Heart of a Mouse

Spiritual Story by Anthony de Mello

A mouse was in constant distress because of its fear of the cat. A magician took pity on it and turned it into a cat. But then it became afraid of the dog. So the magician turned it into a dog. Then it began to fear the panther, so the magician turned it into a panther. Whereupon it was full of fear for the hunter. At this point, the magician gave up. He turned it into a mouse again saying, "Nothing I do for you is going to be of any help because you have the heart of a mouse."

How to be free of conflict and war?

Buddhism Day by Day

Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda
Saturday, June 2, 2012:

 

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.

How to overcome suffering.

For Today and Tomorrow

Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda
Saturday, June 2, 2012:

 

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.

On Establishing the Correct Teaching for the Peace of the Land

Daily Wisdom

From the Writings of Nichiren Daishonin
Saturday, June 2, 2012:

 

Rather than offering up ten thousand prayers for remedy, it would be better simply to outlaw this one evil.

On Establishing the Correct Teaching for the Peace of the Land
Submitted to Hojo Tokiyori on July 16, 1260

Going to Heaven

Spiritual Story by Anthony de Mello

A priest walked into a pub, indignant to find so many of his parishioners there. He rounded them up and shepherded them into the church. The he solemnly said, "All those who want to go to heaven, step over here to the left." Everyone stepped over except one man, who stubbornly stood his ground. The priest looked at him firecely and said, "Don't you want to go to heaven?" "No," said the man. "Do you mean to stand there and tell me you don't want to go to heaven when you die?" "Of course I want to go to heaven when I die. I thought you were going now!"

To My Friends

June 1, 2012

June, the month for making
remarkable advance, is upon us.
Let's embrace in our hearts
the momentous mission of widely
cultivating people's connections
to Nichiren Buddhism.
Let's compose and play out a remarkable drama
of engaging in dialogue [with friends] on the
grand stage of kosen-rufu.

Buddhism Day by Day

Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda
Friday, June 1, 2012:

 

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.

For Today and Tomorrow

 

Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda
Friday, June 1, 2012:

 

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.

The Three Kinds of Treasure

Daily Wisdom

From the Writings of Nichiren Daishonin
Friday, June 1, 2012:

 

The heart of the Buddha's lifetime of teachings is the Lotus Sutra, and the heart of the practice of the Lotus Sutra is found in the "Never Disparaging" chapter. What does Bodhisattva Never Disparaging's profound respect for people signify? The purpose of the appearance in this world of Shakyamuni Buddha, the lord of teachings, lies in his behavior as a human being.

The Three Kinds of Treasure
Written to Shijo Kingo on September 11, 1277

Dog and the Cod Liver Oil

Spiritual Story by Anthony de Mello

A man began to give large doses of cod-liver oil to his Doberman because he had been told that the stuff was good for dogs. Each day he would hold the head of the protesting dog between his knees, force its jaws open, and pour the liquid down its throat. One day the dog broke loose and spilled the oil on the floor. Then to the man's great surprise, it returned to lick the spoon. That is when he discovered that what the dog had been fighting was not the oil, but his method of administering it.

Buddhism Day by Day

Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda
Thursday, May 31, 2012

 

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.

For Today and Tomorrow

Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda
Thursday, May 31, 2012:

 

Buddhism is about bringing happiness, joy and fulfillment to all. It enables us not only to become happy ourselves but to make causes for the enlightenment of our ancestors seven-plus generations back and for the happiness and prosperity of our children, grandchildren and descendants throughout future generations. This is the great benefit of Buddhism.

Winter Always Turns to Spring

Daily Wisdom

From the Writings of Nichiren Daishonin
Thursday, May 31, 2012:

 

Those who believe in the Lotus Sutra are as if in winter, but winter always turns to spring. Never, from ancient times on, has anyone heard or seen of winter turning back to autumn. Nor have we ever heard of a believer in the Lotus Sutra who turned into an ordinary person. The sutra reads, "If there are those who hear the Law, then not a one will fail to attain Buddhahood."

Winter Always Turns to Spring
Written to the lay nun Myoichi in May 1275

Damned Devotee

Spiritual Story by Anthony de Mello

The devotee knelt to be initiated into discipleship. The guru whispered the sacred mantra into his ear, warning him not to reveal it to anyone. "What will happen if I do?" asked the devotee. Said the guru, "Anyone you reveal the mantra to will be liberated from the bondage of ignorance and suffering, but you yourself will be excluded from discipleship and suffer damnation." No sooner had he heard those words, than the devotee rushed to the marketplace, collected a large crowd around him, and repeated the sacred mantra for all to hear. The disciples later reported this to the guru and demanded that the man be expelled from the monastery for his disobedience. The guru smiled and said, "He has no need of anything I can teach. His action has shown him to be a guru in his own right."

Buddhism Day by Day

Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda
Wednesday, May 30, 2012:

All children are gems, full of precious potential. There is hope in every child since life itself is full of hope. Should the hopes of children be stifled or broken, that would be our responsibility as adults. It pains my heart to see what goes on in today's society. I do not want to see the eyes of children darkened with fear and clouded with tears of sorrow. Society must be absolutely transformed. Children are mirrors that reflect adult society. When adults are ailing and their vision clouded, children will also suffer. Let us wipe away the tears of sorrow from the face of each child! We must protect children and give them courage, strength and vitality. It is parents who nurture children, the hope of humanity. How noble parents are! What a great mission and responsibility they fulfill.

For Today and Tomorrow

Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda
Wednesday, May 30, 2012:

Those who make many friends have greater opportunities for growth and self-development; as such they make society a better place and lead happy, satisfying lives. In every situation, human relations—communication and personal interaction—are vital. We need to initiate and nurture friendships and contacts with many people, both within the organization and in society at large. Our lives will open and be enriched to the extent that we do so.

Reply to Kyo'o

Daily Wisdom

From the Writings of Nichiren Daishonin
Wednesday, May 30, 2012:

But your faith alone will determine all these things. A sword will be useless in the hands of a coward. The mighty sword of the Lotus Sutra must be wielded by one courageous in faith. Then one will be as strong as a demon armed with an iron staff.

Reply to Kyo'o
Written to Kyo'o and her parents, Shijo Kingo and Nichigen-nyo, on August 15, 1273

Buddha Is Abused

Spiritual Story by Anthony de Mello

Buddha seemed quite unruffled by the insults hurled at him by a visitor. When his disciples later asked him what the secret of his serenity was, he said: "Imagine what would happen if someone placed an offering before you and you did not pick it up. Or someone sent you a letter that you refused to open; you would be unaffected by its contents, would you not? Do this each time you are abused and you will not lose your serenity."

Buddhism Day by Day

Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda
Tuesday, May 29, 2012:

Shakyamuni proclaims, "People who are vigilant do not die; people who are negligent are as if dead." This is definitely true. Unremitting diligence in our Buddhist practice—brave and vigorous exertion—infuses our lives with the great life force of the eternal Buddha. In contrast, people who try to get by in life through cunning and deception enact a living death.

For Today and Tomorrow

Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda
Tuesday, May 29, 2012:

We who embrace the Mystic Law will not suffer on account of old age or death. As long as we keep the flame of faith alive, the fire of life force will forever burn brightly within us; we can live with great confidence transcending birth and death. Faith is the engine that enables us to live with hope throughout our lives.