Singapore President Nathan Sends Birthday Message to SGI President Ikeda

Singapore President Nathan Sends Birthday Message to SGI President Ikeda

On January 14, Republic of Singapore President S R Nathan sent a belated birthday message to SGI President Daisaku Ikeda. It reads as follows:

Dear Mr Ikeda,

Congratulations on the joyous occasion of your 80th birthday.

The Soka Association in Singapore has made valuable contributions to our community over the years. Their work is in furtherance of your personal philosphy for the Soka Movement, ie to promote universal understanding to the benefit of all. Your vision, and your leadership of the Soka Gakkai International and committment to the humanitarian causes around the world have been a great source of encouragement for local Soka Movements all over the world. Your local chapter in Sinagpore is working towards that end — promoting the well-being of peoples locally and thus contributing to peace.

On behalf of my fellow Singaporeans, I wish you many more years of good health, and success in leading the Soka Movement in the various humanitarian missions that the Soka Gakkai International and its branches abroad are undertaking.

Yours sincerely, S R Nathan

(Extracted from the SSA Times, Issue 310)
23/8/16, 8:35:23 AM: Kwee! Chang: Above message sent by Mr SR Nathan to Sensei on his 80th birthday in 2008

Impermanence

21st Aug. DAILY GOSHO :

" How sad is this lot of ours, that all who are born must perish ! Though one may live to a great age, in the end one cannot escape this impermanence --- " 🙏

Conversation between a Sage and an Unenlightened Man

8月21日, 御书圣训 :
献给您的每一天 。

悲 哉 ! 生 者 必 灭 , 纵 得 长 寿 , 终 不 免 于 无 常 。

《 圣 愚 问 答 抄 》

真可悲呢 ? " 生者必灭 " 是世间的常理 。纵使获得长寿 , 最终也逃不过无常 。 🙏


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Sensei's guidances

🙏17th Aug Daily Guidance by Daisaku Ikeda:
It is important to be wise. Having people point out your shortcomings and help you weed out your bad habits at the root is, in the long run, a great help to you. If the roofs of those bad habits remain, they will gradually begin to affect your life more and more adversely, moving you in a harmful destructive direction.

八月十七日，池田先生今日指导：
必须成为贤明的人。挨批评，斩断＂悪习＂之根，这从长远的眼光来看，是在帮助自己。如果不除根，悪的趋向会渐渐严重，最终人生会走向坏的方向。🙏

🙏18th Aug Daily Guidance by Daisaku Ikeda: Anyone who has ever made a resolution discovers that the strength of his determination fades with time. The moment you feel that is happening is when you should make a fresh determination.

八月十八日，池田先生今日指导：
即使下定决心努力，任谁都会隨时间淡忘。到时再下决心就行，再接再厉，百折不挠。🙏


🙏19th Aug Daily Guidance by Daisaku Ikeda:
Only when you experience the crushing, painful depths of sufferings can you begin to understand the true meaning of life. Precisely because you have experienced great sufferings, it is imperative that you go on living. The important thing is to keep moving forward. If you use your sadness as a source of growth, you will become a person of greater depth and breadth - an even more wonderful you. This is the harvest of your pain and sufferings.

八月十九日，池田先生今日指导：
只有身处几乎不能自拨的痛苦深渊，才能切身体会人生与生命的真䯝。正因尝过苦恼，才更要活下去，不断前进。让悲伤成为使自己更成长的粮食，造就更出色的自己。这是经历苦恼的你才能办得到的。🙏


🙏20th Aug Daily Guidance by Daisaku Ikeda:
A debased, decadent life that produces nothing of value or meaning, no matter how fun and cool it may seem on the surface, is empty and vain. It is a destructive and wretched existence. Please use wisdom and good sense in all things, and lead wonderful, fulfilling lives.

八月廿十日，池田先生今日指导：
堕落而无价值，无意义的人生，即使看起来如何快乐、了不起，也是空虚的人生，是邪恶、不幸。希望诸君明智地彻底度过美好的人生、充实的人生。🙏


🙏21st Aug Daily Guidance by Daisaku Ikeda:
As part of a larger whole - be it a family or social group - it's important for us to have the spirit and wisdom to harmonize and get along with others. The ability to be flexible and to accommodate different views is itself a sign of a solid sense of self. We should neither be lazy, blindly following the crowd, for self-centred, blindly going against it. Rather, we should seek balance and harmony. Being able to demonstrate such wisdom shows a strong self-identity.

八月廿一日，池田先生今日指导：
不仅限于家庭，就是在一个团体，一个组织里明智地和周围协调一致的精神是十分重要的。能有这样的适应能力本身就是个性。不是一昧顺从的＂惰性＂，也不是只知道反对的＂任性＂，而该是保持均衡、争取协调的能力。能这样聪明地恩考，也是个性。🙏

Don't blame your family for not taking faith... It's time for HR!

(To a woman who is worried about her husband not professing faith)

I'm sure you've heard the story of a man who was scared out of his wits at the sight of a withered tree. He felt so isolated and terrified walking through the darkness of night that, when he saw a tall tree swaying in the wind, he took it for a ghost. It was he who was terror-striken, and it was his own timidity which caused that fear. In other words, he was both his own attacker and victim. It would have been no use suing the tree, for tree have no inherent power to frighten people. If they did, we would never be able to admire their beauty.

I cited this story because I want you to understand that whether or not you can solve your problem with your husband depends on your own determination. Right now you feel it is his fault that you cannot participate in activities. However, his opposition is only the external cause; there is also an internal cause within yourself. Viewed from this principle, you have the bad karma to suffer on account of your husband. In order to change your problem, there is no other alternative but to grapple squarely with it. It is precisely because your husband is not yet a member that you must strenghten your faith and pray to the Gohonzon so that you will be able to do activities together with him as soon as possible.

You say your husband is strong in his obstinacy. Conversely speaking, this means that you are weak. I don't mean that you should be equally obstinate in arguing with him, but rather, that you should be strong in your determination to challenge your own destiny. Don't bear a grudge against your husband. Rather, become someone he can trust. Fundamentally, you must change your own karma. When you exert yourself toward realizing your human revolution and take responsibility for your family's happiness, your husband will inevitably come to recognize the great power of the Mystic Law and eventually take faith in it.

GUIDELINES OF FAITH - SATORU IZUMI


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Guidance 13, 14 August

13 Aug 2016, Daily Guidance by Daisaku Ikeda:
A person of few words is likely to have far more substance and depth than someone who talks just for the sake of hearing his own voice! Someone who takes action swiftly and effectively is a great deal more trustworthy than someone who is all talk. Of far greater importance than whether one is quiet or talkative is whether or not one possesses rich inner substance.
🍹🍨🍷🍧🍹🍨🍷🍹🍨
🙏8月13日 2016, 池田先生今日指导：
本来就有些人言不及义，有时还不如话少的人来得有深度。确实完成当为之事的人，远比光说不练的人值得信赖。关键不在于爱不爱说话，而是在于心灵是否丰裕。😀Happy weekend / 周末愉快😃

🙏14th Aug 2016, Daily Guidance by Daisaku Ikeda: Human relationship problems are opportunities for you 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 only selfish-ness, and that accomplishes nothing.
🏓⛳🏌🏀⛹🏾🎾🏓⛳🏌
🙏8月14日 2016, 池田先生今日指导：
正因为有人际关系的＂烦恼＂，所以自己才能成长。如能克服烦恼，则能隨之培养＂人格＂。因此，不能过于孤独，人是绝不可能独自生存的。否则，只会变得以自我为中心的任性者。😊Have A Beautiful Sunday / 有一个美丽的星期天😊

Sensei's guidance:
"Wherever you may go, you will attain happiness if you never abandon your practice of Nichiren Buddhism throughout your life."

Sensei's guidance:
"We each possess a diamond of happiness in our hearts that we can uncover only by making continuous efforts, never giving up or allowing ourselves to be discouraged. Such perseverance will give birth to wisdom and ingenuity, enabling us to break through any adversity."

Sensei's guidance:
"Everyone has problems or worries of some kind.
We should turn problems into opportunities for chanting daimoku (Nam-myoho-renge-kyo), the fundamental means by which anyone can move their lives in the direction of good and happiness.

CHANTING LEADS TO VICTORY."


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Do not disparage oneself

Buddhism Day by Day

Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda

Friday, August 12, 2016

When you look at those of superior capacity, do not disparage yourself.  The Buddha's true intention was that no one, even those of inferior capacity, be denied enlightenment. Conversely, when you compare yourself with persons of inferior capacity, do not be arrogant and over proud.Even persons of superior capacity may be excluded from enlightenment if they do not devote themselves wholeheartedly. -Nichiren 

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"Courage is another word for compassion"

For Today and Tomorrow

Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda

Friday, August 12, 2016

Courage is free. Anyone can have it.  Courage is another name for the SGI spirit. Mr.Toda said: "The Buddha is filled with compassion, but it is hard for us common mortals to show compassion.  So we must have courage instead."  In other words, when we work courageously for kosen-rufu, our actions by their very nature, become compassionate. 

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9 Points of Victory

Sensei's "Nine Points for Victory" 

I would like to share with you the "Nine Points for Victory" in kosen-rufu and society that I learned from Mr. Toda:

1. Getting up early.

2. Doing gongyo and chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo.


3. Staying fit and healthy and energetically challenging yourself.


4. Cooperating with others and working together as a team.


5. Valuing and respecting your juniors.


6. Empathizing with the vulnerable and supporting and encouraging them. 

7. Treasuring the wise, the capable, and the hardworking.


8. Being skilled in human diplomacy.


9. Being able to keenly distinguish between good and evil, right and wrong.

 These points represent putting into practice the Daishonin's advice: "Buddhism is reason. Reason will win over your lord" (WND-1, 839).

--

Regards,

Mr Chang C.L.

_________________

http://MrChang.com/

HANDLING REJECTION

HANDLING REJECTION

Sometimes when I try to make new friends, it's like I'm not cool enough for them, and I'm left on the outside looking in.


Although it may seem difficult, if you are ignored, rejected or make fun of, try not to be overly worried about it.
According to Buddhist beliefs, those who treat others poorly make bad causes for which they unfortunately will experience the effects, they are truly to be pitied.

At the same time, remember that experiencing rejection and disappointment is an inevitable part of life. Nichiren, whose teachings we in the Soka Gakkai International follow, was also abandoned by many of his followers. I, too, have been betrayed by people whom i trusted and sincerely tried to encourage. But that is something i have learned is inevitable at times.

In the face of rejection, you must learn to be courageous. It is important to believe in yourself. Be like the sun, which shines on serenely even though not all the heavenly bodies reflect back its light and even though some of Its brilliance seems to radiate only into empty space.
While those who reject your friendship may sometimes fade out of your life, the more brilliant your life will become.

No matter what other people do, it is important that you walk your own path, believing in yourself. If you stay true to yourself, others will definitely come to understand your sincere intent.

The Way Of Youth pg 26
SGI President
Daisaku Ikeda


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Responsibility

Don't make excuses; take responsibility for your own life and resolve to be victorious. If you allow yourself to be defeated, all the excuses in the world will get you nowhere. Defeat is defeat no matter how eloquently you may try to justify yourself. The important thing is to win where you are right now; to achieve victory without fail.
11th Aug
Daily Guidance by Daisaku Ikeda

不要找借口，要持着认真的生活态度。如果轻易放弃，任何借口都无济于事。即使多么漂亮的借口，失败仍然是失败。因此，我们要＂在自己所处的环境中取胜，绝对取得胜利。"
八月十一日，池田先生今日指导


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HANDLING REJECTION

HANDLING REJECTION

Sometimes when I try to make new friends, it's like I'm not cool enough for them, and I'm left on the outside looking in.


Although it may seem difficult, if you are ignored, rejected or make fun of, try not to be overly worried about it.
According to Buddhist beliefs, those who treat others poorly make bad causes for which they unfortunately will experience the effects, they are truly to be pitied.

At the same time, remember that experiencing rejection and disappointment is an inevitable part of life. Nichiren, whose teachings we in the Soka Gakkai International follow, was also abandoned by many of his followers. I, too, have been betrayed by people whom i trusted and sincerely tried to encourage. But that is something i have learned is inevitable at times.

In the face of rejection, you must learn to be courageous. It is important to believe in yourself. Be like the sun, which shines on serenely even though not all the heavenly bodies reflect back its light and even though some of Its brilliance seems to radiate only into empty space.
While those who reject your friendship may sometimes fade out of your life, the more brilliant your life will become.

No matter what other people do, it is important that you walk your own path, believing in yourself. If you stay true to yourself, others will definitely come to understand your sincere intent.

The Way Of Youth pg 26
SGI President
Daisaku Ikeda


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新加坡创价学会表演者 呈现五彩缤纷的构图 - 8频道新闻及时事节目

http://www.channel8news.sg/news8/singapore/20160809-sg-ndp-act6/3028962.html

新加坡创价学会表演者 呈现五彩缤纷的构图

420名来自新加坡创价学会的表演者在大型演出的第六幕"美好家园,全民一心"中呈现一幅五彩缤纷的构图。这一幕反映出特殊需要人士对未来的憧憬，并提醒国人建设友爱和优雅社会的重要性。

在现场工作人员的带领下，大家以手语演绎多首经典爱国歌曲，展现爱国精神的同时，也表达对包容社会的支持。

紧接着空中城市下一棵大树拔地而起，把整座城市连接起来。开枝散叶的画面寓意目标和梦想的实现，将演出推向另一个高潮。

璀璨烟火点燃夜空，伴随而来的是爱国歌曲"家"，唱出国人齐心共创未来家园的心愿。

今年的国庆庆典也第一次加入了室内烟火表演的元素，而随着烟火从台上渐渐起来，大家的情绪也跟着高昂起来。

在现场表演者和观众欢送陈庆炎总统离场后，高空烟火再度点亮狮城，大家期盼下一个50年会更精彩。

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Happy national day! Arise all bodhisattvas of the earth!

Today is National Day. Let us be grateful and contribute back to our country called Home. Our Mentor in life, President Ikeda, also said the following (SSA Times issue 5.8.2016), "In the preamble to the Constitution of the UNESCO, we find the words, 'Since wars begin in the minds of men, it is in the minds of men that the defenses of peace must be constructed."' Building within each person's heart the defenses of peace - this is nothing other than 'establishing the correct teaching for the peace of the land',. We members of the SGI, call this struggle for peace' kosen-rufu'. " and it starts from inner transformation within each of us called human revolution to help each person realise their own innate state of Buddhahood. Sensei further mentioned, " Culture involves caring for others. It is wishing to bring happiness to the person in front of you, to make that person smile, and to give them hope. That sincerity is the essential spirit of culture that creates peace." (SSA Times issue 5.8.2016)


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Being a loner vs having friends

BEING A LONER
What if i like being by myself more than being in a group?

Of course, you are free to enjoy your own company if you wish. It's perfectly all right to make friends in your own way, with people whose thoughts and feelings you share.

Sometimes our relations with others can get so difficult that we want to shout, "I wish i could live where there are no other people!" But unless we become hermits, that's impossible. It's important that we work to become individuals who can cultivate good relations with others.

In Japanese, we write the word for "human being" <人间>with the characters meaning "person" and "between", expressing the idea that human beings are complete only in relationship to other people. None of us can live alone. Because of that, experiencing relationship problems of some sort is an inevitable part of human life.

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.

Having close friends can be rewarding. There's a Mongolian proverb, "A hundred friends are more precious than a hundred pieces on gold." People who have friends are rich. Quite often, the encouragement and stimulation of friends spur us toward self improvement. We are inspired to lead fulfilling lives and create a better world. We also work together with our friends towards that goal.

Having good friends is like being with a powerful auxiliary engine. When we encounter a steep hill or an obstacle, we can encourage one another and find the strength to keep pressing forward vigorously.

THE WAY OF YOUTH (pg 33)
SGI President
Daisaku Ikeda


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Members resource

http://www.sgi-usa.org/memberresources/download/2010/WT_Clear%20Mirror.pdf


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India experience

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=9f0TyDD9HV4


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