When it comes to championing a just cause, you must never be cowardly, never fawn, never try to curry favor.

Buddhism Day by Day

Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda
Tuesday, January 14, 2014:

 

Always speak the truth boldly, saying what needs to be said no matter whom you're addressing. When it comes to championing a just cause, you must never be cowardly, never fawn, never try to curry favor.

The power of the Mystic Law enables us to bring forth strength to overcome the pain and suffering of sickness with courage and determination.

For Today and Tomorrow

Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda
Tuesday, January 14, 2014:

 

Everyone at some time suffers from illness in one form or another. The power of the Mystic Law enables us to bring forth strength to overcome the pain and suffering of sickness with courage and determination. The Daishonin writes: "Nam-myoho-renge-kyo is like the roar of a lion. What sickness can therefore be an obstacle?" (The Major Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, vol. 1, p. 119)

Buddhas love, rejoice at and try to bring out each person's uniqueness; this is their compassion and their wisdom.

Buddhism Day by Day

Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda
Monday, January 13, 2014:

 

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. Buddhas love, rejoice at and try to bring out each person's uniqueness; this is their compassion and their wisdom.

A life lived without purpose or value, the kind in which one doesn't know the reason why one was born, is joyless and lackluster.

For Today and Tomorrow

Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda
Monday, January 13, 2014:

 

A life lived without purpose or value, the kind in which one doesn't know the reason why one was born, is joyless and lackluster. To just live, eat and die without any real sense of purpose surely represents a life pervaded by the world of Animality. On the other hand, to do, create or contribute something that benefits others, society and ourselves and to dedicate ourselves as long as we live to that challenge—that is a life of true satisfaction, a life of value. It is a humanistic and lofty way to live.

Strength is happiness. Strength is itself victory. In weakness and cowardice there is no happiness.

Buddhism Day by Day

Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda
Sunday, January 12, 2014:

 

Strength is happiness. Strength is itself victory. In weakness and cowardice there is no happiness. When you wage a struggle, you might win or you might lose. But regardless of the short-term outcome, the very fact of your continuing to struggle is proof of your victory as a human being. A strong spirit, strong faith and strong prayer—developing these is victory and the world of Buddhahood.

People who respect others are respected by others in turn.

For Today and Tomorrow

Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda
Sunday, January 12, 2014:

 

In a passage of the "Record of the Orally Transmitted Teachings," the Daishonin observes, "When you bow to a mirror, the reflected image bows back" (Gosho Zenshu, p. 769). People who respect others are respected by others in turn. Those who are unstinting in their compassion and concern for others are also protected and supported by others. Our environment is essentially a reflection of ourselves.

Buddhism Day by Day

Buddhism Day by Day

Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda
Saturday, January 11, 2014:

 

One tragedy of our times is the willingness of realists, in spite of impending crises, to criticize and obstruct people who expend their energy toward finding solutions. Their judgments, however, are superficial and conventional, and their attitude distances them from the essential quality of reality-change. Often the wisest realists cannot escape this trap. The challenge, then, is to create a new kind of reality that offers hope for changing the world.

Should there be a leader or leaders in faith whom you do not like, all you have to do is determine not to become like them.

For Today and Tomorrow

Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda
Saturday, January 11, 2014:

 

The role of leaders is important. Everything is determined by the leaders behavior. There is a passage in The Romance of the Three Kingdoms that says only those who possess genuine wisdom and virtue win the highest regard from people. It all comes down to you. You have to polish and develop yourselves. Should there be a leader or leaders in faith whom you do not like, all you have to do is determine not to become like them. All you have to do is decide that you will become leaders who will make everyone feel comfortable and at ease.

The dawning twenty-first century holds the promise, however, to be a century of humanity and culture, a century of science and religion.

Buddhism Day by Day

Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda
Friday, January 10, 2014:

 

The twentieth century was a century of war and peace, a century of politics and economics. The dawning twenty-first century holds the promise, however, to be a century of humanity and culture, a century of science and religion. Advance on this wonderful new path of humanism with pride and confidence, as gallant philosophers of action.

Please manifest the principle of "faith equals daily life," so that you will be trusted, respected and emulated by others.

For Today and Tomorrow

Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda
Friday, January 10, 2014:

 

Buddhism is reason. It is vital therefore, that our lives and our activities in society also accord with reason. Please manifest the principle of "faith equals daily life," so that you will be trusted, respected and emulated by others. Bringing fragrant flowers of trust and humanism to bloom throughout society is one of the goals of Buddhism. To do things that others find strange and unnatural, that run counter to common sense—such actions go against the basic tenets of Buddhism and amount to slander of the Law.

Peace built on the unhappiness and sacrifice of others is a meaningless sham.

Buddhism Day by Day

Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda
Thursday, January 9, 2014:

 

The peace we seek cannot be brought about through a struggle for dominance in military or economic power. It can be won only through peaceful means. Peace built on the unhappiness and sacrifice of others is a meaningless sham. What's needed is to create a world in which people of all races and nations can enjoy peace and happiness.

The real benefit of the Mystic Law is inconspicuous

For Today and Tomorrow

Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda
Thursday, January 9, 2014:

 

The real benefit of the Mystic Law is inconspicuous. Just as trees grow taller and stronger year after year, adding growth rings that are imperceptible to the human eye, we too will grow toward a victorious existence. For this reason it is important that we lead tenacious and balanced lives based on faith.

What is Wisdom?

Buddhism Day by Day

Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda
Wednesday, January 8, 2014:

 

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, breadth and profundity of spirit. Nichiren says, "The wise may be called human." He also explains that one who perseveres in following a correct way of life, unswayed by praise and censure, is truly wise.

Buddhism is reason. If we just chant without doing any work we cannot succeed in our jobs.

For Today and Tomorrow

Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda
Wednesday, January 8, 2014:

 

Prayer is the foundation. But at the same time if we fail to make concrete efforts, no matter how much daimoku we chant, our prayers will not be answered. Buddhism is reason. If we just chant without doing any work we cannot succeed in our jobs.

We have to bear in mind, however, that we cannot plant a seed today and expect it to bear fruit tomorrow

For Today and Tomorrow

Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda
Tuesday, January 7, 2014:

 

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 in the practice of "faith equals daily life" in accord with reason, then our prayers will definitely be answered. This is Nichiren Daishonin's promise to us. And his words are true beyond any doubt.

Buddhism Day by Day

Buddhism Day by Day

Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda
Tuesday, January 7, 2014:

 

Hand in hand with (and inseparable from) our personal awakening, the aim of Buddhist practice is to establish a truly peaceful society based on the empowerment of all individuals, a true state of equality and justice grounded in respect for the Buddha nature inherent in everyone.

Buddhism enables us to tap from within the depths of our beings the greatest courage and strongest life force there is.

Buddhism Day by Day

Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda
Tuesday, December 31, 2013:

 

Buddhism enables us to tap from within the depths of our beings the greatest courage and strongest life force there is. Buddhas are not destined for unhappiness or defeat. Those who practice Buddhism can definitely transform all adversity into something positive, irrespective of the troubled time in which they live, their personal circumstances or the hardships that befall them.

To lead a life in which we are inspired and can inspire others, our hearts have to be alive; they have to be filled with passion and enthusiasm.

For Today and Tomorrow

Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda
Tuesday, December 31, 2013:

 

To lead a life in which we are inspired and can inspire others, our hearts have to be alive; they have to be filled with passion and enthusiasm. To achieve that, as President Toda also said, we need the courage to "live true to ourselves." And to live true to ourselves, we need the strength of mind not to be swayed by our environment or be obsessed with vanity and superficial appearances. Rather than borrowing from or imitating others, we need the conviction to be able to think for ourselves and to take action from our own sense of responsibility.

Defeat for a Buddhist lies not in encountering difficulties but rather in not challenging them.

Buddhism Day by Day

Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda
Monday, December 30, 2013:

 

Defeat for a Buddhist lies not in encountering difficulties but rather in not challenging them. Difficulties only truly become our destiny if we run away from them. We must fight as long as we live.

Taking good care of our health is most important.

For Today and Tomorrow

Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda
Monday, December 30, 2013:

 

Taking good care of our health is most important. In particular, it is vital for those who are advanced in years to get sufficient rest to avoid becoming fatigued. Sleep is the best medicine. I also hope you will put your wisdom to work and find various ways to improve and maintain your health.