Sensei's daily encouragement 07.20.10

Our lives are ruled by impermanence. But simply realizing that changes nothing. There is no value in bleak pessimism. The challenge is how to create something of enduring value within the context of our impermanent lives. The Lotus Sutra teaches us how to do this.

One's attitude can totally transform one's situation. The thing is to decide to spend each day happily and productively - wherever you happen to be. A wise person can create value under any circumstances.

Daily Gosho 07.19.10

A woman who embraces this sutra not only excels all other women, but also surpass all men.
The Unity of Husband & Wife

持此经之女人， 胜于一切女人， 甚至， 胜于一切男子。
《 覆四条金吾夫人书》

Young Women's Division Day

1951: Young Women's division established.

Youth is a truly wonderful thing. Unfortunately, though, this is often something that's hard to appreciate when we're young. Life passes by quickly. Before we know it, we are old. That's why in our youth we should be as active as we possibly can. Rather than a life of blank pages, live a life crammed full of memories—of battles well fought and wonderfully diverse experiences. Not to leave behind any history, to just grow old and die, is a sad way to live.

You must not live with your head in the clouds, basing your life on empty idealism. Nor should you get caught up in the slightest with shallow dreams of gaining fame or prominence so that you can impress or dazzle others. The only path to true victory in life is to become a person of genuine ability and substance. And the only way to do this is to advance steadily, one step at a time. Momentary fame is like an apparition.

Wisdom for Modern Life 07.15.10

Daily life can seem all too drab and unexciting. Living itself can sometimes seem a strain, and few of us realistically expect what joy we feel to last forever. But when we fall in love, life seems filled with drama and excitement. We feel like the leading character in a novel. But, if you get lost in love just because you are bored, and consequently veer from the path you should be following, then love is nothing more than escapism.
Buddhism day by day - Wisdom for Modern Life

Sensei's daily encouragement 07.15.10

What is the treasure of youth? It is struggle; it is hard work. Unless you struggle, you cannot become truly strong. Those who fight hard during their youth will have nothing to fear when the time comes to put the finishing touches on their lives. They will possess a great state of life that towers strong and unshakable. In Buddhism, we call this the state of Buddhahood, which nothing can undermine or destroy. It is a state of mind enjoyed by invincible champions of life.

In the final analysis, the live of those who lead a self-centered existence, merely doing as they please and avoiding difficulties, lack direction just like an airplane that is flying off course. Not only do such people fail to become happy themselves, but they actually destroy the happiness of others.

Wisdom for Modern Life 07.13.10

People shouldn't hesitate to exert their all, in a way true to themselves. How can you possibly ever know how far or fast you can go if you've never run all-out? To give up even before you've tried is actually arrogance—an affront to the wondrous power of life within you and disrespectful to yourself. It is cowardly.
Buddhism day by day - Wisdom for Modern Life

Sensei's daily encouragement 07.13.10

The glory we enjoy in a dream vanishes without a trace when we awaken. When an illusion disappears, nothing is left of its joy except a sense of emptiness, like that which one feels when finally sobering from a state of drunkenness. The joy of Buddhahood, however, is profound, indestructible and everlasting.

Don't look to others; look to yourself. If you make yours a meaningful life of which you can say with calm objectivity, "It was good. It was full of triumph," then you have lived a glorious life. The person with such a strong character is a happy person.

Sensei's daily encouragement 07.12.10

I imagine that some of you have family members who are not yet practicing Nichiren Daishonin's Buddhism. There is no need to be impatient or to agonize over this. Whether people take faith has to do with their mystic connection with Buddhism, which takes a variety of different forms. Important is the presence of one person who is practicing. One person's attainment of Buddhahood brings happiness to family members and relatives and all those around him or her. When a single sun rises, everything is illuminated.

Human beings cannot grow without undergoing hardship. People cannot become great without struggling. Those who are not trained and tempered by difficulty will be lacking in fortitude. In this sense, those who possess firm resolve are strong. They do not waver. They do not grumble or complain. They do not have any regrets. They never become stagnant.

Wisdom for Modern Life 07.09.10

When open and engaged, we are experiencing the greater self. When closed off, we are putting forth our "lesser self." The lesser self is a deluded condition, while the greater self is synonymous with the Buddha nature. To live for the greater self means to recognize the universal principle behind all things and, thus awakened, rise above the suffering caused by awareness of impermanence. A belief in something eternal is needed to enhance our quality of existence. By believing this lifetime is the be-all and end-all of existence, we will miss out on living a truly profound life. When our viewpoint expands beyond the boundaries of our present existence to include the entire, eternal universe, we can live deeply fulfilling lives.
Buddhism day by day - Wisdom for Modern Life

Sensei's daily encouragement 07.09.10

Even in times of hardship, the important thing is for each of us to determine that we are the star, protagonist and hero of our lives and keep moving forward. Putting ourselves down and shrinking back from the obstacles looming before us spell certain defeat. Through making ourselves strong and developing our state of life, we can definitely find a way through. As long as we uphold the Mystic Law throughout our lives, we can break through any impasse and surmount any obstacle. We will also be able to lead all those who are suffering to happiness.

Looking to others will not help. True happiness and victory are found in creating our own goals, working towards them and attaining them - and in being satisfied with our achievements and having no regrets.

Sensei's daily encouragement 07.03.10

Day of Mentor and Disciple.
1945: President Josei Toda is released from Toyotama Prison.
1957: President Daisaku Ikeda is arrested in Osaka on false charges.

Those who have a mentor in life are truly fortunate. The path of mentor and disciple is one that leads to personal development and growth. Those without a mentor may appear free and unbeholden to anyone, but without a solid standard or model on which to base themselves their lives will be aimless and wandering.

Those who have a firm grasp of the reason and purpose for which they are engaged in a particular undertaking are strong. If this point is firmly established, then your life will be free of confusion. No matter how painful the circumstances, you will not lose heart, but will be able to keep growing strong and upright.