Don't blame it on the environment; forge yourself through your own efforts

Daily Guidance Tue 02/07

For Today and Tomorrow Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda Tuesday, February 7, 2012 Your environment does not matter.  Everything starts with you.  You must forge yourself through your own efforts.  I urge each of you to create something, start something and make a success of something.  That is the essence of human existence, the challenge of youth. Herein lies a wonderful way of life always aiming for the future.   Buddhism Day by Day Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda Tuesday, February 7, 2012 In his writings, regarding Buddhist practice, Nichiren repeatedly emphasized the importance of the heart. While teaching that faith and courage are the powers and functions of the heart that enable us to open the world of Buddhahood in our lives, he also cautioned against the heart's negative functions, such as disbelief and cowardice, which close us off to our potential for Buddhahood.       Daily Wisdom From the Writings of Nichiren Daishonin Tuesday, February 7, 2012 I am much distressed to hear that your illness has become so serious.  Swords exist to cut down enemies, however, and medicine exists to cure sickness.  King Ajatashatru murdered his father and made himself an enemy of the Buddha.  But after foul sores broke out on his body, he converted to the Buddha's teachings and embraced the Lotus Sutra, whereupon his sores healed and he prolonged his life by forty years. The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, page 610 Reply to the Lay Priest Takahashi Written to the Lay Priest Takashashi     Women's Division Month