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.

Buddhism Day by Day

Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda
Monday, June 10, 2013:

"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.

Halfhearted desire doesn't amount to a vow.

Buddhism Day by Day

Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda
Sunday, June 9, 2013:

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.

We have to make ourselves heard.

For Today and Tomorrow

Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda
Sunday, June 9, 2013:

 

We have to make ourselves heard. We have to speak out for what we believe in. When we, the people, boldly state our true convictions—never losing our optimism or sense of humor—the times will change. When it comes to speaking out for justice, there isn't any need for restraint. On the contrary, to be reserved or hesitant under such circumstances is wrong.

We must pour upon all children our great love and compassion so that each child can blossom, true to his or her unique quality.

Buddhism Day by Day

Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda
Saturday, June 8, 2013:

 

Every child is precious. The Lotus Sutra tells the parable of the three kinds of medicinal herbs and two kinds of trees. There are many different kinds of plants; their shape, size and nature come in myriad varieties. Some plants grow fast while others take time to mature. In this parable, however, the heavens rain upon all the plants equally, nurturing their growth. And the plants blossom and bear fruits according to their own unique character. This parable symbolizes the Buddha's vast compassion to nurture all living beings despite their differences. All children are different; each possesses his or her wonderful unique quality. We must pour upon all children our great love and compassion so that each child can blossom, true to his or her unique quality.

President Toda often said that the final four or five years of one's life are decisive.

For Today and Tomorrow

Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda
Saturday, June 8, 2013:

 

President Toda often said that the final four or five years of one's life are decisive. No matter how good the preceding years may have been, one's life ends in defeat and sadness if the final few years are miserable. On the other hand, someone whose last four or five years are happy and filled with joy can be described a winner in life. No matter what happens, even if we should fall sick, we must never grow discouraged or allow ourselves to be defeated. This is vital. As long as our spirits are undefeated, we are victors.

Nam-myoho-renge-kyo enables us to make any hardship or setback the source of our new advancement and our treasure for the future.

Buddhism Day by Day

Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda
Friday, June 7, 2013:

 

Nam-myoho-renge-kyo enables us to make any hardship or setback the source of our new advancement and our treasure for the future. Therefore, you don't have to be afraid of making a mistake or encountering an obstacle. In short, as long as you are devoted to staying in the correct orbit of faith, you won't ever cease to advance toward your victory, even if you may go through some twists and turns in life.

Faith and daily life, faith and work—these are not separate things.

For Today and Tomorrow

Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda
Friday, June 7, 2013:

 

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 one hundred percent of our energy into our jobs and one hundred 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.

Buddhism Day by Day

Buddhism Day by Day

Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda
Thursday, June 6, 2013:

 

I have profound reverence for you, I would never dare treat you with disparagement or arrogance. Why? Because you are all practicing the bodhisattva way and are certain to attain Buddhahood. -The Lotus Sutra

Please always remember that showing such proof is the mark of a true successor.

For Today and Tomorrow

Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda
Thursday, June 6, 2013:

 

Science is based on tested proof or empirical evidence. You conduct a test or experiment and then observe the results. Nichiren Daishonin's Buddhism, similarly, teaches that nothing beats actual proof. In this regard, it stands alone among the religions of the world. I hope that each year you will strive to show clear proof of victory in Buddhism and your studies. Please always remember that showing such proof is the mark of a true successor.

Everything starts with you.

Buddhism Day by Day

Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda
Wednesday, June 5, 2013:

 

Everything starts with you. You must forge yourself through your own efforts. I urge each of you to create something, start something and make a success of something. That is the essence of human existence, the challenge of youth. Herein lies a wonderful way of life always aiming for the future.

The fainthearted cannot savor the true benefit of faith; their ability to tap the power of the Buddha and the power of the Law [of the Gohonzon] in their lives is enfeebled.

For Today and Tomorrow

Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda
Wednesday, June 5, 2013:

 

Cowardice is harmful for it delights the enemies of Buddhism and obstructs the advance of kosen-rufu. The fainthearted cannot savor the true benefit of faith; their ability to tap the power of the Buddha and the power of the Law [of the Gohonzon] in their lives is enfeebled.

It's so important to keep the promises made to friends.

Buddhism Day by Day

Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda
Tuesday, June 4, 2013:

 

It's so important to keep the promises made to friends. This is the true meaning of friendship. To become people who can do so, however, we must first learn to keep our resolutions—the promises we have made to ourselves.

That was truly an interesting life.

For Today and Tomorrow

Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda
Tuesday, June 4, 2013:

 

 

Death will come to each of us some day. We can die having fought hard for our beliefs and convictions, or we can die having failed to do so. Since the reality of death is the same in either case, isn't it far better that we set out on our journey toward the next existence in high spirits and with a bright smile on our faces—knowing that in everything we did, we did the very best we could, thrilling with the sense "That was truly an interesting life"?

If we persevere, bearing in mind the principle faith equals daily life in accord with reason, then our prayers will definitely be answered.

Buddhism Day by Day

Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda
Monday, June 3, 2013:

 

When we plant the seed of happiness that is faith and carefully tend its growth, it will produce fruit without fail. We have to bear in mind, however, that we cannot plant a seed today and expect it to bear fruit tomorrow. That's not reasonable and Buddhism is reason. If we persevere, bearing in mind the principle faith equals daily life in accord with reason, then our prayers will definitely be answered. This is Nichiren's promise to us. And his words are true beyond any doubt.

Buddhism, after all, can only flourish if there are people who uphold and practice its teachings.

For Today and Tomorrow

Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda
Monday, June 3, 2013:

 

I would like each of you to rise to the challenge of revolutionizing the area where you live into an ideal community and to do so with the determination to start from where you are right now. This means building a good SGI organization in your local area—and building it yourself with loving, painstaking care, the way an artist pours his or her heart and soul into creating a work of art. It also means fostering capable people. Buddhism, after all, can only flourish if there are people who uphold and practice its teachings.

Transformation within our own lives is important.

Buddhism Day by Day

Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda
Sunday, June 2, 2013:

 

Unless we can perceive our fellow human beings and feel their sufferings as our own, we will never be free of conflict and war. In other words, a transformation within our own lives is important.

If we cannot avoid these sufferings, then our only choice is to overcome them.

For Today and Tomorrow

Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda
Sunday, June 2, 2013:

 

No matter where we go, we cannot escape from the sufferings that are part and parcel of life. If we cannot avoid these sufferings, then our only choice is to overcome them. And since we have no choice but to overcome them, then we might as well live joyfully and vigorously while doing so. Let's continue to strive and chant daimoku to the end.

What is true joy in life?

Buddhism Day by Day

Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda
Saturday, June 1, 2013:

 

What is true joy in life? This is a difficult question—and one that 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 harsher the situation, the bolder the stand we must take.

For Today and Tomorrow

Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda
Saturday, June 1, 2013:

A coward cannot become a Buddha. We cannot attain Buddhahood unless we possess the heart of a lion. The harsher the situation, the bolder the stand we must take. This is the essence of the Soka Gakkai spirit.

Buddhism Day by Day

Buddhism Day by Day

Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda
Friday, May 31, 2013:

 

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.