Daily Guidance

---- DAILY ENCOURAGEMENT ----

"Favourable circumstances don't necessarily mean that one will achieve something great; by the same token, flashy, noticeable activities may not always be of significant value. In most cases, truly meaningful work or an undertaking that goes down in history is the result of the steady accumulation of persistent, inconspicuous efforts."

--- 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 of Nichiren Daishonin, Vol.1, page 444)

Daily Guidance

---- DAILY ENCOURAGEMENT ----

"I would like to share a passage from a letter that Nichiren Daishonin wrote to Sage Nichimyo, the mother of Oto Gozen:
"'I know your faith has always been admirable, but now you must strengthen it more than ever. Only then will the ten demon daughters lend you even greater protection. You need not seek far for an example. Everyone in Japan, from the sovereign on down to the common people, without exception has tried to do me harm, but I have survived until this day. You should realise that this is because, although I am alone, I have firm faith.' (WND-1, 614)
"This was the staunch and unwavering conviction of the Daishonin, who had triumphed over innumerable daunting obstacles and persecutions."

--- DAILY GOSHO ---

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

Daily Guidance

---- DAILY ENCOURAGEMENT ----

"A person who never forgets to smile, even amid life's storms, is a victor as a human being. If I may offer a personal example, my wife, no matter what trying obstacles we encountered, has always advanced together with me with a bright smile. I've once said that, as an expression of appreciation, I would like to present her with a special award for her warm, supportive smile."

--- DAILY GOSHO ---

"And yet, though one might point at the earth and miss it, though one might bind up the sky, though the tides might cease to ebb and flow and the sun rise in the west, it could never come about that the prayers of the practitioner of the Lotus Sutra would go unanswered."
(On Prayer - The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, Vol.1, page 345)

Daily Guidance

---- DAILY ENCOURAGEMENT ----

"Striving together with the same heart as one's mentor -- this has been the guiding spirit and wish of the first three presidents. It is directly connected to the spirit of Nichiren Daishonin and Shakyamuni Buddha, who championed the highest cause of the happiness of all people. By striving with the same heart as our mentor, we can overcome any arrogance or self-complacence in our own lives."

--- DAILY GOSHO ---

"Great events never have minor omens. When great evil occurs, great good follows."
(Great Evil and Great Good - The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, Vol.1, page 1119)

Daily Guidance

---- DAILY ENCOURAGEMENT ----

"In every organisation, if the people who are its main stays are admirable individuals, they'll succeed in raising admirable successors. In otherwords, it all comes down to us, to whether we ourselves have the courage and fortitude of lion kings."

--- 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 Transmitted Teachings, page 214)

Daily Guidance

---- DAILY ENCOURAGEMENT ----

It's our strong determination and conviction that is going to make the situation we are in, change. The person who decides,"I am going to make it happen, I am going to win. Regardless of whatever!" is the one who will most definitely be successful. Let's live out our lives with such strong bold confidence!

--- DAILY GOSHO ---

"When I consider these passages of the sutra and the commentaries, I wonder if you and I have not been pledged to each other as teacher and disciple from countless kalpas in the past."
(Reply to Sairen-bo - The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, Vol.1, page 309)

Daily Guidance

---- DAILY ENCOURAGEMENT ----

"Grateful people are modest. Gratitude is also a force for self-improvement."

--- DAILY GOSHO ---

"Each of you should summon up the courage of a lion king and never succumb to threats from anyone."
(On Persecutions Befalling the Sage - The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, Vol.1, page 997)

Daily Guidance

---- DAILY ENCOURAGEMENT ----

"People always have many different roles to play. The crucial thing is to be determined to do one's best in everything and be fully engaged in what we are doing at any given moment. To worry about the job when it is time to focus on the children and then worry about the children when it is time to focus on the job is a half-hearted way to go about either task. As Nichiren Daishonin writes: 'Even an individual at cross purposes with himself is certain to end in failure' (WND-1, 618). The secret to successfully fulfilling a variety of roles is to concentrate fully on the task at hand and give it our best effort with enthusiasm, maintaining a positive, forward-looking attitude and not worrying."

--- DAILY GOSHO ---

"From this single element of mind spring all the various lands and environmental conditions."
(The Unanimous Declaration by the Buddhas of the Three Existences regarding the Classification of the Teachings and Which Are to Be Abandoned and Which Upheld - The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, Vol.2, page 843)

Daily Guidance

---- DAILY ENCOURAGEMENT ----

"Confidence in the success of any venture is the result of a thorough going effort to consider every possibility."

--- DAILY GOSHO ---

"Look at the world this year as a mirror. 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, Vol.1, page 829)

Daily Guidance

---- DAILY ENCOURAGEMENT ----

"As the German poet Heinrich Heine (1797-1856) once wrote: 'My mother's in my mind always.' People who always think of their mothers tend to be confident and brave. And when they are motivated by a desire to show gratitude to their mothers, they are filled with boundless strength."

--- DAILY GOSHO ---

"Life is limited; we must not begrudge it. What we should ultimately aspire to is the Buddhaland."
(Aspiration for the Buddha Land - The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, Vol.1, page 214)

Daily Guidance

---- DAILY ENCOURAGEMENT ----

With unflagging good cheer and vitality, let us continue our efforts to reach out to others in vibrant and meaningful dialogue. Nichiren Daishonin teaches the spirit of propagating Buddhism. 'Propagation' might be a big word, but all it means is engaging in dialogue aimed at helping people actualise lasting happiness and making the world a better place. Be confident and straightforward when you speak. Tell people about the greatness of our cause.
"I hope you will lead personally fulfilling lives, and that you will cultivate beautiful flowers of friendship and victory along the way.
"Those ruled by cowardice and envy cannot engage in heart-to-heart dialogue that really communicates with others. That is foolish, unfortunate, and pitiful."

--- DAILY GOSHO ---

"Nam-myoho-renge-kyo is just such a 'diligent' practise."
(Ongi kuden - Gosho Zenshu, page 790, The Record of the Orally Transmitted Teachings, page 214)

Daily Guidance

---- DAILY ENCOURAGEMENT ----

"Dr. Wangari Maathai, the Kenyan environmentalist and Nobel Peace laureate with whom my wife and I enjoy a warm friendship, wrote: 'Every person who has ever achieved anything has been knocked down many times. But all of them picked themselves up and kept going, and that is what I have always tried to do.' Great individuals do not accept defeat. I hope you, my young friends, will be people who are never defeated. Please live with the resolve to brave difficult challenges, no matter how painful, and triumph in the end."

--- DAILY GOSHO ---

"Myo means to revive, that is, to return to life."
(The Daimoku of the Lotus Sutra - The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, Vol.1, page 149)

Daily Guidance

---- DAILY ENCOURAGEMENT ----

"My mentor, second Soka Gakkai president Josei Toda, often said: 'Human revolution means continually progressing and developing a happy life. It means becoming happy ourselves and helping others do the same.' Buddhism exists for the happiness of all people. The happiness that Buddhism urges us to obtain is not derived from vanity or outward appearances. Rather, it is an indestructible state of absolute happiness realised by allowing the brilliant sunlight of our noble Buddha nature to shine forth and the lotus flower of the Mystic Law to bloom fully in our lives. All of you epitomise this vibrant state of life."

--- DAILY GOSHO ---

"It must be ties of karma from the distant past that have destined you to become my disciple at a time like this. Shakyamuni and Many Treasures certainly realised this truth. The sutra's statement, 'Those persons who had heard the Law dwelled here and there in various Buddhalands, constantly reborn in company with their teachers,' cannot be false in any way."
(The Heritage of the Ultimate Law of Life - The Writingsof Nichiren Daishonin, Vol.1, page 217)

Daily Guidance

---- DAILY ENCOURAGEMENT ----

"The essential focus of fostering youth in the Soka Gakkai starts with encouraging young people to have a sense of personal mission for kosen-rufu, the aim of which is the happiness of humanity and peace in the world. The next step is to establish a network that provides mutual inspiration that will encourage and spur growth toward these noble aims. As the 19th-century Italian thinker Giuseppe Mazzini once declared: 'Youth lives on movement, grows great in enthusiasm and faith. Consecrate them with a lofty mission; inflame them with emulation and praise.'"

--- DAILY GOSHO ---

"It is said that, if a teacher has a good disciple, both will gain the fruit of Buddhahood, but if a teacher fosters a bad disciple, both will fall into hell. If teacher and disciple are of different minds, they will never accomplish anything."
(Flowering and Bearing Grain - The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, Vol.1, page 909)

Daily Guidance

---- DAILY ENCOURAGEMENT ----

"No effort for kosen-rufu is ever wasted. When we strive earnestly for the sake of our fellow members and the Soka Gakkai, we are assured of the eternal protection of the positive forces of the universe."

--- DAILY GOSHO ---

"When a tree has been transplanted, though fierce winds may blow, it will not topple if it has a firm stake to hold it up."
(Three Tripitaka Masters Pray for Rain - The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, Vol.1, page 598)

Daily Guidance

---- DAILY ENCOURAGEMENT ----

"Any organisation or social system will begin to degenerate, grow corrupt, and eventually self-destruct when its leaders lose sight of the original purpose, become self-centred and lazy, and seek ease and personal gain. Without a human revolution that triumphs over the negative forces that are inherent within the human heart, a country or an organisation -- no matter how strong and flourishing it may be for a time -- will reach an impasse. As Nichiren Daishonin writes: 'Only worms born of the lion's body feed on the lion' (WND-1, 302). The causes for destruction reside within organisations and other bodies, which are liable to be destroyed by the 'enemy within' inherent in the human condition."

--- DAILY GOSHO ---

"On the other hand, not even the wisdom of the Buddha can fathom the blessings that one will obtain by giving alms to Nichiren and by becoming his disciple and lay supporter."
(The True Aspect of All Phenomena - The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin,Vol.1, page 384)

Daily Guidance

--- DAILY ENCOURAGEMENT ---

Let's make every possible effort to help people feel happy, inspired and courageous. By practicing "Soka" humanism, let's help all human beings to attain true happiness!

--- DAILY GOSHO ---

"If the spirit of many in body but one in mind prevails among the people, they will achieve all their goals, whereas if one in body but different in mind, they can achieve nothing remarkable."
(Many in Body, One in Mind - The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, Vol. 1, page 618)

Daily Guidance

---- DAILY ENCOURAGEMENT ----

"The essence of devilish functions is to deprive people of their benefit and even their lives (cf. WND-1, 87). This is achieved through undermining people's resolve. Such functions work to destroy people's desire to seek and continue advancing on the path to attaining Buddhahood. Consequently, people who persevere in faith and stay firmly committed to moving forwards on this path will remain impervious to attacks by these negative functions. Developing such inner strength is the true purpose of our Buddhist practise."

--- DAILY GOSHO ---

"You will grow younger, and your good fortune will accumulate."
(The Unity of Husband and Wife - The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, Vol.1,page 464)

Daily Guidance

---- DAILY ENCOURAGEMENT ----

"Through battling great hardships, a person can establish an inner state of indestructible happiness. And their example can open the way for countless others to similarly free themselves from suffering."

--- DAILY GOSHO ---

"In light of this, it is clear that those who now believe in the Lotus Sutra will gather fortune from ten thousand miles away."
(New Year's Gosho - The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, Vol.1, page 1137)

Daily Guidance

---- DAILY ENCOURAGEMENT ----

"My mentor, second Soka Gakkai president Josei Toda, often used to remark:'When it comes to battling serious karma and doing our human revolution, huge obstacles and hardships can in fact serve as a powerful impetus, propelling us forwards. Just ambling along a level road won't help us change our karma.' The greater the difficulties and challenges we encounter, the greater the life-state we can develop. Therefore, we mustn't be intimidated by 'the three obstacles and four devils' -- that is, the obstacles and hindrances that invariably arise in the course of our Buddhist practise. With wisdom derived from faith, we should see through such phenomena, recognising them for what they are, based on Nichiren Daishonin's teachings, and regarding their occurrence as an opportunity to change our karma. We should then stand up with even deeper conviction and courage, chanting daimoku with unwavering resolve and forging boldly ahead."

--- DAILY GOSHO ---

"Who, then, is the votary of the Lotus Sutra? Let us seek him out and make him our teacher."
(The Opening of the Eyes - The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, Vol.1, page 278)

Daily Guidance

---- DAILY ENCOURAGEMENT ----

"Sharing a conversation that makes a deep impression, even if just for a short time, is a powerful means for bringing people's hearts together."

--- DAILY GOSHO ---

"Nam-myoho-renge-kyo is the greatest of all joys."
(Ongi kugen - Gosho Zenshu, page 788, The Record of the Orally Transmitted Teachings, page 212)

Daily Guidance

---- DAILY ENCOURAGEMENT ----

"A sterling character shines and imparts a feeling of comfort and hope to those who come into contact with it. Our Buddhist practise for polishing our lives must become evident in a positive transformation of character."

--- 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

---- DAILY ENCOURAGEMENT ----

Let's be really open and tell people how we feel and think and engage in conversations with as many people as we can, being as sincere as we possibly can. Let's also make every effort to expand our circle of friends! One single courageous "wave" will become ten thousand and more waves leading towards absolutely overwhelming victories.

--- DAILY GOSHO ---

"What can we say, then, of persons who are devoting themselves to Buddhism? Surely they should not forget the debts of gratitude they owe to their parents, their teachers, and their country. But if one intends of repay these great debts of gratitude, one can hope to do so only if one learns and masters Buddhism, becoming a person of wisdom."
(On Repaying Debts of Gratitude - The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, Vol.1, page 690)

Daily Guidance

---- DAILY ENCOURAGEMENT ----

"Nichiren Daishonin writes: '[Chanting] Nam-myoho-renge-kyo with the spirit of many in body but one in mind... is the basis for the universal transmission of the ultimate Law of life and death' (WND-1, 217). The true heritage of Buddhism pulses in united efforts to advance kosen-rufu."

--- DAILY GOSHO ---

"Nevertheless, even though you chant and believe in Myoho-renge-kyo, if you think the Law is outside yourself, you are embracing not the Mystic Law but an inferior teaching."
(On Attaining Buddhahood in This Lifetime - The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, Vol.1, page 3)

Daily Guidance

---- DAILY ENCOURAGEMENT ----

"A dialogue cannot continue if there's no follow-up, which is essential."

--- 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 theLand - The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, Vol.1, page 24)