"History teaches that man without effort is sure to deteriorate; man cannot progress without effort, and man cannot be happy without effort."

In one of his writings, renowned microbiologist René Dubos, stated. "History teaches that man without effort is sure to deteriorate; man cannot progress without effort, and man cannot be happy without effort." This is indisputable. You may be experiencing various hardships now, but because you continue to make efforts in the midst of those challenges, no matter how painful they are, you will definitely become happy. Effort and happiness are indivisible

Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda 30/6

Happiness is not solely focused on oneself. Truly happy are those who can help others become happy

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.

Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda 5/2

Happiness is yours to create

We each move forward secure on our own earth, not the earth of others. Happiness is something we must create for ourselves. No one else can give it to us. 27/2

Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda

Happiness is born inner fortitude
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. 10/11


Don't put on airs
Don't put on airs. Conceit and pretense don't win people's hearts; the façade soon crumbles. Be yourself. Buddhism teaches we can shine most brilliantly through natural, unaffected behavior. Being sincere, dedicated and honest is the key. People of integrity triumph in the end. 9/11


Johan Galtung
The noted pacifist scholar Johan Galtung tells young people, "We must be realists in our brains while keeping the flame of idealism burning in our hearts." Both of these—to see the world as it is and how it could be—are essential to reform. A firm hold on reality should not entail being swamped by or resting easy in the status quo. To pioneer uncharted ways requires that people today keep the lamp of optimism lit. 8/11


Hardships brings ease and comfort
True ease and comfort are not found in a quiet, uneventful life. This may sound paradoxical, but hardships bring about ease and comfort. For only by establishing strong individual lives capable of boldly challenging difficult obstacles can we find true "peace and security in this lifetime," as the Lotus Sutra says. 7/10


Essence of Buddhism
Society is where we put the teachings of Buddhism into practice. The essence of Buddhism shines in our actions in society. 6/11


Roaring lions and barking foxes
Each of you should summon up the courage of a lion king and never succumb to threats from anyone. The lion king fears no other beast, nor do its cubs. Slanderers are like barking foxes, but Nichiren's followers are like roaring lions. -Nichiren 5/11


Trust is difficult to earn and it is easily lost
Trust is difficult to earn and it is easily lost—the trust built over a decade can be shattered in an instant by one offhanded remark or deed. A person who is not swayed from their chosen path, even during the most trying times, will ultimately find that he or she is trusted by all. 4/11


Buddhism is meant to be practiced
The Lotus Sutra is a scripture to be practiced. Its teachings are meant to be put into action. Our faith and study of Buddhist doctrine are enhanced and given life through actual practice. Nichiren Buddhism is not a teaching of quiet contemplation and meditation; it is a teaching of action. Failing to translate the teachings of Buddhism into action is to go against Buddhism's fundamental spirit. 3/10


Principle of oneness of self and others
The Lotus Sutra explains that the self is one with the universe. The practice of the Lotus Sutra is the practice of compassion to respect and revere everyone as a treasure tower, and to become happy conjointly with others in accord with the principle of the oneness of self and others, while overcoming the various difficulties we face. 2/11


Happiness through Buddhism
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. 1/11

What did I do to deserve this?

In the course of Buddhist practice, various things arise on account of negative causes and tendencies in our lives. There may be times when we think, What did I do to deserve this? But we should not be swayed every time such phenomena arise, for it is already certain that we will become happy in the end. We should regard as training everything that happens to us in our practice to reach the destination of happiness.

Happiness is ........

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.