Sensei's Daily Encouragement - 21 May 2016 - ‘The Year of Expansion in the New Era of Worldwide Kosen Rufu’

Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda

Saturday, May 21, 2016

 

We must live with vibrant hope. Nothing is stronger than hope. The Mystic Law is itself eternal hope. Happiness belongs to those who never despair, no matter what happens.

 

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From the Writings of Nichiren Daishonin

Saturday, May 21, 2016

 

If the nation is destroyed and people's homes are wiped out, then where can one flee for safety? If you care anything about your personal security, you should first of all pray for order and tranquillity throughout the four quarters of the land, should you not?"

 

The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, page 24

On Establishing the Correct Teaching for the Peace of the Land

Submitted to Hojo Tokiyori on July 16, 1260

 

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Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda

Saturday, May 21, 2016

 

The best way to attain Buddhahood is to encounter a good friend. How far can our own wisdom take us? If we have even enough wisdom to distinguish hot from cold, we should seek out a good friend. But encountering a good friend is the hardest possible thing to do. For this reason, the Buddha likened it to the rarity of a one-eyed turtle finding a floating log with a hollow in it the right size to hold him, or to the difficulty of trying to lower a thread from the Brahma heaven and pass it through the eye of a needle on the earth - Nichiren

 

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Excerpt from Daisaku Ikeda - A Youthful Diary (22 December 1953) p.150

 

The morning lecture has progressed from law, to politics, to economics, to science, to Chinese literature. How can I ever repay my debt of gratitude to my mentor, who has striven to raise this disciple without regard even for his own health? Now is the time to accumulate my power and ability. Must develop my capability in preparation for the time to come.

 

Sensei's Daily Encouragement - 20 May 2016 - ‘The Year of Expansion in the New Era of Worldwide Kosen Rufu’

Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda

 Friday, May 20, 2016

 

We mustn't be afraid of anything. It is important to remain firm to our convictions. There is a great deal of scheming and duplicity in the world. It is foolish to allow ourselves to be swayed by such things; it only leads to unhappiness. The Mystic Law and Nichiren Daishonin are absolutely free of any falsehood. Therefore, to dedicate our lives to kosen-rufu is to lead the wisest possible existence.

 

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From the Writings of Nichiren Daishonin

 Friday, May 20, 2016

 

Both of you were born as commoners and live in Kamakura, yet you believe in the Lotus Sutra without concern for the prying eyes of others or the danger it may pose to your lives. This is nothing short of extraordinary.

 

The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, page 315

The Gods Same Birth and Same Name

Written to Nichigen-nyo in April 1272

 

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Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda

 Friday, May 20, 2016

 

The Lotus Sutra has the drama of fighting for justice against evil. It has a warmth that comforts the weary. It has a vibrant, pulsing courage that drives away fear. It has a chorus of joy at attaining absolute freedom throughout past, present and future. It has the soaring flight of liberty. It has brilliant light, flowers, greenery, music, paintings, vivid stories. It offers unsurpassed lessons on psychology, the workings of the human heart; lessons on life; lessons on happiness; and lessons on peace. It maps out the basic rules for good health. It awakens us to the universal truth that a change in one's heart can transform everything.

 

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Excerpt from Daisaku Ikeda - A Youthful Diary (04 November 1953) p.150

 

Returning home from a lecture in Toshima, I stopped at the chapter chief's house. Deeply appreciate his family, which welcomes me brightly any time I stop by. Worked out various plans with my chapter chief. In the future, this family's fortune will rise as high as a mountain.

 

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Sensei's Daily Encouragement - 19 May 2016 - ‘The Year of Expansion in the New Era of Worldwide Kosen Rufu’

Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda

Thursday, May 19, 2016

 

From the standpoint of the eternity of our lives, because we embrace the Mystic Law everything is moving in a positive direction, everything contributes to our happiness and our attainment of Buddhahood. We need to have confidence in the Mystic Law; we mustn't be swayed by immediate circumstances or allow them to cloud our faith.

 

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From the Writings of Nichiren Daishonin

Thursday, May 19, 2016

 

Life is the foremost of all treasures. It is expounded that even the treasures of the entire major world system cannot equal the value of one's body and life. Even the treasures that fill the major world system are no substitute for life.

 

The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, page 1125

The Gift of Rice

Recipient and date unknown

 

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Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda

Thursday, May 19, 2016

 

Nichiren was utterly convinced we could change even the most dire and painful reality, including the danger of war, and, indeed, that it was imperative we do so. This conviction underlies his unwavering determination to create a peaceful society by widely disseminating the teachings of Buddhism.

 

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Excerpt from Daisaku Ikeda - A Youthful Diary (04 November 1953) p.149/50

 

Feeling bad, physically and spiritually. Having sad thoughts, as if my life were about to end.

Twenty-five years along this journey of life.

Will I fall now?

It seems like Mr. Toda's physical condition has gradually gotten worse.

Sensei! Please persevere!

I, too, will strive determinedly.

 

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Sensei's Daily Encouragement - 18 May 2016 - ‘The Year of Expansion in the New Era of Worldwide Kosen Rufu’

Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda

Wednesday, May 18, 2016

 

Those who have experienced great suffering must win in life and become happy. If you're always losing and miserable, then you are not practicing the Daishonin's Buddhism correctly. You are not following the true path in life. Buddhism teaches the means by which the sad can become happy and the happy become happier still. That is the reason for our practice.

 

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From the Writings of Nichiren Daishonin

Wednesday, May 18, 2016

 

What we call faith is nothing unusual. Faith means putting one's trust in the Lotus Sutra, Shakyamuni, Many Treasures, the Buddhas and bodhisattvas of the ten directions, and the heavenly gods and benevolent deities, and chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo as a woman cherishes her husband, as a man lays down his life for his wife, as parents refuse to abandon their children, or as a child refuses to leave its mother.

 

The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, page 1036

The Meaning of Faith

Written to the lay nun Myoichi on May 18, 1280

 

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Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda

Wednesday, May 18, 2016

 

Nichiren Buddhism is concerned with a very practical problem - how people should live their lives - and never for an instant allows its attention to be diverted from that problem. And because this is its purpose, it demands as a first step that one conduct a thorough and fearless examination into the true nature of human life.

 

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Excerpt from Daisaku Ikeda - A Youthful Diary (22 October 1953) p.149

 

I, too, have reached a stage where I must move with a fresh determination and awareness. Must not revert to my shallow way of thinking from when I was single. I must now proceed responsibly in everything I do.

Ultimately, I must advance, step by step, with faith as my basis never yielding or losing sight of my goal.

 

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Sensei's Daily Encouragement - 17 May 2016 - ‘The Year of Expansion in the New Era of Worldwide Kosen Rufu’

Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda

Tuesday, May 17, 2016

 

"Don't be dependent on anyone," this is my sentiment. We each have to strengthen and develop ourselves through our own efforts. We must never surrender to any foe or difficulty. We must be fearless. This is the true spirit of self-reliance.

 

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From the Writings of Nichiren Daishonin

Tuesday, May 17, 2016

 

The sutra states: "If one [of these good men or women in the time after I have passed into extinction] is able to secretly expound the Lotus Sutra to one person, even one phrase of it, then you should know that he or she is the envoy of the Thus Come One. He has been dispatched by the Thus Come One and carries out the Thus Come One's work." Who else but us can this possibly refer to?"

 

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

Tuesday, May 17, 2016

 

Wisdom is rooted in the souls of human beings. The way to acquire it is to follow the simple advice of Socrates: "Know thyself." This is the starting point for the establishment of a sense of human dignity, preventing the degradation of human beings into anonymous, interchangeable cogs in a machine. The essence of true knowledge is self-knowledge.

 

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Excerpt from Daisaku Ikeda - A Youthful Diary (22 October 1953) p.149

 

Y. has become a bit conceited. It's become necessary for him to receive strict guidance. If I act humbly toward him, he's all the more arrogant. I seem to be the only one who can scold him or guide him correctly.

 

Sensei's Daily Encouragement - 16 May 2016 - ‘The Year of Expansion in the New Era of Worldwide Kosen Rufu’

Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda

Monday, May 16, 2016

 

Day in and day out. Today and again tomorrow. Moving of one's own accord to take action, to meet with people and conduct dialogues. This is what Shakyamuni did. Herein lies the correct way of life for human beings and the path of true honour for a Buddhist. This is the rhythm of the SGI's advance - an advance founded upon the same principles practiced and espoused by Shakyamuni and the original Buddha, Nichiren Daishonin.

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From the Writings of Nichiren Daishonin

Monday, May 16, 2016

 

From a mundane view, I am the poorest person in Japan, but in light of Buddhism, I am the wealthiest person in all Jambudvipa. When I consider that this is all because the time is right, I am overwhelmed with joy and cannot restrain my tears.

 

The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, page 977

On Establishing the Four Bodhisattvas as the Object of Devotion

Written to Toki Jonin on May 17, 1279

 

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Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda

Monday, May 16, 2016

 

In a relationship, it is demeaning to constantly seek your partner's approval. Such relationships are bereft of real caring, depth or even love. For those of you who find yourselves in relationships where you are not treated the way your heart says you should be, I hope you will have the courage and dignity to decide that you are better off risking the scorn of your partner than enduring unhappiness with him or her.

 

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Excerpt from Daisaku Ikeda - A Youthful Diary (18 October 1953) p.148

 

Came home at 1:00. Fight, and the devil will retreat. Advance, and break through the clouds. Then the morning sun of Buddhahood will definitely appear.

 

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Sensei's Daily Encouragement - 15 May 2016 - ‘The Year of Expansion in the New Era of Worldwide Kosen Rufu’

Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda

Sunday, May 15, 2016

 

Ralph Waldo Emerson says, "Good-nature is plentiful, but we want justice with a heart of steel, to fight down the proud." If people are merely good-natured, then those who are arrogant and highhanded will have free rein to carry on as they please. Only those who fight with hearts of steel are people of justice.

 

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From the Writings of Nichiren Daishonin

Sunday, May 15, 2016

 

There are a few in this province of Kai who have expressed their desire to take faith. Yet I make it a rule not to permit them to join us unless they remain steadfast in their resolve. Some people, despite their shallow understanding, pretend staunch faith and speak contemptuously to their fellow believers, thus often disrupting the faith of others.

 

The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, page 800

The Workings of Brahma and Shakra

Written to Nanjo Tokimitsu on May 15, 1277

 

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Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda

Sunday, May 15, 2016

 

When water is clear, the moon is reflected. When the wind blows, the trees shake. Our minds are like the water. Faith that is weak is like muddy water, while faith that is brave is like clear water. Understand that the trees are like principles, and the wind that shakes them is like the recitation of the sutra. - Nichiren

 

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Excerpt from Daisaku Ikeda - A Youthful Diary (18 October 1953) p.148

 

A district chiefs meeting began at 5:00. Delighted to see everyone in high spirits. I just can't stop worrying about each of their living situations. But each face is aglow with benefit. They have really grown. They have truly fought along with me. I am forever indebted to them. Those faces, those people and their accomplishments will forever be illuminated by the light of the Mystic Law. I will never forget them.