Daily Guidance

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Passion inspires passion, and sincerity summons forth sincerity. Genuine dialogue is just this sort of profound life-to-life interaction.

--- DAILY GOSHO ---

"If you quail before the threats of the ruler of this little island country [and abandon your faith], how will you face the even more terrible anger of Yama, the lord of hell? If, while calling yourselves the Buddha's messengers, you give way to fear, you will be the most despicable of persons!"
(The Actions of the Votary of the Lotus Sutra - The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, Vol. 1, page 765)

Daily Guidance

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Mr. Toda said that we must build a citadel of capable individuals who would work for the happiness of the people. Countries and organizations ultimately come down to the people who comprise them. Everything depends upon how many committed, bright, courageous, and sincere people can be fostered and united into a common force for good. That’s why I am pouring my energies into education, for the sake of the 21st century.

--- DAILY GOSHO ---

"I will be the pillar of Japan. I will be the eyes of Japan. I will be the great ship of Japan. This is my vow, and I will never forsake it!"
(The Opening of the Eyes - The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, Vol. 1, page 280)

Daily Guidance

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Mr. Toda was very fond of the saying from The Analects of Confucius: "One should regard the young with awe."[1] He used to gaze at us with intense hope and say: "It is the job of disciples to achieve success. When a mentor is praised as great, it's because his successors, his disciples, have achieved great things. The greatness of a mentor depends upon his disciples."
[1] The Master said: "One should regard the young with awe: how do you know that the next generation will not equal the present one?" Confucius, The Analects of Confucius, translated by Simon Leys (New York: W. W. Norton & Company, 1997), chap. 9, no. 23, p. 42.

--- DAILY GOSHO ---

"If the spirit of many in body but one in mind prevails among the people, they will achieve all their goals"
(Many in Body, One in Mind - The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, page 618)

Daily Guidance

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In one of his popular works, Einstein wrote: "What is the meaning of human life, or of organic life altogether? To answer this question at all implies a religion. Is there any sense then you ask, in putting it? I answer, the man who regards his own life and that of his fellow creatures as meaningless is not merely unfortunate but almost disqualified for life."[1]
A society lacking in humanistic religious and spiritual values is an unfortunate society that lacks reverence for life.
[1] Albert Einstein, The World As I See It, translated by Alan Harris (London: Citadel Press, 1984), p. 1.

--- DAILY GOSHO ---

"And if you want to understand what results will be manifested in the future, look at the causes that exist in the present."
(The Opening of the Eyes - The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, page 279)

Daily Guidance

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"An important point for avoiding becoming bureaucratic is for leaders, whether of an organisation or country, to exchange frank opinions and engage in open conversation and dialogue with the people they are meant to serve."

--- DAILY GOSHO ---

"I entrust you with the propagation of Buddhism in your province."
(The Properties of Rice - The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, Vol. 1, page1117)

Daily Guidance

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"The epilogue to War and Peace highlights the hopes of the main characters as they seek to live well and build happy families and a healthy society following the Russian victory over Napoleon's invasion.

How to build a happy family and society is a question of first and last importance. I found this passage to be especially meaningful: 'My idea is just that if vicious people unite together into a power, then honest folk must do the same.' This call for honest people to come together to fight injustice may seem obvious enough, but it is very important.

Another passage from the novel states:'Let those who love what is right join hands, and let us have but one banner -- the banner of action and virtue.'

I hope you will all advance withthe pride and confidence that our Soka network is a united gathering ofgood--hearted people like that which Tolstoy wished and longed for."

--- DAILY GOSHO ---

"This mind that is beyond comprehension constitutes the core teaching of thesutras and treatises. And one who is awake to and understands this mind is called a Thus Come One."
(The Unanimous Declaration by the Buddhas of the Three Existences regardingthe Classification of the Teachings and Which Are to Be Abandoned and Which Upheld - The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, Vol. 2, page 844)

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"I'd like to quote the Swiss educational philosopher Carl Hilty (1833-1909),who wrote such works as Happiness and For Sleepless Nights. Hilty was aneminent jurist as well as a university professor and political leader. In For Sleepless Nights, he says: 'The worst qualities a person can have are envy and vanity.' When we view the pages of history, we see innumerable cases of good and upright individuals who have been persecuted, discredited, and caused tremendous suffering because of others' hideous envy or the pride and vanity of the mighty and powerful.
"Unfortunately, far too many people have looked on passively or snickered scornfully while such persecution was taking place. We must bring an end to the age of such injustice. We must build a new age in which right and justice are recognized and respected. I wish to take the lead in that endeavour."

--- DAILY GOSHO ---

"Whether or not your prayer is answered will depend on your faith; [if it is not] I will in no way be to blame."
(Reply to the Lay Nun Nichigon - The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, Vol. 1,page 1079)

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"The American philosopher Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803-82) wrote: 'Without [action], thought can never ripen into truth.'
"A determination is only meaningful if it is put into action and produces results. Determination without action is nothing but wishful thinking."

--- DAILY GOSHO ---

"Since childhood, I, Nichiren, have never prayed for the secular things of this life but have single-mindedly sought to become a Buddha. Of late, however, I have been ceaselessly praying for your sake to the Lotus Sutra, Shakyamuni Buddha, and the god of the sun, for I am convinced that you are a person who can inherit the soul of the Lotus Sutra."
(The Hero of the World - The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, Vol. 1, page839)

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"To leave behind a brilliant record of achievement requires striving with all one's might each day, each moment, towards a lofty goal."

--- DAILY GOSHO ---

"This will determine whether you win honour or disgrace your name. ... You should pray intently that Shakyamuni, Many Treasures, and the Buddhas of the ten directions will all gather and enter into your body to assist you."
(Reply to Yasaburo - The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, Vol. 1, page 829)

Daily Guidance

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"The human spirit is the strongest force there is. It is the source of boundless wisdom and creative innovation. As long as our spirit remains unbroken, we will never be defeated, no matter how dire the situation. In life, and in the struggle to change society, spiritual defeat always precedes actual defeat.
"Laziness, cowardice, carelessness, impatience, resignation, despair -- all of these can corrode the spirit and lead to defeat. That's why we must forge and strengthen our inner fortitude. That's the purpose of philosophy."

--- DAILY GOSHO ---

"I am praying that, no matter how troubled the times may become, the Lotus Sutra and the ten demon daughters will protect all of you, praying as earnestly as though to produce fire from damp wood, or to obtain water from parched ground."
(On Rebuking Slander of the Law and Eradicating Sins - The Writings ofNichiren Daishonin, Vol. 1, page 444)

Daily Guidance

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"Mr. Toda said: 'In order to improve the Gakkai -- it doesn't matter in what sphere -- don't hesitate to speak up courageously to those in leadership positions. And those of you in leadership positions, pay close heed to such valid and constructive opinions!... People who can convince leaders to take wholehearted action are to be commended; they have real ability.' I hope all of you will become people who possess that ability."

--- DAILY GOSHO ---
"Now, no matter what, strive in faith and be known as a votary of the Lotus Sutra, and remain my disciple for the rest of your life."
(The True Aspect of All Phenomena - The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, Vol.1, page 385)

Daily Guidance

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"The Indian poet Rabindranath Tagore (1861-1941) said: 'A country is the creation of man. A country is not all land but all soul. It is only when its people are expressive that a country is fully expressed.' Gakkai activities enable people to shine, to express themselves fully."

--- DAILY GOSHO ---

"The greater the hardships befalling him, the greater the delight he feels"
(A Ship to Cross the Sea of Suffering - The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin,Vol. 1, page 33)

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"The realm of faith operates according to an uncompromising principle: those who strive earnestly are certain to win in the end. Our path is the path of kosen-rufu and human revolution. No life is nobler than this. The important thing is to live with a positive, vibrant spirit and act with integrity and sincerity."

--- DAILY GOSHO ---

"Let us make all haste to appeal to the authorities, make haste to meet face-to-face before them, and to put an end to these erroneous views!"
(Reply to a Communication from Gonin - The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin,Vol. 2, page 610)

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"Working selflessly for the sake of the people and society is the spirit of bodhisattvas, of the Buddha; it is the heart of Buddhist practitioners. There is no true Buddhism without action."

--- DAILY GOSHO ---

"When you shake your head, your hair sways; when your mind begins to work, your body moves. When a strong wind blows, the grass and trees can no longer remain still; when the earth shakes, the seas are atremble. Thus if one can move Shakyamuni Buddha, the lord of teachings, can the grass and trees fail to respond, can the waters remain calm?"
(Concerning the Statue of Shakyamuni Buddha Fashioned by Nichigen-nyo - TheWritings of Nichiren Daishonin, Vol. 2, page 811)

Daily Guidance

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"Dig beneath your feet," for there you will discover the wellspring for victory. Let's cherish our neighbours and take good care of our local community. By having sincere and inspiring conversations that really move people's hearts, let's make irrepressible development in our relations with others.

--- DAILY GOSHO ---

"Therefore, when you chant myoho and recite renge, you must summon up deep faith that Myoho-renge-kyo is your life itself."
(On Attaining Buddhahood in This Lifetime - The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, Volume 1, page 3)

Daily Guidance

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Buddhism is a win-or-lose struggle. So is life. And our challenge to establish the correct teaching for the peace of the land is also such a crucial struggle. That is why we must win without fail."

--- DAILY GOSHO ---

"This is what I mean when I emphatically urge you to give up even your body, and never begrudge even your life for the sake of the Lotus Sutra."
(Letter to Gijo-bo - The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, Volume 1, page 390)