Buddhism teaches equality and absolute respect for the dignity of life.

Buddhism Day by Day

Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda
Friday, January 24, 2014:

 

Buddhism teaches equality and absolute respect for the dignity of life. Educating people to be citizens of the world begins with cultivating respect, compassion and empathy for others. I am certain that friendship and limitless trust in people can empower us to overcome socially disruptive discrimination and hatred. Openminded exchanges on the popular level will be increasingly important in the years to come. When people engage in mind-to-mind dialogue, they are grateful to see ethnic and cultural differences not as obstacles but as expressions of society—enriching diversity that engenders respect and a desire for further exploration.

We use our voices not only to chant daimoku but to guide, encourage and introduce others to the Daishonin's Buddhism

For Today and Tomorrow

Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda
Friday, January 24, 2014:

 

We use our voices not only to chant daimoku but to guide, encourage and introduce others to the Daishonin's Buddhism. Our voice, therefore, is very important. An angry voice, a coarse voice, a cold voice, an imperious voice—none of these will communicate how wonderful Nichiren Daishonin's Buddhism is. I would like you to be humanistic leaders who can encourage others with bright warm voices, so that they will say, "What a lovely voice!" and "I'm always so inspired when I hear you speak." Becoming this kind of leader is one actual proof of your human revolution.

Good travels at a snail's pace.

Buddhism Day by Day

Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda
Thursday, January 23, 2014:

 

Mahatma Gandhi said, "Good travels at a snail's pace." The peace movement cannot accomplish things radically and all at once. Often, it can only advance by gradual and protracted means. Gradualism does not, however, imply negative compromise or merely passing time. It means truly reforming our times by sowing seeds of peace in individual minds through sincere dialogue and, in this way, cultivating consensus.

Gongyo is a solemn ceremony in which we are looking out and over the universe. It is a dialogue with the universe.

For Today and Tomorrow

Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda
Thursday, January 23, 2014:

 

As practitioners of the Daishonin's Buddhism we get up in the morning and do gongyo. Some perhaps may do so rather reluctantly! Nevertheless, doing gongyo is itself a truly great and noble thing. Gongyo is a solemn ceremony in which we are looking out and over the universe. It is a dialogue with the universe.

There is a saying that the earth upon which we fall is the same ground which enables us to push ourselves up again.

Buddhism Day by Day

Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda
Wednesday, January 22, 2014:

 

There is a saying that the earth upon which we fall is the same ground which enables us to push ourselves up again. There's another which maintains that barley grows better after it has been trampled on. Human relationships are sometimes painful, but there is no such pain from which we cannot recover. It is up to us to decide to live a life free from self-doubt and despair in spite of our failures. Indeed, it is during our most humbling moments that we should show greatest poise and grace. Then the dignity of our lives will truly shine.

Ultimately, happiness rests on how you establish a solid sense of self or being

For Today and Tomorrow

Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda
Wednesday, January 22, 2014:

 

Ultimately, happiness rests on how you establish a solid sense of self or being. Happiness does not lie in outward appearances nor in vanity. It is a matter of what you feel inside; it is a deep resonance in your life. To be filled each day with a rewarding sense of exhilaration and purpose, a sense of tasks accomplished and deep fulfillment—people who feel this way are happy. Those who have this sense of satisfaction even if they are extremely busy are much happier than those who have time on their hands but feel empty inside.

We ordinary people can see neither our own eyelashes, which are so close, nor the heavens in the distance. Likewise, we do not see that the Buddha exists in our own hearts. -Nichiren

Buddhism Day by Day

Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda
Tuesday, January 21, 2014:

 

We ordinary people can see neither our own eyelashes, which are so close, nor the heavens in the distance. Likewise, we do not see that the Buddha exists in our own hearts. -Nichiren

Please be confident that you will lead lives overflowing with good fortune throughout the three existences of past, present and future.

For Today and Tomorrow

Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda
Tuesday, January 21, 2014:

 

Humanity today lacks hope and vision for the future. It is for precisely this reason that the Bodhisattvas of the Earth have appeared. Without your presence, the future of humanity would be bleak and spiritual decline its destination. That is why you have been born in this age and are now playing an active role in society. This is the meaning of jiyu, or "emerging from the earth." Consequently, each of you will definitely become happy. Please be confident that you will lead lives overflowing with good fortune throughout the three existences of past, present and future.

Buddhism Day by Day

Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda
Monday, January 20, 2014:
A complete lack of exertion or stress may seem desirable, but in fact it results in boredom and stagnation. It is essential that we keep making continuous efforts amid challenging circumstances, pushing forward with dynamic creativity and breaking through all obstacles. That is the way to develop new strength and achieve fresh growth, whether it be in the case of an individual or an organization.

Irrespective of your situations, however, the light of faith in the depths of your beings will continue to shine on eternally with diamond-like brilliance.

For Today and Tomorrow

Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda
Monday, January 20, 2014:

 

In this lifetime, to demonstrate the power of faith in the Mystic Law to others some of you may have been born into poverty so that you could show actual proof by gaining secure and comfortable lives. Some of you may have been born with ill health so that you could show proof by growing strong and healthy. Irrespective of your situations, however, the light of faith in the depths of your beings will continue to shine on eternally with diamond-like brilliance.

Buddhism Day by Day

Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda
Sunday, January 19, 2014:

 

The years pass. The times change. All that survives and transcends this inevitable process, that shines brighter with each new era, is the record of a great human spirit that has endured the unendurable and remained true to the very end to its deepest convictions.

Suffering and undergoing hardships for the sake of friends and for spreading the Law shows the sense of responsibility of a genuine leader and is the behavior of a bodhisattva

For Today and Tomorrow

Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda
Sunday, January 19, 2014:

 

Suffering and undergoing hardships for the sake of friends and for spreading the Law shows the sense of responsibility of a genuine leader and is the behavior of a bodhisattva. There is no suffering or hardship that a Bodhisattva of the Earth cannot surmount. So no matter what happens, I would like you to steadily advance one step at a time, always chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo with a vibrant voice.

Buddhism is practiced to make one's prayers and dreams come true and to achieve the greatest possible happiness.

Buddhism Day by Day

Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda
Saturday, January 18, 2014:

 

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

Now is the time for youth to take full responsibility and courageously pave the way for the people's triumph.

For Today and Tomorrow

Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda
Saturday, January 18, 2014:

 

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., who was a tireless crusader for human rights said: "Life's most persistent and urgent question is, What are you doing for others?" Do not say you will do it "someday"; now is the time. Do not say "someone" will do it; you are the one. Now is the time for youth to take full responsibility and courageously pave the way for the people's triumph.

When you devote yourself to achieving your goal, you will not be bothered by shallow criticism.

Buddhism Day by Day

Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda
Friday, January 17, 2014:

 

When you devote yourself to achieving your goal, you will not be bothered by shallow criticism. Nothing important can be accomplished if you allow yourself to be swayed by some trifling matter, always looking over your shoulder and wondering what others are saying or thinking. The key to achievement is to move forward along your chosen path with firm determination.

Please remember that patience is in and of itself a great challenge and that it often holds the key to breaking through a seeming impasse.

For Today and Tomorrow

Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda
Friday, January 17, 2014:

 

Please remember that patience is in and of itself a great challenge and that it often holds the key to breaking through a seeming impasse.

"One who is awakened [to the truth]."

Buddhism Day by Day

Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda
Thursday, January 16, 2014:

 

The Sanskrit word buddha means "One who is awakened [to the truth]." While the term was widely employed by various schools of the time, it eventually came to be used exclusively in reference to Shakyamuni. At the same time, the word buddha implies "to bloom." A person who causes flowers of lofty character to brilliantly bloom and who bears the fruits of good fortune and benefit in abundance is a Buddha. Such a person manifests the benefit of the Law and shines with character overflowing with blessings.

No great achievement is accomplished overnight or without difficulty.

For Today and Tomorrow

Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda
Thursday, January 16, 2014:

 

It is important to take a long-range view. No great achievement is accomplished overnight or without difficulty. Should benefit be obtained easily without our making any efforts in Buddhist practice, we'd probably just as easily abandon our faith and end up miserable as a consequence. Because it isn't easy to get into a highly-ranked school, students study with all their might, gaining an abundance of knowledge and ability. Faith follows basically the same formula: Practice is essential to attaining Buddhahood.

Do not say you will do it "someday"; now is the time. Do not say "someone" will do it; you are the one.

Buddhism Day by Day

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Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda
Wednesday, January 15, 2014:

 

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., a tireless crusader for human rights, said: "Life's most persistent and urgent question is, What are you doing for others?" Do not say you will do it "someday"; now is the time. Do not say "someone" will do it; you are the one. Now is the time for youth to take full responsibility and courageously pave the way for the people's triumph.

The important thing, however, is not to spin out of the orbit of faith.

For Today and Tomorrow

Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda
Wednesday, January 15, 2014:

 

Doing gongyo every day is a challenge. Introducing others to the practice is a challenge. Getting people to subscribe to our publications is a challenge. Attending meetings is a challenge. Sometimes it can all become too much and leave one feeling negative and wanting to take a break! Since we are human beings, it's only natural that we might feel this way on occasion. The important thing, however, is not to spin out of the orbit of faith. I hope you will continue to pursue the path of Buddhahood steadily and patiently, encouraging one another on your journey.