Daily Guidance

---- DAILY ENCOURAGEMENT ----

"What distinguishes strong people, people who are always growing? First of all, their voices are different. They have fine voices. Inner fulfilment is manifested in the voice. 'The voice does the Buddha's work' (cf. OTT, 4). The voice tells a lot about a person."
Confidently reaching out to others and engaging them in conversation with a vibrant, youthful voice propels our movement forwards and produces the rhythm of victory.
I hope you will take each dialogue and each meeting very seriously. Please become inspiring leaders who can give wonderful words of encouragement to others. Let's advance with energy and dynamism, imparting inspiration and enthusiasm."

--- DAILY GOSHO ---

"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, page 1003)

Daily Guidance

---- DAILY ENCOURAGEMENT ----

"The Brazilian writer Jorge Amado (1912–2001) wrote: 'Happiness lies in the understanding of justice, and in a life of courage and dignity.'
Our members who strive for kosen-rufu possess courage. They shine with dignity. And they have a sense of pride that comes from fighting for the sake of truth and justice.
"The French writer Romain Rolland (1866–1944) observed: 'To think without acting is sleeping.'"

--- DAILY GOSHO ---

"I am told that Priest Two Fires is persuading others to chant one million Nembutsu in an attempt to cause discord among people and destroy the seeds of the Lotus Sutra."
(The Three Obstacles and Four Devils - The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin,page 638)

Daily Guidance

---- DAILY ENCOURAGEMENT ----

"The ancient Roman orator and philosopher Cicero remarked: "You might just as well take the sun out of the sky as friendship from life." The inspiration we receive from good friends can help us strengthen our faith. That's what makes the presence of comrades in faith who share our commitment to kosen-rufu so crucial."

--- DAILY GOSHO ---

"A hundred years of practice in the Land of Perfect Bliss cannot compare to the benefit gained from one day's practice in the impure world."
(On Repaying Debts of Gratitude - The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, page736)

Daily Guidance

---- DAILY ENCOURAGEMENT ----

"Nichiren Daishonin’s Buddhism teaches that embracing the Gohonzon is in itself observing one’s own mind, or attaining enlightenment. Therefore, simply by embracing the Mystic Law—in other words, believing in it with all our hearts and chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo ourselves and teaching others to do the same—we can obtain benefit equal to practicing the six paramitas over countless eons and reach “the other shore” of Buddhahood. This is the manifestation of the tremendous power of the Buddha and of the Law of the great Buddhism of Nichiren Daishonin. And it is none other than the power of our own faith and practice that enables us to limitlessly tap this immense power of the Buddha and the Law."

--- DAILY GOSHO ---

"Likewise, though someone may have great physical strength, if he lacks absolute spirit, even his many abilities will be of no use."
(The Supremacy of the Law - The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, page 614)

Daily Guidance

---- DAILY ENCOURAGEMENT ----

To respond swiftly, to take appropriate and timely action, and to always be as sincere as we possible can -- these are the very lifelines of the SGI.

--- DAILY GOSHO ---

"To accept is easy; to continue is difficult. But Buddhahood lies in continuing faith."
(The Difficulty of Sustaining Faith - The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin,page 471)

Daily Guidance

---- DAILY ENCOURAGEMENT ----

"Comenius, the noted Czech philosopher and educational reformer John Amos Comenius (1592–1670), declared: “Envy, wishing ill to others, pineth away herself.” Those who try to malign and discredit others out of envy only end up defeating themselves. This is one of life’s unvarying principles."

--- DAILY GOSHO ---

"This is similar to a tarnished mirror that will shine like a jewel when polished. A mind now clouded by the illusions of the innate darkness of life is like a tarnished mirror, but when polished, it is sure to become like a clear mirror, reflecting the essential nature of phenomena and the true aspect of reality. Arouse deep faith, and diligently polish your mirror day and night. How should you polish it? Only by chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo."
(On Attaining Buddhahood in This Lifetime - The Writings of NichirenDaishonin, page 4)

Daily Guidance

---- DAILY ENCOURAGEMENT ----

"Mr. Toda keenly observed: “One of the misfortunes of people today is that they confuse knowledge with wisdom.” Knowledge isn’t necessarily wisdom. Knowledge is important, but by itself it is as inanimate and lifeless as a stone. What counts is whether we possess the wisdom to put that knowledge to use for the welfare of all— and Buddhism is the source of that wisdom."

--- DAILY GOSHO ---

"... winter always turns to spring."
(Winter Always Turns to Spring - The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, page536)

Daily Guidance

---- DAILY ENCOURAGEMENT ----

"I wish to strongly underscore today that our activities for kosen-rufu are progressing in complete accord with the teachings of the Lotus Sutra and the writings of Nichiren Daishonin. Living as we do in an age of intensifying turmoil and complexity, it is all the more essential that we launch — with a powerful rhythm of hope and a stirring song of courage — a fresh, vibrant, new momentum pervaded by the noble qualities of eternity, happiness, true self, and purity."

--- DAILY GOSHO ---

"Whatever trouble occurs, regard it as no more than a dream, and think only of the Lotus Sutra."
(Letter to the Brothers - The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, page 502)

Daily Guidance

---- DAILY ENCOURAGEMENT ----

"The great English poet Milton (1608–74) extolled patience as 'the truest fortitude.'"

--- DAILY GOSHO ---

"It is an undeniable fact that fire can at once reduce even a thousand-year-old field of pampas grass to ashes, and that the merit one has formed over a hundred years can be destroyed with a single word."
(The Three Obstacles and Four Devils - The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin,page 636)

Daily Guidance

---- DAILY ENCOURAGEMENT ----

"The Japanese author Kanzo Uchimura (1861–1930) wrote: 'A smile is a powerful force that can melt the frozen ice of the heart like a warm spring breeze.'"

--- DAILY GOSHO ---

"'Attain' means to open or reveal. It is to reveal that the beings of the Dharma-realm* are Buddhas eternally endowed with the three bodies."

*all people of the Ten Worlds

(Ongi kuden - Gosho Zenshu, page 753, The Record of the Orally Transmitted Teachings, page 126)

Daily Guidance

---- DAILY ENCOURAGEMENT ----

"Just as the Daishonin describes in his writings, there have been base individuals within the Gakkai who only pretended to support our movement; ultimately, they turned on us and attacked us, though in fact they were deeply indebted to our members. But for all their bravado, such people will end up without exception in torment and ruin, mirroring the sutra passage: 'Those who vex or trouble [the practitioners of the Lotus Sutra] will have their heads split into seven pieces' (WND, 789)."
"The Daishonin likened the heroic example of followers who overcame persecutions and remained true to their faith to the chrysanthemum flower, which blooms in the autumn, the season in which the Soka Gakkai’s anniversary falls. He writes: 'The chrysanthemum, which continues to bloom after other plants have withered, is known as a sacred plant' (WND, 845)."

--- DAILY GOSHO ---

"Life is the foremost of all treasures. It is expounded that even the treasures of the entire major world system cannot equal the value of one's body and life. Even the treasures that fill the major world system are no substitute for life."
(The Gift of Rice - The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, page 1125)

Daily Guidance

---- DAILY ENCOURAGEMENT ----

"The American philosopher Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803–82) wrote: 'The one thing in the world, of value, is the active soul.'"
This 'active soul,' or dynamic spirit, is vibrantly alive in every Soka Gakkai member. The Daishonin says: 'Carry through with your faith in the Lotus Sutra. You cannot strike fire from flint if you stop halfway' (WND, 319). I hope that all of our members will continue to make their way through life with this passionate spirit, no matter what their age. Even should you advance in years or fall ill, please never forget: 'It is the heart that is important'(WND, 1000). As long as the commitment to strive for the sake of others, for the sake of Buddhism and kosen-rufu, burns in your heart, you will remain youthful and glow with health. A fighting spirit is the true fountain of youth and the key to sound health and long life."

--- DAILY GOSHO ---

"If the spirit of many in body but one in mind prevails among the people, they will achieve all their goals, where as if one in body but different in mind, they can achieve nothing remarkable."
(Many in Body, One in Mind - The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, page 618)

Daily Guidance

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"The noted Czech philosopher and educational reformer John Amos Comenius(1592–1670) is regarded by many as the father of modern education and also aforerunner in peace education. The Soka Gakkai’s founding president Tsunesaburo Makiguchi held him in high esteem."
Comenius once wrote: 'Fortitude is undaunted in adversity, and bold as aLion.' People of fortitude and courage are upbeat. They speak outconfidently. And they fill those around them with assurance and peace of mind. Cowardice, on the other hand, is a devilish trait. Cowards tend to engage in sneaky, underhanded activities where no one can see them."
The foundation of our Buddhist practice is courage. Those who demonstrate the courage of a lion king even amid the most trying adversities are people who possess truly strong faith."

--- DAILY GOSHO ---

"Nichiren's disciples cannot accomplish anything if they are cowardly."
(The Teaching, Practice, and Proof - The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin,page 481)

Daily Guidance

---- DAILY ENCOURAGEMENT ----

"As the French writer Romain Rolland (1866–1944) said: “Life is a continuous struggle for improvement and progress. Therefore, let us strive together, never resting on our laurels but ever raising the bar and setting higher goals for ourselves.” "Having a goal is a source of hope and inspiration."

--- DAILY GOSHO ---

"The first shi of the word shishi, or 'lion' [which means 'teacher'], is the Wonderful Law that is passed on by the teacher. The second shi [which means'child'] is the Wonderful Law as it is received by the disciples. The'roar' is the sound of the teacher and the disciples chanting in unison."
(Ongi kuden - Gosho Zenshu, page 748, The Record of the Orally TransmittedTeachings, page 111)

Daily Guidance

---- DAILY ENCOURAGEMENT ----

"When Dr. Rotblat, president emeritus of the Pugwash Conferences, was once asked about the secret to his health, he replied immediately that remaining active was the key. He also said that the secret to health and youthfulness was never losing one’s fighting spirit."
There is no end to the struggle for the happiness of humanity, nor is there an end to the struggle for kosen-rufu. Losing our fighting spirit starts us on a downward spiral of decline."

--- DAILY GOSHO ---

"It also states that, if the minds of living beings are impure, their land is also impure, but if their minds are pure, so is their land. There are not two lands, pure or impure in themselves. The difference lies solely in the good or evil of our minds."
(On Attaining Buddhahood in This Lifetime - The Writings of NichirenDaishonin, page 4)

Daily Guidance

---- DAILY ENCOURAGEMENT ----

"Gakkai activities contain all manner of ways to create value. They contain everything we need to bring our lives to shine, including the promotion of health and long life. By living out our lives together with the Soka Gakkai, the organization carrying out the Buddha’s intent and decree, we will as a matter of course enjoy a healthy life pervaded by the noble virtues of eternity, happiness, true self, and purity."

--- DAILY GOSHO ---

"The old fox never forgets the hillock where he was born; the white turtle repaid the kindness he had received from Mao Pao. If even lowly creatures know enough to do this, then how much more should human beings!"
(On Repaying Debts of Gratitude - The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, page690)

Daily Guidance

---- DAILY ENCOURAGEMENT ----

Towards a truly wonderful celebration of the Soka Gakkai's founding, it is time to encourage young, new capable people to stand up and to, as vigorously as the morning sun rises, take on new roles towards our achieving kosen-rufu. Let's all advance together by forever carrying on the spirit of the first three presidents of the Soka Gakkai!

--- DAILY GOSHO ---

"If teacher and disciple are of different minds, they will never accomplish anything."
(Flowering and Bearing Grain - The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, page 909)

Daily Guidance

---- DAILY ENCOURAGEMENT ----

"What gives you pleasure in life? The ancient Roman philosopher Seneca said:'There is great pleasure not only in maintaining old and established friendships, but also in beginning and acquiring new ones.' One of life’s supreme joys is treasuring our old friendships and making new ones. Widening our circle of good friends is one of the basics of Buddhism. Because the Gakkai has always placed importance of reaching out to others in friendship, it has achieved such bright and vigorous growth. Let us continue to walk this path of friendship and extend it even further."
The Indian poet Tiruvalluvar said: 'There are no better allies than good friends. Nothing brings greater misfortune than bad friends.' This is indeed true. The poet also wrote: 'Wisdom appears to lie within, but it is actually cultivated through associating with friends.' Wisdom, he says, manifests itself through our friendships and connections with others. That’s why it’s important not to be a loner but to move forward through life with good friends at our side."

--- DAILY GOSHO ---

"A woman who takes this efficacious medicine will be surrounded and protected by these four great bodhisattvas at all times. When she rises to her feet, so too will the bodhisattvas, and when she walks along the road, they will also do the same."
(On Offering Prayers to the Mandala of the Mystic Law - The Writings ofNichiren Daishonin, page 415)

Daily Guidance

---- DAILY ENCOURAGEMENT ----

"In the realm of Buddhism, truly praise worthy are those who have strong faith and a strong commitment to kosen-rufu; truly great are those who actively share the Daishonin’s Buddhism with others and protect the Soka Gakkai with its noble mission. Never be swayed or led astray by worldly titles or positions."

--- DAILY GOSHO ---

"Namu or nam is a Sanskrit word. Here it means to dedicate one's life, that is to the Person and to the Law. In terms of the Person, one dedicates one's life to Shakyamuni Buddha; in terms of the Law, one dedicates one's life to the Lotus Sutra."
(Ongi kuden - Gosho Zenshu, page 708, The Record of the Orally TransmittedTeachings, page 3)

Daily Guidance

---- DAILY ENCOURAGEMENT ----

"Why did the Roman Empire collapse? According to the French writer André Maurois (1885-1967), as soon as Rome ceased to respect the values that it had been built on, it perished. This indeed is an unchanging rule of history. Based on this truth, Mr Toda sternly warned:“When the founding spirit of an organization is forgotten, cliques and factions emerge, power struggles proliferate, and disorder reigns. Continuing to uphold and reinforce the spirit of mentor and disciple, which is the starting point of the Soka Gakkai, is the very essence and core of our organization dedicated to the widespread propagation of Nichiren Daishonin's Buddhism.”
"Our founding spirit is neither abstract nor symbolic. When all is said and done, the founding spirit of our organization and the spirit of mentor and disciple are absolutely identical. They are one and the same thing."

--- DAILY GOSHO ---

"The reason that you have survived until now when so many have died was so that you would meet with this affair."
(Reply to Yasaburo - The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, page 829)