Sensei's Daily Encouragement - August 7 2023 - Year of Youth and Triumph

    

Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda
August 7, 2023

Gandhi stressed the importance of being resolute in one's determinations: "A man who says that he will do something 'as far as possible,' betrays either his pride or his weakness, though he himself may attribute it to his humility. There is, in fact, not a trace of humility in such an attitude of mind." In short, he asserts that someone who makes halfhearted pronouncements is either arrogant or cowardly.
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From the Writings of Nichiren Daishonin
August 7, 2023

When praised highly by others, one feels that there is no hardship one cannot bear. Such is the courage that springs from words of praise.

The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, page 385
The True Aspect of All Phenomena
Written to Sairen-bo Nichijo on May 17, 1273
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Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda
August 7, 2023

The people we are close to are important. We should treat them as our treasures. When dealing with others, we should always be sincere and polite. Nothing is stronger than sincerity. I have made many friends around the world and made them all with the same sincerity. A relationship built with sincerity will never be destroyed, but relationships build by means of tactics and scheming always collapse in the end.
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Daisaku Ikeda - A Youthful Diary (30 July 1954) p.196

Went to Omiya on business. Resent K.'s insolence. Wait another five or ten years, then we will see who is victorious. Exhausted, returned home just after 8:00. Bored. Must take care of my health. Sat quietly at my desk, scribbling notes in my notebook.
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Sensei's Daily Encouragement - August 6 2023 - Year of Youth and Triumph

    

Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda
August 6, 2023

Youth, and indeed life itself, flashes by in the blink of an eye. That is why it is important for you to ask yourselves what you can do for those who are suffering, what you can do to resolve the mournful contradictions that plague society, and boldly take on these great challenges without shunning the problems and difficulties you will inevitably face.
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From The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin
August 6, 2023

Though numerous, the Japanese will find it difficult to accomplish anything, because they are divided in spirit. In contrast, although Nichiren and his followers are few, because they are different in body, but united in mind, they will definitely accomplish their great mission of widely propagating the Lotus Sutra.

The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, page 618
Many in Body, One in Mind
Written to the lay priest Takahashi on August 6, year unknown
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Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda
August 6, 2023

Prayer in Nichiren Buddhism is fundamentally a vow. It is a pledge or commitment to follow a chosen course of action, it is a declaration to challenge a clear objective. As such, how could anything be more wonderful than the vow to realize our personal human revolution and actualize the goal of world peace?
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Daisaku Ikeda - A Youthful Diary (29 July 1954) p.196

In the evening, a staff meeting at the G. Chinese restaurant…


President Toda gave guidance on various topics including:


1. The question of stock prices.

2. The increased issuance of bank notes by the Bank of Japan, and this year's national budget.

3. Praiseworthy individuals who embraced faith in the past.

4. Kosen-rufu in East Asia and the economy.
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Sensei's Daily Encouragement - August 5 2023 - Year of Youth and Triumph

    

Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda
August 5, 2023

We cannot build true character if we allow ourselves to be swayed by passing praise or censure. "Don't concern yourself with petty criticisms! Commune constantly with fine books and fine people and improve yourself!" This was the creed by which Mr. Makiguchi and Mr. Toda lived their lives.
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From The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin
August 5, 2023

The great lantern that illuminates the long night of the sufferings of birth and death, the sharp sword that severs the fundamental darkness inherent in life, is none other than the Lotus Sutra.

The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, page 1038
A Comparison of the Lotus and Other Sutras
Written to Toki Jonin on May 26, 1280
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Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda
August 5, 2023

Buddhist optimism is not the escapist optimism of those who throw up their hands and say, "Somehow or other things will work out." Rather it means clearly recognizing evil as evil and suffering as suffering and resolutely fighting to overcome it. It means believing in one's ability and strength to struggle against any evil or any obstacle. It is to possess a fighting optimism.
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Daisaku Ikeda - A Youthful Diary (28 July 1954) p.195

A hot day. Bought two Japan Airlines tickets, one for Sensei and one for myself. Feel a childlike excitement at flying for the first time. Went to the headquarters at 6:30 to discuss problems and lay plans for a Study Department general meeting. Late in the evening, received a phone call from Sensei. Was scolded severely. This has deep meaning. Had no time to offer an explanation.
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Sensei's Daily Encouragement - August 4 2023 - Year of Youth and Triumph

    

Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda
August 4, 2023

The resolve to accomplish your goals is what counts. If you earnestly put your mind to something, your brain, your body, your environment - everything will start working toward achieving that end.
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From The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin
August 4, 2023

I spoke out solely because I had long known that the people of Japan would meet with great suffering, and I felt pity for them. Thoughtful persons should therefore realize that I have met these trials for their sake. If they were people who understood their obligations or who were capable of reason, then out of two blows that fall upon me, they would receive one in my stead.

The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, page 828
Reply to Yasaburo
Written to Saito Yasaburo on August 4, 1277
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Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda
August 4, 2023

In Buddhist terms, the great universe and the self - the great macrocosm and the microcosm are one. Since the self and all phenomena are one, all things are interrelated. Termed dependent origination, this teaching explains that all things weave a single whole in which individuals live in relation to all others.

In other words, all beings and phenomena exist or occur because of their relationship with other beings and phenomena, and nothing in either the human or the nonhuman world exists in isolation. All things are mutually related to and interdependent with all other things. They all form a great cosmos maintaining the rhythms of life.
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Daisaku Ikeda - A Youthful Diary (26 July 1954) p.195

Today was the first summer like day of the season. Worried if the low temperatures continue, the rice crops will suffer. Praying for an abundant harvest…

In this world, economic collapse means the end of everything – the nation, the individual and the family. Is this the way it should be? No, the ultimate problem lies in preventing the environment from sapping people's determination, in other words, their resolution to defeat devilish forces. Either our determination is destroyed by the environment or we develop a condition of life powerful enough to reconstruct the environment. Must ponder deeply the relationship between life and its environment.
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Sensei's Daily Encouragement - August 3 2023 - Year of Youth and Triumph

    

Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda
August 3, 2023

As human beings, let us reach beyond our small, limited selves and attain an all-encompassing state of being, our hearts communing with the vast universe.
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From The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin
August 3, 2023

Judging from these examples, we may conclude that for evil people living in the latter age the attainment of Buddhahood does not depend upon whether their offenses are slight or grave, but solely upon whether or not they have faith in this sutra.

The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, page 409
Reply to Hakiri Saburo
Written to Hakiri Rokuro Saburo on August 3, 1273
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Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda
August 3, 2023

Be resolved to summon forth the great power of faith, and chant Nam-myoho-renge-kyo with the prayer that your faith will be steadfast and correct at the moment of death. Never seek any other way to inherit the ultimate Law of life and death, and manifest it in your life. Only then will you realize that earthly desires are enlightenment, and that the sufferings of birth and death are nirvana. Even embracing the Lotus Sutra would be useless without the heritage of faith – Nichiren
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Daisaku Ikeda - A Youthful Diary (22 July 1954) p.193

Opportunities to talk with Sensei are few. Feel a sense of solitude. Cannot comprehend his life force and sublime state of mind. He is truly awakened to the mysterious law of Buddhism. Passionate, quiet, cool, insightful, composed, domineering, severe, compassionate…

Want to purify my faith, step by step. Deeply ashamed of my lack of ability, my tendency to rely on shallow understanding.
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Sensei's Daily Encouragement - August 2 2023 - Year of Youth and Triumph

    

Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda
August 2, 2023

The greater our efforts to advance kosen-rufu, the greater the benefit and eternal good fortune we will accumulate in our lives. The more outstanding people we can foster, the stronger and healthier we will become. The more aware we are of our responsibility, the more joy we will experience. Such are the workings of the Buddhist Law.
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From The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin
August 2, 2023

The heart of the Lotus Sutra is the revelation that one may attain the supreme enlightenment in one's present form without altering one's status as an ordinary person. This means that, without casting aside one's karmic impediments, one can still attain the Buddha way. Thus T'ien-t'ai says, "The other sutras only predict Buddhahood . . . for the good, but not for the evil. . . This [Lotus] sutra predicts Buddhahood for all."
The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, page 410
Reply to Hakiri Saburo
Written to Hakiri Rokuro Saburo on August 3, 1273
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Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda
August 2, 2023

Why was Shakyamuni Buddha so respected? One of the reasons was the power of his voice. His voice is recorded as "beautiful, sweet like honey, warm and graceful, resounding and clear." He is also described as an individual who "speaks brightly, remarks brightly, narrates gracefully, talks clearly, expresses himself eloquently to make himself understood."

Shakyamuni called to anybody who visited him, "Welcome, welcome." It is expounded that he associated with people with his friendliness, joy and gentleness. He always politely greeted any person he encountered. He never greeted them in an unfriendly manner. It is said that he first opened his mouth to speak to the other person so that he or she would have an easier time to open up to Shakyamuni.
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Daisaku Ikeda - A Youthful Diary (20 July 1954) p.192/3

Returned home alone, immersed in thought. Besides President Toda, I shall bow my head to no one. After Sensei dies, I must act in a pivotal role, taking on heavy responsibilities. Lets storms and raging waves come as they may! Resentment, criticism and trickery mean nothing!
Nothing in the universe surpasses the strict law of Buddhism.
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Sensei's Daily Encouragement - August 1 2023 - Year of Youth and Triumph

    

Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda
August 1, 2023

We must not allow ourselves to become bureaucratic and take for granted the efforts of those working behind the scenes. Nor must we ever forget to be considerate of those members of our families who may not be practicing the Daishonin's Buddhism. We must remember that for every person involved in SGI activities there is another, supporting him or her behind the scenes.
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From The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin
August 1, 2023

If Nichiren's compassion is truly great and encompassing, Nam-myoho-renge-kyo will spread for ten thousand years and more, for all eternity, for it has the beneficial power to open the blind eyes of every living being in the country of Japan, and it blocks off the road that leads to the hell of incessant suffering.

The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, page 736
On Repaying Debts of Gratitude
Written to Joken-bo and Gijo-bo on July 21, 1276
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Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda
August 1, 2023

By wholeheartedly and directly meeting life's challenges, we bring forth from within ourselves the "three bodies of the Buddha," which are truth, wisdom and compassion. The light of this internal wisdom constantly encourages and guides us toward true and correct action.
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Daisaku Ikeda - A Youthful Diary (20 July 1954) p.192

Deep agony day after day. Could finally see the sun break through the clouds. The daily papers are filled with articles about the atomic and hydrogen bombs. My head hurts from reading them. This is an age in which science's pure essence has been defiled by the worlds of Anger and Hell. In this period of threatened crop damage due to unseasonably cold weather, we can strongly sense the validity of the "On Establishing the Correct Teaching for the Peace of the Land" prophecies.
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