The key to winning in life.

Buddhism Day by Day

Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda
Wednesday, July 10, 2013:

People's hearts are growing more complex, more confused and harder to understand. The same is true for human institutions. The darkness of this complicated and disturbed age may grow even deeper. This is why there is an even greater need for the brilliant inner light of culture, for education that polishes people's wisdom and character. This is the key to winning in life.

You cannot become a person of the highest caliber if you have a casual, easygoing attitude, thinking things will somehow just fall into place.

For Today and Tomorrow

Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda
Wednesday, July 10, 2013:

 

Beethoven is called a genius. But we need to be aware that his genius was based on incredibly strenuous effort. It all comes down to hard work, to tenacious efforts. You cannot become a person of the highest caliber if you have a casual, easygoing attitude, thinking things will somehow just fall into place. Accordingly, Beethoven's motto was "No day without a line." Every day without fail, he wrote music. He would not let even a single day pass without working assiduously. To continue every day—this is just like our practice of gongyo. Making persistent efforts each day is a source of tremendous strength.

When open and engaged, we are experiencing the greater self.

Buddhism Day by Day

Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda
Tuesday, July 9, 2013:

 

When open and engaged, we are experiencing the greater self. When closed off, we are putting forth our "lesser self." The lesser self is a deluded condition, while the greater self is synonymous with the Buddha nature. To live for the greater self means to recognize the universal principle behind all things and, thus awakened, rise above the suffering caused by awareness of impermanence. A belief in something eternal is needed to enhance our quality of existence. By believing this lifetime is the be-all and end-all of existence, we will miss out on living a truly profound life. When our viewpoint expands beyond the boundaries of our present existence to include the entire, eternal universe, we can live deeply fulfilling lives.

As long as we uphold the Mystic Law throughout our lives, we can break through any impasse and surmount any obstacle.

For Today and Tomorrow

Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda
Tuesday, July 9, 2013:

 

Even in times of hardship, the important thing is for each of us to determine that we are the star, protagonist and hero of our lives and keep moving forward. Putting ourselves down and shrinking back from the obstacles looming before us spell certain defeat. Through making ourselves strong and developing our state of life, we can definitely find a way through. As long as we uphold the Mystic Law throughout our lives, we can break through any impasse and surmount any obstacle. We will also be able to lead all those who are suffering to happiness.

Battling against life's negative functions is an indivisible part of Buddhism.

Buddhism Day by Day

Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda
Monday, July 8, 2013:

 

Buddhism concerns itself with winning. When we battle a powerful enemy, either we will triumph or we will be defeated—there is no middle ground. Battling against life's negative functions is an indivisible part of Buddhism. It is by being victorious in this struggle that we become Buddhas. We have to win. Moreover, Buddhism ensures that we can definitely do so.

Should all our prayers be answered without our having to make any effort, we would grow lazy.

For Today and Tomorrow

Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda
Monday, July 8, 2013:

 

We must make steady and persistent efforts firmly grounded in daily life. If we travel in the orbit of "faith equals daily life," all our prayers will definitely be answered. We can then lead lives in which all our desires will be fulfilled. Should all our prayers be answered without our having to make any effort, we would grow lazy. Should all our desires be achieved without our ever having to experience suffering or hardship, we could not understand the pain and struggles of others, and our compassion would gradually wane.

The good news is that, unlike fate, our karma can be changed by causes we make from this moment forward.

Buddhism Day by Day

Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda
Sunday, July 7, 2013:

 

Buddhism, which is founded on the law of cause and effect, stresses the concept of karma. This principle explains that life at each moment is subject to the cumulative effects of causes made in the past. What we do, what we say and what we think are all causes. And according to Buddhism, the moment we do something, say something or think something, an effect is registered in the depths of our being. Then, as our lives meet the right circumstances, the effect becomes apparent. Personality traits are strongly connected to our karma. The good news is that, unlike fate, our karma can be changed by causes we make from this moment forward. In fact, the practice of Buddhism is essentially the practice of continually changing our karma.

Buddhism is an earnest struggle to win.

For Today and Tomorrow

Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda
Sunday, July 7, 2013:

 

Vital are wisdom, tenacity and self-expression, as well as the strong life force that makes these things possible. Buddhism is an earnest struggle to win. This is what the Daishonin teaches. A Buddhist, therefore, must not be defeated. I hope you will maintain an alert and winning spirit in your work and daily life, taking courageous action and showing triumphant actual proof time and again.

Greet everything positively, weather all storms with a strong, resilient spirit, and emerge triumphant. That is the Buddhist way of life.

Buddhism Day by Day

Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda
Saturday, July 6, 2013:

A strong opponent helps us develop and forge our own strength and ability. When you encounter some challenge, rejoice and say to yourself, "I have met a rare and worthy adversary!" Greet everything positively, weather all storms with a strong, resilient spirit, and emerge triumphant. That is the Buddhist way of life.

In the present age, SGI activities represent the means by which we can attain Buddhahood.

For Today and Tomorrow

Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda
Saturday, July 6, 2013:

 

We could liken doing gongyo and chanting daimoku to the earth's rotation on its axis, while taking part in activities resembles the earth's revolution around the sun. To enter this path, which enables us to savor a state where life is an unparalleled joy, is itself proof of our attainment of Buddhahood. In the present age, SGI activities represent the means by which we can attain Buddhahood.

Having the energy to argue is a sign of good health!

Buddhism Day by Day

Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda
Friday, July 5, 2013:

 

Having the energy to argue is a sign of good health! When the two people in a relationship share similar conditions, it is only natural that they will lock horns from time to time. On the other hand, if one party begins to outgrow the other, then the two will probably not have serious confrontations, because their states of life are so different.

 

It would be great if we could live cheerfully, enjoying life to the extent that we regard our partner's nagging as a sign of his or her good health and proof that he or she is still alive and kicking. When we develop a broad state of life, then even our partner's ranting and raving will sound like the sweet song of a bird.

What does attaining Buddhahood mean for us?

For Today and Tomorrow

Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda
Friday, July 5, 2013:

 

What does attaining Buddhahood mean for us? It does not mean that one day we suddenly turn into a Buddha or become magically enlightened. In a sense, attaining Buddhahood means that we have securely entered the path, or orbit, of Buddhahood inherent in the cosmos. Rather than a final static destination at which we arrive and remain, achieving enlightenment means firmly establishing the faith needed to keep advancing along the path of absolute happiness limitlessly, without end.

Buddhism Day by Day

Buddhism Day by Day

Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda
Thursday, July 4, 2013:

A great inner revolution in just a single individual will help achieve a change in the destiny of an entire society and, further, will cause a change in the destiny of humankind.

The greater the obstacles they face, the greater the courage, wisdom and power they muster from within.

For Today and Tomorrow

Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda
Thursday, July 4, 2013:

 

I place a high value on personal initiative. Spontaneity underlies the spirit of autonomy and independence; conversely, taking action because one is told to amounts to slavery of the spirit. Kosen-rufu will be advanced by brave people armed with the spirit of independence who voluntarily strive to fulfill the vow they made in the remotest past. Because they struggle of their own volition, they have no complaints or grievances. The greater the obstacles they face, the greater the courage, wisdom and power they muster from within.

A mentor is indispensable if we are to develop into people of outstanding character.

Buddhism Day by Day

Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda
Wednesday, July 3, 2013:

 

A mentor is indispensable if we are to develop into people of outstanding character. Viewed on a deeper level, our relationship with our mentor can have an even greater significance for us than our relationship with our parents. In the mentor-disciple relationship, we can find the very essence for achieving victory in life.

The path of mentor and disciple is one that leads to personal development and growth.

For Today and Tomorrow

Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda
Wednesday, July 3, 2013:

 

Those who have a mentor in life are truly fortunate. The path of mentor and disciple is one that leads to personal development and growth. Those without a mentor may appear free and unbeholden to anyone, but without a solid standard or model on which to base themselves their lives will be aimless and wandering.

Each of us will also possess a unique mission and be born in an appropriate form to fulfill it.

Buddhism Day by Day

Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda
Tuesday, July 2, 2013:

 

If we attain the state of Buddhahood in this lifetime, that state will forever pervade our lives. Throughout the cycle of birth and death, in each new lifetime, we are endowed with good health, wealth and intelligence, along with a supportive, comfortable environment, and lead lives that overflow with good fortune. Each of us will also possess a unique mission and be born in an appropriate form to fulfill it.

It is better to do the smallest thing in the world than to hold half an hour to be too small a thing.

For Today and Tomorrow

Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda
Tuesday, July 2, 2013:

 

The writer Goethe was an unflagging optimist. How was he able to maintain such optimism? Because he was always active. He did not allow his life to stagnate. He writes: "It is better to do the smallest thing in the world than to hold half an hour to be too small a thing." Spending thirty minutes a day assiduously challenging some undertaking can completely change our lives.

If we cherish the spirit to repay our debt of gratitude in the depths of our hearts, then our good fortune will increase by leaps and bounds.

Buddhism Day by Day

Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda
Monday, July 1, 2013:

 

If we cherish the spirit to repay our debt of gratitude in the depths of our hearts, then our good fortune will increase by leaps and bounds. No matter how much action people might seem to be taking outwardly, if they lack the spirit to repay their debt of gratitude, their arrogance will destroy their good fortune.

While naturally being careful not to disturb your neighbors, I hope you will endeavor to chant cheerful and powerful daimoku that reaches all the Buddhist deities and Buddhas throughout the 10 directions.

For Today and Tomorrow

Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda
Monday, July 1, 2013:

 

"Nam-myoho-renge-kyo is like the roar of a lion," the Daishonin says (MW-1, 119). It is by chanting powerful daimoku, like a lion's roar, that we can move the Buddhist deities, the protective forces of the universe. The voice is very important—it has profound power. While naturally being careful not to disturb your neighbors, I hope you will endeavor to chant cheerful and powerful daimoku that reaches all the Buddhist deities and Buddhas throughout the 10 directions.