Effort and happiness are indivisible

Buddhism Day by Day

Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda
Sunday, June 30, 2013:

 

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.

Buddhism teaches that we can transform wherever we are into the Land of Eternally Tranquil Light.

For Today and Tomorrow

Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda
Sunday, June 30, 2013:

 

The place where we are right now is what matters. This is all the more true for us who embrace the Mystic Law. Buddhism teaches that we can transform wherever we are into the Land of Eternally Tranquil Light.

Chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo is what polishes our lives.

Buddhism Day by Day

Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda
Saturday, June 29, 2013:

 

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.

For Today and Tomorrow

For Today and Tomorrow

Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda
Saturday, June 29, 2013:

 

The important thing is to advance brightly and strive to be victorious at each moment, right where we are; to begin something here and now instead of fretting and worrying over what will happen. This is the starting point for transforming our lives.

One day of life is more valuable than all the treasures of the major world system, so first you must muster sincere faith.

Buddhism Day by Day

Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda
Friday, June 28, 2013:

 

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

One should regard meeting obstacles as true peace and comfort.

For Today and Tomorrow

Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda
Friday, June 28, 2013:

 

In the "Record of the Orally Transmitted Teachings," the Daishonin says, "One should regard meeting obstacles as true peace and comfort" (Gosho Zenshu, p. 750). You may wonder how encountering obstacles could be a source of peace and comfort. But the truth of the matter is that through struggling against and overcoming difficulties, we can transform our destiny and attain Buddhahood. Confronting adversity, therefore, represents peace and comfort.

When individuals practice a teaching as intended, the expected result becomes manifest in their lives as well as in their environment.

Buddhism Day by Day

Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda
Thursday, June 27, 2013:

 

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.

For Today and Tomorrow

For Today and Tomorrow

Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda
Thursday, June 27, 2013:

 

In a world where indifference and inhumanity prevail, let us use our discussion meetings as the pivot for creating oases of peace and harmony in our homes and in our local communities and then extending them to encompass every sphere of society.

To live without regret, we must have a concrete purpose, continually setting goals and challenges for ourselves.

Buddhism Day by Day

Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda
Wednesday, June 26, 2013:

 

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.

Through dialogue Shakyamuni opened hearts that were closed, softened hearts that had grown hard and melted hearts that were frozen.

For Today and Tomorrow

Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda
Wednesday, June 26, 2013:

 

This spirit of engaging others in dialogue on equal terms is the essence of Buddhism. Ordering people about in a high-handed, arrogant manner, shouting at them to do one's bidding is truly deplorable behavior. Such a world has no relation to Buddhism. Through dialogue Shakyamuni opened hearts that were closed, softened hearts that had grown hard and melted hearts that were frozen.

The first thing is to pray.

Buddhism Day by Day

Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda
Tuesday, June 25, 2013:

 

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.

Idle amusements bring only fleeting pleasure. They produce neither profound inspiration nor growth for one's life.

For Today and Tomorrow

Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda
Tuesday, June 25, 2013:

We live in an age where opportunities for profound life-to-life inspiration are all but nonexistent. Idle amusements bring only fleeting pleasure. They produce neither profound inspiration nor growth for one's life. By contrast, Buddhism exists to enable people to realize personal growth and to improve their lives. Buddhism is always rooted in the reality of life. It is the wellspring of wisdom for bringing harmony and happiness to our families, local communities and society at large.

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

Buddhism Day by Day

Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda
Monday, June 24, 2013:

 

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

No matter what others do or say, it is important to develop your ability and then put that ability to use.

For Today and Tomorrow

Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda
Monday, June 24, 2013:

 

You must be strong. There is no hope of winning in this chaotic world if you are weak. No matter what others do or say, it is important to develop your ability and then put that ability to use. Strong faith, of course, is the best means for drawing out one's inner strength. You each have a very important mission, and I hope you will awaken to and be proud of that mission.

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.

Buddhism Day by Day

Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda
Sunday, June 23, 2013:

 

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 determi-nation 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.

Life itself is an Olympics where we strive each day to better own personal records.

For Today and Tomorrow

Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda
Sunday, June 23, 2013:

 

Jesse Owens, who won four gold medals at the 1936 Berlin Olympics, later remarked that one's inner life is the true Olympics. Life itself is an Olympics where we strive each day to better own personal records.

A Buddha is a person of compassion.

Buddhism Day by Day

Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda
Saturday, June 22, 2013:

 

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."

Buddhism teaches that the present and the future are what are important, not the past.

For Today and Tomorrow

Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda
Saturday, June 22, 2013:

 

It's foolish to be obsessed with past failures. And it's just as foolish to be self-satisfied with one's small achievements. Buddhism teaches that the present and the future are what are important, not the past. It teaches us a spirit of unceasing challenge to win over the present and advance ever toward the future. Those who neglect this spirit of continual striving steer their lives in a ruinous direction.

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.

Buddhism Day by Day

Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda
Friday, June 21, 2013:

 

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.

The key to achievement is to move forward resolutely along your chosen path.

For Today and Tomorrow

Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda
Friday, June 21, 2013:

 

When you devote your life to achieving your goal, you will not be bothered by shallow criticism. In fact nothing important can be accomplished if you allow yourself to be swayed by some trifling matter, always looking over your shoulder and wondering what others are saying or thinking. The key to achievement is to move forward resolutely along your chosen path.