Nothing must be postponed.

Buddhism Day by Day

Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda
Thursday, February 13, 2014:

 

Henry David Thoreau, a renowned American Renaissance thinker, wrote in his journal: "Nothing must be postponed. Take time by the forelock. Now or never! You must live in the present, launch yourself on every wave, find your eternity in each moment." We shouldn't put anything off but seize the moment, living with all our being in the present. If we do that, he says, each moment will become eternity.

Remembering things about a person is an expression of compassion and concern.

For Today and Tomorrow

Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda
Thursday, February 13, 2014:

 

Remembering things about a person is an expression of compassion and concern. Forgetfulness shows a lack of compassion, a lack of responsibility.

Who am I? What should I do with my life?

Buddhism Day by Day

Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda
Wednesday, February 12, 2014:

 

You may have fundamental questions about yourself and your identity: Who am I? What should I do with my life? It is quite natural to feel unsure about the best way to proceed. If you haven't yet decided on your future course, I feel the best thing is just to concentrate your energies on what you need to do right now, and gradually your full potential will emerge.

What matters most is how you lead your life—not what those around you are doing.

For Today and Tomorrow

Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda
Wednesday, February 12, 2014:

 

The important thing is to hold firm to your beliefs without being influenced or swayed by what others do or say. Those who live this way are strong and free of regret. What matters most is how you lead your life—not what those around you are doing.

The essence of Buddhism is compassion.

Buddhism Day by Day

Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda
Tuesday, February 11, 2014:

 

There was a word that second Soka Gakkai president Josei Toda often stressed with the fervent wish to impart its importance to his successors. That word was courage. He once gave this clear-cut guidance: " The essence of Buddhism is compassion. We, too, need to have compassion but, being ordinary mortals, the reality is that it is quite difficult for us. Courage substitutes for compassion. I am speaking of the courage to save others from suffering. To practice Buddhism with courage translates into compassion."

We have to make up our minds.

For Today and Tomorrow

Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda
Tuesday, February 11, 2014:

 

The moment we resolve "I will become healthy!" "I will become strong!" "I will work cheerfully for kosen-rufu!" our lives begin to move in that direction. We have to make up our minds.

When you change, your environment changes, too. When your inner resolve changes, everything is transformed.

Buddhism Day by Day

Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda
Monday, February 10, 2014:

 

Nichiren explains that to know oneself is to know all things in the universe. When you change, your environment changes, too. When your inner resolve changes, everything is transformed. This principle is summed up by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe's maxim, "Nothing's outside that's not within."

Kosen-rufu is a supreme, golden path extending throughout the Latter Day of the Law into the eternal future.

For Today and Tomorrow

Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda
Monday, February 10, 2014:

 

Kosen-rufu is a supreme, golden path extending throughout the Latter Day of the Law into the eternal future. Let us continue to advance boldly and intrepidly along this path as Nichiren Daishonin teaches. This is the way world peace will be accomplished. If we do not widely spread the principles and ideals of the Daishonin's Buddhism, there will be no hope for the peace and happiness of humankind.

For opening the door to your own life is more difficult than opening the doors to the mysteries of the universe.

Buddhism Day by Day

Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda
Sunday, February 9, 2014:

 

You must never slacken in your efforts to build new lives for yourselves. Creativeness means pushing open the heavy door to life. This is not an easy struggle. Indeed, it may be the hardest task in the world. For opening the door to your own life is more difficult than opening the doors to the mysteries of the universe.

There is no place in the SGI for cowards or for egoists who are given to arbitrary or self-serving views

For Today and Tomorrow

Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda
Sunday, February 9, 2014:

 

There is no place in the SGI for cowards or for egoists who are given to arbitrary or self-serving views. Our movement has no need for the fainthearted, filled with doubt, who readily succumb to negative influences. Let us strive for the Law and live with dignity as proud members of the SGI! The 21st century shall be the essential phase of our movement. Bathed in the brilliant light of dawn, let us take our places on that golden stage and lead truly magnificent lives!

Death is a period of "recharging" for our next existence.

Buddhism Day by Day

Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda
Saturday, February 8, 2014:

 

Josei Toda often compared death to sleep. When we have been awake for a long time, we tire and go to sleep. And when we wake up after a sound sleep, our vitality is restored. After we have been alive for a long time, we grow weary and die. And then we set out on a new life with a fresh spirit. Death is a period of "recharging" for our next existence.

The Daishonin says that when you see someone who embraces the Mystic Law, you should rise and greet them from afar, showing them the same respect you would a Buddha.

For Today and Tomorrow

Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda
Saturday, February 8, 2014:

 

I hope that as leaders you will always express your appreciation for and do your utmost to support the many sincere members who are steadfastly exerting themselves in faith. The Daishonin says that when you see someone who embraces the Mystic Law, you should rise and greet them from afar, showing them the same respect you would a Buddha.

Buddhism Day by Day

Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda
Friday, February 7, 2014:

 

In his writings, regarding Buddhist practice, Nichiren repeatedly emphasized the importance of the heart. While teaching that faith and courage are the powers and functions of the heart that enable us to open the world of Buddhahood in our lives, he also cautioned against the heart's negative functions, such as disbelief and cowardice, which close us off to our potential for Buddhahood.

You must forge yourself through your own efforts.

For Today and Tomorrow

Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda
Friday, February 7, 2014:

 

Your environment does not matter. Everything starts with you. You must forge yourself through your own efforts. I urge each of you to create something, start something and make a success of something. That is the essence of human existence, the challenge of youth. Herein lies a wonderful way of life always aiming for the future.

The Buddhist view is that to die a good death, one must have led a good life.

Buddhism Day by Day

Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda
Thursday, February 6, 2014:

 

The Buddhist view is that to die a good death, one must have led a good life. The knowledge that death represents the return of the individual life to the great universal life prior to another phenomenal manifestation is a source of splendid strength, rich with compassion and wisdom. As he or she strives to perfect himself by doing good for others, the Buddhist is constantly aware that death is a fulfilling and enriching part of life. For people who believe this, death is not defeat, but a wonderful stimulus to live more vigorously and more meaningfully.

For Today and Tomorrow

Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda
Thursday, February 6, 2014:

 

Unless we live fully right now, not sometime in the future, true fulfillment in life will forever elude us. Rather than putting things off till the future, we should find meaning in life, thinking and doing what is most important right now, right where we are—setting our hearts aflame and igniting our lives. Otherwise, we cannot lead an inspired existence.

Truly happy are those who can help others become happy.

Buddhism Day by Day

Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda
Wednesday, February 5, 2014:

 

Life for everyone is a struggle against the sufferings of birth, old age, sickness and death. Happiness is not the absence of problems or worries; it is to be undefeated no matter what problems or worries we may face. And this happiness is not solely focused on oneself. Truly happy are those who can help others become happy.

When it comes to championing a just cause, you must never be cowardly, never fawn, never try to curry favor.

For Today and Tomorrow

Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda
Wednesday, February 5, 2014:

 

I hope that you will always speak the truth boldly, saying what needs to be said no matter whom you're addressing. When it comes to championing a just cause, you must never be cowardly, never fawn, never try to curry favor.

If you make a commitment to work for the sake of others, you will be rejuvenated.

Buddhism Day by Day

Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda
Tuesday, February 4, 2014:

 

You mustn't allow yourselves to grow old before your time. Please live with a youthful spirit. That is what Buddhism teaches us to do, and it is how life ought to be lived. If you make a commitment to work for the sake of others, you will be rejuvenated. If you devote your life to helping others, you'll stay young. The power of Nam-myoho-renge-kyo guarantees that.

Please never turn your back on your faith.

For Today and Tomorrow

Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda
Tuesday, February 4, 2014:

 

Please never turn your back on your faith. Courage is crucial. There is no room for faintheartedness in faith. The timid doom themselves to ridicule—from their partners, from their children, from their friends, from the world at large. The Daishonin declares that there is no place for cowards among his disciples. President Toda said the same.

This is the essential power of Buddhism.

Buddhism Day by Day

Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda
Monday, February 3, 2014:

 

Because we live in the human realm, we of course experience problems and suffering. Life is filled with contradictions. But if we refuse to be defeated by them and persist in our faith, we are certain to advance along the path towards happiness and victory. This is the essential power of Buddhism.

For Today and Tomorrow

Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda
Monday, February 3, 2014:

 

I can declare with confidence that each of you who bravely exerts yourself in doing Gakkai activities and taking leadership for kosen-rufu, calmly overcoming every obstacle along the way, will enjoy immeasurable benefit. I can state with certitude too that each of you is in perfect accord with the Daishonin's spirit. Your efforts win his unrestrained applause and approval.

Buddha dwells within our hearts.

Buddhism Day by Day

Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda
Sunday, February 2, 2014:

 

First of all, as to the question of where exactly hell and the Buddha exist, one sutra states that hell exists underground, and another sutra says that the Buddha is in the west. Closer examination, however, reveals that both exist in our five-foot body. This must be true because hell is in the heart of a person who inwardly despises his father and disregards his mother. It is like the lotus seed, which contains both blossom and fruit. In the same way, the Buddha dwells within our hearts. -Nichiren

For Today and Tomorrow

Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda
Sunday, February 2, 2014:

 

Because life is long, you should not be impatient. What matters most is that you embrace the Gohonzon throughout your life. It is vitally important to continually challenge yourself to chant even a little more daimoku and to pray before the Gohonzon for the fulfillment of your desires.

Understanding the subtle workings of one's mind is the key to faith and attaining Buddhahood in this lifetime.

Buddhism Day by Day

Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda
Saturday, February 1, 2014:

 

While controlling your mind, which is at once both extremely subtle and solemnly profound, you should strive to elevate your faith with freshness and vigor. When you do so, both your life and your surroundings will open wide before you and every action you take will become a source of benefit. Understanding the subtle workings of one's mind is the key to faith and attaining Buddhahood in this lifetime.

For Today and Tomorrow

Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda
Saturday, February 1, 2014:

 

Buddhism teaches that one characteristic of a bodhisattva is being able to perceive the world's sounds. The insight needed to correctly discern and grasp developments in society and the times—even to anticipate them before they happen—is indispensable