The poetic spirit helps us control the greed-dominated self.

Buddhism Day by Day

Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda
Saturday, May 31, 2014:

 

The poetic spirit encourages people in all ranks and places to return to their naked humanity. Neither sentimental nor fantastic, it embraces and affirms the whole world and all its inhabitants; it imparts the will to remain optimistic and unbending in the face of all hardships.

  As a believer in innate human goodness, I am certain that the concentrated power of good can overcome the greatest forces of evil. The poetic spirit helps us control the greed-dominated self. It helps us handle the actual while keeping our eyes turned toward the ideal.

This is the great benefit of Buddhism.

For Today and Tomorrow

Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda
Saturday, May 31, 2014:

Buddhism is about bringing happiness, joy and fulfillment to all. It enables us not only to become happy ourselves but to make causes for the enlightenment of our ancestors seven-plus generations back and for the happiness and prosperity of our children, grandchildren and descendants throughout future generations. This is the great benefit of Buddhism.

Children are mirrors that reflect adult society.

Buddhism Day by Day

Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda
Friday, May 30, 2014:

 

All children are gems, full of precious potential. There is hope in every child since life itself is full of hope. Should the hopes of children be stifled or broken, that would be our responsibility as adults. It pains my heart to see what goes on in today's society. I do not want to see the eyes of children darkened with fear and clouded with tears of sorrow. Society must be absolutely transformed. Children are mirrors that reflect adult society. When adults are ailing and their vision clouded, children will also suffer. Let us wipe away the tears of sorrow from the face of each child! We must protect children and give them courage, strength and vitality. It is parents who nurture children, the hope of humanity. How noble parents are! What a great mission and responsibility they fulfill.

Those who make many friends have greater opportunities for growth and self-development; as such they make society a better place and lead happy, satisfying lives.

For Today and Tomorrow

Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda
Friday, May 30, 2014:

Those who make many friends have greater opportunities for growth and self-development; as such they make society a better place and lead happy, satisfying lives. In every situation, human relations—communication and personal interaction—are vital. We need to initiate and nurture friendships and contacts with many people, both within the organization and in society at large. Our lives will open and be enriched to the extent that we do so.

Unremitting diligence in our Buddhist practice—brave and vigorous exertion—infuses our lives with the great life force of the eternal Buddha.

Buddhism Day by Day

Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda
Thursday, May 29, 2014:

 

Shakyamuni proclaims, "People who are vigilant do not die; people who are negligent are as if dead." This is definitely true. Unremitting diligence in our Buddhist practice—brave and vigorous exertion—infuses our lives with the great life force of the eternal Buddha. In contrast, people who try to get by in life through cunning and deception enact a living death.

We who embrace the Mystic Law will not suffer on account of old age or death.

For Today and Tomorrow

Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda
Thursday, May 29, 2014:

We who embrace the Mystic Law will not suffer on account of old age or death. As long as we keep the flame of faith alive, the fire of life force will forever burn brightly within us; we can live with great confidence transcending birth and death. Faith is the engine that enables us to live with hope throughout our lives.

The belief taught in the Lotus Sutra provides no easy answers, no escape route from the difficulties of human life

Buddhism Day by Day

Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda
Wednesday, May 28, 2014:

 

The belief taught in the Lotus Sutra provides no easy answers, no escape route from the difficulties of human life. In fact, it rejects such easy answers; instead it implores us to take up the two tools for exploring life, belief and understanding, and use them to continually challenge and work to perfect ourselves. And it also provides us the energy to do just that.

What is true joy in life?

For Today and Tomorrow

Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda
Wednesday, May 28, 2014:

 

What is true joy in life? This is a difficult question—and one which has occupied a great many thinkers and philosophers. Joy can quickly give way to suffering. Joy is short and suffering long. Also what passes for joy in society is superficial. It cannot compare with the joy deriving from the Mystic Law. The key then lies in cultivating a state of mind where we can declare without reservation that life itself is a joy. This is the purpose of our Buddhist practice.

The greater self always seeks to alleviate pain and to augment the happiness of others here amid the realities of everyday life.

Buddhism Day by Day

Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda
Tuesday, May 27, 2014:

 

Similar to the unifying and integrating self that Carl Jung perceived in the depths of the ego, the term greater self in Buddhism expresses the openness and expansiveness of character by which we can embrace all people's sufferings as our own. The greater self always seeks to alleviate pain and to augment the happiness of others here amid the realities of everyday life. Furthermore, the dynamic, vital awakening of the greater self enables each individual to experience both life and death with equal delight.

Forward! Always forward! This is a basic spirit of Buddhism.

For Today and Tomorrow

Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda
Tuesday, May 27, 2014:

 

Forward! Always forward! This is a basic spirit of Buddhism. Nichiren Daishonin's teaching is the Buddhism of true cause. We live with our gaze fixed on the future, not hung up on the past. To advance eternally—this is the essence of life and the essence of what it means to be a practitioner of the Daishonin's Buddhism.

There is a saying that "Speech is silver, silence is golden." But when you are engaged in a struggle, the opposite is true. Then, speaking out is golden and silence is defeat.

Buddhism Day by Day

Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda
Monday, May 26, 2014:

 

There is a saying that "Speech is silver, silence is golden." But when you are engaged in a struggle, the opposite is true. Then, speaking out is golden and silence is defeat.

By winning in our lives, we are advancing kosen-rufu; and by advancing kosen-rufu, we win in our lives.

For Today and Tomorrow

Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda
Monday, May 26, 2014:

 

In Buddhism, we either win or lose—there is no middle ground. Now and in the future, let us advance, determined to win in every sphere of our lives. By winning in our lives, we are advancing kosen-rufu; and by advancing kosen-rufu, we win in our lives.

The Indian poet Rabindranath Tagore compares the function of evil to the banks of a river.

Buddhism Day by Day

Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda
Sunday, May 25, 2014:

 

The Indian poet Rabindranath Tagore compares the function of evil to the banks of a river. The riverbanks are obstructions, but they are necessary for keeping the river on track and flowing steadily forward. Without banks, the river would overflow, causing destruction instead of creating value.

It is only with the heart that one can see rightly; what is essential is invisible to the eye.

For Today and Tomorrow

Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda
Sunday, May 25, 2014:

 

The heart is most important of all. In his classic The Little Prince, the French author Antoine de Saint-Exupéry writes: "It is only with the heart that one can see rightly; what is essential is invisible to the eye." It is just as he says. We cannot always tell whether something is genuine just with our eyes. Only by looking with the heart can we discern the true essence.

However, the relationship of mentor and disciple, of spiritual successors, exists only among human beings.

Buddhism Day by Day

Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda
Saturday, May 24, 2014:

 

The ultimate and most glorious of human relationships is the relationship of spiritual successors. Even animals have relationships of parent and child. There are animals that share partnerships similar to marriage, and even those that enjoy friendships. However, the relationship of mentor and disciple, of spiritual successors, exists only among human beings.

Working hard within the organization for people's happiness and welfare is itself truly noble Buddhist practice.

For Today and Tomorrow

Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda
Saturday, May 24, 2014:

 

President Toda said: "Those who do not value the organization are practicing self-centered faith. With such faith you cannot expect to receive the truly profound benefits of this practice." Working hard within the organization for people's happiness and welfare is itself truly noble Buddhist practice.

And just as we enjoy the best sleep after a day in which we have done our very best, a calm and easy death can only follow a life lived to the fullest without any regrets.

Buddhism Day by Day

Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda
Friday, May 23, 2014:

 

I believe that whether we can live a truly satisfying life to the end depends to a considerable extent on how we view death. Sadly, many older people are anxious and fearful about death. But, as a Buddhist, I find it helpful to compare the cycles of life and death to the daily rhythms of waking and sleeping. Just as we look forward to the rest sleep brings after the efforts and exertions of the day, death can be seen as a welcome period of rest and re-energizing in preparation for a new round of active life. And just as we enjoy the best sleep after a day in which we have done our very best, a calm and easy death can only follow a life lived to the fullest without any regrets.

We practice this faith precisely to forge such a strong and vibrant inner resolve.

For Today and Tomorrow

Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda
Friday, May 23, 2014:

 

We need to cultivate the spirit to live with self-assurance, to make our way joyously through life. We practice this faith precisely to forge such a strong and vibrant inner resolve.

Only within the open space created by dialogue, whether conducted with our neighbors, with history, with nature or the cosmos, can human wholeness be sustained.

Buddhism Day by Day

Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda
Thursday, May 22, 2014:

 

Only within the open space created by dialogue, whether conducted with our neighbors, with history, with nature or the cosmos, can human wholeness be sustained. We are not born human in any but a biological sense; we can only learn to know ourselves and others and thus be trained in the ways of being human. We do this by immersion in the ocean of language and dialogue fed by the springs of cultural tradition.

That was wonderful! Where shall I go next?

For Today and Tomorrow

Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda
Thursday, May 22, 2014:

 

We need to cultivate a state of life where we can thoroughly enjoy ourselves at all times. We should have such joy that even at the time of death we can declare with a happy smile: "That was wonderful! Where shall I go next?" This is the state of mind of a person with strong faith. Such individuals will be reborn without delay and in a form and in a place exactly according with their desires. Faith enables us to attain the kind of generous and all-embracing state of mind where we can enjoy everything in our lives.

The best way to attain Buddhahood is to encounter a good friend.

Buddhism Day by Day

Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda
Wednesday, May 21, 2014:

 

The best way to attain Buddhahood is to encounter a good friend. How far can our own wisdom take us? If we have even enough wisdom to distinguish hot from cold, we should seek out a good friend. But encountering a good friend is the hardest possible thing to do. For this reason, the Buddha likened it to the rarity of a one-eyed turtle finding a floating log with a hollow in it the right size to hold him, or to the difficulty of trying to lower a thread from the Brahma heaven and pass it through the eye of a needle on the earth. -Nichiren

Nothing is stronger than hope.

For Today and Tomorrow

Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda
Wednesday, May 21, 2014:

 

We must live with vibrant hope. Nothing is stronger than hope. The Mystic Law is itself eternal hope. Happiness belongs to those who never despair, no matter what happens.

The Lotus Sutra has the drama of fighting for justice against evil.

Buddhism Day by Day

Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda
Tuesday, May 20, 2014:

 

The Lotus Sutra has the drama of fighting for justice against evil. It has a warmth that comforts the weary. It has a vibrant, pulsing courage that drives away fear. It has a chorus of joy at attaining absolute freedom throughout past, present and future. It has the soaring flight of liberty. It has brilliant light, flowers, greenery, music, paintings, vivid stories. It offers unsurpassed lessons on psychology, the workings of the human heart; lessons on life; lessons on happiness; and lessons on peace. It maps out the basic rules for good health. It awakens us to the universal truth that a change in one's heart can transform everything.

There is a great deal of scheming and duplicity in the world. It is foolish to allow ourselves to be swayed by such things; it only leads to unhappiness.

For Today and Tomorrow

Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda
Tuesday, May 20, 2014:

 

We mustn't be afraid of anything. It is important to remain firm to our convictions. There is a great deal of scheming and duplicity in the world. It is foolish to allow ourselves to be swayed by such things; it only leads to unhappiness. The Mystic Law and Nichiren Daishonin are absolutely free of any falsehood. Therefore, to dedicate our lives to kosen-rufu is to lead the wisest possible existence.

Nichiren was utterly convinced we could change even the most dire and painful reality, including the danger of war, and, indeed, that it was imperative we do so.

Buddhism Day by Day

Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda
Monday, May 19, 2014:

 

Nichiren was utterly convinced we could change even the most dire and painful reality, including the danger of war, and, indeed, that it was imperative we do so. This conviction underlies his unwavering determination to create a peaceful society by widely disseminating the teachings of Buddhism.

We need to have confidence in the Mystic Law; we mustn't be swayed by immediate circumstances or allow them to cloud our faith.

For Today and Tomorrow

Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda
Monday, May 19, 2014:

 

From the standpoint of the eternity of our lives, because we embrace the Mystic Law everything is moving in a positive direction, everything contributes to our happiness and our attainment of Buddhahood. We need to have confidence in the Mystic Law; we mustn't be swayed by immediate circumstances or allow them to cloud our faith.

If you're always losing and miserable, then you are not practicing the Daishonin's Buddhism correctly.

For Today and Tomorrow

Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda
Sunday, May 18, 2014:

Those who have experienced great suffering must win in life and become happy. If you're always losing and miserable, then you are not practicing the Daishonin's Buddhism correctly. You are not following the true path in life. Buddhism teaches the means by which the sad can become happy and the happy become happier still. That is the reason for our practice.

Buddhism Day by Day

Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda
Sunday, May 18, 2014:

 

Nichiren Buddhism is concerned with a very practical problem—how people should live their lives—and never for an instant allows its attention to be diverted from that problem. And because this is its purpose, it demands as a first step that one conduct a thorough and fearless examination into the true nature of human life.

Faith means putting one's trust in the Lotus Sutra

Daily Wisdom

From the Writings of Nichiren Daishonin
Sunday, May 18, 2014:

 

What we call faith is nothing unusual. Faith means putting one's trust in the Lotus Sutra, Shakyamuni, Many Treasures, the Buddhas and bodhisattvas of the ten directions, and the heavenly gods and benevolent deities, and chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo as a woman cherishes her husband, as a man lays down his life for his wife, as parents refuse to abandon their children, or as a child refuses to leave its mother.

The essence of true knowledge is self-knowledge

Buddhism Day by Day

Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda
Saturday, May 17, 2014:

 

Wisdom is rooted in the souls of human beings. The way to acquire it is to follow the simple advice of Socrates: "Know thyself." This is the starting point for the establishment of a sense of human dignity, preventing the degradation of human beings into anonymous, interchangeable cogs in a machine. The essence of true knowledge is self-knowledge.

Who else but us can this possibly refer to?

Daily Wisdom

From the Writings of Nichiren Daishonin
Saturday, May 17, 2014:

 

The sutra states: "If one [of these good men or women in the time after I have passed into extinction] is able to secretly expound the Lotus Sutra to one person, even one phrase of it, then you should know that he or she is the envoy of the Thus Come One. He has been dispatched by the Thus Come One and carries out the Thus Come One's work." Who else but us can this possibly refer to?

Buddhism Day by Day

Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda
Friday, May 16, 2014:

 

In a relationship, it is demeaning to constantly seek your partner's approval. Such relationships are bereft of real caring, depth or even love. For those of you who find yourselves in relationships where you are not treated the way your heart says you should be, I hope you will have the courage and dignity to decide that you are better off risking the scorn of your partner than enduring unhappiness with him or her.

From a mundane view, I am the poorest person in Japan, but in light of Buddhism, I am the wealthiest person in all Jambudvipa

Daily Wisdom

From the Writings of Nichiren Daishonin
Friday, May 16, 2014:

 

From a mundane view, I am the poorest person in Japan, but in light of Buddhism, I am the wealthiest person in all Jambudvipa. When I consider that this is all because the time is right, I am overwhelmed with joy and cannot restrain my tears.

Only those who fight with hearts of steel are people of justice.

For Today and Tomorrow

Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda
Thursday, May 15, 2014:

 

 

Ralph Waldo Emerson says, "Good-nature is plentiful, but we want justice with a heart of steel, to fight down the proud." If people are merely good-natured, then those who are arrogant and highhanded will have free rein to carry on as they please. Only those who fight with hearts of steel are people of justice.

Some people, despite their shallow understanding, pretend staunch faith and speak contemptuously to their fellow believers, thus often disrupting the faith of others.

Daily Wisdom

From the Writings of Nichiren Daishonin
Thursday, May 15, 2014:

 

There are a few in this province of Kai who have expressed their desire to take faith. Yet I make it a rule not to permit them to join us unless they remain steadfast in their resolve. Some people, despite their shallow understanding, pretend staunch faith and speak contemptuously to their fellow believers, thus often disrupting the faith of others.

Each day I am making efforts with my focus on the infinite future.

For Today and Tomorrow

Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda
Wednesday, May 14, 2014:

 

 

Kosen-rufu is a long-term struggle we are pursuing over the 10,000 years of the Latter Day. Therefore, as we strive to realize victory in the present, we need to maintain a vision of the next fifty or 100 years. Each day I am making efforts with my focus on the infinite future.

"no worldly affairs of life or work are ever contrary to the true reality."

Daily Wisdom

From the Writings of Nichiren Daishonin
Wednesday, May 14, 2014:

 

The Lotus Sutra states, "[The doctrines that they preach. . . ] will never be contrary to the true reality." T'ien-t'ai commented on this, saying that "no worldly affairs of life or work are ever contrary to the true reality." A person of wisdom is not one who practices Buddhism apart from worldly affairs but, rather, one who thoroughly understands the principles by which the world is governed.

Develop An Autonomous Identity As A Human Being

Buddhism Day by Day

Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda
Tuesday, May 13, 2014:

 

We should give first priority to the development of an independent spirit as a human being before considering one's role as a man, woman, child or parent. In other words, for a person to become a man, woman, child or parent in the true sense of the word, one has to first of all develop his or her autonomous identity as a human being.

Prayers Will Be Answered

Daily Wisdom From the Writings of Nichiren Daishonin Tuesday, May 13, 2014:   Therefore, we know that the prayers offered by a practitioner of the Lotus Sutra will be answered just as an echo answers a sound, as a shadow follows a form, as the reflection of the moon appears in clear water, as a mirror collects dewdrops, as a magnet attracts iron, as amber attracts particles of dust, or as a clear mirror reflects the color of an object.

 

Buddhism Day by Day

Buddhism Day by Day

 

Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda
Monday, May 12, 2014:

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Human society, as viewed with the "eyes of Buddhism," takes on a completely different meaning from that discerned by "secular eyes." No longer are the powerful above and ordinary people below. Status does not make people great, and authority does not make them noble. Instead, it is people wholeheartedly dedicated to a lofty ideal who shine the brightest.