Sensei's Daily Encouragement - 22 March 2012 - The Year of Developing a Youthful SGI

Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda

Thursday, March 22, 2012  

 

I call to each of you: Strive for prosperity! Strive for development! Strive for victory! Life is about striving all out to achieve our aims; it is about hard work and effort. Regardless of how smart you may be, intelligence alone cannot guarantee your future.  

 

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From The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin

Thursday, March 22, 2012  

 

If a tree is deeply rooted, its branches and leaves will never wither. If the spring is inexhaustible, the stream will never run dry. Without wood, a fire will burn out. Without earth, plants will not grow. I, Nichiren, am indebted solely to my late teacher, Dozen-bo, for my having become the votary of the Lotus Sutra and my being widely talked about now, in both a good and bad sense. Nichiren is like the plant, and my teacher, the earth.

 

The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, page 909

Flowering and Bearing Grain 

Written to Joken-bo and Gijo-bo in April 1278  

 

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Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda

Thursday, March 22, 2012

 

Life is full of unexpected suffering. Even so, as Eleanor Roosevelt said: "If you can live through that [a difficult situation] you can live through anything. You gain strength, courage and confidence by every experience in which you really stop to look fear in the face. You are able to say to yourself, "I lived through this horror. I can take the next thing that comes along." That's exactly right. Struggling against great difficulty enables us to develop ourselves tremendously. We can call forth and manifest those abilities lying dormant within us. Difficulty can be a source of dynamic growth and positive progress.  

 

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Daisaku Ikeda - A Youthful Diary (1954) p.191

 

My oldest son, Hiromasa, is becoming quite a raucous child.  What destiny awaits him?  Can only pray he becomes a healthy, upstanding individual, a man of pure faith, a believer in the Daishonin's Buddhism.

 

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Sensei's Daily Encouragement - 21 March 2012 - The Year of Developing a Youthful SGI

Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda

Wednesday, March 21, 2012

 

Why is it that sometimes our prayers seem to not be answered? This is a manifestation of the Buddha's wisdom - so that we can deepen our prayers, become stronger people, live more profound lives and secure deeper, more lasting good fortune. If our slightest prayer were answered immediately, we'd become lazy and degenerate. And we couldn't hope to build a life of great dignity and substance.

 

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From The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin

Wednesday, March 21, 2012

 

Now in the Latter Day of the Law, any person whether wise or ignorant, priest or lay believer or of high or low position who embraces Myoho-renge-kyo and practices it in accordance with the Buddha's teaching cannot fail to gain the fruit of Buddhahood.

 

The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, page 482

The Teaching, Practice, and Proof

Written to Sammi-bo on March 21, 1275

  

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Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda

Wednesday, March 21, 2012  

 

The function of fire is to burn and give light. The function of water is to wash away filth. The winds blow away dust and breathe life into plants, animals, and human beings. The earth produces the grasses and trees, and heaven provides nourishing moisture. The five characters of Myoho-renge-kyo are also like that. They are the cluster of blessings brought by the Bodhisattvas of the Earth, disciples of the Buddha in his true identity - Nichiren.

 

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Daisaku Ikeda - A Youthful Diary (1954) p.190

 

Sensei seemed busy with the transcript of his ten major lectures.  Disappointed that I could not speak with him for quite some time.  Can distinctly sense the power of his wondrous ability.

Must accomplish the following:

1. Support T. Chapter until the very end.

2. Help K. Chapter from the side.

3. Allow S. Chapter to grow and develop until it is the same as our chapter.

4. Make plans for the youth division to advance several more steps.

Must always arrange things in my mind, then put them into practice.

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Sensei's Daily Encouragement - 20 March 2012 - The Year of Developing a Youthful SGI

Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda

Tuesday, March 20, 2012  

 

There may be times when life seems gloomy and dull. When we feel stuck in some situation or other, when we are negative toward everything, when we feel lost and bewildered, not sure which way to turn - at such times we must transform our passive mind-set and determine, "I will proceed along this path," "I will pursue my mission today."  When we do so a genuine springtime arrives in our hearts and flowers start to blossom.

 

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From The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin

Tuesday, March 20, 2012  

 

It is impossible to fathom one's karma. Iron, when heated in the flames and pounded, becomes a fine sword. Worthies and sages are tested by abuse. My present exile is not because of any secular crime. It is solely so that I may expiate in this lifetime my past grave offenses and be freed in the next from the three evil paths.

 

The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, page 303 

Letter from Sado 

Written to Toki Jonin on March 20, 1272 

 

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Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda

Tuesday, March 20, 2012  

 

Buddhism aims to make people free in the most profound sense, its purpose is not to restrict or constrain. Buddhist prayer is a right, not an obligation. Because Buddhism entails practice, tenacious efforts are required, but these are all for your own sake. If you want to have great benefits or to develop a profound state of life, you should exert yourself accordingly. 

 

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Daisaku Ikeda - A Youthful Diary (1954) p.190

 

Good and evil, right and wrong, theory and practice, reason and emotion, material and spiritual, present and future; power, position, authority; the people.  Many ideas come and go.  From day to day, I sometimes feel I am being drawn into a muddy swamp.  Other times, I feel I am soaring in the sky.  The human mind is a mysterious thing, never stopping, even for a moment.  I wonder what dire circumstances my life would be in by now if I did not have faith or a mentor in life.  A frightening prospect.

 

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Sensei's Daily Encouragement - 19 March 2012 - The Year of Developing a Youthful SGI

Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda

Monday, March 19, 2012  

 

By devoting ourselves earnestly to SGI activities, we gain the ability to turn all difficulties and obstacles into benefit, recognizing that earthly desires and delusions are enlightenment and that the sufferings of birth and death are nirvana. No matter how unpleasant the circumstances we find ourselves in, we can transform them into hope and good fortune - into eternal happiness. How incredible this is!  

 

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From The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin

Monday, March 19, 2012

 

Although I and my disciples may encounter various difficulties, if we do not harbor doubts in our hearts, we will as a matter of course attain Buddhahood. Do not have doubts simply because heaven does no lend you protection. Do no be discouraged because you do not enjoy an easy and secure existence in this life. This is what I have taught my disciples morning and evening, and yet they begin to harbour doubts and abandon their faith.

 

The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, page 283

The Opening of the Eyes

Written to Shijo Kingo in February 1272  

 

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Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda

Monday, March 19, 2012

 

There are many elements involved in a prayer being answered, but the important thing is to keep praying until it is. By continuing to pray, you can reflect on yourself with unflinching honesty and begin to move your life in a positive direction on the path of earnest, steady effort. Even if your prayer doesn't produce concrete results immediately, your continual prayer will at some time manifest itself in a form greater than you had ever hoped.   

 

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Daisaku Ikeda - A Youthful Diary (1954) p.189

 

Visited Sensei's home in the evening for summer season greetings.  Imposed on them until late in the evening.  They fed me well - feel ashamed.  Mrs Toda taught me something about women's kimonos, cooking, important things women must be aware of and other subjects.  Left for home a little before midnight.

 

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Sensei's Daily Encouragement - 18 March 2012 - The Year of Developing a Youthful SGI

Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda

Sunday, March 18, 2012

 

Let us do our utmost to sustain the wonderfully warm atmosphere of the SGI - an atmosphere where members feel free to discuss whatever is on their minds. Unless we do so, our organization will stop growing, stop developing. The SGI is a world of humanity - of the heart, of faith, of compassion. It is a world of unity and mutual inspiration. That is why it is strong. If we continue to value and promote these qualities, the SGI will continue to grow and develop forever. I want to declare here and now the atmosphere where we can discuss anything is fundamental to the SGI.

 

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From The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin

Sunday, March 18, 2012

 

Regard your service to your lord as the practice of the Lotus Sutra. This is what is meant by "No worldly affairs of life or work are ever contrary to the true reality." I hope you will deeply consider the meaning of this passage.

 

The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, page 905

Reply to a Believer 

Written to Shijo Kingo on april 11, 1278

 

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Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda

Sunday, March 18, 2012

 

Happiness doesn't exist on the far side of distant mountains. It is within you, yourself. Not you, however, sitting in idle passivity. It is to be found in the vibrant dynamism of your own life as you struggle to challenge and overcome one obstacle after another, as you clamber up a perilous ridge in pursuit of that which lies beyond.

 

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Daisaku Ikeda - A Youthful Diary (1954) p.188/9

 

7:00 - to Tsurumi Chapter to lecture on "The Opening of the Eyes".  Put my whole life into it.  Returning home, thought of how sorry I will feel for the members who come to my lectures if I do not grow more.  True ability.  Must always nurture and strive to develop my true ability.

 

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Sensei's Daily Encouragement - 17 March 2012 - The Year of Developing a Youthful SGI

Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda

Saturday, March 17, 2012

 

You mustn't allow yourselves to grow old before your time. Please live with a youthful spirit. That is what Buddhism teaches us to do and it is how life ought to be lived. If you make a commitment to work for the sake of others, you will be rejuvenated. If you devote your life to helping others, you'll stay young. The power of Nam-myoho-renge-kyo guarantees that.

 

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From The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin

Saturday, March 17, 2012

 

Strengthen your faith day by day and month after month. Should you slacken in your resolve even a bit, devils will take advantage.

 

The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, page 997

On Persecutions Befalling the Sage

Written to all followers (and entrusted to Shijo Kingo) on October 1, 1279

 

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Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda

Saturday, March 17, 2012

 

Buddhism teaches that life at each moment embraces all phenomena. This is the doctrine of a life-moment possessing three thousand realms, which is the Lotus Sutra's ultimate teaching and Buddhism's essence. Because of the profound way our lives interact with people around us, it is vital that we reach out to others, that we be engaged with our environment and with our local community. A self-absorbed practice or theory without action is definitely not Buddhism.

 

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Daisaku Ikeda - A Youthful Diary (1954) p.188

 

Cool all day.  Reflected on the ultimate importance of making daily efforts to build a foundation.  A Tokyo native must not be impatient.  Must train myself to be more composed and to develop the power of patience.

Went to a used bookstore in Kanda this evening.  The book I wanted was too expensive; disappointed that I could not buy it.  Bought seven books in all. 

 

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Sensei's Daily Encouragement - 16 March 2012 - The Year of Developing a Youthful SGI

Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda

Friday, March 16, 2012

 

March 16, Kosen-Rufu Day. The spirit of this day lies not in magnificent ceremonies or high-sounding words. It lies in being victorious. That is the most crucial thing in all endeavours. In life and in Kosen-Rufu, we either win or lose. I would like you to be absolute victors in both. No matter what excuses we try to make, giving in to defeat brings misery and loses us the respect of others. I hope each of you without exception will adorn your life with indestructible triumph.

 

Events: Kosen-Rufu Day.

1958 More than 6,000 youth attend a ceremony at the head temple where President Josei Toda passes responsibility for the spread of the Daishonin's Buddhism to all youth division members.

 

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From The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin

Friday, March 16, 2012

 

Now, at the beginning of the Latter Day of the Law, I, Nichiren, am the first to set out on propagating, throughout Jambudvipa, the five characters of Myoho-renge-kyo, which are the heart of the Lotus Sutra and the eye of all Buddhas. These five characters are the heart of the Lotus Sutra and the source of the enlightenment of all Buddhas.

 

The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, page 764

The Actions of the Votary of the Lotus Sutra

Written to the lay nun Konichi in 1276

 

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Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda

Friday, March 16, 2012

 

There is no other course for us but to entrust everything to the youth. This holds true for families, businesses and countries. Youth are vitally important to the world and the human race. The key to eternal development lies in fostering, encouraging and training youth who will lead the way to a new era.

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Daisaku Ikeda - A Youthful Diary (1954) p.188

 

In good physical condition.  Overjoyed.  As usual, talked with staff members all morning.  Seems that those who lead leisurely, uneventful lives become unhappy, while those who courageously challenge many waves of adversity find meaning in their lives...

My wife is three months pregnant.  Feeling my responsibility growing heavier each day.  As a man of responsibility, I will courageously fight to open the way, no matter what hardships I may face, for my wife and for my children.

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