Sensei's Daily Encouragement - 19 December 2019 - Year of Soka Victory - Toward Our 90th Anniversary

        Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda

December 19, 2019 

Encouragement - offering encouraging words -is important. Nichiren Daishonin states, "The voice does the Buddha's work" (Gosho Zenshu, p. 708). Sincere words of encouragement have the power to give people hope and courage to go on living.

 

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From The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin

December 19, 2019 

Great evil portends the arrival of great good. If all of Jambudvipa were to be thrown into chaos, there could be no doubt that [this sutra would] "be widely propagated throughout Jambudvipa." 

The Kalpa of Decrease

Neither the date nor addressee of this letter is known.

 

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Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda

December 19, 2019 

Relationship problems are opportunities to grow and mature. Such problems can be character building if you don't let them defeat you. That's why it's important not to isolate yourself. No one can exist apart from others. Remaining aloof from others cultivates selfishness, which accomplishes nothing.

 

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Excerpt from Daisaku Ikeda - A Youthful Diary (17 July 1957) p.335 

I was released today 17^th, at 12:10 p.m. Several hundred Osaka members greeted me. Overjoyed. The Gakkai is strong. The Gakkai is right. The Gakkai is the most beautiful of organizations.

For the rest of my life, I shall never forget my friends from Tokyo who rushed to Osaka out of concern for me…

At 1:30p.m. went to Itami Airport to greet Sensei. Shed tears deep in my heart at my mentor's profound compassion. Aware that the concern and worry Sensei has felt for me on this occasion have been deeper than the ocean. Must, by all means, spend the rest of my life repaying my great debt of gratitude to him.

Sensei's Daily Encouragement - 18 December 2019 - Year of Soka Victory - Toward Our 90th Anniversary

       Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda

December 18, 2019 

We SGI members devote ourselves to serving the Law, serving humanity. Ours is not an egocentric life. That is why we are busier than others and perhaps don't have as much opportunity for relaxation with our families. Nevertheless, we continue to devote ourselves to others. Ours is the most noble way of life. We must make sure our children can understand and respect our beliefs, our way of life and our dedication. We must make conscious efforts to verbalize and communicate our thoughts and feelings to them. Finding the wisdom for this task is an expression of our faith.

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From the Writings of Nichiren Daishonin

December 18, 2019 

In commenting on this passage, I have this to say: Shakyamuni taught that the shallow is easy to embrace, but the profound is difficult. To discard the shallow and seek the profound is the way of a person of courage.

The Selection of the Time

This treatise, counted among Nichiren Daishonin's five major writings and written at Minobu in the first year of Kenji (1275)

 

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Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda

December 18, 2019 

Live with a dancing spirit. The stars in the heavens are dancing through space, the Earth never ceases to spin. All life is dancing: the trees with the wind, the waves on the sea, the birds, the fish, all are performing their own dance of life. Every living thing is dancing, and you must keep dancing too, for the rest of your life!

 

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Excerpt from Daisaku Ikeda - A Youthful Diary (17 July 1957) p.335 

It is clear the charges are groundless. Yet, I had no choice but to take responsibility for the actions of those under my charge. But I am outraged at the vote-buying activities of N. and the others from K. Chapter and the irresponsible attitude of the chapter leaders. They have forgotten Sensei's spirit and the Gakkai's lofty tradition. It's deplorable.

Sensei's Daily Encouragement - 17 December 2019 - Year of Soka Victory - Toward Our 90th Anniversary

        Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda

December 17, 2019 

We are all human beings; in that regard, we are all the same. The only real difference lies in people's life-conditions. Our life-condition continues beyond death, into eternity. Therefore, as the Daishonin says, "Faith alone is what really matters."

 

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 From the Writings of Nichiren Daishonin

December 17, 2019 

The Buddha's utterances have become the works that compose the entire body of sutras and bring benefit to all living beings. And among the sutras, the Lotus Sutra is a manifestation in writing of the Thus Come One Shakyamuni's intent; it is his voice set down in written words. Thus the Buddha's heart is embodied in these written words. To illustrate, it is like seeds that sprout, grow into plants, and produce rice. Though the form of the rice changes, its essence remains the same. 

The Pure and Far-Reaching Voice

This letter was written at Ichinosawa on Sado Island in 1272 and addressed to Shijo Kingo

 

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Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda

December 17, 2019 

There is no self-improvement without effort. Without taking action, happiness will never come, no matter how long you wait. A life without peaks and valleys is a fairy tale. Reality is strict, because it is a win or lose struggle. This is the way it is for human beings. Therefore, you should not allow yourselves to be battered about by reality but rather willingly rise to its challenges and use them as opportunities to train and strengthen yourselves.

 

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Excerpt from Daisaku Ikeda - A Youthful Diary (17 July 1957) p.335

July 3 was the anniversary of President Toda's release from prison.

At 4:00 p.m. on this very significant anniversary, I entered the Osaka Prefectural police headquarters. The charge: door-to-door vote solicitation. I was held for fifteen days for interrogation by the prosecutors – the first few days in various cells at the police headquarters, then for ten days at the detention centre.

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Sensei's Daily Encouragement - 16 December 2019 - Year of Soka Victory - Toward Our 90th Anniversary



     

 

Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda

December 16, 2019 

Outward appearance is not important -- what counts is what is inside our hearts. Are there heart-to-heart bonds? Some families may always be together physically but are estranged at heart. Some families can only get together for brief periods but manage to enjoy concentrated and lively heart-to-heart communication when they do meet. Families that share bonds of closeness based on day-to-day efforts are ones in which the members feel comfortable and at ease with each other, no matter where they are or what they're doing.

 

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From the Writings of Nichiren Daishonin

December 16, 2019 

The scripture known as the Nirvana Sutra lists the beings that have been able to attain the way through the Lotus Sutra, and the list includes such filthy creatures as dung beetles, vipers, and scorpions. To express the wonderful power of the Lotus Sutra, Bodhisattva Nagarjuna says that it enables even such creatures as dung beetles to attain Buddhahood. 

Great Bodhisattva Hachiman

This letter was written at Minobu 1280 to Nichigen-nyo, the wife of Shijo Kingo, but its contents suggest that it was intended for them both.

 

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Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda

December 16, 2019 

A society that has sacrificed so much to material wealth that it has forgotten the human heart and the better human aspirations degenerates into something compassionless, doctrinaire, ignorant and ultraconservative. When this happens, fundamental solutions to calamities become impossible. If we protect the truth and are resolute, we are capable of creating peace and prosperity. And the truth we must protect ought to be high and great. Our great truth --- the thing that we must protect to the utmost -- involves ethics and the best of human nature. But more basic than anything else is our duty to guard the truth of life, the truth that we and the universe are one, and that a single ordinary human thought contains the entirety of universal life.

 

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Excerpt from Daisaku Ikeda - A Youthful Diary (15 May 1957) p.333 

In the afternoon, Z., Hiromasa and I went to see the Japan International Trade Fair. Surprised at the large number of people. Science is rapidly increasing its importance in society. People must not fall behind. To know the times, to live with the times and to create the times – forgetting this will lead to grave problems. Sense the arrival of the "Age of Automation" more keenly than ever before. Reported what we saw at the fair to Sensei. A scientist himself, he listened with apparent interest. "We must think about science and religion" were his only words of guidance.

Sensei's Daily Encouragement - 15 December 2019 - Year of Soka Victory - Toward Our 90th Anniversary



     

 

Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda

December 15, 2019 

The good fortune that accrues to parents who apply themselves diligently to SGI activities will protect their children without fail. Based on this conviction, you must still make positive efforts to open and sustain dialogue with your children, not allowing yourselves to neglect them, claiming that you're too busy or it can't be helped, or telling yourselves that somehow things will be taken care of. Unless you exert yourselves in this way, you are irresponsible parents who lack compassion.

 

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From the Writings of Nichiren Daishonin

December 15, 2019 

"This person as he advances through this world" means that the first five hundred years of the Latter Day of the Law will witness the advent of Bodhisattva Superior Practices, who will illuminate the darkness of ignorance and earthly desires with the light of the five characters of Nam-myoho-renge-kyo. In accordance with this passage, Nichiren, as this bodhisattva's envoy, has urged the people of Japan to accept and uphold the Lotus Sutra. His unremitting efforts never slacken, even here on this mountain. 

Letter to Jakunichi-bo

This letter was written to a young disciple named Jakunichi-bo Nikke, the son of the lord of Okitsu, Kazusa Province . It is dated the sixteenth day of the ninth month, with no year indicated, though it is believed to be 1279.

 

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 Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda

December 15, 2019 

To challenge yourselves to your heart's content in your youth so that you are left with no regrets later, to grow, to make dynamic strides forward - this is the noblest way to live. Victory in youth leads to victory in life.

 

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Excerpt from Daisaku Ikeda - A Youthful Diary (08 May 1957) p.331 

More rain. The train was packed. My strength is all but gone. Could not even read the paper while on the train. Neither society nor my life affords me any slack… 

At 6:00, a farewell gathering for Chapter Chief B., who is being reassigned. Attended with Sensei. The dinner lasted until 10:00. Is M. a person of backbone? Fed up with a life of criticism. Must forge a firm, dauntless character. 

Returned home alone, without the company of friends.

Sensei's Daily Encouragement - 14 December 2019 - Year of Soka Victory - Toward Our 90th Anniversary

           

Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda

December 14, 2019 

Faith manifests itself as wisdom. The purpose of our faith is to become wise, so that we can live wisely. The desire to save others becomes merely an abstract goal if those who practice faith cannot communicate with their own children nor build strong and happy families.

 

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From the Writings of Nichiren Daishonin

December 14, 2019 

A woman who embraces the lion king of the Lotus Sutra need not fear any of the beasts of hell, or of the realm of hungry spirits and animals. All the offenses committed by a woman in her lifetime are like dry grass, and the single character myo of the Lotus Sutra is like a small spark. When a small spark is set to a large expanse of grass, not only the grass but also the big trees and large stones will all be consumed. Such is the power of the fire of wisdom in the single character myo. 

The Drum at the Gate of Thunder

This letter was written at Minobu to the lay nun Sennichi in 1278

 

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Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda

December 14, 2019 

Your happiness and victory in life hinge on whether you can grasp, while you are still young, the fact that happiness lies within. That's why there is no need for you to compare yourselves to others but instead strive powerfully and cheerfully to develop your state of life, aiming to improve yourselves each day. From that struggle will bloom noble flowers of mission, flowers of happiness that are yours and yours alone. Shine as you are, live true to yourselves, and advance in your own unique way.

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Excerpt from Daisaku Ikeda - A Youthful Diary (06 May 1957) p.331

 

Sensei has begun another "Orally Transmitted Teachings" lecture. My heart pounds when I listen to his fine lectures. The power of insight and foresight that derives from a grand philosophy. Words and expressions that derive from an enlightened state of life. Ashamed of myself; can only lament my own lack of ability. Left with the top leaders, feeling forlorn. Faith is not to be found in sentimentalism. Must use Shijo Kingo's faith as a mirror for myself. Rather, unless I surpass him as a leader, kosen-rufu will be impossible. Must not lose. Must never lose to obstacles and devils. Challenge myself.

Sensei's Daily Encouragement - 13 December 2019 - Year of Soka Victory - Toward Our 90th Anniversary



        

     Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda

 December 13, 2019 

The organization of faith is not something that holds you back or restricts you. Rather, it is a springboard that enables you to develop yourself to the utmost and to lead the most dynamic existence. It is the most precious place for carrying out our Buddhist practice.

 

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 From the Writings of Nichiren Daishonin

 December 13, 2019 

I have heard that you are suffering from illness. Is this true? The impermanence of this world is such that even the healthy cannot remain forever, let alone those who are ill. Thoughtful persons should therefore prepare their minds for the life to come. Yet one cannot prepare one's mind for the next life by one's own efforts alone. Only on the basis of the teachings of Shakyamuni Buddha, the original teacher of all living beings, can one do so. 

Encouragement to a Sick Person

Nichiren Daishonin wrote this letter in 1264, when he was forty-three. Its recipient was Nanjo Hyoe Shichiro.

 

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Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda

 December 13, 2019 

Life is a chain. All things are related. When any link is disturbed, the other links will be affected. We should think of the environment as our mother -- Mother soil, Mother Sea, Mother Earth. There is no crime worse than harming one's mother.

 

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Excerpt from Daisaku Ikeda - A Youthful Diary (05 May 1957) p.330 

Children's Day. Lively, pure-hearted children. Angels of humankind, treasures of the present and the future.

Played cheerfully with Shiromasa and the others all morning.

Proofread the Gosho in the afternoon; lacking confidence.

Peaceful days. Society changes with each moment. Must strive hard again tomorrow, throwing my body into the battle.