The challenge.

Buddhism Day by Day

Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda
Friday, January 11, 2013:

 

One tragedy of our times is the willingness of realists, in spite of impending crises, to criticize and obstruct people who expend their energy toward finding solutions. Their judgments, however, are superficial and conventional, and their attitude distances them from the essential quality of reality-change. Often the wisest realists cannot escape this trap. The challenge, then, is to create a new kind of reality that offers hope for changing the world.

The role of leaders is important

For Today and Tomorrow

Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda
Friday, January 11, 2013:

 

The role of leaders is important. Everything is determined by the leaders behavior. There is a passage in The Romance of the Three Kingdoms that says only those who possess genuine wisdom and virtue win the highest regard from people. It all comes down to you. You have to polish and develop yourselves. Should there be a leader or leaders in faith whom you do not like, all you have to do is determine not to become like them. All you have to do is decide that you will become leaders who will make everyone feel comfortable and at ease.

Bringing fragrant flowers of trust and humanism to bloom throughout society is one of the goals of Buddhism.

For Today and Tomorrow

 

Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda
Thursday, January 10, 2013:

 

Buddhism is reason. It is vital therefore, that our lives and our activities in society also accord with reason. Please manifest the principle of "faith equals daily life," so that you will be trusted, respected and emulated by others. Bringing fragrant flowers of trust and humanism to bloom throughout society is one of the goals of Buddhism. To do things that others find strange and unnatural, that run counter to common sense—such actions go against the basic tenets of Buddhism and amount to slander of the Law.

Peace can be won only through peaceful means.

Buddhism Day by Day

Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda
Wednesday, January 9, 2013:

 

The peace we seek cannot be brought about through a struggle for dominance in military or economic power. It can be won only through peaceful means. Peace built on the unhappiness and sacrifice of others is a meaningless sham. What's needed is to create a world in which people of all races and nations can enjoy peace and happiness.

The real benefit of the Mystic Law is inconspicuous.

For Today and Tomorrow

 

Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda
Wednesday, January 9, 2013:

 

The real benefit of the Mystic Law is inconspicuous. Just as trees grow taller and stronger year after year, adding growth rings that are imperceptible to the human eye, we too will grow toward a victorious existence. For this reason it is important that we lead tenacious and balanced lives based on faith.

Wisdom according to the Lotus Sutra.

Buddhism Day by Day

Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda
Tuesday, January 8, 2013:

 

Wisdom, in the Lotus Sutra, does not simply mean being smart; it is far more profound. Essentially, it is to have an excellent "heart." Wisdom signifies humanity and force of character borne of strength, breadth and profundity of spirit. Nichiren says, "The wise may be called human." He also explains that one who perseveres in following a correct way of life, unswayed by praise and censure, is truly wise.

If we just chant without doing any work we cannot succeed in our jobs.

For Today and Tomorrow

Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda
Tuesday, January 8, 2013:

 

Prayer is the foundation. But at the same time if we fail to make concrete efforts, no matter how much daimoku we chant, our prayers will not be answered. Buddhism is reason. If we just chant without doing any work we cannot succeed in our jobs.

Hand in hand

Buddhism Day by Day

Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda
Monday, January 7, 2013:

 

Hand in hand with (and inseparable from) our personal awakening, the aim of Buddhist practice is to establish a truly peaceful society based on the empowerment of all individuals, a true state of equality and justice grounded in respect for the Buddha nature inherent in everyone.

We cannot plant a seed today and expect it to bear fruit tomorrow.

For Today and Tomorrow

Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda
Monday, January 7, 2013:

 

When we plant the seed of happiness that is faith and carefully tend its growth, it will produce fruit without fail. We have to bear in mind, however, that we cannot plant a seed today and expect it to bear fruit tomorrow. That's not reasonable and Buddhism is reason. If we persevere in the practice of "faith equals daily life" in accord with reason, then our prayers will definitely be answered. This is Nichiren Daishonin's promise to us. And his words are true beyond any doubt.

A poor man who spends night and day counting his neighbor's wealth but gains not even half a coin.

Buddhism Day by Day

Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda
Sunday, January 6, 2013:

 

You must never think that any of the eighty thousand sacred teachings of Shakyamuni Buddha's lifetime or any of the Buddhas and bodhisattvas of the ten directions and three existences are outside yourself. Your practice of the Buddhist teachings will not relieve you of the sufferings of birth and death in the least unless you perceive the true nature of your life. If you seek enlightenment outside yourself, then your performing even ten thousand practices and ten thousand good deeds will be in vain. It is like the case of a poor man who spends night and day counting his neighbor's wealth but gains not even half a coin. -Nichiren

The purpose of Nichiren Daishonin's Buddhism is to enable us to realize victory

For Today and Tomorrow

Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda
Sunday, January 6, 2013:

 

We practice this Buddhism to make our prayers and dreams come true and to achieve the greatest possible happiness. The purpose of Nichiren Daishonin's Buddhism is to enable us to realize victory. The fact that our prayers are answered proves the correctness of this teaching.

Buddhism is like the body, and society like the shadow.

Buddhism Day by Day

Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda
Saturday, January 5, 2013:

 

One of the epithets of a Buddha is, "Hero of the World." A Buddha is a valiant and noble champion who has conquered the sufferings of life in the real world. Nichiren writes: "Buddhism is like the body, and society like the shadow. When the body bends, so does the shadow." People cannot live apart from society. But to be constantly at the mercy of society's ups and downs is a miserable existence. It is crucial for us to be strong and wise. The "body" Nichiren refers to is, on the personal level, our faith.

Faith is light.

For Today and Tomorrow

Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda
Saturday, January 5, 2013:

 

Faith is light. The hearts of those with strong faith are filled with light. A radiance envelops their lives. People with unshakable conviction in faith enjoy a happiness that is as luminous as the full moon on a dark night, as dazzling as the sun on a clear day.

The essential teaching of Buddhism.

Buddhism Day by Day

 

Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda
Friday, January 4, 2013:

 

The essential teaching of Buddhism is that the life of the Buddha resides in every plant and tree, even in the smallest dust mote. It's a philosophy founded on a profound reverence for life.

Life is a series of changes, a succession of ups and downs

For Today and Tomorrow

Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda
Friday, January 4, 2013:

 

Life is a series of changes, a succession of ups and downs. But those who possess a prime point, a home to which they can return no matter what happens, are strong. To come home to the world of friendship in the SGI, to talk things over and prepare for a fresh departure—this is the way I hope all of you will live. When you do, you will advance upon a fundamentally unerring path to happiness.

Buddhas are Buddhas precisely because they continually ponder and take action to help others resolve their worries.

Buddhism Day by Day

Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda
Thursday, January 3, 2013:

 

There simply are no Buddhas who spend all their time sitting in meditation. Buddhas are Buddhas precisely because they continually ponder and take action to help others resolve their worries.

Great character is forged through hardships

For Today and Tomorrow

Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda
Thursday, January 3, 2013:

 

Eiji Yoshikawa (1892-1962), the renowned Japanese author of many epic historic novels, asserted, "Great character is forged through hardships." Surviving a life of hardships and difficulties, of stormy ups and downs, is what produces a person of great depth and character. True happiness is also found in such an unshakable state of life.

Nichiren Daishonin's undying spirit.

For Today and Tomorrow

Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda
Wednesday, January 2, 2013:

 

The people are most important and noble. President Toda was firmly convinced of this point. And I have advanced with the same spirit. This is also Nichiren Daishonin's undying spirit. Please always treasure and protect this organization of the people that is the SGI.

What is attaining enlightenment?

Buddhism Day by Day

 

Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda
Wednesday, January 2, 2013:

 

In Nichiren Buddhism, attaining enlightenment is not about embarking on some inconceivably long journey to become a resplendent, godlike Buddha; it is about accomplishing a transformation in the depths of one's being. In other words, it is not a matter of practicing in order to scale the highest summit of enlightenment at some point in the distant future. Rather, it is a constant, moment-to-moment, inner struggle between revealing our innate Dharma nature or allowing ourselves to be ruled by our fundamental darkness and delusion.

A tarnished mirror that will shine like a jewel when polished

Buddhism Day by Day

Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda
Tuesday, January 1, 2013:

 

If the minds of living beings are impure, their land is also impure, but if their minds are pure, so is their land. There are not two lands, pure or impure in themselves. The difference lies solely in the good or evil of our minds. It is the same with a Buddha and an ordinary being. While deluded, one is called an ordinary being, but when enlightened, one is called a Buddha. This is similar to a tarnished mirror that will shine like a jewel when polished. -Nichiren