No one develops in a pampered environment.

Youth should not seek an easy comfortable path. No one develops in a pampered environment. Youth should instead actively seek out challenges and hardships, transforming them all into valuable assets as they strive to become individuals of outstanding character and ability.

For Today and Tomorrow
Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda 31/1

Should there be a leader or leaders in faith whom you do not like, all you have to do is determine not to become like them.

The role of leaders is important. Everything is determined by the leaders behavior. There is a passage in The Romance of the Three Kingdoms that says only those who possess genuine wisdom and virtue win the highest regard from people. It all comes down to you. You have to polish and develop yourselves. Should there be a leader or leaders in faith whom you do not like, all you have to do is determine not to become like them. All you have to do is decide that you will become leaders who will make everyone feel comfortable and at ease.

For Today and Tomorrow
Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda 11/1

Religion should bring people together.

Religious strife must be avoided at all cost; under no circumstance should it be allowed. People may hold different religious beliefs, but the bottom line is that we are all human beings. We all seek happiness and desire peace. Religion should bring people together. It should unite the potential for good in people's hearts toward benefiting society and humanity and creating a better future

Buddhism Day by Day
Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda 27/12

Where is happiness to be found?

Where is happiness to be found? The famous Roman philosopher-emperor Marcus Aurelius said, "A man's true delight is to do the things he was made for." Human happiness, he maintained, lies in doing those things only humans can: seeking the truth and acting to help those who are suffering. Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, too, asserted that those who work cheerfully and take joy in the fruits of their labor are truly happy. These are the words of great thinkers, and as you can see they are in complete accord with the teachings of Buddhism.

Buddhism Day by Day
Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda 24/12

What is an expansive life-state of profound, secure happiness that transcends any material or social advantage?

Even if you are born into the most affluent of circumstances or enjoy a spectacular marriage that is the envy of others, there is no guarantee that you will be happy. Happiness does not depend on wealth or personal appearance, nor does it hinge on fame or recognition. If your heart is empty, you cannot build genuine happiness.
There is an expansive life-state of profound, secure happiness that transcends any material or social advantage. It is called faith; it is called the life-state of Buddhahood.

Buddhism Day by Day
Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda 22/12

What is creation?

Creation is quite different from mere ideas. Even ideas require fundamental and extensive speculative accumulation. It goes without saying that creation in learning demands an incomparably greater fundamental ability. The task of creation is like a lofty mountain whose summit is formed only when there exist vast slopes and a solid foundation. Likewise, the fruitful work of creation can only be attained when it is based on the extensive knowledge of learning and profound speculation.

Buddhism Day by Day
Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda 20/12

Why is faith?

There is an expansive life-state of profound, secure happiness that transcends any material or social advantage. It is called faith; it is called the life-state of Buddhahood. As Nichiren reminds us: "It is the heart that is important." It is in the heart of faith that Buddhahood resides and boundless and immeasurable happiness shines forth. Happiness is not something located far away. We must realize that it exists within our own lives. Nichiren Buddhism teaches this and shows us how to attain indestructible happiness.

Buddhism Day by Day
Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda 4/12

How to use our voice to our best advantage?

Our voice resonates with life. Because this is so, it can touch the lives of others. The caring and compassion imbued in your voice finds passage to the listener's soul, striking his or her heart and causing it to sing out; the human voice summons something profound from deep within, and can even compel a person into action.

Buddhism Day by Day
Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda 14/11

What is the true spirit of mediation?

Buddhism is not a religion that closes its eyes to people's suffering; it is a teaching that opens people's eyes. Therefore, Buddhism is the path that enables people to become happy. To turn away our eyes from the contradictions of society and rid ourselves of all worldly thoughts is not the way of Buddhist practice. The true spirit of mediation lies in manifesting our innate wisdom in society and resolutely struggling for the happiness of ourselves and others, and to construct a better society.

Buddhism Day by Day
Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda 1/11

Live a meaningful life with no regrets

Death does not discriminate; it strips of us everything. Fame, wealth and power are all useless in the unadorned reality of the final moments of life. When the time comes, we will have only ourselves to rely on. This is a solemn confrontation that we must face armed only with our raw humanity, the actual record of what we have done, how we have chosen to live our lives, asking, "Have I lived true to myself? What have I contributed to the world? What are my satisfactions or regrets?"

Buddhism Day by Day
Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda 31/10

Why is it important for us to carry out human revolution?

As you meet various trials and difficulties, thus polishing all the many facets of the jewel which is life, you will learn to walk that supreme pathway of humanity. Of this, I am confident, and I am confident too that those who embrace life's native creativity now stand and will continue to stand in the vanguard of history. Bringing the creativity of life to its fullest flowering is the work of human revolution. Carrying out this kind of human revolution is your mission now as it will be throughout your lives.

Buddhism Day by Day
Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda 29/10

How to be your own master?

Shakyamuni Buddha explained the fundamental spirit of Buddhism as a sense of individual responsibility. "You are your only master. Who else? Subdue yourself and discover your master." In other words, we must each take responsibility for our own self-discipline and for cultivating meaningful lives.

Buddhism Day by Day
Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda 28/10

What is great literature?

Literature that works to refine, deepen and save the human soul is akin to a religion that elevates and binds people together. And the texts of great religions, such as the Bible and the Buddhist scriptures, make great literature. Literature and religion are parts of the human heritage, and determining how to use that heritage is essential to our further growth as human beings

Buddhism Day by Day
Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda 27/10

What is the noblest path a human being can ever pursue?

Buddhism is a movement emphasizing self-education with the aim of unlocking and developing our inherent Buddha nature while at the same time bringing forth diverse wisdom and using various expedient means to help others tap their Buddhahood. This development of potential, this education of oneself and others, is the noblest path a human being can ever pursue.

Buddhism Day by Day
Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda 26/10

Why must we be diligent in our faith?

What one has done for another yesterday will be done for oneself today. Blossoms turn into fruit, and brides become mothers-in-law. Chant Nam-myohorenge- kyo, and be always diligent in your faith. -Nichiren

Buddhism Day by Day
Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda 24/10

Why should we put ourselves in others shoes?

The misfortune of others is our misfortune. Our happiness is the happiness of others. To see ourselves in others and feel an inner oneness and sense of unity with them represents a fundamental revolution in the way we view and live our lives. Therefore, discriminating against another person is the same as discriminating against oneself. When we hurt another, we are hurting ourselves. And when we respect others, we respect and elevate our own lives as well.

Buddhism Day by Day
Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda 23/10

What is our greatest spiritual treasure?

Any position, honor or wealth we may gain we will possess only during our present existence. But the unshakable state of life we develop through faith in Nam-myoho-renge-kyo represents our greatest spiritual treasure.

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

Why do we share our experience of triumph with others?

Our individual experiences of triumph over our problems give courage and hope to many others. Our personal victories, in other words, become parables expressing the power of the Mystic Law. And those who hear our experiences can share them with still others.

Buddhism Day by Day
Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda 19/10

What is relative happiness and absolute happiness?

Such things as money, fame, and material possessions offer a fleeting satisfaction, something that can be called relative happiness. However, when we transform our lives internally, when we develop within ourselves a brilliant inner palace, then we can be said to have established absolute happiness. If we develop a state of mind as vast and resplendent as a magnificent palace, then nothing—no matter where we go or what we may encounter in life—can undermine or destroy our happiness.

Buddhism Day by Day
Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda 18/10

How can we manifest the power of Buddhahood in our very beings?

The air around us is filled with radio waves of various frequencies. While these are invisible, a television set can collect them and turn them into visible images. The practice of chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo aligns the rhythm of our own lives with the world of Buddhahood in the universe. It "tunes" our lives, so to speak, so that we can manifest the power of Buddhahood in our very beings.

Buddhism Day by Day
Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda 16/10