Thursday, March 3, 2011
Devotion to one's parents
No one is more wonderful than a mother. And there is nothing more noble than a mother's heart. I hope you will all treasure your mothers. Truly praiseworthy are those who have a sense of gratitude and appreciation toward their parents. The Buddhist sutras teach that the practice of Buddhism is the ultimate expression of devotion to one's parents, and the Buddha excels in such dedication and concern.
For Today and Tomorrow
Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda 8/5
For Today and Tomorrow
Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda 8/5
The Fish and the Turtle (Is Nibbana Nothingness?)
Once upon a time there was a fish. And just because it was a fish, it had lived all its life in the water and knew nothing whatever about anything else but water. And one day as it swam about in the lake where all its days had been spent, it happened to meet a turtle of its acquaintance who had just come back from a little excursion on the land.
"Good day, Mr. Turtle!" said the fish. "I have not seen you for a long time. Where have you been?"
"Oh", said the turtle, "I have just been for a trip on dry land."
"On dry land!" exclaimed the fish. "What do you mean by on dry land? There is no dry land. I had never seen such a thing. Dry land is nothing."
"Well," said the turtle good-naturedly. "If you want to think so, of course you may; there is no one who can hinder you. But that's where I've been, all the same."
"Oh, come," said the fish. "Try to talk sense. Just tell me now what is this land of yours like? Is it all wet?"
"No, it is not wet," said the turtle.
"Is it nice and fresh and cool?" asked the fish.
"No, it is not nice and fresh and cool," the trutle replied.
"Is it clear so that light can come through it?"
"No, it is not clear. Light cannot come through it."
"Is it soft and yielding, so that I can move my fins about in it and push my nose through it?"
"No, it is not soft and yielding. You could not swim in it."
"Does it move or flow in streams?"
"No, it neither moves nor flows in streams."
"Does it ever rise up into waves then, with white foams in them?" asked the fish, impatient at this string of Noes.
"No!" replied the turtle, truthfully. "It never rises up into waves that I have seen."
"There now," exclaimed the fish triumphantly. "Didn't I tell you that this land of yours was just nothing? I have just asked, and you have answered me that it is neither wet nor cool, not clear nor soft and that it does not flow in streams nor rise up into waves. And if it isn't a single one of these things what else is it but nothing? Don't tell me."
"Well, well", said the turtle, "If you are determined to think that dry land is nothing, I suppose you must just go on thinking so. But any one who knows what is water and what is land would say you were just a silly fish, for you think that anything you have never known is nothing just because you have never known it."
And with that the turtle turned away and, leaving the fish behind in its little pond of water, set out on another excursion over the dry land that was nothing.
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Source: "The Buddha and His Teachings" by Maha thera Narada.
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"Good day, Mr. Turtle!" said the fish. "I have not seen you for a long time. Where have you been?"
"Oh", said the turtle, "I have just been for a trip on dry land."
"On dry land!" exclaimed the fish. "What do you mean by on dry land? There is no dry land. I had never seen such a thing. Dry land is nothing."
"Well," said the turtle good-naturedly. "If you want to think so, of course you may; there is no one who can hinder you. But that's where I've been, all the same."
"Oh, come," said the fish. "Try to talk sense. Just tell me now what is this land of yours like? Is it all wet?"
"No, it is not wet," said the turtle.
"Is it nice and fresh and cool?" asked the fish.
"No, it is not nice and fresh and cool," the trutle replied.
"Is it clear so that light can come through it?"
"No, it is not clear. Light cannot come through it."
"Is it soft and yielding, so that I can move my fins about in it and push my nose through it?"
"No, it is not soft and yielding. You could not swim in it."
"Does it move or flow in streams?"
"No, it neither moves nor flows in streams."
"Does it ever rise up into waves then, with white foams in them?" asked the fish, impatient at this string of Noes.
"No!" replied the turtle, truthfully. "It never rises up into waves that I have seen."
"There now," exclaimed the fish triumphantly. "Didn't I tell you that this land of yours was just nothing? I have just asked, and you have answered me that it is neither wet nor cool, not clear nor soft and that it does not flow in streams nor rise up into waves. And if it isn't a single one of these things what else is it but nothing? Don't tell me."
"Well, well", said the turtle, "If you are determined to think that dry land is nothing, I suppose you must just go on thinking so. But any one who knows what is water and what is land would say you were just a silly fish, for you think that anything you have never known is nothing just because you have never known it."
And with that the turtle turned away and, leaving the fish behind in its little pond of water, set out on another excursion over the dry land that was nothing.
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Source: "The Buddha and His Teachings" by Maha thera Narada.
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What makes life so interesting? The joy and suffering.
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.
For Today and Tomorrow
Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda 7/5
For Today and Tomorrow
Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda 7/5
The weak side of us
We have both a weak self and a strong self; the two are completely different. If we allow our weak side to dominate, we will be defeated. The thought, "I am still young and have a lot of time, so I can relax and take life easy" is a function of our own weakness.
For Today and Tomorrow
Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda 6/5
For Today and Tomorrow
Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda 6/5
Wednesday, March 2, 2011
How to be true Buddhist practitioners?
This is what I would like to communicate to you, my young friends who are the heirs of the Soka legacy: Live out your lives together with the SGI, an organization fulfilling the Buddha's decree! Our activities in the organization of faith constitute our Buddhist practice, lead to the realization of kosen-rufu and enable us to carry out our human revolution. To think selfishly, "I'll just practice on my own and however I like" cannot be called correct faith. Such a person is a Buddhist in name only; they are not true practitioners.
For Today and Tomorrow
Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda 5/5
For Today and Tomorrow
Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda 5/5
The winning power in Buddhism
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.
For Today and Tomorrow
Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda 4/5
For Today and Tomorrow
Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda 4/5
Delusion
(Told by Narada Maha Thera)
"A man was forcing his way through a thick forest beset with thorns and stones. Suddenly to his great consternation, an elephant appeared and gave chase. He took to his heels through fear, and seeing a well, he ran to hide in it. But to his horror he saw a viper at the bottom of the well. However, lacking other means of escape, he jumped into that well, and clung to a thorny creeper that was growing in it. Looking up, he saw two mice--a white one and a black one--gnawing at the creeper. Over his face there was a beehive from which occasional drops of honey trickled.
This man, foolishly unmindful of this precarious position, was greedily tasting the honey. A kind person volunteered to show him a path of escape. But the greedy man begged to be excused till he had enjoyed himself.
The thorny path is Samsara, the ocean of life. Man's life is not a bed of roses. It is beset with difficulties and obstacles to overcome, with opposition and unjust criticism, with attacks and insults to be borne. Such is the thorny path of life.
The elephant here resembles death; the viper, old age; the creeper, birth; the two mice, night and day. The drop of honey correspond to the fleeting sensual pleasures. The man represents the so-called being. The kind person represents the Buddha.
The temporary material happiness is merely the gratification of some desire. When the desired thing is gained, another desire arises. Insatiate are all desires.
'Sorrow is essential to life, and cannot be evaded.
Nirvana, being non-conditioned, is [quiescent].'"
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From Thus Have I Heard, edited by Minh Thanh and P.D. Leigh.
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"A man was forcing his way through a thick forest beset with thorns and stones. Suddenly to his great consternation, an elephant appeared and gave chase. He took to his heels through fear, and seeing a well, he ran to hide in it. But to his horror he saw a viper at the bottom of the well. However, lacking other means of escape, he jumped into that well, and clung to a thorny creeper that was growing in it. Looking up, he saw two mice--a white one and a black one--gnawing at the creeper. Over his face there was a beehive from which occasional drops of honey trickled.
This man, foolishly unmindful of this precarious position, was greedily tasting the honey. A kind person volunteered to show him a path of escape. But the greedy man begged to be excused till he had enjoyed himself.
The thorny path is Samsara, the ocean of life. Man's life is not a bed of roses. It is beset with difficulties and obstacles to overcome, with opposition and unjust criticism, with attacks and insults to be borne. Such is the thorny path of life.
The elephant here resembles death; the viper, old age; the creeper, birth; the two mice, night and day. The drop of honey correspond to the fleeting sensual pleasures. The man represents the so-called being. The kind person represents the Buddha.
The temporary material happiness is merely the gratification of some desire. When the desired thing is gained, another desire arises. Insatiate are all desires.
'Sorrow is essential to life, and cannot be evaded.
Nirvana, being non-conditioned, is [quiescent].'"
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From Thus Have I Heard, edited by Minh Thanh and P.D. Leigh.
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Tuesday, March 1, 2011
James Thomas
To be a great leader and so always master of the situation, one must of necessity have been a great thinker in action. An eagle was never yet hatched from a goose's egg.
James Thomas
James Thomas
Indisputable proof of the Soka Gakkai
As direct disciples of the Daishonin, we have summoned forth the three powerful enemies of Buddhism. And defeating their schemes and repelling their onslaughts, we have carved out a great path of kosen-rufu. This has been the unrivaled pride of Mr. Makiguchi, Mr. Toda and myself as Soka Gakkai presidents. It is indisputable proof that the Soka Gakkai is the foremost organization in the entire world acting in accord with the Buddha's will and decree.
For Today and Tomorrow
Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda 3/5
For Today and Tomorrow
Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda 3/5
Samsara and Nirvana
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"Grief can be the garden of compassion. If you keep your heart open through everything, your pain can become your greatest ally in your life's search for love and wisdom."--Rumi
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A Zen master urged his students to practice diligently in order to transcend the world of birth and death.
A student asked him, "Sir, please tell us how to transcend the world of birth and death."
He said, "You have to look for the world of no birth and no death."
The student asked, "But where can we find the world of no birth and no death?"
"You look for it right in the world of birth and death."
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"The Buddha Dharma is in the world,
Awakening is not apart from the world.
If you seek enlightenment apart from the world,
It is like seeking rabbit horns."--Hui Neng
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"Grief can be the garden of compassion. If you keep your heart open through everything, your pain can become your greatest ally in your life's search for love and wisdom."--Rumi
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A Zen master urged his students to practice diligently in order to transcend the world of birth and death.
A student asked him, "Sir, please tell us how to transcend the world of birth and death."
He said, "You have to look for the world of no birth and no death."
The student asked, "But where can we find the world of no birth and no death?"
"You look for it right in the world of birth and death."
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"The Buddha Dharma is in the world,
Awakening is not apart from the world.
If you seek enlightenment apart from the world,
It is like seeking rabbit horns."--Hui Neng
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What brings out the full potential in all things and situations?
No matter how healthy, intelligent or affluent we may be, if our minds are weak, then our happiness will also be frail and brittle. Our minds of faith, moreover, enable us to bring out the full potential in all things and situations, so it is crucial that we strive to forge our minds of faith.
For Today and Tomorrow
Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda 2/5
For Today and Tomorrow
Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda 2/5
How should we care for and nurture young people?
Nobel laureate Gabriela Mistral (1889-1957) of Chile, was well respected as a humanistic educator. Indicative of the great spirit of compassion and caring with which she interacted with her students is her "Teacher's Prayer": "Let me be more mother than the mother herself in my love and defense of the child who is not flesh of my flesh. Help me to make one of my children my most perfect poem and leave within him or her my most melodious melody from that day when my own lips no longer sing." With this same spirit, let us care for and nurture young people.
For Today and Tomorrow
Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda 30/4
For Today and Tomorrow
Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda 30/4
The person who lives life fully, glowing with life's energy, is the person who lives a successful life
What is success in life? Who are the truly successful? There are famous and powerful people who become pitiful figures in their old age. There are people who die alone, feeling empty and desolate inside. Just what is success? The English thinker Walter Pater (1839-94) wrote: "To burn always with this hard, gemlike flame, to maintain this ecstasy, is success in life." The person who lives life fully, glowing with life's energy, is the person who lives a successful life.
For Today and Tomorrow
Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda 29/4
For Today and Tomorrow
Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda 29/4
The joy and happiness of chant daimoku each day
How incredible it is to chant this wonderful daimoku each day! Nichiren Daishonin writes, "There is no greater happiness for human beings than chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo. The sutra [Lotus Sutra] says, 'The people there [in my land] are happy and at ease.'"(MW-1, 161). There is no joy, happiness and ease surpassing what we can attain through chanting daimoku. No matter how much you may pursue the things you love and skip gongyo to have a good time—all such fleeting, worldly pleasures pale beside the deep sense of satisfaction that comes from chanting daimoku.
For Today and Tomorrow
Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda 28/4
For Today and Tomorrow
Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda 28/4
Monday, February 28, 2011
How then could there be any "going into retirement" in the world of faith?
Age is not an excuse for giving up. If you allow yourself to grow passive and draw back, it's a sign of personal defeat. There may be a retirement age at work, but there is no retirement age in life. How then could there be any "going into retirement" in the world of faith? The Buddhist Law is eternal, extending across the three existences of past, present and future, and one of the benefits of faith is perennial youth and eternal life.
For Today and Tomorrow
Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda 27/4
For Today and Tomorrow
Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda 27/4
Miraculous Power
In Buddhism, it is recognized that supernatural or miraculous power is possible and can be attained through training. However, Buddha Sakyamuni discouraged all display of miraculous power as the proof of of spiritual attainment. The following story illustrates the Buddha's attitude towards miraculous powers.
One day the Buddha was waiting by the river bank for a boat to ferry him across the river. An ascetic passed by and proudly showed off his miraculous power, crossing the river back and forth by treading over the water.
The Buddha smiled and asked him, "How long did you train to attain such power?"
"It took me thirty years!", said the ascetic.
The Buddha replied, "Thirty years? Well, I can cross the river using the boat for only one penny!"
If a wicked man can become a pure religious man, this according to Buddhism, is a practical miracle.
One day the Buddha was waiting by the river bank for a boat to ferry him across the river. An ascetic passed by and proudly showed off his miraculous power, crossing the river back and forth by treading over the water.
The Buddha smiled and asked him, "How long did you train to attain such power?"
"It took me thirty years!", said the ascetic.
The Buddha replied, "Thirty years? Well, I can cross the river using the boat for only one penny!"
If a wicked man can become a pure religious man, this according to Buddhism, is a practical miracle.
Esay come easy go
Adversity gives birth to greatness. The greater the challenges and difficulties we face, the greater opportunity we have to grow and develop as people. A life without adversity, a life of ease and comfort, produces nothing and leaves us with nothing. This is one of the indisputable facts of life.
For Today and Tomorrow
Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda 25/4
For Today and Tomorrow
Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda 25/4
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