For Today and Tomorrow Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda Wednesday, November 20, 2013 What is the purpose of life? It is happiness. But there are two kinds of happiness: relative and absolute. Relative happiness comes in a wide variety of forms. The purpose of Buddhism is to attain Buddhahood. In modern terms, this could be explained as realizing absolute happiness—a state of happiness that can never be destroyed or defeated.  Buddhism Day by Day Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda Wednesday, November 20, 2013 Many things happen in life. There are joyous days and times of suffering. Sometimes unpleasant things occur. But that's what makes life so interesting. The dramas we encounter are part and parcel of being human. If we experienced no change or drama in our lives, if nothing unexpected ever happened, we would merely be like automatons, our lives unbearably monotonous and dull. Therefore, please develop a strong self so that you can enact the drama of your life with confidence and poise in the face of whatever vicissitudes you may encounter. 
From the Writings of Nichiren Daishonin Wednesday, November 20, 2013 You should not have the slightest fear in your heart. It is lack of courage that prevents one from attaining Buddhahood, although one may have professed faith in the Lotus Sutra many times since innumerable kalpas ago. The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, page 637 The Three Obstacles and Four Devils Written to Ikegami Hyoe no Sakan Munenaga on November 20, 1277 |
