Sensei's Daily Encouragement - 25 December 2019 - Year of Soka Victory - Toward Our 90th Anniversary

        

Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda

 December 25, 2019 

If a person is hungry, we should give them bread. When there is no bread, we can at least give words that nourish. To a person who looks ill or is physically frail, we can turn the conversation to some subject that will lift their spirits and fill them with the hope and determination to get better. Let us give something to each person we meet: joy, courage, hope, assurance, or philosophy, wisdom, a vision for the future. Let us always give something.

 

---

 

From The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin

 December 25, 2019 

And if we go by the words of the Lotus Sutra, you should also teach the sutra to the best of your ability. When the world makes you feel downcast, you should chant Nam-myoho-renge-kyo, remembering that, although the sufferings of this life are painful, those in the next life could be much worse. And when you are happy, you should remember that your happiness in this life is nothing but a dream within a dream, and that the only true happiness is that found in the pure land of Eagle Peak, and with that thought in mind, chant Nam-myoho-renge-kyo. 

The Fourteen Slanders

Written near the end of 1276, this letter was a reply to the lay priest Matsuno Rokuro Saemon. Four in his family received letters from Nichiren Daishonin

 

---

 

Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda

 December 25, 2019 

Buddhism does not ask "What religion does this person follow?" but "What is this person's state of life?" Buddhism exists to enable all people to cultivate and manifest the world of Buddhahood in their lives. Society is a realm of discrimination and distinctions. But Buddhism transcends all superficial differences and focuses directly on life.

 

---

 

Excerpt from Daisaku Ikeda - A Youthful Diary (30 September 1957) p.337

 

The headquarters leaders meeting was held at 6:15 at Shinagawa Civic Hall. A remarkable display of progress. Afterward, T., the chief of Sakai Chapter, visited my home with his wife. Joyfully discussed the chapter's future development. Explained various aspects of the battle plan.

My wife will become the mother of three children. As she grows heavier, so does her responsibility: striving for social and religious revolution while raising her children to be excellent individuals.

Sensei's Daily Encouragement - 24 December 2019 - Year of Soka Victory - Toward Our 90th Anniversary

        

Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda

December 24, 2019 

Many religions have demanded blind faith, taking away people's independence. President Makiguchi opposed such enslavement. What he called for instead was solidarity of awakened common people. To achieve this, he proposed a self-reliant way of life in which we advance on the path of our choice with a firm, independent character. He also stressed a contributive way of life in which we set our fundamental goal in life toward the realization of happiness for ourselves and others, casting aside arrogance and self-satisfaction to respect and benefit others. 

---

 From The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin

December 24, 2019 

Becoming a Buddha is nothing extraordinary. If you chant Nam-myoho-renge-kyo with your whole heart, you will naturally become endowed with the Buddha's thirty-two features and eighty characteristics. As the sutra says, "hoping to make all persons equal to me, without any distinction between us," you can readily become as noble a Buddha as Shakyamuni. 

Letter to Niike

Nichiren Daishonin wrote this letter in 1280 to Niike Saemon-no-jo, an official in the Kamakura shogunate

---

 

Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda

December 24, 2019 

Where is happiness to be found? The famous Roman philosopher - emperor Marcus Aurelius said, "A man's true delight is to do the things he was made for." Human happiness, he maintained, lies in doing those things only humans can: seeking the truth and acting to help those who are suffering. Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, too, asserted that those who work cheerfully and take joy in the fruits of their labour are truly happy. These are the words of great thinkers, and as you can see they are in complete accord with the teachings of Buddhism.

 

---

 Excerpt from Daisaku Ikeda - A Youthful Diary (29 September 1957) p.337 

Tolstoy defined unhappiness as having regrets. Must make efforts to live each day meaningfully. Lately, I am thoroughly aware of the joy of chanting daimoku. Had better think carefully about laying the foundation for my life, my direction and planning my living expenses.

Sensei's Daily Encouragement - 23 December 2019 - Year of Soka Victory - Toward Our 90th Anniversary

        Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda

December 23, 2019 

Leo Tolstoy concluded that the only way to bring about a fundamental change in society is to realize a change in public opinion, a change in people's minds. Then how can we change public opinion? Tolstoy asserted: "It is only necessary for people to say what they really think or at least to refrain from saying what they do not think." It is vital, in other words, not to be swayed by others' opinions or past ways of thinking or doing. Instead each of us must become wise, possessing our own firm convictions.

 

---

 

From The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin

December 23, 2019 

In view of all this, your sincerity in sending a gift of five strings of blue-duck coins whenever the opportunity arises truly entitles you to be known as one who propagates the daimoku of the Lotus Sutra in Japan . As first one person, then two persons, then a thousand, ten thousand, a hundred thousand and then all the people throughout the country come to chant the daimoku, before you know it their blessings will accrue to you. 

The Blessings of the Lotus Sutra

This letter was written at Minobu in 1276 and addressed to Myomitsu, a believer who lived at Kuwagayatsu in Kamakura .

 

---

 

Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda

December 23, 2019 

Peace and culture are one. A genuinely cultured nation is a peaceful nation, and vice versa. When conflicts multiply, culture wanes and nations fall into a hellish existence. The history of the human race is a contrast between culture and barbarity. Only culture is a force strong enough to put an end to conflict and lead humanity in the direction of peace.

 

---

 

Excerpt from Daisaku Ikeda - A Youthful Diary (27 September 1957) p.337 

In the afternoon, received guidance on various matters from Sensei. Ultimately, just meeting him is the most fundamental guidance in faith. 

Sensei lectured on the Gosho "Letter to Toki Jonin" at the Shinagawa Civic Hall... 

Afterward, met my wife who was waiting for me at Oimachi station and bought her a winter raincoat. ¥3.500. She looked as happy as a child. Returned together to our quiet, happy home. At the same time thought about the conditions under which the Daishonin lived.

Sensei's Daily Encouragement - 22 December 2019 - Year of Soka Victory - Toward Our 90th Anniversary

        Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda

December 22, 2019 

Our lives are infinitely precious. To not attain a state of absolute happiness in this life time is a great loss. Our Buddhist practice exists so that we can attain indestructible happiness. We must fight to the fullest right now, not some time in the future.

 

---

 

From The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin

December 22, 2019 

Since we are now living in the latter age when people are shallow in wisdom and puffed up with pride, it is unlikely that anyone will heed the points I have made in the discussion above. But when a sage or worthy appears, then the full truth of the matter will no doubt become clear. Because I care about you, I have written this letter as a guide. I hope you will study it when you have time. 

Letter to Shomitsu-bo

This letter was written at Minobu 1277 and addressed to Shomitsu-bo, thought to be one of Nichiren Daishonin's disciples living at Seicho-ji temple in the province of Awa .

 

---

 

Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda

December 22, 2019 

Even if you are born into the most affluent of circumstances or enjoy a spectacular marriage that is the envy of others, there is no guarantee that you will be happy. Happiness does not depend on wealth or personal appearance, nor does it hinge on fame or recognition. If your heart is empty, you cannot build genuine happiness.

There is an expansive life-state of profound, secure happiness that transcends any material or social advantage. It is called faith; it is called the life-state of Buddhahood.

 

---

 

Excerpt from Daisaku Ikeda - A Youthful Diary (26 September 1957) p.336 

Have now practice this faith for ten years. What will my destiny hold over the next ten years? Life is win or lose. Cannot help sensing the approach of new storm-driven waves of difficulty. 

Attended an evening Bunkyo Chapter group chiefs meeting. Discussed:

1. Human relationships

2. Reading.

3. The spirit of offering.

Sensei's Daily Encouragement - 21 December 2019 - Year of Soka Victory - Toward Our 90th Anniversary

        Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda

December 21, 2019 

Buddhism holds that everything is in a constant state of flux. Thus the question is whether we are to accept change passively and be swept away by it or whether we are to take the lead and create positive changes on our own initiative. While conservatism and self-protection might be likened to winter, night and death, the spirit of pioneering and attempting to realize ideals evokes images of spring, morning and birth.

 

---

 

From The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin

December 21, 2019 

Likewise the people of Japan , by becoming enemies of the Lotus Sutra, have brought ruin on themselves and their country. And because I proclaim this, I am called arrogant by those of little understanding. But I do not speak out of arrogance. It is simply that if I did not speak out I would not be the votary of the Lotus Sutra. Moreover, when my words prove later to be true, people will be able to believe all the more readily. And because I write this down now, the people of the future will recognize my wisdom. 

The Supremacy of the Law

Nichiren Daishonin wrote this letter at Minobu in 1275. It was addressed to Oto, the daughter of Nichimyo, an earnest believer living in Kamakura .

 

---

 

Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda 

December 21, 2019 

Even if today may seem to be a time of total darkness, it will not last forever. The dawn will surely come if you advance, ever forward, without being defeated. The day will definitely come when you can look back fondly and declare, "I am savoring this happiness because I struggled back then." It is those who know the bitterness of winter that can savor the true joy of spring.

 

---

 

Excerpt from Daisaku Ikeda - A Youthful Diary (25 September 1957) p.336 

It's been a little more than two months since my release from jail.

Lately, keenly sense how profoundly important an experience it was.

Someday, I will record what happened for posterity. To do so, must jot down my memories.

Sensei's Daily Encouragement - 20 December 2019 - Year of Soka Victory - Toward Our 90th Anniversary

        Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda

 December 20, 2019 

President Toda used to say: "Don't be impatient. Since you have embraced the Gohonzon, your situation will definitely improve. There's no need to worry. Sure there will be hard times, times when you feel like crying. But as long as you have the Gohonzon, your life will become bright and joyful." As long as we persevere in faith, we will become happy. We must never doubt this no matter what happens but always advance resolutely, staunchly enduring all hardships and obstacles along the way. This is what true faith is.

 

---

  

From The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin

 December 20, 2019 

In the past, Virtue Victorious offered a mudpie to the Buddha, and was reborn as King Ashoka... A poor woman cut off her hair and sold it to buy oil [for the Buddha], and not even the winds sweeping down from Mount Sumeru could extinguish the flame of the lamp fed by this oil. Accordingly, your offerings of two and three strings of coins are far greater even than those of the ruler of Japan , who may offer the nation and build a pagoda adorned with the seven kinds of treasures that reaches to the heaven of the thirty-three gods.

Reply to Onichi-nyo

This letter was written at Minobu in 1280 to a woman named Onichi-nyo

 

---

 

Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda

 December 20, 2019 

Creation is quite different from mere ideas. Even ideas require fundamental and extensive speculative accumulation. It goes without saying that creation in learning demands an incomparably greater fundamental ability. The task of creation is like a lofty mountain whose summit is formed only when there exist vast slopes and a solid foundation. Likewise, the fruitful work of creation can only be attained when it is based on the extensive knowledge of learning and profound speculation.

 

---

 

Excerpt from Daisaku Ikeda - A Youthful Diary (18 July 1957) p.335/36 

Listened to Sensei's lecture for the first time in a while. Worry alone about how long Sensei will live.

Sensei! Sensei! My only wish is that you survive in good health until kosen-rufu is achieved.

I thought seriously about Sensei and about the Gakkai headquarters. I am willing to sacrifice myself. The prosecutors' interrogation was laden with schemes. Angry feelings are growing steadily stronger. We will by all means create a time when truth will win over all. Must accurately record the facts.