For us each day is New Year's Day

Daily Encouragement
January 1
Those who wake up each morning with work to accomplish and a mission to fulfill are the happiest people of all. SGI members are like this. For us each day is one of supreme purpose and satisfaction. For us each day is New Year's Day. Please exert yourselves vigorously with the determination to live each day to the fullest, so that you may compose a golden diary of life.

Daisaku Ikeda, SGI President


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New Year's gosho

1st Jan. DAILY GOSHO

New Year's Day marks the first day, the first month, the beginning of the year and the start of spring. A person who celebrates this day will accumulate virtue and be loved by all, just as the moon becomes full gradually, moving from west to east, and as the sun shines more brightly, travelling from east to west. 🙏🏻

New Year's Gosho

1月1日，御书圣训：
献给您的每一天。

正 月 一 日 ，是 日 之 始 、月 之 始 、岁 之 始 、春 之 始 。善 能 崇 奉 者，如 月 之 由 西 向 东 而 渐 盈，如 日 之 自 东 往 西 而 增 辉 。德 愈 胜，人 愈 尊 !

《十字蒸饼书 》

正月一日是日的起始、月的起始、岁的起始、春的起始。
祝贺这个元旦的人，必如月亮由西往东越来越圆，又如太阳由东往西灿烂普照般，品德出众，受人爱戴! 🙏🏻


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Redefining bodhisattvas of the earth for the 10000 years of latter day of the law

In an article of the eternal Great castle of soka number 26 sensei wrote.
"Now turning 90 years of age, more than ever the passion wells in me. 'Together with my beloved disciples from the Eagle peak defining the meaning of bodhisattva of the earth for the million years of the latter day of the law' - this is my determination for the coming one year!"


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let's challenge our human revolution and create a history of brilliant achievement! In 2018 and beyond

December 29, 2017

--TO MY FRIENDS--
The triumphant song of Soka resounded throughout 2017. I express my heartfelt appreciation and deepest respect to all our fellow members for your noble, dedicated struggles. Next year, too, let's challenge our human revolution and create a history of brilliant achievement!

- SGI President Daisaku Ikeda

Daishonin’s conviction

DAILY GOSHO

I, Nichiren, am the richest man in all of present-day Japan. I have dedicated my life to the Lotus Sutra, and my name will be handed down in ages to come. 🙏🏻

The Opening of the Eyes

12月31日，御书圣训:
献给您的每一天。

当 世 日 本 国 第 一 富 者，日 莲 是 也 。 命 奉 法 华 经，名 留 后 代 。

《开目抄 》

当今世上，在日本国最富有的人，就是日莲 。性命献给法华经，名声传扬到后世 。 🙏🏻


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Beware of the 10 troops of the King Devil of the Sixth Heaven

Beware of the 10 troops of the King Devil of the Sixth Heaven:

1. Greed
2. Discouragement
3. Hunger / Thirst
4. Craving
5. Sleepiness
6. Fear
7. Doubt and despair
8. Anger
9. Preoccupation with fame and glory
10. Arrogance and contempt for others

(Shared by MD chief, Mr Goh Kim Hwa at the end of Discussion Meeting Gosho Study (English) @ TSC)

All it takes is one courageous person

26/12 Guidance by
Daisaku Ikeda:

No matter how many cowards, crafty people, dishonest people, irresponsible and spiritually weak people you assemble, you cannot accomplish anything of value. You cannot achieve anything great. All it takes is a single individual-a single individual earnestly striving in the field of his or her mission and prepared to accept full responsibility for it. Such a person will be the foundation from which the flames of the victory of justice will burn and spread forever.


十二月二十六日
池田先生今日指导 ：

胆小的人，狡猾的人，只讲求窍门的人，无责任感的人，精神软弱的人等，不论聚集再多也无法成就，达成任何事情。只要有一个肯在自己的＂使命领域"中𠄘担一切责任，肯挑战的人，就会由那地方，那个人开始，无限地燃起正义的胜利火焰。

Anurag Bhatnagar – Experience Aug 2017

Very powerful experience!!

Anurag Bhatnagar – Experience Aug 2017

Hello everyone. My name is Anurag Bhatnagar and I was introduced to this wonderful philosophy 19 years back. My wife and both my daughters also practice and we as a Soka family have had many life changing experiences in this journey of faith. Today I am sharing a series of experiences which we had in last few months.

My wife Puja has been a chronic liver patient for last 17 years. Since beginning of this year she was not keeping too well and we were consulting doctors regularly in Dubai where we were based for last 3 years. The medicines which were working well for her for so many years stopped working and her liver function tests were going all haywire. Her condition was going from bad to worse and we did not have insurance cover or affordable specialist doctors in Dubai. Everyone suggested me to bring her to India immediately. On 16th March her condition became serious and I had to bring her to Delhi on urgent basis. We went to the meet the doctor straight from the airport. The doctors after examining her immediately advised her to be admitted in the hospital for a series of investigations. She was admitted and all her tests were conducted in the hospital. Her biopsy reports came in mid-april and it was confirmed that she has liver cirrhosis.

All this while we were continuously chanting and praying but Puja was chanting with a goal of not having to go for a transplant operation. Our senior leaders suggested us to only chant for the right doctor, right diagnose and full recovery for Puja. They asked Puja to have complete faith in Gohonzon and believe that Gohonzon is there to protect her. They also suggested not to put conditions while asking for a solution in front of Gohonzon. Just have faith and pray ….. and everything will be alright.

"MUSTER YOUR FAITH AND PRAY TO THIS GOHONZON THEN WHAT IS THERE THAT CANNOT BE ACHIEVED"

Although cirrhosis was diagnosed the doctors were still trying to delay the transplant process by giving higher dosage of steroids. This higher dosage actually reacted badly on Puja and she went into a high disillusionment stage. She was confined to bed and unable to do basic things for herself. Even in this stage of unconscious mind all she would do is to chant nonstop, we would have to ask her to stop so that she can take some rest. She used to thank people and doctors/nurses while in that state. Considering that we did not have a house of our own here in Delhi, we were at our relatives place from time to time and their help and support was much more than needed.

The situation was looking grim for Puja and she was taken to hospital ICU but we felt the case was not being treated with upmost care. We thought of taking a second opinion on urgent basis. One of Puja's old friend called me and insisted that we should meet Doctor at Max Hospital as he is one of the best doctor in India and is known to them as well. We met the doctor and he said that we need to admit her immediately and an urgent liver transplant is the last and only solution for Puja. I was advised that I need to arrange a donor and required funds at the earliest. (This was May end)

Meanwhile, I was also getting worried about my job as I was unable to attend regular office since Mid-March. I was continuously praying for this situation as well. My CEO called me one day and offered me permanently moving back from Dubai to India office and a sabbatical (Without Pay) till the time Puja gets better. I thanked Gohonzon for this surprise and big support from my company.

We started to look for the eligible donor within the family as we were told that only a close family member can donate. Each member from my side of family and Puja's side was declared not eligible due to various medical conditions. We all got worried as there was no immediate donor available. Desperate to find a donor I put out an appeal on Facebook "Looking for an Angel Donor"

The hospital gave me an estimate of 25 lakhs for the surgery and Post-surgery expenses. I really had no idea where this money would come from as I had already used all the funds available with me till now and there was nothing left with me. One friend suggested that I should put out an appeal through a crowdfunding site to collect for funds. I was not too excited for this as in the past we ourselves have ignored so many of these appeals considering them fake. As I always do, I chanted with a belief that NO PRAYER GOES UNANSWERED and sat down to devise the campaign on the site.

Puja's fund campaign was put out on 7th June and by 10th June we received 80% of the required funds. Mystically within one week we achieved our required funds for Puja's surgery. Over 400 people from 16 different countries came forward and contributed for Puja. I started getting phone calls from friends we have not been in touch for 10/15/20 years offering their support. People were running campaign for Puja in their own respective countries. We felt that yes we are being protected by Gohonzon and my confidence of finding a eligible donor grew stronger. The fund campaign was the most successful campaign ever run by the fund company and it was covered by the press as well.

Diashonin says "If you carry out your faith and thirst for the way, then the sufferings of change and impermanence will become no more than yesterday's dream"

The funds were sorted out but the donor was still not available. Through my FB post many people, known & unknown, came forward and five people went ahead and got their tests done. One after the other all of them got rejected or dropped out due to various reasons. The days were going away fast and we did not have qualified donor.

I shared the situation with my leaders and they suggested to continue to chant for Shoten Zenjin to appear in our lives. The prayers continued and faith got stronger that something good will happen …. And it had to happen. As bodhisatvas of the earth we can't give up and we didn't. WINTER ALWAYS TURNS TO SPRING and finally it did.

I received a call from my friend in Chennai whom we have not met for over 10 years that he would like to become a live liver donor for Puja. He got his initial tests done and the results were favorable. We requested him to come over to delhi for further tests. He came over and after few hurdles he was medically approved by the panel of doctors. But the doctors said that we need to convince the external approval committee and it was a difficult task. A lot of paperwork was involved as we had to prove our 10 year old friendship. We had to even get in touch with our University back in UK to get certificates of our time together in the University. Slowly and gradually we completed all the paperwork and our meeting with the external committee was fixed for 18th July.

The committee interview was much harder than we all had expected. Each one of us was grilled by them for long and even after spending 3 hours with them they said 'We are not convinced'. Puja and me were constantly chanting outside the meeting room as this was seemingly our last chance of going in for a live liver donor surgery. Finally after 4 hours we were informed that the committee has approved our proposal as a very special and rare case. All 4 of us celebrated as if we have already won the battle. The staff asked us to come back on 19th July so that they can admit Puja for the operation.

Sensei writes "Chanting daimoku is the only way to break through deadlocks, whether of the body or the mind. I believe in my eventual victory. Daimoku will be its driving force."

Finally after all the struggles we have a donor and required funds for the surgery to happen. Puja and the donor were admitted on 20th July for surgery to happen on 21st July. We thanked Gohonzon for the opportunity given to us to strengthen our faith one more time.

On 20th evening I was told to arrange 2 units of AB+ Platelets and 30 Units of Blood for tomorrow's operation. My friends and colleagues once again took this challenge on them and started to arrange people through social media. By 12 noon on 21st we were asked by hospital blood bank staff to stop people from coming over as the required blood has already been received. I could not even thank most of them as I was by the OT. People came, gave blood and went away. I felt blessed and protected from everywhere.

On 21st the staff came to take Puja for operation at 7 AM and she asked them to wait for 5 minutes as she wanted to do her morning gongyo before she leaves for the operation. She went in the OT chanting, smiling and full of confidence. The surgery went on for 13 long hours and was declared a big success by the doctors. The team said that they were amazed with the way both of them have gone through the long operation. Our SGI family in Dubai and India kept on chanting through out the duration of the surgery. Puja and the donor were moved to ICU by the night and they were doing well. A big sense of relief for all of us. I thanked Gohonzon for the protection and blessings.

The donor remained in ICU for 3 days and was finally discharged from hospital on the 7th day. Puja remained in ICU isolation for 11 days where nobody was allowed to meet her due to high risk of infection. Even I was only allowed to see her on a CCTV. I could see her improving each day where she would chant for hours whenever she was awake. She introduced all the doctors and nurses to Nam Myo Ho Renge Kyo. She even made staff write Nam Myo Ho Renge Kyo on the ICU board so that she can see it always and chant. The doctors started to greet her with Nam Myo Ho Renge Kyo instead of saying Good Morning. Seems she was on her Kosen Rufu mission in the hospital. She was moved to her room on 1st Aug and finally discharged on 8th Aug. The doctors were very happy and surprised at the quick recovery Puja was showing. Puja is now at home and recovering well. Her blood parameters are coming back to normal and she is looking forward to a new life.

'Nam Myo Ho Renge Kyo is like a roar of a lion, what sickness can therefore be an obstacle'

Puja and the donor's story was published on the front page of TOI followed by various interviews media interviews and articles including The Hindu, Zee News, The Quint, BBC Tamil. The articles have also appeared in Indonesia and UK.

Nichiren Daishonin says "misfortune will change into fortune. Muster your faith, and pray to this Gohonzon. Then what is there that cannot be achieved? "

A lot of my fellow members are going through struggles. I would like to tell them that me along with all the members of SGI family are chanting for them and are always there through their struggle. The victory will eventually come…..it has to come.

Gosho says "Even a feeble person will not stumble if those supporting him are strong, but a person of considerable strength, when alone, may fall down on an uneven path"

I wish to express my gratitude to Gohonzon, my fellow members, my friends & family, for the strength, support and wisdom we received during this journey. I am convinced that through our faith we will overcome all struggles and lead a victorious life.

I determine to be a true disciple of Sensei and come out as victorious from all challenges by treating them as opportunities to strengthen my faith.

Thank you!!


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生命中最大的奇迹就是在”絕望中找到希望”

池田先生指导:「生命中最大的奇迹就是在"絕望中找到希望"，唱题是化解一切困难的关键。
无论你的问题是什么，包括疾病在内，如果你向御本尊唱题，直到你感觉到题目已经到达你的痛苦的最深处时，那么任何病痛，不管是在肉体或精神方面都好，全能痊愈。
你的生命的真正转换将隨着你勤励的唱题而来。重要的是你能否唱诵那种能够通达你生命奥底的题目。」

Prayers

"Prayers are neither light dreams nor vague wishes. They should be firm pledges of determination. Prayers made with such strong resolve invite clear results just as magnets attract iron."

Daisaku Ikeda

Parable of the Wealthy Man and His Poor Son (Chapter 4)

Like the poor son, many of us limit our potential or become complacent, unwilling or afraid to strive in our personal development. In this parable, the poor son represents ordinary people who wander around in spiritual poverty, unaware of their true inheritance—the boundless possibilities of their Buddha nature. SGI President Daisaku Ikeda states: "Satisfaction with one's accomplishments might seem like humility, but to underestimate life's potential is actually great arrogance."The wealthy man represents Shakyamuni, whose sole desire is to awaken people to the wealth of their inherent Buddhahood. As an expedient means, the Buddha first expounds lesser teachings in order to prepare his disciples' minds to grasp the complete truth of his message expressed in the Lotus Sutra. SGI President Ikeda explains: "Everyone alike possesses this unsurpassed jewel of life. This most precious of all things 'has come to us unsought.' It comes down to whether we can recognize it as such. And the Lotus Sutra enables us to most profoundly perceive and recognize the treasure of our lives."This parable stresses the need to always have a seeking spirit for continual self-development, regardless of our age, achievements or present circumstances. The Lotus Sutra teaches a dynamic way to live amidst life's challenges; it emphasizes a lifelong seeking spirit for self-development—to challenge our limitations, break through deadlocks and expect to experience the boundless potential of our lives. As SGI President Ikeda succinctly states, "Not advancing is retreating."

https://lse.sg/the-lotus-sutra/7-parables/the-wealthy-man-and-his-poor-son/

Parable of the Phantom City and the Treasure Land (Chapter 7)

Buddhahood seems like a goal; but it is not," clarifies SGI President Daisaku Ikeda. "It is a clear path. It is hope itself—hope to advance eternally toward self-improvement, greater fulfillment and increased peace of mind and enjoyment in life." In other words, the road to the treasure land is in fact the treasure land itself. The process is, in actuality, the end goal. Buddhahood does not exist in some far-off place, but amidst the reality of our daily efforts and struggles to expand our potential, overcome obstacles and help lead others to happiness—the same fundamental aspiration as the Buddha.Like the travelers seeking the treasure land, many of us, when pursuing a goal or a dream, become deadlocked and experience the waning of our initial passion and enthusiasm. Being satisfied with our achievements thus far is like never leaving the phantom city—an illusion of comfort that creates boundaries which limit our potential. This is why it is crucial that we find as much value and joy in the process of pursuing our goals as in achieving them. Even if our goals alter and change, by earnestly pursuing them, we embark on a journey through which our growth and potential are realized. As President Ikeda states, "Happiness is not found in a tranquil life free of storms and tempests. Real happiness is found in the struggles we undergo to realize our goals, in our efforts to move forward."

https://lse.sg/the-lotus-sutra/7-parables/the-phantom-city-and-the-treasure-land/

Parable of Skilled Physician and Sick Children (LS Chapter 16)

It is when we are mindful of death that we begin to earnestly seek 'something eternal' and resolve to make the most valuable use of each moment of life," writes SGI President Daisaku Ikeda. This seeking spirit, the willingness to strive, is the basic condition for awakening to the eternal Buddha nature that exists within one's own life. In the parable, this awakening is represented by the father's return after the children take the medicine.Coming to believe in our Buddhahood, however, does not magically elevate us above life's challenges or alter the fact of life's impermanence. Rather, with confidence in our Buddha nature—this vast, untapped internal reservoir of hope, courage, wisdom and compassion—we are able to squarely face up to the challenges of life and meaningfully transform them. What drives this dynamic process is the spirit of earnestly desiring to "see" the Buddha. In President Ikeda's words, "The mind of an ordinary person who seeks the Buddha becomes the mind of the Buddha itself."

https://lse.sg/the-lotus-sutra/7-parables/the-skilled-physician-and-his-sick-children/

Parable of Jewel in the TopKnot

The jewel in his topknot, meanwhile, represents the "difficult to believe" Lotus Sutra—a revolutionary teaching that enables all people to live truly empowered and peaceful lives. The Lotus Sutra teaches that making a vow to help others become truly happy is in fact the key to attaining a peaceful state of life free of worry and anxiety. While one may think it makes sense to help others only after one has mastered all one's own problems, rather, as Daisaku Ikeda points out, it is by setting aside our own worries and concerns to help those who are suffering that we are able to develop a powerful, expansive state of life. And in developing such a vast life condition, we are also able to overcome our own challenges. Nichiren further states: "If one lights a fire for others, one will brighten one's own way." When blinded by fear and unable to see the greater purpose of our lives, we may easily lose our way and fall into greater suffering. However, Nichiren Buddhism teaches that we can always find the path of happiness by fearlessly confronting our problems head-on while helping others do the same. As President Ikeda confidently states: "It's not a matter of leading a timid and weak existence, seeking to avoid obstacles and difficulties. Rather, we should have the spirit: 'Come what may, I will survive! I will climb another mountain! And the more I climb, the more I can enjoy my life, and the more people I can help become happy.'" Nichiren Buddhism and the Lotus Sutra aim to impart to all people the art of revolutionizing their inner state of life

The 7 parables

1uddhist teachings are recorded in a vast body of texts called sutras. For Nichiren Buddhists, the Lotus Sutra is considered Shakyamuni's highest teaching, revealing that all people possess the potential to attain enlightenment. However, this revolutionary teaching was not conveyed in the form of a dense theoretical doctrine. Rather, the sutra overflows with fantastic imagery and grand descriptions of the Buddha's enlightened state of life. The parables it contains—the three carts and the burning house; the wealthy man and his poor son; the three kinds of medicinal herbs and two kinds of trees; the phantom city and the treasure land; the gem in the robe; the priceless gem in the topknot; and the excellent physician and his sick children—play a key role in conveying the various aspects of the Buddha's profound realization."The infinitely profound Law [dharma] to which the Buddha has awakened is very difficult to put into words," SGI President Daisaku Ikeda explains. "Yet if that enlightenment remained locked in the Buddha's heart, the road to Buddhahood for all living beings would stay closed." These parables are an ingenious educational tool and embody the Buddha's wisdom, vast compassion and desire to relieve people of suffering and awaken them to the great potential of their Buddha nature. As we can observe in cultures throughout the world, storytelling is one of humanity's most beloved pastimes. It is also one of the most accessible means of teaching and communicating ideas that can transcend age, status or education. In such stories we recognize aspects of our own hopes, desires, fears and struggles. When listeners are able to personally relate to a story, they are also then able to easily recall the story and share it with others.Being able to utilize our imagination is vital in order to expand our often limited perception of reality and begin imagining greater possibilities. The narrative form of parables stimulates listeners with vivid fantasy-like images that stretch their imagination and enables them to actively process profound concepts. As SGI President Ikeda points out, when Shakyamuni Buddha was describing the fact that he had been enlightened since the infinitely distant past, if he had simply said, "I became a Buddha ten-to-the-x-hundredth-power years ago," the weight of this unfathomable span of time would just remain a number. In contrast, when this span of time is expressed as a narrative—five hundred, a thousand, ten thousand, a million, a hundred billion worlds are pulverized to dust, and then, traveling through the universe, one speck of the dust is dropped every five hundred, thousand, ten thousand, million, hundred billion worlds—the listeners are invited to actively participate in creating a visual image and develop their own understanding as they assimilate this information. True understanding is more than being able to grasp a concept intellectually. When the Buddha's disciples genuinely understood these parables, they did not say, "Yes, I understand," but instead responded with their own parables to demonstrate their realization. Many educators, including founding Soka Gakkai president Tsunesaburo Makiguchi, have concluded that memorizing facts and having knowledge alone does not constitute genuine learning or understanding. Genuine understanding is developed through a learning process that relates to one's own personal experience and is expressed through an inner transformation of one's life. For SGI members around the world today, sharing their own personal histories of transforming negative situations in their lives through their Buddhist practice is an expression of their understanding of the Buddhist Law and a vital component of their practice. Makiguchi, who started the Soka Gakkai's discussion meeting movement in a form that centers on members sharing their testimonies with others, believed that Buddhism should not be taught in the form of abstract theories. When people hear real stories of their peers triumphing over hardships and succeeding in life, this can empower them to imagine greater possibilities and help them break free of the often self-imposed limitations of their reality.❖From the October 2013 issue, the SGI Quarterly will begin a series introducing the seven parables of the Lotus Sutra

https://lse.sg/the-lotus-sutra/7-parables/

Parable of 3 carts and the Burning House (LS chapter 3)

Through this parable Shakyamuni endeavors to expand our often limited perception of the potential of our lives. It is difficult to believe in the magnitude of this potential, in our ability to overcome all challenges and successfully take our lives into new, unexplored directions. The promised goat, deer and ox carts with which the father gains the attention of his children are ametaphor for the "three vehicles," the early, provisional teachings of the Buddha that are tailored to the intellectual capacity and expectations of his disciples. The true extent of our Buddha nature, however, far exceeds these expectations.We quite naturally place limits on our ideals of personal development, or become complacent or self-satisfied. Buddhism encourages ongoing growth and development, an eternally youthful spirit. Daisaku Ikeda notes: "The great white ox cart, which traverses freely over the most treacherous peaks, represents the state of Buddhahood, which knows no limitations." This is the true nature of our lives, a life condition of freedom, dignity and joyful expansion.

https://lse.sg/the-lotus-sutra/7-parables/the-three-carts-and-the-burning-house/

Parable of the gem in the robe (5th parable)

SGI President Daisaku Ikeda further interprets this jewel as the Buddha's great desire for all people to be happy, a desire that is fundamentally inherent in all life. In this sense, the poor man awakening from his drunken, forgetful state to finally see the jewel he possesses represents the transformation that takes place in the hearts of the 500 disciples as they begin to perceive within and manifest the expansive, all-embracing life condition of Buddhahood. They change from people narrow-mindedly seeking their own happiness and salvation to people devoted to helping others become happy. They awaken, in other words, to the "great vow to unfailingly lead others to happiness."Elevating our lives to this great vow or wish of the Buddha is synonymous with unlocking our true potential, finding fulfillment in life and attaining Buddhahood. When we embrace this vow, states President Ikeda, "everything, every situation, takes on value for our lives. Nothing around us is without meaning; no effort is wasted." The practice of Nichiren Buddhism awakens that aspiration. We are able to live with a broader sense of self and purpose. Our struggles and problems then become opportunities to break through our self-imposed limitations and encourage and ignite hope in those facing similar challenges.

https://lse.sg/the-lotus-sutra/7-parables/the-jewel-in-the-robe/

Parable of 3 kinds of medicinal herbs and 2 kinds of trees ( LS chap 5)

Though there are many different kinds of plants
described in this parable—inferior, intermediary and superior medicinal herbs, and both large and small trees—representing the different capacities of people, each is nurtured by the rain, which falls equally upon them and is "of one form, one flavor." The quantity of the rain absorbed by each kind of plant, however, differs and each grows in its own way. Likewise, people understand and respond to the Buddha's teaching in different ways. In this sense, the various kinds of plants also represent the various schools and interpretations of Buddhism, while the rain is the essence of the Buddha's teaching, which is encapsulated in the Lotus Sutra.President Ikeda states, "The Buddha's preaching begins from a recognition of human diversity. The Buddha asks the question: How can I enable each person to attain Buddhahood, notwithstanding differences in circumstance, temperament and capacity? The Lotus Sutra, without departing in the least from the reality of the individual, clarifies the path to Buddhahood for all."From a more general perspective, the parable of the three kinds of medicinal herbs and two kinds of trees acknowledges human diversity and demonstrates how treasuring a person—by deeply considering how best to enable someone to become truly happy and bring forth their unique potential—is the key to treasuring all life. "Human beings nourish human beings. Life nourishes life," states President Ikeda. Treasuring life is the path to Buddhahood and the basis for building peace in our diverse world.

https://lse.sg/the-lotus-sutra/7-parables/the-three-kinds-of-medicinal-herbs/

The need for a great vow

This I will state. Let the gods forsake me. Let all persecutions assail me. Still I will give my life for the sake of the Law. Shariputra practised the way of the bodhisattva for sixty kalpas, but he abandoned the way because he could not endure the ordeal of the Brahman who begged for his eye.*

The Opening of the Eyes - WND-1, 280

This is the great vow of the Buddha. Without such vow, we will not be able to undertake all persecution and shansho shima attacks in the midst of this world to fulfill our mission. 🙏🙏🙏


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Take Persecutions for granted. They are opportunities for us to do human revolution

15th Dec Daily guidance by Daisaku Ikeda：

Because we champion justice and cause of good, we incur envy and persecution from others. But if we remain true to our convictions and continue to demonstrate our sincerity and integrity, we will definitely triumph in the end. It is important never to be defeated by any of the trials that may beset us. Such trials represent a golden opportunity for us to do our human revolution.

十二月十五日池田先生今日指导：

正因为维护正义，所以会遭到妒嫉、甚至迫害。然而，只要贯彻信念与诚实，最后一定能获得胜利。不管遭遇如何的苦难也决不能低头。因为苦难正是人性变革的机会。

GD Tay’s message for Dec 2017 DGM

郑永吉理事长给予 12 月地区总会的致词

恭喜大家召开朋友喜悦聚集的地区总会。

我们在今年欢庆了新加坡广布 50 周年，着重在学会的前线推广充满青春气息 和活力的活动;鼓励会员尽全力在他们的人生中取得突破，给身边的人带来 希望和勇气。我们秉持"珍视眼前的人"的主题，全力扩展地涌之友的网络， 在新加坡掀起欢喜和幸福的涟漪。

今年我们参与的活动所取得的成果和一切的努力，不论是新加坡广布纪念日 暨 SSA 草创感谢会、还是共有 6 万 2 千 552 位参观者的令人难忘的法华经展、 又或是妆艺大游行和国庆庆典表演、全国友好会、无数的恳谈会和家访以及 唱念的大量题目等，要衷心感谢各位在今年所付出的不懈努力和贡献。各位 的付出实在了不起，相信诸佛都在为你们喝彩，给予你们最热烈的掌声。今 年是我们大家的胜利年。恭喜大家!
今天，让我们在地区总会取得另一个大胜利来结束 2017 年，并以高昂的精神， 喜悦地迎接 2018 年。

国际创价学会将明年 2018 年的主题订定为"世界广布新时代光荣年"。明年 是使自身和他人的生命，包括青年部、未来部的生命散发光彩，进而使社区、 社会昌盛繁荣，传送希望与鼓励，向世界广布的高峰前进的一年。

2018 年将欢庆在 1958 年 3 月 16 日举行的历史性的广宣流布纪念仪式六十周 年;也是池田 SGI 会长于 1993 年 8 月 6 日执笔撰写《新人间革命》小说二十 五周年;同时也将迎来于 2013 年 11 月 18 日落成的广宣流布誓愿堂落成五周 年的佳节。让我们以清新的精神向新的一年出发，与恩师池田先生一起，跨 越彼此的差异，实践御书所教导的"如水鱼之思"地异体同心，指向 2018 年
3 月 16 日，进而朝向 11 月 18 日结集 1 万名青年出席的青年峰会，奋勇迈进!

祈愿全体 SSA 会员、家人与朋友幸福、安康、长寿，新年快乐!
期许各位在 2018 年"世界广布新时代光荣年"总是气宇轩昂，精神飒爽地前 进。

“Nam-myoho-renge-kyo Is Like the Roar of a Lion” - World Tribune

https://www.worldtribune.org/2017/12/nam-myoho-renge-kyo-like-roar-lion/

"Nam-myoho-renge-kyo Is Like the Roar of a Lion"

Winning—After receiving a diagnosis of prostate cancer, leukemia and lymphoma, Sompheng "Tarzan" Saybounkham was determined to show others the "power of chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo by facing this experience with joy and positivity." Photo: Thao Nguyen

by Sompheng "Tarzan" Saybounkham
AUSTIN, TEXAS

My life has been a tumultuous struggle for survival. I was born in the early '60s during the Laotian Civil War. When the communist forces assumed political power in 1975, my father, a military commander, was taken as a prisoner of war, which left my mother with eight young children. I was just 13 years old.

After six years, I made a very risky but successful move to negotiate my father's release. Then, after a week-long trek through the jungles and the Mekong River, our family settled at a refugee camp in Thailand.

With assistance from the U.S. government in 1983, we moved to Austin, Texas, to start a new life. Over the next 20 years, I worked various menial jobs to support my family, which expanded when my partner, Tippy, and I married and welcomed our daughter.

Although I was happy to live in a safer, more comfortable environment, I was constantly dealing with financial insecurities, which caused me deep stress and suffering. My wife and I hit a new low when, in 2006, we both lost our jobs. At that time, a family friend encouraged us to chant Nam-myoho-renge-kyo. She was so earnest and convincing that I immediately decided to practice. I knew that I had found the tool to change my life and, out of great excitement, I began sharing Buddhism with those around me. Both my mother and sister Jill joined the SGI, and in the final years of my father's life, he also embraced Nichiren Buddhism.

My sister, mother and I determined to be the solid rocks of our family to transform all our sufferings into happiness so as not to pass on our painful karma to future generations. We strove wholeheartedly to support activities for kosen-rufu and continued to introduce others to the practice as a means to create lasting happiness and fortune.

Over time our circumstances improved, and several years ago my wife and I opened a seafood restaurant with another family. It became so successful that my wife and I decided to open another restaurant in 2016. As life was looking up, my faith was suddenly put to the test in the most unexpected way.

We were approved for a government loan for the new restaurant, but I needed to pass a physical examination to insure it. I had always been in good health, so I was taken aback when my doctor informed me that I had extreme levels of a protein produced by the prostate gland.

After a battery of tests, I was diagnosed with not only prostate cancer but also leukemia and lymphoma. I was surprised but not shaken by the news. From the first day that I chanted Nam-myoho-renge-kyo, I understood that everything in life and the way we experience it is a matter of what's in our hearts. Confident that I had the best tool in the world—my Buddhist practice—I accepted my karma and determined to transform this experience into a benefit.

I was immediately placed on chemotherapy for six months to treat the leukemia and lymphoma. Unfortunately on the last day of treatment, my doctor learned more bad news: My immune system had weakened dramatically and brought out hepatitis B, which had been dormant in my body. I was told that I needed to see a liver specialist immediately or suffer liver failure.

Not long after, I was rushed to the intensive care unit with a high fever and jaundice. My family and friends believed that the two weeks I spent in ICU would be my last. Even one of my doctors told me: "I don't want you to die! You're too young!"

I only had Nam-myoho-renge-kyo, Nichiren Daishonin's writings and SGI President Ikeda's guidance to strengthen me. I chanted every day, studied and shared Buddhism with the hospital staff. In my heart, I held onto Nichiren's words: "Believe in this mandala with all your heart. Nam-myoho-renge-kyo is like the roar of a lion. What sickness can therefore be an obstacle?" ("Reply to Kyo'o," The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, vol. 1, p. 412).

With my fighting spirit, two weeks later, I was able to return home to recuperate without needing a liver transplant. I still had a mountain of challenges ahead of me, however. For the next three months, I went through 44 grueling radiation treatments to attack the prostate cancer cells.

Because many of my customers, friends and family knew that I was Buddhist, I was determined to show them the power of chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo by facing this experience with joy and positivity. Throughout it all, I continued to smile and chant.

I had my final radiation treatment three months ago and every day, I'm getting stronger. I no longer have prostate cancer, lymphoma or hepatitis B, and although my leukemia will stay with me in a controlled form, I'm able to live a normal, productive life.

I am so happy to be alive and truly feel that I have won over myself!

Another recent victory has been the successful opening of our second restaurant. It has created many jobs for people in our community, and my customers say they enjoy coming to a great environment.

I want my story to be for the youth division, our young lions. I am determined to support them in any way toward the 50,000 Lions of Justice Festival in 2018. I want to send my daughter, niece and nephew there, and I'm chanting abundantly to share Buddhism with many more youth! I also feel a deep sense of mission to use my life to help change the destiny of my home country through enabling many more Laotians to embrace SGI Nichiren Buddhism.

Although it seems I have been fighting for my survival since I was a child, the real battle is always within. Beautiful flowers grow from dirt, and Buddhism has taught me that when a beautiful flower grows in your heart, you become a better person. I'm trying to become a better person every day, and I'll never stop!

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WOLS ... LS chapter 16 ... excerpts 2

WOLS ... LS chapter 16 ... excerpts 1

Purpose of philosophy and religion

歌曲: 我们是地涌菩萨

歌曲

我们是地涌菩萨
We Are All Happy Buddhas
(Sung to the tune of: Rudolph the Red-nose Reindeer)


我们是地涌菩萨
自行化他我使命
面对问题和挑战
一定勇敢去接受

走在信心的道路
你我一定会成长
池田先生和夫人
我们学习的对象

一定确信御本尊
一起来修行
Nam Myo Ho - Ren Ge Kyo
证明佛法的伟大！

创价学会是我家
慈悲关怀学会员
我们做广宣流布
一定幸福和喜悦

We are all Happy Buddhas
Sowing seeds of happiness
With prayer, you will sure find…
Happiness within one's life;

Happi-ness does not mean…
A life without any worries
Problems are opportu-nities
For us to score vic-to-ries

With strong faith in Go-hon-zon
Chant forever more
Nam Myo Ho - Ren Ge Kyo
Surely, we'll see actual proof!

SSA is like my family
Members care for one another
Striving for ko-sen-ru-fu
That's the key to happiness


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Daimoku charges our batteries

...our inner state of life lies at the core of our mental and physical well-being. Buddhist practice is the only means by which we can strengthen, purify and develop our inner life. We have to exercise our minds through study. We have to exercise our bodies through physical activity and sports. We also have to exercise our internal life condition through daimoku. When our inner condition of life changes, our minds and bodies also change. They will be refreshed and revitalized.

Daimoku charges our batteries. If we take care to regularly charge our batteries, then we'll always be full of energy and vitality. If we fail to keep our batteries charged, we won't have energy when we need it most and as a result may be defeated by our environment.

Those who saturate their lives with daimoku and learn to keep their batteries charged while they're young are building a foundation for lifelong happiness.

Since our Buddhist practice takes place in the midst of our daily lives, it is all too easy for us to grow lazy and neglect it. So in that respect, there is perhaps no more difficult practice when it comes to continuing. Nonetheless, if we challenge ourselves to keep up a little bit each day, before we realize it we will have built a path to happiness in the depths of our own lives.

--SGI President Daisaku Ikeda

Excerpted from Discussions on Youth(SGI-USA, 1998)

http://www.sgi.org/about-us/president-ikedas-writings/on-practice.html

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佛法是真正的真理，也是真正的教育

🇨🇳习近平主席在第十九届党代会上会见中国佛教协会学诚会长时说:

◎ 佛法是真正的真理，也是真正的教育，百姓要想安居乐业，远离痛苦，也必需要学习佛法，明了因果、善择取舍，才可以长远地保持获得幸福。所以亲爱的朋友，不论你信佛或是不信佛，都没有关系，最关键的是每个人都想要幸福与安乐，所以每个人都需要种下善业善因，且智慧地享用生命，这样才能实现百姓真正的安乐和国家的富强壮大！

─习近平主席。


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Nyo Ze hon mak ku kyo to

Nyo Ze hon mak ku kyo to

(如是本末究竟等)

I think this, at least partially, has to do with the inertia that we tend to sustain a particular state within the 10 worlds, for better or for worse.

Attaining this "awareness" after my a recent unhappiness.

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