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.
Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda 26/12
Showing posts with label wisdom. Show all posts
Showing posts with label wisdom. Show all posts
Thursday, February 3, 2011
Sunday, October 31, 2010
Wisdom and Compassion
To possess both wisdom and compassion is the heart of our human revolution. If you have wisdom alone and lack compassion, it will be a cold, perverse wisdom. If you have compassion alone and lack wisdom, you cannot give happiness to others. You are even likely to lead them in the wrong direction, and you won't be able to achieve your own happiness. 20/4
Tuesday, October 12, 2010
Buddhism Day by Day
Open up your heart
The heart of one person moves another's. If one's own heart is closed, then the doors of other people's hearts will also shut tight. On the other hand, someone who makes all those around him or her into allies, bathing them in the sunlight of spring, will be treasured by all. 10/8
Faith and daily life, and faith and work are one
Faith and daily life, faith and work—these are not separate things. They are one and the same. To think of them as separate—that faith is faith, and work is work—is theoretical faith. Based on the recognition that work and faith are one and the same, we should put 100 percent of our energy into our jobs and 100 percent into our faith, too. When we resolve to do this, we enter the path of victory in life. Faith means to show irrefutable proof of victory amid the realities of society and in our own daily lives. 9/8
Uses of Religion
Depending on the use to which it is put, religion can be a demonic force. Religion should bring us together, but it is exploited by some to create greater schisms among us. Nothing could be more unfortunate. Religion must always be for the people. People do not exist for the sake of religion. This must be the fundamental guideline of religion in the twenty-first century. 8/8
Friend and sincerity
The people we are close to are important. We should treat them as our treasures. When dealing with others, we should always be sincere and polite. Nothing is stronger than sincerity. I have made many friends around the world and made them all with the same sincerity. A relationship built with sincerity will never be destroyed, but relationships build by means of tactics and scheming always collapse in the end. 7/8
Prayers and Vows in Nichiren Buddhism
Prayer in Nichiren Buddhism is fundamentally a vow. It is a pledge or commitment to follow a chosen course of action; it is a declaration to challenge a clear objective. As such, how could anything be more wonderful than the vow to realize our personal human revolution and actualize the goal of world peace? 6/8
Buddhist Optimism
Buddhist optimism is not the escapist optimism of those who throw up their hands and say, "Somehow or other things will work out." Rather it means clearly recognizing evil as evil and suffering as suffering and resolutely fighting to overcome it. It means believing in one's ability and strength to struggle against any evil or any obstacle. It is to possess a fighting optimism. 5/8
Rhythms of Life
In Buddhist terms, the great universe and the self—the great macrocosm and the microcosm—are one. Since the self and all phenomena are one, all things are interrelated. Termed dependent origination, this teaching explains that all things weave a single whole in which individuals live in relation to all others.
In other words, all beings and phenomena exist or occur because of their relationship with other beings and phenomena, and nothing in either the human or the nonhuman world exists in isolation. All things are mutually related to and interdependent with all other things. They all form a great cosmos maintaining the rhythms of life. 4/8
Power of faith and chanting Nam myoho renge kyo
Be resolved to summon forth the great power of faith, and chant Nam-myoho-renge-kyo with the prayer that your faith will be steadfast and correct at the moment of death. Never seek any other way to inherit the ultimate Law of life and death, and manifest it in your life. Only then will you realize that earthly desires are enlightenment, and that the sufferings of birth and death are nirvana. Even embracing the Lotus Sutra would be useless without the heritage of faith. -Nichiren 3/8
Why was Shakyamuni Buddha so respected?
Why was Shakyamuni Buddha so respected? One of the reasons was the power of his voice. His voice is recorded as "beautiful, sweet like honey, warm and graceful, resounding and clear." He is also described as an individual who "speaks brightly, remarks brightly, narrates gracefully, talks clearly, expresses himself eloquently to make himself understood."
Shakyamuni called to anybody who visited him, "Welcome, welcome." It is expounded that he associated with people with his friendliness, joy and gentleness. He always politely greeted any person he encountered. He never greeted them in an unfriendly manner. It is said that he first opened his mouth to speak to the other person so that he or she would have an easier time to open up to Shakyamuni. 2/8
Three Bodies of Buddha
By wholeheartedly and directly meeting life's challenges, we bring forth from within ourselves the "three bodies of the Buddha," which are truth, wisdom and compassion. The light of this internal wisdom constantly encourages and guides us toward true and correct action. 1/8
The heart of one person moves another's. If one's own heart is closed, then the doors of other people's hearts will also shut tight. On the other hand, someone who makes all those around him or her into allies, bathing them in the sunlight of spring, will be treasured by all. 10/8
Faith and daily life, and faith and work are one
Faith and daily life, faith and work—these are not separate things. They are one and the same. To think of them as separate—that faith is faith, and work is work—is theoretical faith. Based on the recognition that work and faith are one and the same, we should put 100 percent of our energy into our jobs and 100 percent into our faith, too. When we resolve to do this, we enter the path of victory in life. Faith means to show irrefutable proof of victory amid the realities of society and in our own daily lives. 9/8
Uses of Religion
Depending on the use to which it is put, religion can be a demonic force. Religion should bring us together, but it is exploited by some to create greater schisms among us. Nothing could be more unfortunate. Religion must always be for the people. People do not exist for the sake of religion. This must be the fundamental guideline of religion in the twenty-first century. 8/8
Friend and sincerity
The people we are close to are important. We should treat them as our treasures. When dealing with others, we should always be sincere and polite. Nothing is stronger than sincerity. I have made many friends around the world and made them all with the same sincerity. A relationship built with sincerity will never be destroyed, but relationships build by means of tactics and scheming always collapse in the end. 7/8
Prayers and Vows in Nichiren Buddhism
Prayer in Nichiren Buddhism is fundamentally a vow. It is a pledge or commitment to follow a chosen course of action; it is a declaration to challenge a clear objective. As such, how could anything be more wonderful than the vow to realize our personal human revolution and actualize the goal of world peace? 6/8
Buddhist Optimism
Buddhist optimism is not the escapist optimism of those who throw up their hands and say, "Somehow or other things will work out." Rather it means clearly recognizing evil as evil and suffering as suffering and resolutely fighting to overcome it. It means believing in one's ability and strength to struggle against any evil or any obstacle. It is to possess a fighting optimism. 5/8
Rhythms of Life
In Buddhist terms, the great universe and the self—the great macrocosm and the microcosm—are one. Since the self and all phenomena are one, all things are interrelated. Termed dependent origination, this teaching explains that all things weave a single whole in which individuals live in relation to all others.
In other words, all beings and phenomena exist or occur because of their relationship with other beings and phenomena, and nothing in either the human or the nonhuman world exists in isolation. All things are mutually related to and interdependent with all other things. They all form a great cosmos maintaining the rhythms of life. 4/8
Power of faith and chanting Nam myoho renge kyo
Be resolved to summon forth the great power of faith, and chant Nam-myoho-renge-kyo with the prayer that your faith will be steadfast and correct at the moment of death. Never seek any other way to inherit the ultimate Law of life and death, and manifest it in your life. Only then will you realize that earthly desires are enlightenment, and that the sufferings of birth and death are nirvana. Even embracing the Lotus Sutra would be useless without the heritage of faith. -Nichiren 3/8
Why was Shakyamuni Buddha so respected?
Why was Shakyamuni Buddha so respected? One of the reasons was the power of his voice. His voice is recorded as "beautiful, sweet like honey, warm and graceful, resounding and clear." He is also described as an individual who "speaks brightly, remarks brightly, narrates gracefully, talks clearly, expresses himself eloquently to make himself understood."
Shakyamuni called to anybody who visited him, "Welcome, welcome." It is expounded that he associated with people with his friendliness, joy and gentleness. He always politely greeted any person he encountered. He never greeted them in an unfriendly manner. It is said that he first opened his mouth to speak to the other person so that he or she would have an easier time to open up to Shakyamuni. 2/8
Three Bodies of Buddha
By wholeheartedly and directly meeting life's challenges, we bring forth from within ourselves the "three bodies of the Buddha," which are truth, wisdom and compassion. The light of this internal wisdom constantly encourages and guides us toward true and correct action. 1/8
Monday, October 11, 2010
Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda
Effort and happiness are indivisible
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. 30/6
Polished Mirror
Originally, every person's life is a brilliantly shining mirror. Differences arise depending on whether one polishes this mirror: A polished mirror is the Buddha's life, whereas a tarnished mirror is that of a common mortal. Chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo is what polishes our lives. 29/6
Value of Life
If you are unwilling to make efforts to heal yourself, it will be very difficult to cure your illness. One day of life is more valuable than all the treasures of the major world system, so first you must muster sincere faith. -Nichiren 28/6
Impact of a Religion
When individuals practice a teaching as intended, the expected result becomes manifest in their lives as well as in their environment. Religion not only deals with spirituality but also has a significant impact—positive or negative—upon people's daily lives and their society. The nature and extent of a particular religion's impact becomes the standard for evaluating its validity. 27/6
Live without regret
This lifetime will never come again; it is precious and irreplaceable. To live without regret, we must have a concrete purpose, continually setting goals and challenges for ourselves. And we need to keep moving toward those specific targets steadily and tenaciously, one step at a time. 26/6
The Power of prayers
The first thing is to pray. From the moment we begin to pray, things start moving. The darker the night, the closer the dawn. From the moment we chant Nam-myoho-renge-kyo with a deep and powerful resolve, the sun begins to rise in our hearts. Hope—prayer is the sun of hope. To chant each time we face a problem, overcoming it and elevating our life-condition as a result—this is the path of "changing earthly desires into enlightenment," taught in Nichiren Buddhism. 25/6
Buddha exists in our own hearts
Flint has the potential to produce fire, and gems have intrinsic value. We ordinary people can see neither our own eyelashes, which are so close, nor the heavens in the distance. Likewise, we do not see that the Buddha exists in our own hearts. -Nichiren 24/6
Giving joy, courage, hope, assurance to others
If a person is hungry, we should give them bread. When there is no bread, we can at least give words that nourish. To a person who looks ill or is physically frail, we can turn the conversation to some subject that will lift their spirits and fill them with the hope and determination to get better. Let us give something to each person we meet: joy, courage, hope, assurance, philosophy, wisdom, a vision for the future. Let us always give something.
Compassion of Buddha
The Buddha keenly understands various sufferings as though his own children were experiencing them. Sorrow and empathy well from his life. A Buddha is a person of compassion. Josei Toda said: "Compassion is not a Buddhist austerity. It is something that should be expressed unconsciously and naturally in one's actions, and in the workings of one's heart. The Buddha knows no path of living apart from that of living with compassion." 22/6
Importance of getting your priority right
Certainly there will be times when you wish you had more spending money, more time to sleep and more time for fun and recreation. You may feel restricted now, but you should consider your current situation as the perfect set of circumstances for your growth. Within the restrictions that define your present existence, the only thing to do is to discipline yourself and head in the direction of growth and self-improvement. 21/6
Buddhism shows thw correct way of life
Buddhism elucidates the dignity of human life on the most fundamental level. Buddhism is not merely a philosophy that observes truth from an objective point of view or in light of reason. It is oriented toward practice and the study of human beings that shows the correct way to live. Buddhism aims to prove the true dignity of human life through the individual's life and his or her actions to help others do the same. In other words, Buddhism is a practice to revere human life, one's own as well as others'. 20/6
Shallow Perspective
If you always have a shallow perspective and pay attention only to trivial things, you are sure to get bogged down in all kinds of petty worries and concerns, and not be able to move forward. Even relatively minor hurdles or problems will seem insurmountable. But if you look at life from a broad viewpoint, you naturally spot the way to solve any problem you may confront. This is true when we consider our own personal problems as well as those of society and even the future of the entire world. 19/6
Real merit of Human Being
What decides our real merit as human beings? Ultimately, it comes down to the philosophy we uphold and the actions we take based on our convictions. 18/6
True sincerity
When we interact with others with true sincerity, the other person will more often than not come to respect and value our own character. And this is all the more so when our actions are based on prayer.
Conversely, holding others in contempt only leads to being held in contempt oneself: one whose life is tainted by feelings of hate toward others will come to be reviled by others.
Let us open the path to mutual respect and harmonious coexistence so as to bring an end to this vicious circle that has long been part of human destiny.
Unflagging Optimist
The writer Johann Wolfgang von Goethe was an unflagging optimist. How was he able to maintain such optimism? Because he was always active. He did not allow his life to stagnate. He writes: "It is better to do the smallest thing in the world than to hold half an hour to be too small a thing." Spending thirty minutes a day assiduously challenging some undertaking can completely change our lives. 16/6
Establishing eternal happiness
The joy of heaven is ephemeral like a mirage or a dream. A life spent in pursuit of a mirage is itself a mirage. The purpose of Buddhist practice is to establish an eternally indestructible state of happiness; not a fleeting happiness that perishes like a flower but an internal palace of happiness that will last throughout all time. 15/6
Revitalization of Human Beings
Wherever we are, it is necessary to begin with the revitalization of individual human beings. That will lead to the reformation of society and the world through human revolution. That is the teaching of the Lotus Sutra. And actions directed toward that end, I would like to stress, represent the wisdom of the Lotus Sutra. 14/6
Make the most out of Life
No one can escape death. Precisely because of this, when people resolve to live at each instant with all their might, to make the present moment shine by living true to themselves and leading truly humane existences, they can summon forth immense strength. At the same time, they can manifest a considerate spirit toward others. Herein lies the Middle Way. Buddhism is the philosophy that teaches this essential way of life. 13/6
Overcoming gloomy day of life
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 mindset 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. 12/6
Victors of life
Life is about scaling one mountain, then facing the next one, followed by the one after that. Those who persevere and finally succeed in conquering the highest mountain are victors in life. On the other hand, those who avoid such challenges and take the easy route, descending into the valleys, will end in defeat. 11/6
Wasting your life away
"All right, let's get to work again!"—this is the spirit of people of genuine substance. Those who avoid hard work or neglect the things they have to do, who just while away their time, eating, sleeping, playing, watching television—such individuals will never experience true happiness, satisfaction or joy.
Making a vow
In any field of endeavor, making a vow is the foundation for achieving something great. If for whatever reason a person gives up halfway or backslides, his or her commitment hasn't been based on a vow. Halfhearted desire doesn't amount to a vow. 9/6
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. 30/6
Polished Mirror
Originally, every person's life is a brilliantly shining mirror. Differences arise depending on whether one polishes this mirror: A polished mirror is the Buddha's life, whereas a tarnished mirror is that of a common mortal. Chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo is what polishes our lives. 29/6
Value of Life
If you are unwilling to make efforts to heal yourself, it will be very difficult to cure your illness. One day of life is more valuable than all the treasures of the major world system, so first you must muster sincere faith. -Nichiren 28/6
Impact of a Religion
When individuals practice a teaching as intended, the expected result becomes manifest in their lives as well as in their environment. Religion not only deals with spirituality but also has a significant impact—positive or negative—upon people's daily lives and their society. The nature and extent of a particular religion's impact becomes the standard for evaluating its validity. 27/6
Live without regret
This lifetime will never come again; it is precious and irreplaceable. To live without regret, we must have a concrete purpose, continually setting goals and challenges for ourselves. And we need to keep moving toward those specific targets steadily and tenaciously, one step at a time. 26/6
The Power of prayers
The first thing is to pray. From the moment we begin to pray, things start moving. The darker the night, the closer the dawn. From the moment we chant Nam-myoho-renge-kyo with a deep and powerful resolve, the sun begins to rise in our hearts. Hope—prayer is the sun of hope. To chant each time we face a problem, overcoming it and elevating our life-condition as a result—this is the path of "changing earthly desires into enlightenment," taught in Nichiren Buddhism. 25/6
Buddha exists in our own hearts
Flint has the potential to produce fire, and gems have intrinsic value. We ordinary people can see neither our own eyelashes, which are so close, nor the heavens in the distance. Likewise, we do not see that the Buddha exists in our own hearts. -Nichiren 24/6
Giving joy, courage, hope, assurance to others
If a person is hungry, we should give them bread. When there is no bread, we can at least give words that nourish. To a person who looks ill or is physically frail, we can turn the conversation to some subject that will lift their spirits and fill them with the hope and determination to get better. Let us give something to each person we meet: joy, courage, hope, assurance, philosophy, wisdom, a vision for the future. Let us always give something.
Compassion of Buddha
The Buddha keenly understands various sufferings as though his own children were experiencing them. Sorrow and empathy well from his life. A Buddha is a person of compassion. Josei Toda said: "Compassion is not a Buddhist austerity. It is something that should be expressed unconsciously and naturally in one's actions, and in the workings of one's heart. The Buddha knows no path of living apart from that of living with compassion." 22/6
Importance of getting your priority right
Certainly there will be times when you wish you had more spending money, more time to sleep and more time for fun and recreation. You may feel restricted now, but you should consider your current situation as the perfect set of circumstances for your growth. Within the restrictions that define your present existence, the only thing to do is to discipline yourself and head in the direction of growth and self-improvement. 21/6
Buddhism shows thw correct way of life
Buddhism elucidates the dignity of human life on the most fundamental level. Buddhism is not merely a philosophy that observes truth from an objective point of view or in light of reason. It is oriented toward practice and the study of human beings that shows the correct way to live. Buddhism aims to prove the true dignity of human life through the individual's life and his or her actions to help others do the same. In other words, Buddhism is a practice to revere human life, one's own as well as others'. 20/6
Shallow Perspective
If you always have a shallow perspective and pay attention only to trivial things, you are sure to get bogged down in all kinds of petty worries and concerns, and not be able to move forward. Even relatively minor hurdles or problems will seem insurmountable. But if you look at life from a broad viewpoint, you naturally spot the way to solve any problem you may confront. This is true when we consider our own personal problems as well as those of society and even the future of the entire world. 19/6
Real merit of Human Being
What decides our real merit as human beings? Ultimately, it comes down to the philosophy we uphold and the actions we take based on our convictions. 18/6
True sincerity
When we interact with others with true sincerity, the other person will more often than not come to respect and value our own character. And this is all the more so when our actions are based on prayer.
Conversely, holding others in contempt only leads to being held in contempt oneself: one whose life is tainted by feelings of hate toward others will come to be reviled by others.
Let us open the path to mutual respect and harmonious coexistence so as to bring an end to this vicious circle that has long been part of human destiny.
Unflagging Optimist
The writer Johann Wolfgang von Goethe was an unflagging optimist. How was he able to maintain such optimism? Because he was always active. He did not allow his life to stagnate. He writes: "It is better to do the smallest thing in the world than to hold half an hour to be too small a thing." Spending thirty minutes a day assiduously challenging some undertaking can completely change our lives. 16/6
Establishing eternal happiness
The joy of heaven is ephemeral like a mirage or a dream. A life spent in pursuit of a mirage is itself a mirage. The purpose of Buddhist practice is to establish an eternally indestructible state of happiness; not a fleeting happiness that perishes like a flower but an internal palace of happiness that will last throughout all time. 15/6
Revitalization of Human Beings
Wherever we are, it is necessary to begin with the revitalization of individual human beings. That will lead to the reformation of society and the world through human revolution. That is the teaching of the Lotus Sutra. And actions directed toward that end, I would like to stress, represent the wisdom of the Lotus Sutra. 14/6
Make the most out of Life
No one can escape death. Precisely because of this, when people resolve to live at each instant with all their might, to make the present moment shine by living true to themselves and leading truly humane existences, they can summon forth immense strength. At the same time, they can manifest a considerate spirit toward others. Herein lies the Middle Way. Buddhism is the philosophy that teaches this essential way of life. 13/6
Overcoming gloomy day of life
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 mindset 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. 12/6
Victors of life
Life is about scaling one mountain, then facing the next one, followed by the one after that. Those who persevere and finally succeed in conquering the highest mountain are victors in life. On the other hand, those who avoid such challenges and take the easy route, descending into the valleys, will end in defeat. 11/6
Wasting your life away
"All right, let's get to work again!"—this is the spirit of people of genuine substance. Those who avoid hard work or neglect the things they have to do, who just while away their time, eating, sleeping, playing, watching television—such individuals will never experience true happiness, satisfaction or joy.
Making a vow
In any field of endeavor, making a vow is the foundation for achieving something great. If for whatever reason a person gives up halfway or backslides, his or her commitment hasn't been based on a vow. Halfhearted desire doesn't amount to a vow. 9/6
Sunday, October 10, 2010
Wisdom is rooted in the souls of human beings
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. 17/5
Friday, October 8, 2010
Life contains the capacity, like flames that reach toward heaven 18/2
Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda
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 vegetation, impartially protects all people with its compassionate, nurturing force.
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 vegetation, impartially protects all people with its compassionate, nurturing force.
Wednesday, August 11, 2010
Respect
Buddhas respect people's individuality and desire that they may freely manifest their unique qualities. They are neither partial nor adverse toward people on account of their individual proclivities. Buddha love, rejoice at and try to bring out each person's uniqueness, this is their compassion and their wisdom.
What is wisdom?
Wisdom, in the Lotus Sutra, does not simply mean being smart, it is far more profound. Essentially, it is to have an excellent "heart". Wisdom signifies humanity and force of character borne of strength, breath and profundity of spirit. Nichiren says, " The wise may be called human. " He also explains that one who preserves in the correct way of life, unswayed by praise and censure, is truly wise.
Tuesday, August 10, 2010
Buddhism Wisdom
In Nichiren Buddhism, attaining enlightenment is not about embarking on some inconceivably long journey to become a resplendent, godlike Buddha, it is about accomplishing a transformation in the depths of one's being. In other words, it is not a matter of practicing in order to scale the highest summit of enlightenment at some point in the distant future. Rather, it is a constant moment-to-moment, inner struggle between revealing our innate Dharma mature or allowing ourselves to be ruled by our fundamental darkness and delusion.
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