ("the Younger") Pitt became prime minister at twenty-four. This accorded with the solution of national crises. The power of youth. Lately, have come to a vivid awareness that faith and human revolution are one, and human revolution and social revolution are one.