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

For Today and Tomorrow Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda Friday, December 30, 2011 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.       Buddhism Day by Day Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda Friday, December 30, 2011 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.       Daily Wisdom From the Writings of Nichiren Daishonin Friday, December 30, 2011 In the yard around the hut the snow piled deeper and deeper. No one came to see me; my only visitor was the piercing wind. Great Concentration and Insight and the Lotus Sutra lay open before my eyes, and Nam-myoho-renge-kyo flowed from my lips. My evenings passed in discourse to the moon and stars on the fallacies of the various schools and the profound meaning of the Lotus Sutra. Thus, one year gave way to the next.

To chant daimoku throughout, no matter what circumstances is the way to achieve victory in all things

"Life in the real world is a fierce battle for survival.  Even if everything had been going well for someone until now, there's no knowing what the future will be like.  Ultimately, those who chant daimoku will win through.  They will win with the 'Strategy of the Lotus Sutra'.  Basing one's life on the Mystic Law is the path to lasting prosperity...
... To chant daimoku in both times of joy and times of sufferings -- to chant daimoku throughout, no matter what circumstances -- this is the way to achieve victory in all things."
Quoted by GD Tay from Sensei's guidance
[CL, Jan 2012, pg12]

A great person is someone who forges unity among human beings

Daily Guidance Thur 12/29

For Today and Tomorrow Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda Thursday, December 29, 2011 Who is truly great?  I hope you can develop the ability to discern true human greatness.  A great person is someone who forges unity among human beings through sincere dialogue, armed with a solid philosophy, feet firmly planted on the ground.  A great person is one who lives among the people and earns their unshakable trust. Fickle popularity and temporary fads are nothing but illusions.       Buddhism Day by Day Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda Thursday, December 29, 2011 Ralph Waldo Emerson writes: "And so of cheerfulness, or a good temper, the more it is spent, the more of it remains." Cheerfulness is not the same as frivolousness. Cheerfulness is born of a fighting spirit. Frivolousness is the reverse side of cowardly escape. Emerson also said that "power dwells with cheerfulness; hope puts us in a working mood." Without cheerfulness there is no strength. Strive to advance still more brightly and cheerfully.         Daily Wisdom From the Writings of Nichiren Daishonin Thursday, December 29, 2011 To hope to attain Buddhahood without speaking out against slander is as futile as trying to find water in the midst of fire or fire in the midst of water. No matter how sincerely one believes in the Lotus Sutra, if one is guilty of failing to rebuke slander of the Law, one will surely fall into hell, just a single crab leg will ruin a thousand pots of lacquer. This is the meaning of the passage in the sutra, "Because the poison has penetrated deeply and their minds no longer function as before." The Essentials to Attain Buddhahood Written to Soya Jiro Hyo-no-jo Kyoshin August 3, 1276

 

 

 

--
Regards,

Mr Chang C.L.

_________________
http://MrChang.com

Let us give something to each person we meet: joy, courage, hope, assurance, or philosophy, wisdom, a vision for the future

Daily Guidance Sun 12/25

 

For Today and Tomorrow Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda Sunday, December 25, 2011 If a person is hungry, we should give them bread. When there is no bread, we can at least give words that nourish. To a person who looks ill or is physically frail, we can turn the conversation to some subject that will lift their spirits and fill them with the hope and determination to get better. Let us give something to each person we meet: joy, courage, hope, assurance, or philosophy, wisdom, a vision for the future. Let us always give something.     Buddhism Day by Day Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda Sunday, December 25, 2011 Buddhism does not ask "What religion does this person follow?" but "What is this person's state of life?" Buddhism exists to enable all people to cultivate and manifest the world of Buddhahood in their lives. Society is a realm of discrimination and distinctions.  But Buddhism transcends all superficial differences and focuses directly on life.       Daily Wisdom From the Writings of Nichiren Daishonin Sunday, December 25, 2011 And if we go by the words of the Lotus Sutra, you should also teach the sutra to the best of your ability. When the world makes you feel downcast, you should chant Nam-myoho-renge-kyo, remembering that, although the sufferings of this life are painful, those in the next life could be much worse. And when you are happy, you should remember that your happiness in this life is nothing but a dream within a dream, and that the only true happiness is that found in the pure land of Eagle Peak, and with that thought in mind, chant Nam-myoho-renge-kyo. The Forteen Slanders Written to Matsuno Rokuro Saemon in December 9, 1276 Happy Holidays

 

 

 

2012 daimoku chart

fundamental goal in life toward the realization of happiness for ourselves and others

Daily Guidance Sat 12/24

For Today and Tomorrow Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda Saturday, December 24, 2011 Many religions have demanded blind faith, taking away people's independence. President Makiguchi opposed such enslavement. What he called for instead was solidarity of awakened common people. To achieve this, he proposed a self-reliant way of life in which we advance on the path of our choice with a firm, independent character. He also stressed a contributive way of life in which we set our fundamental goal in life toward the realization of happiness for ourselves and others, casting aside arrogance and self-satisfaction to respect and benefit others.     Buddhism Day by Day Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda Saturday, December 24, 2011 Where is happiness to be found? The famous Roman philosopher-emperor Marcus Aurelius said, "A man's true delight is to do the things he was made for." Human happiness, he maintained, lies in doing those things only humans can: seeking the truth and acting to help those who are suffering. Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, too, asserted that those who work cheerfully and take joy in the fruits of their labor are truly happy. These are the words of great thinkers, and as you can see they are in complete accord with the teachings of Buddhism.       Daily Wisdom From the Writings of Nichiren Daishonin Saturday, December 24, 2011 Becoming a Buddha is nothing extraordinary.  If you chant Nam-myoho-renge-kyo with your whole heart, you will naturally become endowed with the Buddha's thirty-two features and eighty characteristics. As the sutra says, "hoping to make all persons equal to me, without any distinction between us," you can readily become as noble a Buddha as Shakyamuni. Letter to Niike Written to Nikke Saemon-no-jo in February 1280

Only culture is a force strong enough to lead humanity in the direction of peace

For Today and Tomorrow Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda Friday, December 23, 2011 Leo Tolstoy concluded that the only way to bring about a fundamental change in society is to realize a change in public opinion, a change in people's minds. Then how can we change public opinion? Tolstoy asserted: "It is only necessary for people to say what they really think or at least to refrain from saying what they do not think." It is vital, in other words, not to be swayed by others' opinions or past ways of thinking or doing. Instead each of us must become wise, possessing our own firm convictions.       Buddhism Day by Day Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda Friday, December 23, 2011 Peace and culture are one. A genuinely cultured nation is a peaceful nation, and vice versa. When conflicts multiply, culture wanes and nations fall into a hellish existence. The history of the human race is a contrast between culture and barbarity. Only culture is a force strong enough to put an end to conflict and lead humanity in the direction of peace.     Daily Wisdom From the Writings of Nichiren Daishonin Friday, December 23, 2011 In view of all this, your sincerity in sending a gift of five strings of blue-duck coins whenever the opportunity arises truly entitles you to be known as one who propagates the daimoku of the Lotus Sutra in Japan. As first one person, then two persons, then a thousand, ten thousand, a hundred thousand and then all the people throughout the country come to chant the daimoku, before you know it their blessings will accrue to you. The Blessings of the Lotus Sutra Written to Myomitsu in March 5, 1276

 

Buddhist practice exists so that we can attain indestructible happiness

Daily Guidance Thur 12/22

For Today and Tomorrow Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda Thursday, December 22, 2011 Our lives are infinitely precious. To not attain a state of absolute happiness in this life time is a great loss. Our Buddhist practice exists so that we can attain indestructible happiness. We must fight to the fullest right now, not some time in the future.     Buddhism Day by Day Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda Thursday, December 22, 2011 Even if you are born into the most affluent of circumstances or enjoy a spectacular marriage that is the envy of others, there is no guarantee that you will be happy. Happiness does not depend on wealth or personal appearance, nor does it hinge on fame or recognition. If your heart is empty, you cannot build genuine happiness. There is an expansive life-state of profound, secure happiness that transcends any material or social advantage. It is called faith; it is called the life-state of Buddhahood.           Daily Wisdom From the Writings of Nichiren Daishonin Thursday, December 22, 2011 Since we are now living in the latter age when people are shallow in wisdom and puffed up with pride, it is unlikely that anyone will heed the points I have made in the discussion above.  But when a sage or worthy appears, then the full truth of the matter will no doubt become clear. Because I care about you, I have written this letter as a guide.  I hope you will study it when you have time.   Letter to Shomitsu-bo Written to Shomitsu-bo in 1277   Happy Winter Solstice

 

Be confident that day will come when you remark, "I am savoring this happiness because I struggled back then."

Daily Guidance Wed 12/21

 

 

For Today and Tomorrow Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda Wednesday, December 21, 2011 Buddhism holds that everything is in a constant state of flux. Thus the question is whether we are to accept change passively and be swept away by it or whether we are to take the lead and create positive changes on our own initiative. While conservatism and self-protection might be likened to winter, night and death, the spirit of pioneering and attempting to realize ideals evokes images of spring, morning and birth.       Buddhism Day by Day Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda Wednesday, December 21, 2011 Even if today may seem to be a time of total darkness, it will not last forever. The dawn will surely come if you advance, ever forward, without being defeated. The day will definitely come when you can look back fondly and declare, "I am savoring this happiness because I struggled back then."  It is those who know the bitterness of winter that can savor the true joy of spring.     Rissho Ankoku Ron Daily Wisdom From the Writings of Nichiren Daishonin Wednesday, December 21, 2011 Likewise the people of Japan, by becoming enemies of the Lotus Sutra, have brought ruin on themselves and their country. And because I proclaim this, I am called arrogant by those of little understanding. But I do not speak out of arrogance. It is simply that if I did not speak out I would not be the votary of the Lotus Sutra. Moreover, when my words prove later to be true, people will be able to believe all the more readily. And because I write this down now, the people of the future will recognize my wisdom. The Supremacy of the Law Written to Oto and her mother, Nichimyo, on August 4, 1275

 

 

The buddha's utterances make up the voluminous body of Buddhism

Relationship problems are opportunities to grow and mature

Daily Guidance Mon 12/19

 

 

 

For Today and Tomorrow Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda Monday, December 19, 2011 Encouragement—offering encouraging words—is important. Nichiren Daishonin states, "The voice does the Buddha's work" (Gosho Zenshu, p. 708). Sincere words of encouragement have the power to give people hope and courage to go on living.       Buddhism Day by Day Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda Monday, December 19, 2011 Relationship problems are opportunities to grow and mature. Such problems can be character building if you don't let them defeat you. That's why it's important not to isolate yourself. No one can exist apart from others. Remaining aloof from others cultivates selfishness, which accomplishes nothing.       Daily Wisdom From the Writings of Nichiren Daishonin Monday, December 19, 2011 Great evil portends the arrival of great good. If all of Jambudvipa were to be thrown into chaos, there could be no doubt that [this sutra would] "be widely propagated throughout Jambudvipa." The Kalpa of Decrease Receipient and date unknown

 

 

 

encouragement have the power to give people hope and courage to go on living

December 19

Encouragement--offering encouraging words--is important. Nichiren states, "The voice does the Buddha's work" (Gosho Zenshu, p. 708). Sincere words of encouragement have the power to give people hope and courage to go on living.

Daisaku Ikeda, SGI President

Fwd: Daily Guidance Wed 12/14

 Daily Guidance Wed 12/14

 

 

For Today and Tomorrow Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda Wednesday, December 14, 2011 Faith manifests itself as wisdom. The purpose of our faith is to become wise, so that we can live wisely. The desire to save others becomes merely an abstract goal if those who practice faith cannot communicate with their own children nor build strong and happy families.         Buddhism Day by Day Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda Wednesday, December 14, 2011 Your happiness and victory in life hinge on whether you can grasp, while you are still young, the fact that happiness lies within. That's why there is no need for you to compare yourselves to others but instead strive powerfully and cheerfully to develop your state of life, aiming to improve yourselves each day. From that struggle will bloom noble flowers of mission, flowers of happiness that are yours and yours alone. Shine as you are, live true to yourselves, and advance in your own unique way.       Daily Wisdom From the Writings of Nichiren Daishonin Wednesday, December 14, 2011 A woman who embraces the lion king of the Lotus Sutra need not fear any of the beasts of hell, or of the realm of hungry spirits and animals. All the offenses committed by a woman in her lifetime are like dry grass, and the single character myo of the Lotus Sutra is like a small spark. When a small spark is set to a large expanse of grass, not only the grass but also the big trees and large stones will all be consumed. Such is the power of the fire of wisdom in the single character myo. The Drum at the Gate of Thunder Written to the lay nun Sennichi on October 19, 1278