Tuesday, July 21, 2009

Daily Guidance

---- DAILY ENCOURAGEMENT ----
"When you gaze up at a towering mountain from its base, you can't fully appreciate how high it is, but when you see it from a height, you realise its true size. In the same way, if you don't have the ability to identify capable individuals and your life-state is low, you won't be able to appreciate the outstanding qualities of others. To do that, you need to reflect deeply on yourself, chant daimoku, and elevate your own state of life."

--- DAILY GOSHO ---
"A daughter opens up the gate of another household."
(The Treasure of a Child - The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, Vol.2, page 884)

Friday, July 17, 2009

Daily Guidance

--- DAILY ENCOURAGEMENT ---
Victory is ours! It is certain that the Buddhas and the gods are giving us a rousing round of applause for all our painstaking and wholehearted efforts for the sake of kosen-rufu. The good fortune and benefit that we have accumulated are absolutely immeasurable. Now, let's continue to advance with the spirit that we can achieve anything!


--- DAILY GOSHO ---
"This life is like a dream. One cannot be sure that one will live until tomorrow. However wretched a beggar you might become, never disgrace the Lotus Sutra."

(A Warning against Begrudging One's Fief - The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, Vol.1, page 824)

Thursday, July 16, 2009

Daily Guidance

---- DAILY ENCOURAGEMENT ----
"Once an accident occurs, all the efforts up to then are for naught, and the progress of kosen-rufu can be significantly delayed. That's why consideration in advance to prevent accidents from occurring is so important."

--- DAILY GOSHO ---
"...by all means persist in preaching the Lotus Sutra and causing them to hear it. Those who put their faith in it will surely attain Buddhahood, while those who slander it will establish a "poison-drum relationship"* with it and will likewise attain Buddhahood."

(How Those Initially Aspiring to the Way Can Attain Buddhahood through the Lotus Sutra - The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, Vol. 1, page 882)

Wednesday, July 15, 2009

Daily Guidance

---- DAILY ENCOURAGEMENT ----

"In 'The Opening the Eyes,' the Daishonin writes: 'All other troubles are no more to me than dust before the wind' (WND-1, 280). The Daishonin makes the great declaration that he intends to brush aside the most life-threatening persecutions like dust in the wind and fearlessly fulfil his great vow for kosen-rufu. The Soka Gakkai is the organisation acting in complete accord with the Daishonin's instructions. It has essentially become one of the largest organisations in Japan. It's only to be expected that we'll be envied, criticised, and attacked. It's as inevitable as a ship stirring up a wake by moving forwards through the water. Both the Soka Gakkai and I will no doubt continue to be attacked.

"Mr. Toda often used to says: 'It will probably take 200 years for society to appreciate the real value of the Soka Gakkai. We are an organisation unprecedented in all of human history, which is why no one grasps how wonderful we are.' This is absolutely true. Whatever challenges we face, please don't be troubled by the ups and downs of daily events but cultivate a long-term perspective and live out your lives true to your convictions."

--- DAILY GOSHO ---

Concerning the 'peaceful' practices of the Lotus Sutra of the Wonderful Law and the practices carried out by Nichiren and his followers now in the Latter Day of the Law, you should understand that, when one practises the Lotus Sutra under such circumstances, difficulties will arise, and these are to be looked on as 'peaceful' practices."

(Ongi kuden, Gosho Zenshu, page 750, The Record of the Orally Transmitted Teachings, page 115)

Tuesday, July 14, 2009

Daily Guidance

---- DAILY ENCOURAGEMENT ----
"To attain Buddhahood in this lifetime--in other words, to establish a life-state of indestructible happiness and open the way towards peace and happiness for all--it is essential to live one's life true to the commitment of kosen-rufu. Great persecutions and obstacles, however, lie in the path of those who seek to fulfil this vow. Therefore, the resolve to never abandon faith is crucial."

--- DAILY GOSHO ---
"(My wish is that all my disciples make a great vow. We are very fortunate to be alive after the widespread epidemics that occurred last year and the year before.
But now with the impending Mongol invasion it appears that few will survive. In the end, no one can escape death. The sufferings at that time will be exactly like what we are experiencing now.) Since death is the same in either case, you should be willing to offer your life for the Lotus Sutra. Think of this offering as a drop of dew rejoining the ocean, or a speck of dust returning to the earth."
(The Dragon Gate - The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, Vol.1, page 1003)