Sensei's Daily Encouragement - 21 October 2011

 

Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda
Friday, October 21, 2011

 

 

The mentality of getting others to do the hard work while one sits back and takes it easy - that is bureaucratism at its worst; it is not faith. The spirit of taking on the hard work oneself - that is faith, that is humanism.

 

 

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From the Writings of Nichiren Daishonin
Friday, October 21, 2011

 

The mighty warrior General Li Kuang, whose mother had been devoured by a tiger, shot an arrow at the stone he believed was the tiger. The arrow penetrated the stone all the way up to its feathers. But once he realised it was only a stone he was unable to pierce it again. Later he came to be known as General Stone Tiger. This story applies to you. Though enemies lurk in wait for you, your resolute faith in the Lotus Sutra has forestalled great dangers before they could begin. Realising this, you must strengthen your faith more than ever.

 

The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, page 953
General Stone Tiger 
Written to Shijo Kingo on October 22, 1278

 

 

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Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda
Friday, October 21, 2011

 

Our lives grow to the degree that we give hope and courage to others and enable them to develop their lives. Therefore, while we speak ofpracticing Buddhism for others, it is we ourselves who ultimately benefit. With this understanding comes the ability to take action with a sense of appreciation.

 

 

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A Youthful Diary (p10)

"What is today's task? To fulfill my mission for today.  What is my mission for today?  To struggle in my own circumstances.  What is that struggle?  To advance, to the limits of my strength. 

...When we do our best today, the future sparkles, and flames of joy leap high." 

 

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Sensei's Daily Encouragement - 20 October 2011

 

 Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda

Thursday, October 20, 2010

 

President Toda detested formality. And for this reason, as his disciple, I have tried to place foremost emphasis on substance. Formalities are important in certain cases, but mere formality without substance is evil. Formalities in and of themselves have no life; whereas substance is alive. Formality is provisional and substance essential. Formality is conventional and therefore conservative, but substance provides the impetus for progress and development.

 

 

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From the Writings of Nichiren Daishonin
Thursday, October 20, 2010

 

From here we are going to cross the sea to the island province of Sado, but at the moment the winds are not favourable, so I do not know when we will depart. The hardships along the way were worse than I could have imagined, and indeed more than I can put down in writing. I will leave you to surmise what I endured. But I have been prepared for such difficulties from the outset, so there is no point in starting to complain about them now. I shall accordingly say no more of the matter.

 

The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, page 206
Letter from Teradomari
Written to Toki Jonin on October 22, 1271

 

 

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Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda
Thursday, October 20, 2010

 

We should all develop the mind to rejoice in, praise and share in the gift of those who have artistic talents and a richness of heart, whether they achieve wide recognition or not. Cultivating such a beautiful mind is a very worthy effort. Culture and art are not just decorations. They are not just accessories. What matters is whether culture enriches the essential substance of our lives.

 

 

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A Youthfull diary (p.8)

Had a headacke since morning.  Have to take better care of myself.  My mind changes from one moment to the next.  I know what my goals are, but I waver all the same...  Plunge into the whirlpool of reality and fight.  Fear nothing.  Remember your great mission.

  

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Sensei's Daily Encouragement - 19 October 2011

 

Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda
Wednesday, October 19, 2011
 

No matter what happens, please continue to chant daimoku - in both good times and bad, irrespective of joys or sorrows, happiness or suffering. Then you will be able to seize victory in your daily life and in society.

 

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From the Writings of Nichiren Daishonin
Wednesday, October 19, 2011
 

Though the moon is forty thousand yojanas high in the heavens, its reflection appears instantly in a pond on the earth; and the sound of the drum at the Gate of Thunder is immediately heard a thousand, ten thousand ri in the distance. Though you remain in Sado, your heart has come to this province. The way of attaining Buddhahood is just like this. Though we live in the impure land, our hearts reside in the pure land of Eagle Peak. Merely seeing each other's face would in itself be insignificant. It is the heart that is important.

 

The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, page 949
The Drum at the Gate of Thunder
Written tot he lay nun Sennichi on October 19, 1278

 

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Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda
Wednesday, October 19, 2011
 

Our individual experiences of triumph over our problems give courage and hope to many others. Our personal victories, in other words, become parables expressing the power of the Mystic Law. And those who hear our experiences can share them with still others.

 

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Sensei on Courage - Words of Wisdom

  

Courage, strength and wisdom well up in those who consciously take on everything as the protagonist and person responsible for achieving their goals. Unlimited wisdom and ardent resolve arise from a sense of responsibility.

  

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Sensei's Daily Encouragement - 18 October 2011

 

Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda
Tuesday, October 18, 2011

 

A victor is one whose life shines with faith. Emerson, one of the favourite writers of my youth, once said, "That which befits us...is cheerfulness and courage, and the endeavour to realize our aspirations." To advance toward our dreams cheerfully, to courageously work toward achieving them - this is what gives sublime meaning and value to our lives.

 

  

From the Writings of Nichiren Daishonin
Tuesday, October 18, 2011
 

Without exception, all these Buddhas, bodhisattvas, great sages, and, in general, all the various beings of the two worlds and the eight groups who appear in the "Introduction" chapter of the Lotus Sutra dwell in the Gohonzon. Illuminated by light of the five characters of the Mystic Law, they display the dignified attributes they inherently possess. This is the object of devotion.

 

The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, page 832
The Real Aspect of the Gohonzon
Written to Nichinyo on August 23, 1277

 

 

Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda
Tuesday, October 18, 2011
 

Such things as money, fame, and material possessions offer a fleeting satisfaction, something that can be called relative happiness. However, when we transform our lives internally, when we develop within ourselves a brilliant inner palace, then we can be said to have established absolute happiness. If we develop a state of mind as vast and resplendent as a magnificent palace, then nothing - no matter where we go or what we may encounter in life can undermine or destroy our happiness.

 

 

Sensei on Human Rights - Words of Wisdom

 

Our ability to respect others is the true mark of our humanity. Respect for other people is the essence of human rights.

  

Sensei's Daily Encouragement - 17 October 2011

 

 

 

Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda
Monday, October 17, 2011

 

I hope that each of you will study broadly and develop your understanding of life, society and the universe, based on your faith in Nichiren Daishonin's Buddhism. This type of learning enables you to cultivate a rich state of life, or inner world, drawing forth profound wisdom and limitless leadership ability from the depths of your life.

 

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From the Writings of Nichiren Daishonin
Monday, October 17, 2011
 

In the eighth volume of Great Concentration and Insight and in the eighth volume of The Annotations on "Great Concentration and Insight" it says, "The stronger one's faith, the greater the protection of the gods." This means that the protection of the gods depends on the strength of one's faith. The Lotus Sutra is a fine sword, but its might depends upon the one who wields it.

 

The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, page 953
General Stone Tiger
Written to Shijo Kingo on October 22, 1278

 

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Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda
Monday, October 17, 2011
 

One's actions in previous existences are all engraved in and contained in this lifetime. The causes for our present suffering or joy, happiness or misery, all lie in our own past actions. But Nichiren Buddhism enables us to fundamentally reform our destiny. When we truly base ourselves on Buddhism's view of life's eternity, we realize the first thing to change is how we live in the present. In Nichiren Buddhism, change arises from the depths of our being. Strong, pure vitality abundantly wells forth. The iron chains of destiny are cut and our original identity, the fresh and robust world of Buddhahood, appears.

 

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Sensei on Attitude - Words of Wisdom

 

Sometimes we complain without thinking much of it, but the frightening thing about complaining is that every time we do, a cloud descends over our heart, and our hope, appreciation and joy gradually wane.

 

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Sensei's Daily Encouragement - 16 October 2011

 

 

 

 

Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda
Sunday, October 16, 2011 

 

Intellect will play a very important role in the coming age. By intellect I mean refined wisdom, clear reasoning, profound philosophy and broad-ranging knowledge. We are entering an age when people will develop their intelligence and wisdom, infusing society with their new outlook.  

 

   

From the Writings of Nichiren Daishonin
Sunday, October 16, 2011

 

None of you who declare yourselves to be my disciples should ever give way to cowardice.

 

The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, page 764
The Actions of the Votary of the Lotus Sutra
Written to the lay nun Konichi in 1276 

 

  

Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda
Sunday, October 16, 2011
 

The air around us is filled with radio waves of various frequencies. While these are invisible, a television set can collect them and turn them into visible images. The practice of chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo aligns the rhythm of our own lives with the world of Buddhahood in the universe. It "tunes" our lives, so to speak, so that we can manifest the power of Buddhahood in our very beings.  

 

  

Sensei on Mentor & Disciple - Words of Wisdom

 

The enlightenment and happiness of both self and others: A true mentor in Buddhism is one who enables us to remember this aspiration.

  

 

Sensei's Daily Encouragement - 15 October 2011

 

Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda Saturday, October 15, 2011   There is no need to be impatient. Anything that is accomplished quickly and easily will not long endure. Now is the time to concentrate on the construction of a solid foundation. I hope you will complete this work slowly but surely, filled with hope and joy.      From the Writings of Nichiren Daishonin Saturday, October 15, 2011   Do not these interpretations make clear that, among all the teachings of the Buddha's lifetime, the Lotus Sutra is first, and that, among the teachings of the Lotus Sutra, that of women attaining Buddhahood, is first? For this reason, though the women of Japan may be condemned in all sutras other than the Lotus Sutra as incapable of attaining Buddhahood, as long as the Lotus Sutra guarantees their enlightenment, what reason have they to be downcast?"   The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, page 930The Sutra of True Requital Written to the lay nun Sennichi on July 28, 1278     Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda Saturday, October 15, 2011   I view things through the Buddha eye, I see the living beings in the six paths, how poor and distressed they are, without merit or wisdom, how they enter the perilous road of birth and death, their sufferings continuing with never a break, how deeply they are attached to the five desires, like a yak enamored of its tail, blinding themselves with greed and infatuation, their vision so impaired they can see nothing. They do not seek the Buddha, with his great might, or the Law that can end their sufferings, but enter deeply into erroneous views, hoping to shed suffering through greater suffering. For the sake of these living beings I summon up a mind of great compassion -The Lotus Sutra     Sensei on Hope - Words of Wisdom    No matter how long the cold, bleak days of winter may continue, winter always turns to spring. This is the law of the universe and the law of life. As long as we hold on to hope, spring is sure to come.