Sensei's Daily Encouragement - November 24 2022 - The year of Youth and Dynamic Progress



    

Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda
November 24, 2022

Rosa Parks wrote in her book Quiet Strength: "I find that if I am thinking too much of my own problems and the fact that at times things are not just like I want them to be, I do not make any progress at all. But if I look around and see what I can do, and then I do it, I move on." Youth, and indeed life itself, flashes by in the blink of an eye. That is why it is important for you young people to ask yourselves what you can do for those who are suffering, what you can do to resolve the contradictions that plague society and to boldly take on these great challenges.
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From the Writings of Nichiren Daishonin
November 24, 2022

A person of wisdom is one who, understanding the time, spreads the teachings of the Lotus Sutra accordingly; this is his most important task. If a person's throat is dry, what he needs is water; he has no use for bows and arrows, weapons and sticks. If a person is naked, he wants a suit of clothes but has no need for water. From one or two examples you can guess the principle that applies in general.

The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, page 518
Letter to Horen
Written to Soya Kyoshin in April 1275
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Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda
November 24, 2022

There is no one lonelier or more unhappy than a person who does not know the pure joy of creating a life for himself or herself. To be human is not merely to stand erect and manifest intelligence or knowledge. To be human in the full sense of the word is to lead a creative life. The struggle to create new life from within is a truly wonderful thing. There is found the brilliant wisdom that guides and directs the workings of reason; the light of insight that penetrates the farthest reaches of the universe; the undaunted will to see justice done that meets and challenges all the assaults of evil; the spirit of unbounded care that embraces all who suffer. When these are fused with that energy of compassion that pours forth from the deepest sources of cosmic life, an ecstatic rhythm arises to colour the lives of all people.
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Excerpt from Daisaku Ikeda - A Youthful Diary (12 December 1956) p.310

Felt empty this morning. Today I must bid my father a final farewell. Will it be an eternal separation? Or, as the sutra phrase hoben gen nehan indicates, is death simply an expedient? This is a crucial point for one who studies Buddhism.
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Sensei's Daily Encouragement - November 23 2022 - The year of Youth and Dynamic Progress



    

Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda
November 23, 2022

If I were to make an allegory, thought and philosophy would be like the heart or respiratory system of the human body. When the heart is sound, the whole body can maintain healthy activity. This same principle applies to both the individual and society. The SGI has a mission to serve as the heart that ensures the healthy functioning of society. Consequently, taking good care of the SGI, (the heart) allows the fresh life-giving blood of humanism to flow to and nourish all areas of society, including culture, politics and the economy.
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From the Writings of Nichiren Daishonin
November 23, 2022

You absolutely must not lament over my exile. It says in the "Encouraging Devotion" chapter and in the "Never Disparaging" chapter [that the votary of the Lotus Sutra will meet with persecution]. Life is limited; we must not begrudge it. What we should ultimately aspire to is the Buddha land.

The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, page 214
Aspiration for the Buddha Land
Written to Toki Jonin on November 23, 1271
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Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda
November 23, 2022

The purpose of Buddhism is to bring out the Buddha nature that all people inherently possess, to awaken people to it and enable them to attain Buddhahood. Moreover, the Lotus Sutra does not allow for any discrimination; all people are equally entitled to salvation.
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Excerpt from Daisaku Ikeda - A Youthful Diary (11 December 1956) p.310
 
My mother wept openly. She has traveled the last fifty years of her journey of life with my father. No one can possibly understand my mother's feeling or state of mind. It has been a long, happy and difficult journey. My mother's tears of genuine love transcend everything – intellect, status, affluence or vanity. Ah, my simple, yet extraordinary mother and father. The sorrow of being separated from a loved one. Nam-myoho-renge-kyo
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Sensei's Daily Encouragement - November 22 2022 - The year of Youth and Dynamic Progress



    

Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda
 November 22, 2022

There is a Russian proverb that says: "It is no use to blame the looking glass if your face is awry." Likewise, one's happiness or unhappiness is entirely the reflection of the balance of good and bad causes accumulated in one's life. No one can blame others for his misfortunes. In the world of faith, it is necessary to realize this all the more clearly.
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From the Writings of Nichiren Daishonin
 November 22, 2022

But now you, born a woman in the evil world of the latter age, while being reviled, struck and persecuted by the barbaric inhabitants of this island country who are unaware of these things, have endured and are propagating the Lotus Sutra. The Buddha at Eagle Peak surely perceives that you surpass the nun [Mahaprajapate] as greatly as clouds do mud. The name of that nun, the Buddha Gladly Seen by All Living Beings, is no unrelated matter; it is now the name of the lay nun Myoho.

The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, page 1106
Reply to the Lay Nun Myoho
Written to the lay nun Myoho in 1281
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Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda
 November 22, 2022

Wisdom, not might, is the most important thing. Wisdom and compassion are deeply connected. Giving earnest thought to others' welfare, asking ourselves what can we do to help -- using our minds in this way is a sign of compassion.
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Excerpt from Daisaku Ikeda - A Youthful Diary (11 December 1956) p.310

Slept at my parents' house for the first time in ten years. A dozen or so people – my brothers and their families – stayed over as well. Keenly sense that I must now stop by the house from time to time. The past cannot be helped. But from now on, I must.

In the morning, chanted daimoku for three hours to the small portable Gohonzon before my father's body. In this way I believe, I could fulfill my ultimate filial duty.
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Sensei's Daily Encouragement - November 21 2022 - The year of Youth and Dynamic Progress



    

Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda
November 21, 2022

If you practice faith while doubting its effects, you will get results that are at best unsatisfactory. This is the reflection of your own weak faith on the mirror of the cosmos. On the other hand, when you stand up with strong confidence, you will accrue limitless blessings.
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From the Writings of Nichiren Daishonin
November 21, 2022

There is definitely something extraordinary in the ebb and flow of the tide, the rising and setting of the moon, and the way in which summer, autumn, winter and spring give way to each other. Something uncommon also occurs when an ordinary person attains Buddhahood. At such a time, the three obstacles and four devils will invariably appear, and the wise will rejoice while the foolish will retreat.

The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, page 637
The Three Obstacles and Four Devils
Written to Ikegami Hyoe no Sakan Munenga on November 20, 1277
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Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda
November 21, 2022

Everyone born in this world has a unique role that only he or she can fulfill. Were this not the case, we would not be here. The universe never acts without cause; everything invariably has a reason for being. Even the weeds people love to loathe serve a purpose.
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Excerpt from Daisaku Ikeda - A Youthful Diary (10 December 1956) p.309

On December 10, at 8:30 in the evening, my father died. He lived to sixty-eight. The cause of death – heart failure. Heard he died while everyone was watching television. My stern, kind father – the one who raised me – has died. Ah, I regret never being a truly filial son. I am twenty-eight.

My venerable, honest father. My old-fashioned, sincere and magnanimous father. Recall how he always watched quietly, never scolding me, not even once. Ah, as his body lay quietly and peacefully before me, I set out my small, portable Gohonzon, reciting the sutra and chanting daimoku, offering him my prayers for one hour.
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Sensei's Daily Encouragement - November 20 2022 - The year of Youth and Dynamic Progress



    

 Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda
November 20, 2022

What is the purpose of life? It is happiness. But here are two kinds of happiness: relative and absolute. Relative happiness comes in a wide variety of forms. The purpose of Buddhism is to attain Buddhahood. In modern terms, this could be explained as realizing absolute happiness - a state of happiness that can never be destroyed or defeated.
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From the Writings of Nichiren Daishonin
November 20, 2022

You should not have the slightest fear in your heart. It is lack of courage that prevents one from attaining Buddhahood, although one may have professed faith in the Lotus Sutra many times since innumerable kalpas ago.

The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, page 637
The Three Obstacles and Four Devils
Written to Ikegami Hyoe no Sakan Munenga on November 20, 1277
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Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda
November 20, 2022

Many things happen in life. There are joyous days and times of suffering. Sometimes unpleasant things occur. But that's what makes life so interesting. The dramas we encounter are part and parcel of being human. If we experienced no change or drama in our lives, if nothing unexpected ever happened, we would merely be like automatons, our lives unbearably monotonous and dull. Therefore, please develop a strong self so that you can enact the drama of your life with confidence and poise in the face of whatever vicissitudes you may encounter.
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Excerpt from Daisaku Ikeda - A Youthful Diary (09 December 1956) p.309

Got up a little before 6:00 – pilgrimage. Mentally and physically exhausted; woke up just in time. Arrived at the head temple just after 11:00…

The light rain gave way to weather that was almost too good to be true. Chanted before the Dai-Gohonzon at 2:00. Gongyo was excruciatingly difficult, but afterward it was as if a dark cloud in my heart had lifted to reveal a clear state of life.
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Sensei's Daily Encouragement - November 19 2022 - The year of Youth and Dynamic Progress



    

Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda
November 19, 2022

The innate power of humanity is the driving force that breaks down all barriers of discrimination. The ultimate expression of this humanity is Buddhahood; it is the power of the Mystic Law. Daimoku is therefore the fundamental energy for realizing victory in the struggle for human rights.
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From the Writings of Nichiren Daishonin
November 19, 2022

In this age, it is as natural for a woman to change her fixed karma by practicing the Lotus Sutra as it is for rice to ripen in fall or chrysanthemums to bloom in winter. When I prayed for my mother, not only was her illness cured, but her life was prolonged by four years. Now you too have fallen ill, and as a woman, it is all the more timely for you to establish steadfast faith in the Lotus Sutra and see what it will do for you.

The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, page 955
On Prolonging One's Life Span
Written to the lay nun Myojo in 1279
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Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda
November 19, 2022

To be concerned only with one's own happiness is egoism. To claim you care only about the happiness of others is hypocrisy. Genuine happiness is becoming happy together with others. Josei Toda said: "Just becoming happy oneself -- there's nothing difficult to that. It's easy. Helping others become happy is the foundation of our faith."
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Excerpt from Daisaku Ikeda - A Youthful Diary (07 December 1956) p.308

Not feeling well all day. Deplore my frail health. It's miserable, sad. How will I accomplish anything great in the future with this health? At what age am I destined to die?

If the principle that 'the ultimate reality of an individual's life pervades the entire universe' is true, then it should be possible to reform my life, including its physical aspect, through determined faith.
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Sensei's Daily Encouragement - November 18 2022 - The year of Youth and Dynamic Progress



    

Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda
November 18, 2022

The Soka Gakkai's goal is kosen-rufu -- realizing human happiness and world peace by widely spreading the philosophy and ideals of Nichiren Daishonin's Buddhism. We will continue to strive earnestly for this goal, undaunted by criticism, slander or malicious attempts to hinder our progress. That is because what we are doing is the will and decree of the original Buddha, Nichiren Daishonin. I proclaim that all who energetically exert themselves for the cause of kosen-rufu are genuine disciples of the Daishonin and genuine members of the SGI.

Events
Soka Gakkai Founding Day
1930 Soka Gakkai is established.
1944 Tsunesaburo Makiguchi, the Soka Gakkai's first president, dies in prison.
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From the Writings of Nichiren Daishonin
November 18, 2022

How long does a lifetime last? If one stops to consider, it is like a single night's lodging at a wayside inn. Should one forget that fact and seek some measure of worldly fame and profit? Though you may gain them, they will be mere prosperity in a dream, a delight scarcely to be prized. You would do better simply to leave such matters to the karma formed in your previous existences.

The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, page 63
Questions and Answers about Embracing the Lotus Sutra
Recipient unknown; written in March 1263
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Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda
November 18, 2022

If you want to build a happy life, you have to give careful thought to the foundations. Happiness certainly cannot be secured on appearances or affectation. Happiness comes down to the inner state of our life at a given moment.
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Excerpt from Daisaku Ikeda - A Youthful Diary (04 December 1956) p.306/307

The father states, "Arrogant people do not last long," to which the son replies with a smile, "People who are not arrogant do not last long either."

I value these words as well.
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Talked informally with youth division staff members in conference room #1 at the headquarters. Went home feeling desolate. People are all conceited, wrapped up only in themselves.
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