Daily Guidance

---- DAILY ENCOURAGEMENT ----

"The noted British historian Arnold J. Toynbee (1889-1975) was very fond of the words of the ancient Greek dramatist Aeschylus: 'Wisdom comes alone through suffering.' This is quite similar to the Buddhist principle of problems or sufferings leading to enlightenment. The more we sincerely chant and grapple with problems for the sake of Buddhism and the happiness of others, the greater the wisdom that will well forth in our lives."

--- DAILY GOSHO ---

"Those who believe in the Lotus Sutra are as if in winter, but winter always turns to spring."
(Winter Always Turns to Spring - The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, Vol. 1,page 536)

Daily Guidance

---- DAILY ENCOURAGEMENT ----

"How can we overcome the endless succession of trials that beset us in life? Our existence in this world is an unceasing battle of wits against a stream of never-ending challenges.
"In The Record of the Orally Transmitted Teachings, Nichiren Daishonin states: 'Wisdom is Nam-myoho-renge-kyo' (OTT, 54). As practitioners of the Mystic Law, we can limitlessly tap from within our lives the Buddha wisdom for overcoming all hardships and sufferings.
"My mentor, second Soka Gakkai president Josei Toda, declared: 'Faith in the Mystic Law is a treasure-house of wisdom. Our minds exist to be used for our success. The 'wisdom of the truth that functions in accordance with changing circumstances' (cf. OTT, 3) should flow forth without bound.'
'My friends,

boldly take on the raging,
crashing waves and
raise high the banner of wisdom.'"

--- DAILY GOSHO ---

"Iron, when heated in the flames and pounded, becomes a fine sword. Worthies and sages are tested by abuse."
(Letter from Sado - The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, Vol. 1, page 303)

Daily Guidance

---- DAILY ENCOURAGEMENT ----

"A coward cannot engage in genuine dialogue. Dialogue requires courage. Dialogue is the glorious path chosen by champions."

--- DAILY GOSHO ---

"In the same way, to forget the original teacher who had brought one the water of wisdom from the great ocean of the Lotus Sutra and instead follow another would surely cause one to sink into the endless sufferings of birth and death."
(The Essentials for Attaining Buddhahood - The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, Vol. 1, page 747)

Daily Guidance

---- DAILY ENCOURAGEMENT ----

"The Russian author Leo Tolstoy (1828-1910) observed insightfully: 'Wisdom is limitless, and the closer you approach it, the more important it becomes for your life. A person can always improve himself.' Life is an unending quest for truth and an unending journey of self-improvement. We always need to keep challenging ourselves afresh. That is why we must also always remember our original aspiration."

--- DAILY GOSHO ---

"In this age as well, it is not one's allies but one's powerful enemies who assist one's progress."
(The Actions of the Votary of the Lotus Sutra - The Writings of NichirenDaishonin, Vol. 1, page 770)

Daily Guidance

---- DAILY ENCOURAGEMENT ----

"Tolstoy writes: 'A good person is more concerned about doing what he should do than about what will happen to him.' To be determined to fulfil one's responsibility, to do what needs to be done, no matter what the situation -- this is the spirit of leaders who are always victorious."

--- DAILY GOSHO ---

"Although I and my disciples may encounter various difficulties, if we do not harbour doubts in our hearts, we will as a matter of course attain Buddhahood. Do not have doubts simply because heaven does not lend you protection. Do not be discouraged because you do not enjoy an easy and secure existence in this life."
(The Opening of the Eyes - The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, Vol. 1, page283)

Daily Guidance

---- DAILY ENCOURAGEMENT ----

"In all times and places, ingratitude has been abhorred. This is a fact of history. The ancient Roman philosopher Seneca denounced ingratitude as the worst of all crimes. Things start falling apart when we forget our debts of gratitude. Ingratitude was at the heart of the actions of all those who abandoned their faith and betrayed the Soka Gakkai."

--- DAILY GOSHO ---

"Each of you should summon up the courage of a lion king and never succumb to threats from anyone. The lion king fears no other beast, nor do its cubs."
(On Persecutions Befalling the Sage - The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin,Vol. 1, page 997)

Daily Guidance

---- DAILY ENCOURAGEMENT ----

"People who can rejoice and be positive are happy. You can't be happy if you're always complaining. Let's advance with faith that enables us to live with joy and fight courageously against wrong doing and injustice. Unless we speak out when we see wrong doing and injustice, we won't be able to savour true happiness."

--- DAILY GOSHO ---

"A wise person, while dwelling in security, anticipates danger; a perverse one, while dwelling amid danger, takes security for granted."
(The Problem to Be Pondered Night and Day - The Writings of NichirenDaishonin, Vol. 1, page 621)

Daily Guidance

--- DAILY ENCOURAGEMENT ---

The successful development of good relationships between othersin our local community is based on nothing but sincerity.By showing we really are concerned and care about them,let's build heart-to-heart bonds with the local people.Let's treasure and look out for our neighbours!

--- DAILY GOSHO ---

"Misfortune comes from one's mouth and ruins one, but fortune comes from one's heart and makes one worthy of respect."
(New Year's Gosho - The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, Vol. 1, page 1137)

Daily Guidance

---- DAILY ENCOURAGEMENT ----

"Nichiren Daishonin clearly states: 'I have believed it is most important to understand one's obligations to others, and made it my first duty to repay such debts of kindness' (WND-1, 122). This feeling of gratitude is an essential part of being human, as well as central to the teachings of Buddhism. It is inexcusable to repay a kindness with ingratitude or malice. We can't afford to allow ourselves to be deceived and manipulated by such ingrates. Mr. Toda called on us to take a firm stand against people of this kind.
"Solar systems follow their own defined orbits. Galaxies also travel through space in harmonious rhythm with the universe. Similarly, in Buddhism, there is a path for living with genuine humanity and dignity, and that is the path of appreciation and gratitude. This is Nichiren Daishonin's teaching."

--- DAILY GOSHO ---

"If you care anything about your personal security, you should first of all pray for order and tranquillity throughout the four quarters of the land, should you not?"
(On Establishing the Correct Teaching for the Peace of the Land - TheWritings of Nichiren Daishonin, Vol. 1, page 24)

Daily Guidance

---- DAILY ENCOURAGEMENT ----

"Words are very important. Use heartfelt consideration and wisdom in your words. This is something we need to remember in the realm of faith as well."

--- DAILY GOSHO ---

"What a joy it is for us to have been born in the Latter Day of the Law and to have shared in the propagation of the Lotus Sutra! How pitiful are those who, though born in this time, cannot believe in this sutra!"
(Letter to Niike - The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, Vol. 1, page 1026)

Daily Guidance

---- DAILY ENCOURAGEMENT ----

"Responsible dialogue is concrete; fresh progress cannot be generated from vague conclusions."

--- DAILY GOSHO ---

"To discard the shallow and seek the profound is the way of a person of courage."
(On Repaying Debts of Gratitude - The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, Vol.1, page 712)

Daily Guidance

--- DAILY ENCOURAGEMENT ---

The progress and development of kosen-rufu is determined by how well our discussion meeting goes. Let's try to have the type of meeting where everyone feels inspired by our bright and cheerful conversations that are full of the confidence and conviction we have in our practise. It is from these wonderfully harmonious gatherings that victory and success springs forth.

--- DAILY GOSHO ---

"From now on too, no matter what may happen, you must not slacken in thel east. You must raise your voice all the more and admonish [those who slander]."
(Kamatari Suggests the Fashioning of a Buddha Image - The Writings ofNichiren Daishonin, Vol. 2, page 597)

Daily Guidance

---- DAILY ENCOURAGEMENT ----

"An essential skill in conducting dialogue is the ability to draw forth the thoughts and views of one’s interlocutor."

--- DAILY GOSHO ---

"When praised highly by others, one feels that there is no hardship one cannot bear. Such is the courage that springs from words of praise."
(The True Aspect of All Phenomena - The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, Vol.1, page 385)

Daily Guidance

---- DAILY ENCOURAGEMENT ----

"Dialogue can be deepened even further when one gains a proper awareness and understanding of the other party's thinking."

--- DAILY GOSHO ---

"More valuable than treasures in a storehouse are the treasures of the body, and the treasures of the heart are the most valuable of all."
(The Three Kinds of Treasure - The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, Vol. 1,page 851)

Daily Guidance

---- DAILY ENCOURAGEMENT ----

"Persevering in faith in the evil age of the Latter Day of the Law is like swimming upstream against a powerful current. It is hard enough just to resist the insidious forces exerted by our own earthly desires and fundamental darkness. Shakyamuni compared these forces to a strong current or flood. The Daishonin explains that this is even more true in the LatterDay, when even seemingly remarkable human wisdom, ingenuity, or know-how can be inundated by an inexorable tide of deluded impulses fuelled by the three poisons of greed, anger, and foolishness--an ever-growing tide that wreaks havoc as a force of evil (WND-1, 1121).
"Precisely because it is so difficult to carry out faith in the Mystic Law in such an age, the bonds of mentor and disciple in Buddhism take on a decisive importance. Likewise, a harmonious community of fellow practitioners solidly united in purpose -- in what the Daishonin terms as 'the spirit of many in body, one in mind' -- is also indispensable. The Soka Gakkai possesses the bonds of mentor and disciple that are strong enough to withstand any adversity. And its members -- noble ordinary people who are polishing their lives by striving in faith with the same commitment as their mentor -- are allied together in solid unity. Moreover, countless members, like magnificent dragons born through the triumphant ascent of the waterfall, are leading lives of profound dignity and confidence forged through continually challenging themselves in their faith and self-development."

--- DAILY GOSHO ---

"It is the power of the bow that determines the flight of the arrow, the might of the dragon that controls the movement of the clouds, and the strength of the wife that guides the actions of her husband."
(The Bow and Arrow - The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, Vol. 1, page 656)

Daily Guidance

---- DAILY ENCOURAGEMENT ----

"Why, then, should there be no cause for regret in laying down one's life for the Lotus Sutra? Regarding this, the Daishonin says: 'Think of this offering as a drop of dew rejoining the ocean, or a speck of dust returning to the earth' (WND-1, 1003). From the standpoint of eternity, our present existence is as fleeting as dew. And, compared to the colossal scale of the universe, our lives are as tiny as specks of dust. However, by solidly basing our lives on the Mystic Law --which is as vast as the ocean and as firm as the earth -- we can establish an unshakable and boundless state of life that is at one with that all - encompassing Law. This is the Daishonin's message."

--- DAILY GOSHO ---

"Suffer what there is to suffer, enjoy what there is to enjoy. Regard both suffering and joy as facts of life, and continue chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo, no matter what happens."
(Happiness in This World - The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, Vol. 1, page681)

Daily Guidance

--- DAILY ENCOURAGEMENT ---

All of our SGI's Future Division members (children in primary and secondary school) are the very treasures of human kind. Let's make sure to really thank those members who help to look after and support them. Together, let's all chant most earnestly and give all the possible encouragement and support we can to our young people so that each and every one of them will become great capable leaders.

--- DAILY GOSHO ---

"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 Nichiren Daishonin, page 4)

Daily Guidance

---- DAILY ENCOURAGEMENT ----

"The only way to repel this fierce attack of the devil king is to base one's life on 'a great vow' (WND-1, 1003). We cannot bring forth the strength to withstand great hardships or persecution for the sake of the Lotus Sutra unless we make our ultimate goal the attainment of Buddhahood in this lifetime and dedicate our lives to the great vow of the Buddha for the realisation of kosen-rufu. Therefore, the Daishonin calls out from the depths of his being : 'My wish is that all my disciples make a great vow'(WND-1, 1003). A life based on a great vow is truly profound and unshakable."

--- DAILY GOSHO ---

"There were 176 persons who conveyed the sutras and treatises of Buddhism from India to China. Among these, Kumarajiva alone passed along the sutra texts of Shakyamuni, the lord of teachings, just as they were without adding any private opinions of his own."
(On Attaining Buddhahood in One's Present Form - The Writings of NichirenDaishonin, Vol. 2, page 587)

Daily Guidance

---- DAILY ENCOURAGEMENT ----

"The Tang dynasty poet Bai Juyi wrote a well-known poem related to the Dragon Gate. It tells the story of a carp that attempted to climb the waterfall but fell back and, having cut its forehead on the rocks below, decided to abandon the endeavour. Bai Juyi asks what the carp must be feeling, and provides an answer to the effect. ' Apparently, if you become a dragon, you have the hard work of ascending into the heavens and making the rain fall. Rather than taking on such hardship, it's probably better to remain a carp and swim about freely.' Having observed the vicissitudes of the political realm, Bai Juyi no doubt held the sentiment that one might be happier where one is now, living just as one pleases, rather than shouldering onerous responsibilities that often come with success.
"Dragons have the job of making the rain fall -- this same work can be regarded as a burden or as a mission, depending on how one looks at it. This difference in outlook or attitude is also what determines whether we will be defeated by negative influences, or evil friends, or successfully attain Buddhahood. Truly, as the Daishonin says, 'It is the heart that is important' (WND-1, 1000). And this difference in heart or spirit comes down to whether or not we embrace the 'great vow' that is mentioned in this letter.
"To bring our practise of the Lotus Sutra, or the Mystic Law, to successful completion means that we must eagerly and joyfully embrace the mission of taking on the sufferings of still more and more people and of challenging even greater difficulties in our cause for human peace and happiness. The Daishonin urges us to actively seek this way of life, to valiantly climb the Dragon Gate of faith as successors of kosen-rufu, and attain Buddhahood without fail. As practitioners of the Mystic Law, this is what it means for us to 'live based on a great vow.'"

--- DAILY GOSHO ---

"Whatever trouble occurs, regard it as no more than a dream, and think only of the Lotus Sutra."
(Letter to Brothers - The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, Vol. 1, page 502)

Daily Guidance

---- DAILY ENCOURAGEMENT ----

"The 'great vow' of Buddhism can only be actualised through the persistent challenge of going out into society and earnestly seeking to do whatever we can to inspire and encourage each person we encounter, leaving no stone unturned, so to speak. That is why both Mr. Makiguchi and Mr. Toda placed such great importance on one-on-one dialogue and discussion meetings. To continue reaching out in dialogue to the person right in front of us and conveying through our spirit and lives the greatness of the Mystic Law, which is the key to genuine happiness -- that is the way to truly fulfil the great vow for kosen-rufu."

--- DAILY GOSHO ---

"A passage in the Six Paramitas Sutra says to become the master of your mind rather than let your mind master you."
(Letter to the Brothers - The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, Vol. 1, page502)

Daily Guidance

---- DAILY ENCOURAGEMENT ----

"We need to maintain a youthful spirit ourselves and strive together with the youth: we need to nurture young people and confidently bequeath the future to them. Those who consistently work together with the youth to realise noble shared goals are victors who possess a lofty spirit. In contrast, those who use or exploit young people demonstrate the behaviour of arrogant, high-handed dictators or lazy, incompetent cowards."

--- DAILY GOSHO ---

"This passage is saying that, if in a single moment of life we exhaust the pains and trials of millions of kalpas, then instant after instant there will arise in us the three Buddha bodies with which we are eternally endowed. Nam-myoho-renge-kyo is just such a 'diligent' practise."
(Ongi kuden - Gosho Zenshu, page 790, The Record of the Orally TransmittedTeachings, page 214)

Daily Guidance

---- DAILY ENCOURAGEMENT ----

"The more we speak out, the more we can change the world. Always remember and be proud of that."

--- DAILY GOSHO ---

"Great evil port ends the arrival of great good."
(The Kalpa of Decrease - The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, Vol. 1, page1122)