Buddhism, the "religion of wisdom," is an extremely rational religion

Buddhism Day by Day

Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda
Friday, January 31, 2014:

 

A higher religion does not negate rationality. No religion that suppresses human reason can earn the trust of humankind. Buddhism, the "religion of wisdom," is an extremely rational religion. In fact, it is so rational that many Westerners even question whether it can be classified as a religion, since it does not teach the existence of a supreme being in the image of humankind.

No one develops in a pampered environment.

For Today and Tomorrow

Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda
Friday, January 31, 2014:

 

Youth should not seek an easy comfortable path. No one develops in a pampered environment. Youth should instead actively seek out challenges and hardships, transforming them all into valuable assets as they strive to become individuals of outstanding character and ability.

Just as a diamond can only be polished by another diamond, it is only through intense human interaction engaging the entire personality that people can forge themselves, raising themselves up to ever-greater heights.

Buddhism Day by Day

Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda
Thursday, January 30, 2014:

 

Just as a diamond can only be polished by another diamond, it is only through intense human interaction engaging the entire personality that people can forge themselves, raising themselves up to ever-greater heights.

How then do we manifest the brain's full creative powers?

For Today and Tomorrow

Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda
Thursday, January 30, 2014:

 

Buddhism teaches that "all phenomena in the universe are manifestations of the Law" (Gosho Zenshu, p. 564). I hope you will, with this understanding, engage yourselves in broad-ranging studies with vigor and determination. Your brains have a potential as vast and boundless as the universe. How then do we manifest the brain's full creative powers? There is only one way to bring out our full intellectual capacity: by constantly putting our minds to work.

You should become the master of your mind, not let your mind master you

Buddhism Day by Day

Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda
Wednesday, January 29, 2014:

 

It may seem perfectly all right to put ourselves and our own wishes first, to simply follow the dictates of our emotions and cravings, but the truth is that there is nothing more unreliable than our own mind. Life doesn't always go like clockwork and things will not necessarily turn out as we hope or plan. Consequently, Nichiren frequently stressed: "You should become the master of your mind, not let your mind master you." We mustn't allow ourselves to be ruled by a self-centered mind. Rather, we have to discipline our mind and gain mastery over it.

Practicing Buddhism means being victorious

For Today and Tomorrow

Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda
Wednesday, January 29, 2014:

 

Practicing Buddhism means being victorious. In advancing one step at a time amid the realities of our daily lives, in showing concrete actual proof, in becoming victors and successes, we are demonstrating with our very beings the validity of Nichiren Daishonin's Buddhism and serving as a source of hope and inspiration for those who will follow us on the path of faith.

Why are human beings born?

Buddhism Day by Day

Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda
Tuesday, January 28, 2014:

 

Why are human beings born? This question has posed a great challenge. Josei Toda lucidly set forward his conclusion. Namely, that this world is a place for people to, as the Lotus Sutra states, "enjoy themselves at ease." We were born here in order to thoroughly savor the joys of life. Faith in Nichiren Buddhism enables one to bring forth the great life force needed to lead such an existence.

For Today and Tomorrow

Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda
Tuesday, January 28, 2014:

 

All of you are chanting for the happiness of many members—children of the Buddha—in your respective communities; you support and encourage them and work tirelessly on their behalf as if they were your own children. Your actions are truly those of great bodhisattvas; your state of life that of noble Buddhas.

Prizing human rights and respecting others are among our most important tasks.

Buddhism Day by Day

Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda
Monday, January 27, 2014:

 

Everyone has a right to flower, to reveal his or her full potential as a human being, to fulfill his or her mission in this world. You have this right, and so does everyone else. This is the meaning of human rights. To scorn, violate and abuse people's human rights destroys the natural order of things. Prizing human rights and respecting others are among our most important tasks.

Viewing events and situations in a positive light is important.

For Today and Tomorrow

Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda
Monday, January 27, 2014:

 

Viewing events and situations in a positive light is important. The strength, wisdom and cheerfulness that accompany such an attitude lead to happiness. To regard everything in a positive light or with a spirit of goodwill, however, does not mean being foolishly gullible and allowing people to take advantage of our good nature. It means having the wisdom and perception to actually move things in a positive direction by seeing things in their best light, while all the time keeping our eyes firmly focused on reality.

For Today and Tomorrow

Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda
Sunday, January 26, 2014:

 

Truly praiseworthy are those who resolve to work hard for kosen-rufu and the SGI within the lofty realm of Nichiren Daishonin's Buddhism. They are genuinely capable people. And they will definitely attain life-conditions of complete fulfillment.

A coward cannot become a Buddha.

Buddhism Day by Day

Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda
Sunday, January 26, 2014:

 

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 teaches equality and absolute respect for the dignity of life.

Buddhism Day by Day

Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda
Friday, January 24, 2014:

 

Buddhism teaches equality and absolute respect for the dignity of life. Educating people to be citizens of the world begins with cultivating respect, compassion and empathy for others. I am certain that friendship and limitless trust in people can empower us to overcome socially disruptive discrimination and hatred. Openminded exchanges on the popular level will be increasingly important in the years to come. When people engage in mind-to-mind dialogue, they are grateful to see ethnic and cultural differences not as obstacles but as expressions of society—enriching diversity that engenders respect and a desire for further exploration.

We use our voices not only to chant daimoku but to guide, encourage and introduce others to the Daishonin's Buddhism

For Today and Tomorrow

Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda
Friday, January 24, 2014:

 

We use our voices not only to chant daimoku but to guide, encourage and introduce others to the Daishonin's Buddhism. Our voice, therefore, is very important. An angry voice, a coarse voice, a cold voice, an imperious voice—none of these will communicate how wonderful Nichiren Daishonin's Buddhism is. I would like you to be humanistic leaders who can encourage others with bright warm voices, so that they will say, "What a lovely voice!" and "I'm always so inspired when I hear you speak." Becoming this kind of leader is one actual proof of your human revolution.

Good travels at a snail's pace.

Buddhism Day by Day

Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda
Thursday, January 23, 2014:

 

Mahatma Gandhi said, "Good travels at a snail's pace." The peace movement cannot accomplish things radically and all at once. Often, it can only advance by gradual and protracted means. Gradualism does not, however, imply negative compromise or merely passing time. It means truly reforming our times by sowing seeds of peace in individual minds through sincere dialogue and, in this way, cultivating consensus.

Gongyo is a solemn ceremony in which we are looking out and over the universe. It is a dialogue with the universe.

For Today and Tomorrow

Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda
Thursday, January 23, 2014:

 

As practitioners of the Daishonin's Buddhism we get up in the morning and do gongyo. Some perhaps may do so rather reluctantly! Nevertheless, doing gongyo is itself a truly great and noble thing. Gongyo is a solemn ceremony in which we are looking out and over the universe. It is a dialogue with the universe.

There is a saying that the earth upon which we fall is the same ground which enables us to push ourselves up again.

Buddhism Day by Day

Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda
Wednesday, January 22, 2014:

 

There is a saying that the earth upon which we fall is the same ground which enables us to push ourselves up again. There's another which maintains that barley grows better after it has been trampled on. Human relationships are sometimes painful, but there is no such pain from which we cannot recover. It is up to us to decide to live a life free from self-doubt and despair in spite of our failures. Indeed, it is during our most humbling moments that we should show greatest poise and grace. Then the dignity of our lives will truly shine.

Ultimately, happiness rests on how you establish a solid sense of self or being

For Today and Tomorrow

Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda
Wednesday, January 22, 2014:

 

Ultimately, happiness rests on how you establish a solid sense of self or being. Happiness does not lie in outward appearances nor in vanity. It is a matter of what you feel inside; it is a deep resonance in your life. To be filled each day with a rewarding sense of exhilaration and purpose, a sense of tasks accomplished and deep fulfillment—people who feel this way are happy. Those who have this sense of satisfaction even if they are extremely busy are much happier than those who have time on their hands but feel empty inside.

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
Tuesday, January 21, 2014:

 

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

Please be confident that you will lead lives overflowing with good fortune throughout the three existences of past, present and future.

For Today and Tomorrow

Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda
Tuesday, January 21, 2014:

 

Humanity today lacks hope and vision for the future. It is for precisely this reason that the Bodhisattvas of the Earth have appeared. Without your presence, the future of humanity would be bleak and spiritual decline its destination. That is why you have been born in this age and are now playing an active role in society. This is the meaning of jiyu, or "emerging from the earth." Consequently, each of you will definitely become happy. Please be confident that you will lead lives overflowing with good fortune throughout the three existences of past, present and future.