How to overcome times when life seems gloomy and dull?

There may be times when life seems gloomy and dull. When we feel stuck in some situation or other, when we are negative toward everything, when we feel lost and bewildered, not sure which way to turn—at such times we must transform our passive mind-set and determine, "I will proceed along this path," "I will pursue my mission today." When we do so a genuine springtime arrives in our hearts; and flowers start to blossom.

For Today and Tomorrow
Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda 20/3

Why standalone fighting spirit is important?

Gandhi taught people to live with lion-like courage, impressing upon them that they could not afford to leave things up to others, that they had to stand up for themselves and fight for justice. Ultimately, the only way forward is by developing self-reliance, forging a stand-alone spirit. That is the only path to victory.

For Today and Tomorrow
Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda 25/2

What is the capacity of life?

Life contains the capacity, like flames that reach toward heaven, to transform suffering and pain into the energy needed for value-creation, into light that illuminates darkness. Like the wind traversing vast spaces unhindered, life has the power to uproot and overturn all obstacles and difficulties. Like clear flowing water, it can wash away all stains and impurities. And finally life, like the great earth that sustains plants and vegetation, impartially protects all people with its compassionate, nurturing force.

For Today and Tomorrow
Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda 17/2

Why should we challenge ourselves to chant?

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.

For Today and Tomorrow
Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda 2/2

What is meant by being able to perceive the world's sound?

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.

For Today and Tomorrow
Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda 1/2

The fighting spirit of Buddhist

Defeat for a Buddhist lies not in encountering difficulties but rather in not challenging them. Difficulties only truly become our destiny if we run away from them. We must fight as long as we live.

Buddhism Day by Day
Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda 30/12

Why should we be cheerful and good temper?

Ralph Waldo Emerson writes: "And so of cheerfulness, or a good temper, the more it is spent, the more of it remains." Cheerfulness is not the same as frivolousness. Cheerfulness is born of a fighting spirit. Frivolousness is the reverse side of cowardly escape. Emerson also said that "power dwells with cheerfulness; hope puts us in a working mood." Without cheerfulness there is no strength. Strive to advance still more brightly and cheerfully.

Buddhism Day by Day
Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda 29/12

What is the basic ingredient to health, to long life, and to happiness?

It is foolish to ignore or deny the contribution of medicine. Otherwise, faith descends into fanaticism. We must use medical resources wisely in fighting illness. Buddhism gives us the wisdom to use medicine properly. Wisdom is the basic ingredient to health, to long life, and to happiness. The new century of health, then, must be a new century of wisdom.

Buddhism Day by Day
Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda 26/12

What do youth strive for instead of comparing with others?

Your happiness and victory in life hinge on whether you can grasp, while you are still young, the fact that happiness lies within. That's why there is no need for you to compare yourselves to others but instead strive powerfully and cheerfully to develop your state of life, aiming to improve yourselves each day. From that struggle will bloom noble flowers of mission, flowers of happiness that are yours and yours alone. Shine as you are, live true to yourselves, and advance in your own unique way.

Buddhism Day by Day
Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda 14/12

How to live in our society that is full of contradictions?

Human society can be full of contradictions. It can be unfair; unforgiving, too. Yet we cannot afford to turn our backs to the world. A person who does loses, and no excuse can gloss that over. Given a choice whether to sink or swim, one must swim to the very end, no matter how the seas around us may rage.

Buddhism Day by Day
Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda 6/12

Why must we overcome a weak and easily swayed life-state and become a person of strength and purpose?

Many young women agonize over perceived personality flaws and a lack of self-confidence. Nichiren Buddhism, however, teaches the great path of human revolution that enables each of us to shine in our own unique way. With this philosophy, you can decisively overcome a weak and easily swayed life-state and become a person of strength and purpose. It will allow you to withstand the storms of suffering and build a rock-solid foundation that will support you throughout your entire precious lives.

Buddhism Day by Day
Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda 28/11

What have you got to lose if you trust people when you are in trouble?

Suppose that a person is standing at the foot of a tall embankment and is unable to ascend. And suppose that there is someone on top of the embankment who lowers a rope and says, "If you take hold of this rope, I will pull you up to the top of the embankment." If the person at the bottom begins to doubt that the other has the strength to pull him up, or wonders if the rope is not too weak and therefore refuses to put forth his hand and grasp it, then how is he ever to get to the top of the embankment? But if he follows the instructions, puts out his hand, and takes hold of the rope, then he can climb up. -Nichiren

Buddhism Day by Day
Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda 25/11

The Lotus Sutra does not discriminate men or women.

The purpose of Buddhism is to bring out the Buddha nature that all people inherently possess, to awaken people to it and enable them to attain Buddhahood. Moreover, the Lotus Sutra does not allow for any discrimination; all people are equally entitled to salvation.

Buddhism Day by Day
Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda 23/11

What is your unique role in this world?

Everyone born in this world has a unique role that only he or she can fulfill. Were this not the case, we would not be here. The universe never acts without cause; everything invariably has a reason for being. Even the weeds people love to loathe serve a purpose.

Buddhism Day by Day
Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda 21/10

What makes life interesting?

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.

Buddhism Day by Day
Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda 20/11

What is genuine happiness?

To be concerned only with one's own happiness is egoism. To claim you care only about the happiness of others is hypocrisy. Genuine happiness is becoming happy together with others. Josei Toda said: "Just becoming happy oneself—there's nothing difficult to that. It's easy. Helping others become happy is the foundation of our faith.

Buddhism Day by Day
Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda 19/11

Where is happiness found?

If you want to build a happy life, you have to give careful thought to the foundations. Happiness certainly cannot be secured on appearances or affectation. Happiness comes down to the inner state of our life at a given moment.

Buddhism Day by Day
Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda 18/11

How to confront fundamental darkness in one's own life?

The Lotus Sutra, which explains that all people can attain Buddhahood and that all people are Buddhas, embodies a spirit of supreme respect for human beings. By contrast, those teachings and ideas that seek to turn people into objects to be exploited embody ultimate disrespect for human beings. Such disrespect is an expression of fundamental darkness. On the level of the individual, practicing the Lotus Sutra means confronting the fundamental darkness in one's own life.


Buddhism Day by Day
Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda 17/11

How to realise your unique potential?

We are always changing. If you decide passively, "I'm a quiet type now, so I'll just go through life being quiet," then you won't fully realize your unique potential. On the other hand, you can challenge yourself to become someone, who, though quiet and reserved by nature, will nevertheless say what needs to be said at the right moment, clearly and completely, someone who has the courage to speak out and stand up for the truth.

Buddhism Day by Day
Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda 15/11

Lead the life you belief in and why bother what other says.

Our lives are our own. It is not for someone else to dictate to us how we should live them. All that awaits those who allow themselves to be continually swayed by what other people say or do is unhappiness. We simply need to have the self-belief to be able to say: "This is right. This is the path I will follow. I am content." Happiness is born from such inner fortitude.

Buddhism Day by Day
Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda 10/11