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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

Daily Guidance

---- DAILY ENCOURAGEMENT ----

"In 'The Opening of the Eyes,' the Daishonin writes about Shariputra and other figures from the sutras who abandoned bodhisattva practice.

"In past lives, Shariputra practiced the bodhisattva way for a period of 60 kalpas, making offerings to people. When a Brahman appeared and asked him for one of his eyes, Shariputra responded by giving the Brahman his eye. The Brahman smelled the eye and, declaring that it stank, threw it on the ground and crushed it. This convinced Shariputra that it was impossible to save people of this sort and that he should concentrate on seeking only his own enlightenment instead. In spite of having practised almsgiving for 60 kalpas, Shariputra discarded his bodhisattva practice and lapsed into the Hinayana teachings. This is an instance of abandoning faith.

"The Brahman's act was so cruel and arrogant that Shariputra's response would appear reasonable from an ordinary perspective. But Buddhism, which teaches that the Law exists within the heart of each person, does not view things from the relative perspective of whether others or one's circumstances are good or bad. From the standpoint of the eternal and indestructible Law of life, all that matters is what one does oneself, whether one wins over oneself. That is the measure of everything."

--- DAILY GOSHO ---

"From this you should understand that anger can be either a good or a bad thing."

(On Reprimanding Hachiman - The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, Vol.2, page 931)

Daily Guidance

---- DAILY ENCOURAGEMENT ----

"Practitioners of Nichiren Daishonin's Buddhism must be a beacon for society, and, burning with their mission and enthusiasm, illuminate those around them with the light of hope when the stormy night seems darkest."

--- DAILY GOSHO ---

"Worthy persons deserve to be called so because they are not carried away by the eight winds: prosperity, decline, disgrace, honour, praise, censure, suffering, and pleasure."

(The Eight Winds - The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, Vol.1, page 794)

Daily Guidance

---- DAILY ENCOURAGEMENT ----

"In a letter to Nichigen-nyo, the wife of Shijo Kingo, the Daishonin writes:

"'Can anything exceed the sun and moon in brightness? Can anything surpass the lotus flower in purity? The Lotus Sutra is the sun and moon and the lotus flower [in that it is the unsurpassed teaching]. Therefore it is called the Lotus Sutra of the Wonderful Law. Nichiren, too, is like the sun and moon and the lotus flower.' (WND-1, 186)

"The name Nichiren means 'sun lotus.' Nothing is brighter than the sun, which dispels the darkness. Nothing is purer than the lotus, which blooms unsullied by the muddy water in which it grows.

"The entity of the Law, Myoho-renge-kyo, and the entity of the Person, Nichiren Daishonin, are fully endowed with the functions symbolised by the sun and the lotus. In other words, they are endowed with the power to illuminate the fundamental darkness inherent in life and bring forth the enlightened Dharma nature, and the power to purify earthly desires or deluded impulses and transform them into enlightenment."

--- 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, page 283)

Daily Guidance

---- DAILY ENCOURAGEMENT ----

"As practitioners of the Daishonin's Buddhism, we not only deal with our own problems and worries, but concern ourselves with the welfare of others and the development of kosen-rufu. All of these different problems and concerns motivate us to chant daimoku. We can also turn them into an impetus for taking the best course of action for our happiness. Faith gives us the strength to tap the life-force needed to do so. The Mystic Law is the ultimate key to realizing a life of eternity, happiness, true self, and purity."

--- DAILY GOSHO ---

"There should be no discrimination among those who propagate the five characters of Myoho-renge-kyo in the Latter Day of the Law, be they men or women. Were they not Bodhisattvas of the Earth, they could not chant the daimoku."

(The True Aspect of All Phenomena - The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, Vol.1, page 385)

Daily Guidance

---- DAILY ENCOURAGEMENT ----

"We of the SGI today who embrace the Mystic Law are the most fortunate of all the 6.8billion people on this planet. Just because someone enjoys favourable circumstances doesn't necessarily mean they are happy. If they feel empty inside, they can't be said to be happy.

"Unsurpassed happiness is found in dedicating one's life to the Mystic Law, the supreme teaching of Buddhism. Happiness isn't the absence of problems or worries. Even Nichiren Daishonin, the Buddha of the Latter Day, encountered great hardships--he faced slander and abuse, incurred intense hatred and jealousy, and battled fierce onslaughts by the three powerful enemies. And he deliberately showed these struggles to his followers as an example for their own Buddhist practice.

"True joy can be found in the midst of challenges. Problems can help us grow. Strong opponents can make us stronger. It is just as the Daishonin says when he writes: 'It is not one's allies but one's powerful enemies who assist one's progress' (WND-1, 770)."

--- DAILY GOSHO ---

"Nichiren and his followers are few, because they are different in body, but united in mind, they will definitely accomplish their great mission of widely propagating the Lotus Sutra. Though evils may be numerous, they cannot prevail over a single great truth."

(Many in Body, One in Mind - The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, Vol.1, page 618)

Daily Guidance

---- DAILY ENCOURAGEMENT ----

"There is no way that all of you, who chant daimoku to the Gohonzon and earnestly strive for kosen-rufu, will fail to become happy. You will not only enjoy happiness in this lifetime, but eternally throughout the three existences of past, present, and future.

"Real life, however, is filled with an unending series of problems, including such things as financial troubles, sickness, and family disharmony. But even though, at such times, your circumstances may seem unfortunate on the surface, if you keep chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo throughout, you will definitely be able to transform all that is negative into something positive in accord with the Buddhist principle of 'changing poison into medicine.' You can ride out every difficulty, turning it into an opportunity for growth. In this sense, it can be said that, on a fundamental level, you have already won.

"Your life could be likened to a play. You may be performing the role of someone suffering right now, but the play is certain to have a happy and triumphant ending. There is no way that it could conclude in misery. You will be able to enjoy happiness in lifetime after lifetime. You will be able to win eternally. So you have nothing to worry about."

--- 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 ----

"It was in the month of June-- in 1994, 15 years ago this year-- that I received an honorary doctorate from Scotland's renowned University of Glasgow. It was a very solemn ceremony, and I'll never forget how, during his remarks, Dr. J. Forbes Munro, the then university Clerk of Senate, read aloud my poem, 'The Waterfall':

Like the waterfall, fierce,
like the waterfall, unflagging,
like the waterfall, unfearing,
like the waterfall, merrily,
like the waterfall, proudly--
a man should have the bearing of a king.

"With the royal bearing of champions described in this poem, may you be the kind of people whom others praise as having made a difference-- for instance, whose presence helped them move their lives in a positive direction, or was vital in the success of an activity, or was pivotal in building a more solid organisation."

--- DAILY GOSHO ---

"It has been twenty or more years now since I found myself in that situation and began the great battle. Not once have I thought of retreat."

(The Great Battle - The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, Vol.2, page 465)

Daily Guidance

---- DAILY ENCOURAGEMENT ----

"As Korean independence champion Ahn Chang-ho (1878-1938) once declared: 'Without a unified force, even the most laudable course of action cannot be implemented.' The key to such unity is trust in leaders."

--- DAILY GOSHO ---

"Strengthen your faith day by day and month after month."
(On Persecutions Befalling the Sage - The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, Vol.1, page 997)

Daily Guidance

---- DAILY ENCOURAGEMENT ----

". Horatio Nelson (1758-1805), admiral of the British fleet, defeated Napoleon Bonaparte (1769-1821) in two historic battles, the Battle of the Nile (1798) and the Battle of Trafalgar (1805). Nelson believed in faith and effort.

"...Faith and effort are unrivalled sources of strength in life. They are the only way to victory. The Soka Gakkai is advancing along the correct path. May you together write a magnificent history. Never retreat a single step."

--- DAILY GOSHO ---

"It is through the use of words and letters that the Buddha saves living beings."

(Letter to Renjo - The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, Vol.2, page 6)

Daily Guidance

--- DAILY ENCOURAGEMENT ---

July, the month of youth is here!* You, our precious young members of the Youth Division, are without doubt, the invincible kings and queens of the mystic law. Succeed in constructing and protecting the palace of truth and justice based on the commitment between mentor and disciple, adorning it continually with victories!

* July is the traditional month of youth celebrated in the SGI. The formation of the Young Men's and Young Women's division took place on July 11th and July 19th respectively.

--- 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, Vol. 1, page 618)

Daily Guidance

---- DAILY ENCOURAGEMENT ----

"The Daishonin writes: 'Iron, when heated in the flames and pounded, becomes a fine sword. Worthies and sages are tested by abuse' (WND-1, 303). Iron is tempered by fire to become steel, which can then be forged into a magnificent sword. The same is true of people. It is actually to our advantage to undergo hardship and struggles in life."

--- 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, page 681)

Daily Guidance

---- DAILY ENCOURAGEMENT ----

"The Czech playwright and novelist Karel Capek (1890-1938), who sounded a warning against Nazi Germany, said: 'As long as our spirit remains unbroken, it will not be dormant. A dormant spirit is like a river that does not flow. We call such a river a dry river.'
"Never hesitate to speak the truth, to speak out for what's right. Say what is on your mind. State your case clearly. Explain yourself at length so that your listener can really understand and relate to what you're saying. Never remain silent. At times, it may even be necessary to respond quickly and directly to confront malice or prejudice. Our voice is our power. Our voice is our weapon for truth."

--- DAILY GOSHO ---

"I entrust you with the propagation of Buddhism in your province."
(The Properties of Rice - The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, Vol. 1, page 1117)

Daily Guidance

---- DAILY ENCOURAGEMENT ----

"I'd like to share some of President Kennedy's impassioned words for peace: 'It's never too early to try [to seek peaceful solutions]; and it's never too late to talk.' He also said: 'If that journey [for peace] is a thousand miles, or even more, let history record that we, in this land, at this time, took the first step.'
"The time to act is now. By steadily advancing one step at a time, we can lead victorious lives of brilliant achievement."

--- 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, page 283)

Daily Guidance

---- DAILY ENCOURAGEMENT ----

"No one should lightly choose death. The true brilliance of being human shines when we strive to live out our lives with all the vigour we can summon, no matter what adversity we face."

--- DAILY GOSHO ---

"Muster your faith, and pray to this Gohonzon. Then what is there that cannot be achieved?"
(Reply to Kyo'o - The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, Vol.1, page 412)

Daily Guidance

---- DAILY ENCOURAGEMENT ----

"Caring for others is the essence of humanism and the spirit of Soka."

--- DAILY GOSHO ---

"Hence the character myo means to open. If there is a storehouse full of treasures but no key, then it cannot be opened, and if it cannot be opened, then the treasures inside cannot be seen."
(The Daimoku of the Lotus Sutra - The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, Vol.1, page 145)

Daily Guidance

---- DAILY ENCOURAGEMENT ----

"Both your voice and mine resounding powerfully to the far reaches of the universe, our lives shining.
"Shakyamuni Buddha was a person who initiated conversations. He didn't arrogantly wait for others to greet him, but was always the first to greet others in a bright, friendly manner, which made others open their hearts to him. He was never in the least bit haughty or self-important. This kind of warm, humanistic behaviour is the starting point of Buddhism as a living philosophy."

--- 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 ----

"We need to treasure those who are working hard to further our movement for kosen-rufu, those who are sincerely sharing the Daishonin's Buddhism with others and offering wholehearted encouragement and guidance in faith to fellow members.
"Criticizing or harassing those who are doing their best for positive aims cannot be described as humanistic behaviour. Such actions are unforgiveable. The arrogance of domineering individuals needs to be severely rebuked."

--- DAILY GOSHO ---

"The boy Snow Mountains gave his own body, and the ascetic Aspiration for the Law peeled off his own skin [in order to record the Buddha’s teachings]. Since nothing is more precious than life itself, one who dedicates one’s life to Buddhist practice is certain to attain Buddhahood."
(Letter from Sado - The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, Vol. 1, page 301)

Daily Guidance

---- DAILY ENCOURAGEMENT ----

"In the Daishonin's Buddhism, when we chant daimoku in earnest prayer, that prayer at the most fundamental level has already been answered. Confident in this great truth-- in the power of 'this wonderful single Law that simultaneously possesses both cause and effect' (WND-1, 421)--let's forge ahead together on the noble path of kosen-rufu."

--- 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, page 839)

Daily Guidance

---- DAILY ENCOURAGEMENT ----

"Mentors believe in their disciples. And it is precisely because of their immense faith and hope in their disciples that they don't go easy on them, that they train them thoroughly and are strict with them. Disciples who respond wholeheartedly to their mentor's belief in them can bring forth immeasurable power and ability. This is the rhythm of mentor and disciple. It is a symphony of victory."

--- 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 ----

"In Mr. Toda's last editorial for the Soka Gakkai study magazine Daibyakurenge, published on April 1st, 1958-- the day before his death-- he wrote about the danger of confusing knowledge with wisdom: 'Basically, you have to understand that you can't attain true happiness unless you gain mastery over your own life; for this you need strong life-force and resilient wisdom."

--- DAILY GOSHO ---

"However great the good causes one may make, or even if one reads and copies the entirety of the Lotus Sutra a thousand or ten thousand times, or attains the way of perceiving three thousand realms in a single moment of life, if one fails to denounce the enemies of the Lotus Sutra, it will be impossible to attain the way."
(Encouragement to a Sick Person - The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, Vol.1, page 78)

Daily Guidance

---- DAILY ENCOURAGEMENT ----

"Mr. Toda presented his beloved fellow members with what later came to be known as the 'three eternal guidelines of the Soka Gakkai.' They are:
(1) Faith for a harmonious family

(2) Faith for each person to become happy

(3) Faith for surmounting obstacles
"Each of these short guidelines succinctly encapsulates an important purpose of faith and the essential spirit with which we should pursue our Buddhist practice.
"... I knew that if we lost sight of the fundamental purpose of Buddhist practice that Mr. Toda had taught us, we would run the risk of being defeated by devilish functions, resulting in a pathy and stagnation and, ultimately, the disintegration of our faith. In 2003, after the start of the new century, I again reconfirmed the essence of Mr. Toda's guidelines, and added two new ones.
(4) Faith for health and long life

(5) Faith for absolute victory
"Together, they form five eternal guidelines-- guidelines that express the cherished hope and conviction of Mr. Toda and myself. Comprising the vital ingredients for attaining Buddhahood in this lifetime, these guidelines are infused with our prayer that members everywhere will dedicate their lives to kosen-rufu undefeated by any obstacle and achieve a state of absolute happiness.
"'Letter to the Brothers' is a writing that my mentor and I studied together as a crucial text for learning the correct attitude in faith. In it, Nichiren Daishonin teaches his followers to boldly triumph over all devilish functions-- whether they appear in the form of the three obstacles and four devils, or the workings of the devil king of the sixth heaven --and attain Buddhahood. He urges them to do so by striving in faith with the same commitment as he, and uniting solidly with their fellow believers. This writing could indeed be called the basis or source of the five eternal guidelines of the Soka Gakkai.
"Unless we win in the struggle against devilish functions, we will not be able to achieve true harmony, happiness, health and longevity, or victory-- goals that form the heart of the five guidelines."

--- DAILY GOSHO ---

"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 Nichiren Daishonin, Vol.1, page 4)

Daily Guidance

---- DAILY ENCOURAGEMENT ----

" I know that you are forced to practise your faith under very trying circumstances... But a true champion is able to stand up alone. Please do that, developing yourselves, and win the respect and trust of all, offering proof of your personal victory where you are.

--- DAILY GOSHO ---

"This saha world is a land in which one gains the way through the faculty of hearing."
(The Doctrine of Three Thousand Realms - The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin,Vol. 2, page 87)

Daily Guidance

--- DAILY ENCOURAGEMENT ---

Let's have the sort of conversations that help us to make good connections with others, heart to heart. Let's be open to interacting with the people that are in our immediate environment so that we can help them to establish a really good connection with Buddhism. And through such individual efforts, let us open up a grand, magnificentroadtowards rissho ankoku - The Establishment of the Peace and Security of the Land*!
* Rissho ankoku is the establishment of a peaceful society based upon true Buddhism.
* Rissho means to "establish true Buddhism" - in other words, to widely spread such humanistic Buddhist tenets as compassion and respect for the sanctity of life throughout society. This is the religious mission of those who practice Nichiren Daishonin's Buddhism. On an individual level, it means embarking on an inner human revolution, tapping and cultivating the compassion within our lives and firmly establishing humanism as our guiding principle.
If human life, the principle creative force, can thus be transformed, the repercussions of such a transformation will spread to society and to all spheres of human endeavour. As a result, not only will politics support the cause of human peace and happiness but so will education, culture and economics, thus leading to ankoku, "securing the peace of the land."
This process resembles how the waters of a great river irrigate the fields, enriching the soil and promoting luxuriant growth of grasses and trees. Buddhism is the great river and the people are the fields. The grasses and trees, meanwhile, correspond to peace and culture.(The New Human Revolution, Volume 2, Vanguard chapter, Page 37, June 1995 edition published by the SGI-USA)

--- DAILY GOSHO ---

"At such a time, the three obstacles and four devils will invariably appear, and the wise will rejoice while the foolish will retreat."
(The Three Obstacles and Four Devils - The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin,Vol. 1, page 637)

Daily Guidance

---- DAILY ENCOURAGEMENT ----

Let's show our utmost respect and appreciation to all of our Women's Division members, who we admire as the world's greatest! Let's take the very best of care of our "mothers." And by making every possible effort we can to respond to their sincere prayers, let's crown them with magnificent crowns of victory!

--- 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 ----

"The concept of 'not begrudging one's life' appears in the 'Encouraging Devotion' (13th) chapter of the Lotus Sutra, when the bodhisattvas make avow to selflessly spread the Mystic Law after the Buddha's passing (cf.LS13, 191). In 'The Selection of the Time,' the Daishonin elucidates the path of shared commitment of mentor and disciple, the path of refuting the erroneous and revealing the true, the path of attaining enlightenment in this lifetime -- at the heart of which lies the path of 'not begrudging one's life.' If we give our all unstintingly to our Buddhist practice, proof of victory will be forthcoming-- this is the unshakable conviction with which the Daishonin urges his disciples to 'try practising' (WND-1, 583)."

--- DAILY GOSHO ---

"The host, smiling, restrained his guest and said: Insects that live on smart weed forget how bitter it tastes; those who stay long in privies forget how foul the smell is. Here you listen to my good words and think them wicked, point to a slanderer of the Law and call him a sage, mistrust a correct teacher and take him for an evil priest. Your confusion is great indeed, and your offence anything but light. Listen to my explanation of how this confusion arose, and let us discuss the matter in detail."
(On Establishing the Correct Teaching for the Peace of the Land - The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, Vol.1, page 16)

Daily Guidance

---- DAILY ENCOURAGEMENT ----

"When our attitude changes, our entire world changes. This is the formula for change in Buddhism."

--- 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)

Daily Guidance

---- DAILY ENCOURAGEMENT ----

"I once asked my mentor Josei Toda why it was important to practise Buddhism 'without begrudging one's life.' His reply was very clear"
"'Call it humanity's karma, but society is complex and full of contradictions. No where can we find a fundamental path to happiness for all people. Nichiren Daishonin's Buddhism, however, provides the means for transforming karma on the deepest level. It teaches the path of eternity, joy, true self, and purity-- of eternal fulfilment and satisfaction. There is no higher path in life than this. That's why, if you devote yourself wholeheartedly to your Buddhist practice, you will have no regrets.'
"More than 60 years have passed since I first became Mr. Toda's disciple. Everything is just as he said. Having striven selflessly for worldwide kosen-rufu exactly as my mentor instructed, my heart is filled with the joy of 'dedicating oneself to the Law without begrudging one's life.' Now I wish to pass on the unsurpassed way of this mission to the youth.
"The essence of the Daishonin's Buddhism is found in the spirit of not begrudging one's life, of selfless devotion to spreading the Law. It is found in unstinting efforts to realise kosen-rufu. The German poet Friedrichvon Schiller (1759-1805) once wrote: 'Who life would win, he must dare to die!' Giving our all for the sake of the Daishonin's Buddhism and for the sake of others is how we bring our lives to shine to their fullest splendour. This way of life taught in Buddhism in fact lays forth a very important guideline for living in today's world."

--- DAILY GOSHO ---

"But my life from the beginning has been based upon firm conviction. I have no intention now of reversing my course, nor will I ever reproach [those who persecuted me]."
(Why No Protection from the Heavenly Gods? - The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, Vol.2, page 432)

Daily Guidance

---- DAILY ENCOURAGEMENT ----

"The Lotus Sutra teaches the principle of the simultaneity of cause and effect, the symbol of which is the lotus flower. Normally, flowers bear fruit after their blossoms fall but, as the Daishonin writes, 'the lotus is the only one that bears flowers and fruit simultaneously' (WND-1, 1099). In other words, the flowers and fruit grow at the same time. The causes we are creating right now in our commitment to pray and strive for kosen-rufu contain the brilliant effects, or fruit, of victory and happiness. It is vital, therefore, to take action-- action for a lofty goal-- and to go out and meet with people and to visit our fellow members.
"The noble life-state of Buddhahood manifests in those who chant and spread the Mystic Law. You, admirable practitioners of the Daishonin's Buddhism, are all entities of Myoho-renge-kyo. Just as flowers produce beautiful blossoms, may you bring forth the potential of your lives and realize wonderful achievements in the field of your mission."

--- DAILY GOSHO ---

"Though we may suffer for a while, ultimately delight awaits us."
(Protecting the Atsuhara Believers - The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin,Vol.2, page 882)

Daily Guidance

---- DAILY ENCOURAGEMENT ----

Let's live out our lives boldly and with conviction. This is the very driving force for victory! Let's take action with confidence and talk to others about what indeed are the facts and the truth, without hesitation. Upholding justice does indeed take courage.

--- DAILY GOSHO ---

"This is what I have taught my disciples morning and evening, and yet they begin to harbour doubts and abandon their faith. Foolish men are likely to forget the promises they have made when the crucial moment comes."
(The Opening of the Eyes - The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, Vol.1, page 283)

Daily Guidance

---- DAILY ENCOURAGEMENT ----

"People don't always get the credit they deserve. Sometimes the efforts of those working behind the scenes are overlooked. But the Buddhist law of cause and effect that permeates life applies equally to all. Both good and bad causes return to the doer."

--- 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 ----

"Life's victorious champions, cheerfully and calmly overcoming every obstacle.
"No plant grows in opposition to the laws of nature. Likewise, people grow and mature within human society. Through interacting with others, we are able to develop our character and fulfil our purpose in life. As Nichiren Daishonin writes: 'A person of wisdom is not one who practises Buddhism apart from worldly affairs but, rather, one who thoroughly understands the principles by which the world is governed' (WND-1, 1121). Buddhism does not exist apart from human society. A truly wise person, therefore, is one who thoroughly understands the ways of society, contributes to society, and succeeds in society."

--- 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, page 283)

Daily Guidance

---- DAILY ENCOURAGEMENT ----

"A true lion, a person of genuine courage, stands up to those who use their authority to exploit or intimidate others. Mr. Toda was such a lion. In the course of our struggle -- which could also be described as a fierce battle for human rights here in Japan -- I always rushed to my mentor's side whenever he called me, even if it was the middle of the night. His tough yet compassionate training made me into the person I am. On his release from prison for his opposition to the demands of the all-powerful militarist authorities, Mr. Toda's health was seriously compromised, but his heart burned with even greater fervour than before. In the midst of adversity, he once said to me: 'I’m a lion. Daisaku, you're a lion, too. 'Lion' is a symbol for the oneness of mentor and disciple. Both the mentor and the disciple must boldly keep on winning.' I will never forget those words. They will always remain indelibly engraved in my heart. I have fought like a lion all my life. And I have won. I want the youth to fight like lions, too, and triumph in every struggle. I'm counting on you!"
"In the severe economic downturn the world is currently facing, it is all the more important for our members everywhere to bravely weather and triumph over every obstacle with the tremendous life-force of a charging lion."

--- 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. If you are of the same mind as Nichiren, you must be a Bodhisattva of the Earth."
(The True Aspect of All Phenomena - The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin,Vol.1, page 385)

Daily Guidance

---- DAILY ENCOURAGEMENT ----

The sound of Nam-myoho-renge-kyo is like the invincible roar of a lion or mentor and disciple in unison which leads to ceaseless victories. Brimming with strong life force, let's always take good care of our health, first and foremost, so that we can continually make great progress together. By chanting vibrant daimoku, let's rouse all the Buddhist gods*, the protective forces of the universe, into action!

--- DAILY GOSHO ---

"Be diligent in developing your faith until the last moment of your life. Otherwise you will have regrets."
(Letter to Niike - The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, Vol.1, page 1027)

Daily Guidance

---- DAILY ENCOURAGEMENT ----

"New capable individuals are absolutely indispensable for opening the future of kosen-rufu."

--- DAILY GOSHO ---

"It is the heart that is important. No matter how earnestly Nichiren prays for you, if you lack faith, it will be like trying to set fire to wet tinder. Spur yourself to muster the power of faith."
(The Strategy of the Lotus Sutra - The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin,Vol.1, page 1000)

Daily Guidance

---- DAILY ENCOURAGEMENT ----

The essential point of our Buddhist practice is to have person-to-person, one-on-one dialogue. Let's be proud of what we do and get involved on the forefront of activities. By chanting daimoku with strong faith and talking about this Buddhism and its humanism as much as we can, let's continue to advance cheerfully and confidently!

--- DAILY GOSHO ---

"Therefore, one should 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)

Daily Guidance

---- DAILY ENCOURAGEMENT ----

"The 'Emergence of the Treasure Tower' (11th) chapter of the Lotus Sutra states: 'If one can expound this sutra to even one person, that will be difficult indeed' (cf. LS11, 179). Genuine Buddhist practice lies in tirelessly reaching out to others in one-on-one dialogue; it is found in the effort to share the teachings of Buddhism with another person, to raise another in faith, and to make even one friend and ally. And there is no better place for carrying out these activities than in our groups and districts.

--- DAILY GOSHO ---

"Muster your faith, and pray to this Gohonzon. Then what is there that cannot be achieved?"
(Reply to Kyo'o - The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, Vol.1, page 412)

Daily Guidance

---- DAILY ENCOURAGEMENT ----

"The renowned Australian nurse and physical therapist Elizabeth Kenny (1880-1952), who developed a groundbreaking treatment for the effects of polio, declared: 'It's better to be a lion for a day than a sheep all your life.'"

--- DAILY GOSHO ---

"Be diligent in developing your faith until the last moment of your life. Otherwise you will have regrets. For example, the journey from Kamakura to Kyoto takes twelve days. If you travel for eleven but stop with only one day remaining, how can you admire the moon over the capital?"
(Letter to Niike - The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, Vol.1, page 1027)

Daily Guidance

---- DAILY ENCOURAGEMENT ----

"Kosen-rufu is the accumulation of countless small victories. Winning comes from steady and persistent efforts to take on immediate challenges. That is the way to establish a record of glorious victory."

--- DAILY GOSHO ---

"When I prayed for my mother, not only was her illness cured, but her life was prolonged by four years."
(On Prolonging One's Life Span - The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, Vol.1, page 955)

Daily Guidance

---- DAILY ENCOURAGEMENT ----

"As the American author and social activist Helen Keller (1880-1968) wrote: 'When once we make up our minds to do this and set out fearlessly, all outward circumstances and limitations give way before us.'"

--- 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 ----

"As the British essayist William Hazlitt (1778-1830) wrote: 'Hope is the best possession.' Buddhism is a source of hope."

--- DAILY GOSHO ---

"If a person cannot manage to cross a moat ten feet wide, how can he cross one that is a hundred or two hundred feet?"
(The Actions of the Votary of the Lotus Sutra - The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, Vol.1, page 766)

Daily Guidance

---- DAILY ENCOURAGEMENT ----

The vibrant dynamism necessary for victory is born from our discussion meetings. Let's inspire each other with cheerful and powerful encouragement that gives people courage and confidence. Let's all stand up and strive together, and make the 80th anniversary of the Soka Gakkai's foundingthe greatest anniversary!

--- DAILY GOSHO ---

"Strengthen your faith day by day and month after month.Should you slacken in your resolve even a bit, devils willtake advantage."
(On Persecutions Befalling the Sage - The Writings ofNichiren Daishonin, Vol.1, page 997)

Daily Guidance

---- DAILY ENCOURAGEMENT ----

"The founder of the modern nursing profession, Florence Nightingale (1820-1910), remarked: 'Right is invariably well-being, or the road to it.' All of you are dedicating your lives to kosen-rufu, the path of the highest good. There is no life more admirable or happy. Nor is that happiness limited to this lifetime. You walk an indestructible path imbued with the four virtues of eternity, happiness, true self, and purity, a path of continual progress in rhythm with the Mystic Law, the ultimate law of the universe.
"Nightingale also noted: 'The world is what we have to mould, not to fly from.' We do not try to escape this world that is filled with sufferings, nor do we lament it. Through tirelessly challenging ourselves and taking positive action, we strive to build a new and better world day after day."

--- DAILY GOSHO ---

"But the rest of you should not be afraid. So long as you remain firm in heart, I am sure that the whole truth of the matter will become clear in the end."
(Reply to the Sages - The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, Vol.2, page 831)

Daily Guidance

---- DAILY ENCOURAGEMENT ----

"Leonardo da Vinci (1452-1519) recorded the following fable in his notebooks. 'The cedar, arrogant by reason of its beauty, despising the plants which were round about it, caused them to be all removed from its presence, and then the wind, not meeting with any obstacle, tore it up by the roots and threw it on to the ground.' The moral of the story is that, like the cedar, the arrogant will come to ruin and those who isolate themselves from others will eventually fall. Working together with good friends is extremely important. Power is born from unity. And constructive action requires close interaction."

--- DAILY GOSHO ---

"A woman who embraces the lion king of the Lotus Sutra never fears any of the beasts of hell or of the realms of hungry spirits and animals."
(The Drum at the Gate of Thunder - The Writings ofNichiren Daishonin, Vol.1, page 949)

Daily Guidance

---- DAILY ENCOURAGEMENT ----

"Your situation at the outset is not what matters; hardship, in whatever form it takes, is just a springboard for triumph at the crucial stage of your life. To win with an invincible spirit that says, 'Watch what I do,' is truly the pride of Soka.
"Nichiren Daishonin praises his disciples Shijo Kingo and his wife Nichigen-nyo, who overcame harsh persecution and won brilliantly, telling them he was delighted to learn of their success (cf. WND-2, 730). Those who employ the strategy of the Lotus Sutra always triumph in the end."

--- 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)

Daily Guidance

---- DAILY ENCOURAGEMENT ----

"When things don't go as you expect, you must not let yourselves be defeated. Don't become discouraged. The struggles one goes through in one's youth are a precious treasure. It is only by taking on the challenges of the real world that you can build a deep, strong foundation for victory in life. Though you may stumble along the way, just pick yourself up again, plant your feet firmly on the ground, and make further powerful strides forward, aiming even higher than before. An ancient Chinese text says: 'It is like the case of a person who falls to the ground, but who then pushes himself up from the ground and rises to his feet again' (WND-1, 1108)."

--- DAILY GOSHO ---

"In the light of the above points, this shows, my followers, that you had better cut short your sleep by night and curtail your leisure by day, and ponder this! You must not spend your lives in vain and regret it for ten thousand years to come."
(The Problem to Be Pondered Night and Day - The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, Vol.1, page 622)

Daily Guidance

---- DAILY ENCOURAGEMENT ----

The essence of the Lotus Sutra is the spirit of' shakubuku' - sharing the philosophy of Nichiren Buddhism with others*. Let's muster up the courage to refute those beliefs and tenets that obviously misguide people to unhappiness and suffering, and speak out the truth confidently and with conviction! This is the great strength of the SGI.

--- DAILY GOSHO ---

"Rather than offering up ten thousand prayers for remedy, it would be better simply to outlaw this one evil."
(On Establishing the Correct Teaching for the Peace of the Land - The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, Vol.1, page 15)

Daily Guidance

---- DAILY ENCOURAGEMENT ----

"History should serve as a guide to building a better future. And as the American civil rights activist Rosa Parks (1913-2005) once declared: 'The way we live now will affect the state of the world in the future.'"

--- DAILY GOSHO ---

"A blue fly, if it clings to the tail of a thorough bred horse, can travel ten thousand miles, and the green ivy that twines around the tall pine can grow to a thousand feet."
(On Establishing the Correct Teaching for the Peace of the Land - The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, Vol.1, page 17)

Daily Guidance

---- DAILY ENCOURAGEMENT ----

"Beginnings are important. Everything is a learning opportunity. Please have the positive spirit to learn from each experience and advance energetically."

--- DAILY GOSHO ---

"It is the heart that is important."
(The Strategy of the Lotus Sutra - The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, Vol.1, page 1030)

Daily Guidance

---- DAILY ENCOURAGEMENT ----

"In one of our dialogues, leading Indian Gandhian scholar Dr. N. Radhakrishnan quoted these words of Mahatma Gandhi (1869-1948): 'I know this, that when I am gone, Jawaharlal will speak my language.' And true to his prediction, after Gandhi died, his disciple Indian Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru (1889-1964) carried on his work and led newly independent India on the road to prosperity.
"With regard to the mentor-disciple relationship, Dr. Radhakrishnan also said: 'A mentor lives on in the deeds of his disciples,' and 'Mentor and disciple become one when they live in a creative way oriented toward eternity.'
"We of the SGI, linked by the bonds of mentor and disciple, continue to fulfil the Buddha's prophecy, spreading its message throughout the world and transmitting it on to future generations. Together, we represent a great river of outstanding Bodhisattvas of the Earth-- a great river that flows powerfully into the boundless future, like the eternal Ganges."

--- DAILY GOSHO ---

"Nichiren's followers are like roaring lions."
(On Persecutions Befalling the Sage - The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, Vol.1, page 997)

Daily Guidance

---- DAILY ENCOURAGEMENT ----

"Expressions of thanks and appreciation strengthen ties of trust and friendship. It's no exaggeration to say that a person's character can be measured by how freely they're able to thank and express their gratitude to others."

--- DAILY GOSHO ---

"Concerning prayer, there are conspicuous prayer and conspicuous response, conspicuous prayer and inconspicuous response, inconspicuous prayer and inconspicuous response, and inconspicuous prayer and conspicuous response. But the only essential point is that, if you believe in this sutra, all your desires will be fulfilled in both the present and the future."
(Letter to the Lay Priest Domyo - The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, Vol.1, page 750)

Daily Guidance

---- DAILY ENCOURAGEMENT ----

"The spirit of Nichiren Daishonin's Buddhism is to take it upon ourselves to strive earnestly to solve the major issues facing society, based on the perspective of Buddhism. That is why the Daishonin remonstrated with the ruling authorities of the Kamakura government through his treatise 'On Establishing the Correct Teaching for the Peace of the Land' and set out to guide the people towards happiness."

--- DAILY GOSHO ---

"It is like the situation when one faces a mirror and makes a bow of obeisance: the image in the mirror likewise makes a bow of obeisance to oneself."
(Ongi kuden - Gosho Zenshu, page 769, The Record of the Orally Transmitted Teachings, page 165)

Daily Guidance

---- DAILY ENCOURAGEMENT ----

"In the writing ['Letter to Horen'], the Daishonin states: 'It would seem that, when one who is able to show clearly visible proof in the present expounds the Lotus Sutra, there also will be persons who will [come to] believe [in the sutra]' (WND-1, 512). As these words indicate, kosen-rufu greatly advances when there is 'clearly visible proof.'"

--- DAILY GOSHO ---

"It means that all beings and environments in the Ten Worlds, from hell, the lowest, to Buddhahood, the highest, are without exception manifestations of Myoho-renge-kyo."
(The True Aspect of All Phenomena - The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, Vol.1, page 383)

Daily Guidance

---- DAILY ENCOURAGEMENT ----

"When you truly awaken to the infinitely profound mission you possess, yet unknown reservoirs of strength and potential will well forth from your lives."

--- 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 ----

"All of you, who are striving with pride and commitment for the sake of kosen-rufu together with your fellow members across the globe, are accumulating incredible good fortune and benefit and adorning your lives with lofty splendour. Our prayers as SGI members are not merely for ourselves; they are directly connected to the Buddha's intent and decree to achieve worldwide kosen-rufu. That is why we shine with Buddha wisdom and why our lives brim with the Buddha's vitality and power. It is also why the heavenly deities and the Buddhas and bodhisattvas throughout time and space are certain to protect us."

--- DAILY GOSHO ---

"Strengthen your faith day by day and month after month."
(On Persecutions Befalling the Sage - The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin,Vol.1, page 997)

Daily Guidance

---- DAILY ENCOURAGEMENT ----

"There are many places where members have had a difficult time gaining the understanding of the public and the government.... But Buddhism teaches the principle of changing poison into medicine. When the members in a region or country work together in a spirit of unity, they will definitely be able to make a breakthrough and increase understanding of our movement. This is what will enable kosen-rufu to greatly develop in the 21st century. This is Buddhism."

--- 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 ----

"The important thing is to burn with passion for what is right, to chant wholeheartedly, and to strive our hardest. If we do so, there is no barrier we cannot break through, no struggle we cannot win."

--- DAILY GOSHO ---

"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."
(Ongi kuden - Gosho Zenshu, page 790, The Record of the Orally Transmitted Teachings, page 214)

Daily Guidance

---- DAILY ENCOURAGEMENT ----

"Upon reaching a deadlock, it is best to return to the starting point. For Nichiren Buddhists, this means chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo. Since the Mystic Law is the fundamental Law of the universe, prayers invoking the Mystic Law have the power to make anything happen."

--- DAILY GOSHO ---

"Now when Nichiren and his followers chant Nam-myoho-renge-kyo, they should abide in the mind of faith that 'from thought to thought never entertains doubt'."
(Chapter Twenty-five: The Universal Gateway of the Bodhisattva Perceiver of the World's Sounds -- Five important points - The Record of the Orally Transmitted Teachings, page 181)

Daily Guidance

---- DAILY ENCOURAGEMENT ----

"Mr. Toda declared: 'The power of authority is like a tidal wave that swallows everything in its path. A person with shallow or half-hearted conviction can do nothing to stop it. You cannot stand up to and prevailover such power unless you are prepared to risk your life.' This is a crucial spirit. We're living in the Latter Day of the Law, an evil age defiled by the five impurities. Let's strive actively to expand this 'safe haven' of the people that is the Soka Gakkai!"

--- DAILY GOSHO ---

"Employ the strategy of the Lotus Sutra before any other."
(The Strategy of the Lotus Sutra - The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, Vol.1, page 1001)

Daily Guidance

---- DAILY ENCOURAGEMENT ----

"My mentor Josei Toda, the second president of the Soka Gakkai, declared: 'Our faith in the Daishonin's Buddhism assures us that we can definitely surmount any difficulty we face, any situation we encounter, whatever the times. It's important to have this conviction. This is, in fact, our life's treasure.' Always brimming with great conviction and with fresh and youthful determination, we strive to create an alliance for people's victory and prosperity. This is the essence of our movement of Soka humanism.
"The Swiss philosopher Carl Hilty (1833-1909) wrote: 'Being able to be happy in and through suffering is the highest thing we are capable of.' When an in extinguishable flame of courage and hope is transmitted from one person to another, it can give rise to a brightly burning fire that can illuminate society as a whole. This is what the kosen-rufu movement is all about."

--- DAILY GOSHO ---

"If you want to understand the causes that existed in the past, look at the results as they are manifested in the present. 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, Vol.1, page 279)

Daily Guidance

---- DAILY ENCOURAGEMENT ----

"If everyone is ruled by self-interest and selfishness, the community and society will fall apart. Soka Gakkai members are dedicated to overcoming the negative forces that seek to divide us from each other and building a beautiful world of mutual encouragement and support. Unity is positive; divisiveness is destructive. The power of people united can dispel the darkness of selfishness that prevails in our world today and bring the light of peace and happiness to our communities, societies, and the world."

--- DAILY GOSHO ---

"A blue fly, if it clings to the tail of a thoroughbred horse, can travel ten thousand miles, and the green ivy that twines around the tall pine can grow to a thousand feet."
(On Establishing the Correct Teaching for the Peace of the Land - The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, Vol.1, page 17)

Daily Guidance

---- DAILY ENCOURAGEMENT ----

"The Daishonin was deeply pained by the sight of the suffering and misery of the people. He writes: 'I have been brooding alone upon this matter, indignant in my heart' (WND-1, 7). Words could not fully express his emotions. His conclusion, arising from his immense compassion for those who were suffering, was that in order to bring happiness to the people and build a peaceful society, it was vital to establish the correct teaching for the peace of the land. At the foundation of this spirit to establish the correct teaching is an absolute reverence for the sanctity of life that affirms the supremely respectworthy Buddha nature in all living beings. And that is precisely why we must intrepidly fight against the devilish nature of authority that disregards or diminishes the value of life....
"The Daishonin's spirit of empathy -- the irrepressible impulse to help those who are suffering--has been inherited by the Soka Gakkai and is vibrantly alive among our members. Through imparting hope and winning trust, we can forge strong and deep bonds with others."

--- DAILY GOSHO ---

"If only you chant Nam-myoho-renge-kyo, then what offence could fail to be eradicated? What blessing could fail to come? This is the truth, and it is of great profundity. You should believe and accept it."
(Conversation between a Sage and an Unenlightened Man -The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, page 130)

Daily Guidance

---- DAILY ENCOURAGEMENT ----

"Shakyamuni Buddha called a person who was able to teach even one phrase of the Lotus Sutra to another an 'envoy of the Thus Come One' who 'was carrying out the Thus Come One's work' (cf. LS10, 162)-- in other words, a person who was enacting the behaviour of a Buddha. This is a perfect description of our activities as members of the SGI.
"A single concrete effort at the grassroots level is far nobler than a thousand grandiose but empty theories. The Russian author Leo Tolstoy (1828-1910) cited the words [of the French philosophical writer Félicité Lamennais (1782-1854)]: 'We must look to ordinary people to find truly heroic and selfless acts.'"

--- DAILY GOSHO ---

"It is like the case of a person who falls to the ground, but who then pushes himself up from the ground and rises to his feet again."
(The Proof of the Lotus Sutra - The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, Vol.1, page 1108)

Daily Guidance

---- DAILY ENCOURAGEMENT ----

"Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. (1929-68), the American civil rights champion, said: 'Cowardice is a submissive surrender to circumstance.' In otherwords, we shouldn't be ruled by fear was his message. 'Courage,' he declared, 'is an inner resolution to go forward in spite of obstacles and frightening situations.'"

--- DAILY GOSHO ---

"All disciples and lay supporters of Nichiren should chant Nam-myoho-renge-kyo with the spirit of many in body but one in mind, transcending all differences among themselves to become as inseparable as fish and the water in which they swim."
(The Heritage of the Ultimate Law of Life - The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, Vol.1, page 217)

Daily Guidance

---- DAILY ENCOURAGEMENT ----

"A Persian saying goes: 'A grateful dog is better than an ungrateful man.' Mr. Toda sternly warned against ingratitude. And the German philosopher Immanuel Kant (1724-1804) wrote: 'The devilish vices have a degree of wickedness that goes far beyond the human, and we include among them the following three: envy, ingratitude, and malice.'
"Kant was the philosopher whose writings Mr. Makiguchi read right up to hislast days in prison. Mr. Toda also frequently quoted Kant.
"Envy disrupts the harmonious body of practitioners. Ingratitude destroys the realm of Buddhism. When I stepped down as Soka Gakkai president (in1979), there were malicious forces that turned on us in enmity, resentful and envious of the astonishing growth the Soka Gakkai was achieving. A stern fate awaits the corrupt and degenerate. Those who look on silently and pretend not to see wrongdoing when it is being committed will regret their inaction forever.
"If our organisation is led astray by corrupt influences and loses the spirit of compassion and the spirit of mentor and disciple, it will no longer be a Buddhist organisation. This came close to happening once, and we must absolutely ensure that such a situation never arises again. I say this for the sake of the future.

--- DAILY GOSHO ---

"Nam-myoho-renge-kyo is like the roar of a lion. What sickness can therefore be an obstacle?"
(Reply to Kyo'o - The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, Vol. 1, page 412)
"Let's move forwards with enthusiasm and energy! Nothing makes me happierthan seeing all of you in high spirits."

Daily Guidance

---- DAILY ENCOURAGEMENT ----

"Just like we can't walk without legs, our organisation couldn't function without those who support it from behind the scenes. The most important and admirable of all are those who strive tirelessly on the front lines of our movement, the uncrowned champions who work for kosen-rufu at the grassroots level. I can never state this enough: leaders must never be arrogant."

--- DAILY GOSHO ---

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

Daily Guidance

--- WORDS OF THE WEEK ---

Spring is the season for change for many people, such as graduation, a new school to go to, a new job or a transfer.* Let's give our warm support and encouragement to those who are about to make a new start. Together with our wonderful Soka family, wherever we might be, it is certain that it is the Land of Eternally Tranquil Light.
*In Japan, a new school year and fiscal year starts in April.

--- 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 ----

"In our discussion on the realm of the human heart (at the Seikyo Shimbun building in September 1997), Dr. Seligman, the well-known American psychologist and former president of the American Psychological Association, pointed to a vital ingredient in dealing with setbacks in our careers or lives, or coping with suffering. What do you think that ingredient is? [Called on to give their answer, several members in the audience respond individually, 'The heart,' 'Conviction,' 'Resilience,' and so on.] Good answers. You're all very insightful. Dr. Seligman's answer, however, was 'optimism.' He defined optimism as the conviction that though one may failor have a painful experience somewhere, sometime, one can take action to change things. He also described optimism as hope. In the same positive vein, Nichiren Daishonin writes: 'Winter always turns to spring' (WND-1,536). The Daishonin's Buddhism pulses with an invincible spirit of optimism.
"We all have the power to overcome the most daunting circumstances. This is something that I'd like you to reflect on deeply."

--- DAILY GOSHO ---

"In that case, I will by all means meet with you as soon as possible and talk with you directly. Words cannot all be set down in a letter, and a letter never adequately conveys one's thoughts, so I will stop for now."
(Encouragement to a Sick Person - The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, Vol.1, page 82)

Daily Guidance

---- DAILY ENCOURAGEMENT ----

"To courageously take the initiative to reach out to others in dialogue; to speak to others openly and honestly from the heart-- such actions have the fundamental power to break through barriers of prejudice and misunderstanding."

--- DAILY GOSHO ---

"Abutsu-bo is therefore the treasure tower itself, and the treasure tower is Abutsu-bo himself. No other knowledge is purposeful. It is the treasure tower adorned with the seven kinds of treasures-- hearing the correct teaching, believing it, keeping the precepts, engaging in meditation, practising assiduously, renouncing one's attachments, and reflecting on oneself."
(On the Treasure Tower - The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, Vol.1, page 229)

Daily Guidance

---- DAILY ENCOURAGEMENT ----

"There is a treasured maxim in Malaysia that expresses an inspiring wisdom:“Hendak seribu daya, tak hendak seribu dalih. (When one truly seeks to achieve something, thousandfold power will arise; when one fails to do so, a thousand excuses will be found.)”
"In life, those who continue to seek and learn throughout their lives will always emerge victorious. It is a sad thing to give in to defeat."

--- DAILY GOSHO ---

"And could not this illness of your husband's be the Buddha's design, because the Vimalakirti and Nirvanasutras both teach that sick people will surely attain Buddhahood? Illness gives rise to the resolve to attain the way."
(The Good Medicine for All Ills - The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, Vol.1, page 937)

Daily Guidance

---- DAILY ENCOURAGEMENT ----

"We can't start a fire from flint if we stop halfway. If we do, all of our efforts up to that point would have been in vain. Similarly, we will be defeated if our faith is half-hearted. So warns the Daishonin.
"'Have profound faith. A coward cannot have any of his prayers answered'(WND-1, 1001)-- this famous passage is from a letter the Daishonin wrote to Shijo Kingo. Faith is the highest form of courage and the highest form of good.

--- DAILY GOSHO ---

"If one lights a fire for others, one will brighten one's own way."
(On the Three Virtues of Food - The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, Vol.2, page 1060)

Daily Guidance

---- DAILY ENCOURAGEMENT ----

"The secret to victory lies in deep and genuine unity that respects and treasures diversity. This is a point made by Nichiren Daishonin. Many otherwise figures throughout history, including the ancient Chinese general Zhuge Liang, have noted its importance. As the famous Malaysian proverb teaches us: 'Bersatu kita teguh, bercerai kita roboh. (Where there is unity there is strength, where there is division there is destruction.)'"

--- DAILY GOSHO ---

"But now you must build your reputation on the Lotus Sutra and give yourself up to it."
(The True Aspect of All Phenomena - The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, Vol.1, page 385)

Daily Guidance

---- DAILY ENCOURAGEMENT ----

"As the Daishonin says, it is the heart that is important. It's a matter of exerting millions of kalpas of effort in a single moment of life for the sake of Buddhism, for the noble cause of kosen-rufu. For us, not begrudging our life ultimately means steadfastly chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo without any fear, and wholeheartedly dedicating ourselves to showing actual proof of faith--for the sake of the world, for the sake of the future, and for the sake of others.
"Mr. Makiguchi described this as 'a selfless way of life of great good.' Such a way of life is characterised by overcoming both selfishness and fear, and striving for the happiness of both oneself and others. He explained:
"It is an ordinary way of life, a way of plain humanity -- such that anyone who consciously experiences it and comes to realise that it is universally accessible will feel an overwhelming desire to embrace it, and, indeed, will feel compelled to do so.
"Therefore, Mr. Makiguchi asserted that the Soka Kyoiku Gakkai (lit. Value-Creating Education Society; fore runner of the Soka Gakkai) 'was itself living proof of a life of great good.'
"In other words, selfless dedication is found in a seemingly ordinary way of life open to anyone. A true example of such dedication can be seen in our daily efforts for kosen-rufu, exerting ourselves body and soul to encourage others and sincerely sharing the greatness of Buddhism with those around us."

--- DAILY GOSHO ---

"When your beloved deceased father hears the sound of your voice chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo, he will delight in his Buddhahood."
(White Horses and White Swans - The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, Vol.1, page 1066)

Daily Guidance

---- DAILY ENCOURAGEMENT ----

"'Tricked by bait' is a metaphor for how human beings-- even though taking various measures and precautions to stay safe-- may be swept away by immediate desires or have a lapse of judgment due to narrow thinking, leading ultimately to their self-destruction. Sadly, this kind of human folly remains very much in evidence today.
"The Daishonin, therefore, counsels that rather than giving our life, our most valuable possession of all, for 'shallow, worldly matters,' we should dedicate it to: 'the Buddha's precious teachings.'
"Though we speak of 'not begrudging one's life,' the Daishonin's Buddhism is definitely not a teaching of reckless self-sacrifice or martyrdom. Mr. Makiguchi, Mr. Toda, and I-- the first three presidents of the Soka Gakkai-- have taken action with the resolve to advance kosen-rufu in such away that not a single member is sacrificed, and to willingly give our all towards that end."

--- 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."
(On Repaying Debts of Gratitude - The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, Vol.1, page 690)

Daily Guidance

---- DAILY ENCOURAGEMENT ----

"For what purpose, then, should we use this life, which is irreplaceable? In 'Letter from Sado,' the Daishonin teaches that by dedicating our life to the practice of Buddhism we can attain Buddhahood. To underscore the profound significance of such dedication, he first cites the 'Medicine King' (23rd) chapter of the Lotus Sutra. He then points to the examples of the boy Snow Mountains and the ascetic Aspiration for the Law -- both of whom represent Shakyamuni Buddha in past existences when he was carrying out bodhisattva practise -- to clarify that striving with an ungrudging spirit is the key to accomplishing our Buddhist practice.
"Further, the Daishonin notes that those who are prepared to give their lives will not hesitate to part with any other treasure. He is in effect saying with strict compassion to those of his followers who trembled at the thought of being persecuted and suffering such terrible consequences as having their fiefs confiscated: 'Aren't these present persecutions we are facing an unparalleled chance to give our lives in exchange for Buddhahood? Since the goal of attaining that supreme state of life is just ahead, what can we possibly have to fear?'
"This passage also conveys an important spirit that offers lessons for us today. One of these lessons, as noted above, is that simply clinging to our life will not result in attaining genuine happiness. It is by establishing a fundamental purpose and pursuing the correct course in life--ready to face any hardship this might entail -- that enables us to experience a deep sense of joy and fulfilment. If we allow ourselves to be controlled by shallow desires and begrudge our lives at a crucial moment, then our hearts will wither and only misery and regret will await us."

--- DAILY GOSHO ---

"Birds and crickets cry, but never shed tears. I, Nichiren, do not cry, but my tears flow ceaselessly. I shed my tears not for worldly affairs but solely for the sake of the Lotus Sutra."
(The True Aspect of All Phenomena - The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, page 386)

Daily Guidance

---- DAILY ENCOURAGEMENT ----

"A Buddhist doesn't simply pray to win without making any effort. If that was Buddhism, it would only teach people to be lazy and corrupt.
"As a Soka Gakkai member you need to work harder than anyone else at your job and, in order to become as efficient and productive as possible, study and think hard. Faith and daimoku enable us to bring forth a strong life-force and the necessary wisdom to succeed in that endeavour. Every job demands not only hard work but also presents a variety of other challenges, such as human relations problems and other difficulties. But your job is a place where you can polish and perfect yourself as a person.
"It's very important to give it your full effort, become the top performer in your workplace, and to win the trust of those around you. This will improve your performance and reputation.... And if that were to occur, you would regard your workplace as the most optimum.
"During gongyo each morning, you should pray with determination to do your best at your job that day, become a victor in your workplace, and demonstrate the power of your Buddhist faith. That's the key to fully manifesting your greatest strength and wisdom.... That's the Soka Gakkai spirit."

--- DAILY GOSHO ---

"Never seek this Gohonzon outside yourself. The Gohonzon exists only within the mortal flesh of us ordinary people who embrace the Lotus Sutra and chant Nam-myoho-renge-kyo.."
(The Real Aspect of the Gohonzon - The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin,Vol.1, page 832)

Daily Guidance

---- DAILY ENCOURAGEMENT ----

For those fellow members who are struggling to overcome problems right now, let's give them all the encouragement we can, sharing with them just how great this Buddhism of the sun is. Let's also hold the type of discussion meeting where everyone feels inspired to take the initiative in the advancement of kosen-rufu, brimming with the spirit of March 16th, Kosen-rufu Day!

--- DAILY GOSHO ---

"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' practice."
(Ongi kuden - Gosho Zenshu, page 790, The Record of the Orally Transmitted Teachings, page 214)

Daily Guidance

---- DAILY ENCOURAGEMENT ----

"'The most dreadful things in the world are the pain of fire, the flashing of swords, and the shadow of death. Even horses and cattle fear being killed; no wonder human beings are afraid of death. Even a leper clings to life; how much more so a healthy person.' (WND-1, 301)
"-- by launching into the main body of this letter with these opening words, the Daishonin powerfully draws attention to the concerns that weigh on all people's minds.
"To fear death and cling to life is the way of living beings. 'The pain of fire' indicates accidents or natural disasters, while 'the flashing of swords' means violence or war. It's probably true that nothing is more frightening than the 'shadow of death,' or the prospect of one's own demise. This is as true for animals as it is for human beings. But if we do nothing but fear death and cling to life, we cannot savour a truly profound existence. Why are we born? What is the purpose of our lives? Why do we die? It is only by earnestly contemplating our own existence that we can lead a life of great depth and meaning."

--- DAILY GOSHO ---

"Mugwort that grows in the midst of hemp, or a snake inside a tube [will as a matter of course become straight], and those who associate with people of good character will consequently become upright in heart, deed, and word."
(The Bodies and Minds of Ordinary Beings - The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, Vol.1, page 1128)

Daily Guidance

---- DAILY ENCOURAGEMENT ----

"Of course it's important to chant daimoku and do your best in Gakkai activities. But if you only focus on your Buddhist practice without making an honest effort at your workplace, you're just escaping from reality. So long as you have that attitude, the results will be the same, no matter where you work.
"Mr. Toda used to say: 'In faith, do the work of one; in your job, do the work of three.' That's the way of life for Gakkai members. And Nichiren Daishonin writes: 'Regard your service to your lord as the practice of the Lotus Sutra' (WND-1, 905). In other words, regard your work as your practice of the Lotus Sutra and throw yourself into it wholeheartedly. When you strive to become the best person in your workplace and win the trust of your employer and fellow employees, while at the same time making an earnest effort to practise Buddhism, you'll grow as a person. That's what I did. I worked until midnight day after day in order to keep Mr. Toda's businesses running."

--- DAILY GOSHO ---

"Bound as we common mortals are by earthly desires, we can instantly attain the same virtues as Shakyamuni Buddha, for we receive all the benefits that he accumulated. The sutra reads, 'Hoping to make all persons equal to me, without any distinction between us.'"
(Letter to the Sage Nichimyo - The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, Vol.1, page 323)

Daily Guidance

---- DAILY ENCOURAGEMENT ----

"As the Great Teacher T'ien-t'ai wrote: 'No worldly affairs of life or work are ever contrary to the true reality' (WND, 905). Worldly affairs are in no way separate or divorced from Buddhism. That's why the thoughts and actions of leading figures from society often have so much in common with Buddhism."

--- DAILY GOSHO ---

"A sword is useless in the hands of a coward. The mighty sword of the Lotus Sutra must be wielded by one courageous in faith. Then one will be as strong as a demon armed with an iron staff."
(Reply to Kyo'o - The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, page 412)

Daily Guidance

---- DAILY ENCOURAGEMENT ----

Our noble SGI friends from 60 different countries and regions are now here in Japan for a training course with great seeking spirits. United in heart and mind with them, let's strive together to achieve worldwide kosen-rufu, engaging in courageous and confident dialogue about the Mystic Law with as many people as we possibly can!

--- 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 ----

"Though having been regarded as something of an under achiever during his school days at Harrow, Winston Churchill (1874–1965), the wartime British prime minister, later returned to his alma mater as the nation's prime minister during World War II and appealed to its students: 'Never give in, never give in, never, never, never, never.' I have imparted these words to my beloved students of the Soka schools in the past. And the quote continues as follows: 'In nothing, great or small, large or petty-- never give in except to convictions of honour and good sense.'"

--- DAILY GOSHO ---

"And now the place where Nichiren and his followers chant Nam-myoho-renge-kyo, 'whether... in mountain valleys or the wide wilderness' (chapter twenty-one, Supernatural Powers), these places are all the Land of Eternally Tranquil Light."
(Ongi kuden - Gosho Zenshu, page 781, The Record of the Orally Transmitted Teachings, page 192)

Daily Guidance

---- DAILY ENCOURAGEMENT ----

"As the great champion of Indian independence Mahatma Gandhi (1869-1948)once observed: 'A small body of determined spirits fired by an unquenchable faith in their mission can alter the course of history.'"

--- DAILY GOSHO ---

"Or again we may say that our head corresponds to myo, our throat to ho, our chest to ren, our stomach to ge, and our legs to kyo. Hence this five-foot body of ours constitutes the five characters of Myoho-renge-kyo."
(Ongi kuden - Gosho Zenshu, 716, The Record of the Orally Transmitted Teachings, page 28)

Daily Guidance

---- DAILY ENCOURAGEMENT ----

"Buddhism also teaches about gratitude. In Buddhism, gratitude is not something that reinforces society's hierarchical relationships. Rather, Buddhism speaks of gratitude for all living beings, advocating a philosophyof being open to society, accepting others, and cultivating a spirit of mutual trust.
"Shin'ichi Yamamoto asked Konosuke Matsushita* about his view of gratitude. Matsushita placed great importance on this virtue, saying that gratitude and appreciation were the foundation for his faith and life, and also among his fundamental business principles to share with his employees. 'The spirit of gratitude,' he wrote, 'imparts immeasurable joy and vitality to our hearts, and as long as we have a keen sense of it, it serves as a wellspring that enables us to overcome every form of adversity and welcome true happiness into our lives. Gratitude enriches our lives to an incomparable degree.'"

--- DAILY GOSHO ---

"Believe in this mandala with all your heart. Nam-myoho-renge-kyo is like the roar of a lion. What sickness can therefore be an obstacle?"
(Reply to Kyo'o - The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, page 412)

Daily Guidance

---- DAILY ENCOURAGEMENT ----

"Those who face adversity with hope and the willingness to try their very best don't consider the process as painful. As the champion of Indian independence Mahatma Gandhi (1869-1948) observed: 'Satisfaction lies in the effort, not in the attainment. Full effort is full victory.'"

--- DAILY GOSHO ---

"(The deities Same Name and Same Birth protect people.) If one's mind is strong, then their protection is great."
(How the Gods Protect the Place of Practice - Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, Vol. 2, page 668)

Daily Guidance

---- DAILY ENCOURAGEMENT ----

By believing and practising the Mystic Law, we can definitely change poison into medicine.* Although some of us might be facing a great struggle in weathering the economic storm right now, let's never give up, no matter what! The inner strength of your Buddha nature is absolutely infinite.
* Changing Poison into Medicine- http://www.sgi.org/changing poison.html

--- 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 ----

""...one of the titles of the Buddha is 'One Who Can Endure.' With the great power of endurance, build a life as indestructible and imperishable as a diamond.
''Don’t be defeated!''Resolutely take the lead!'-- my mentor's voice still resonates powerfully in the depths of my being.
"My mentor Josei Toda rousingly encouraged a suffering friend, saying:
"All people face periods of despair. But if we endure such times and ride them through, then all those problems and worries will later come to seem small and insignificant. Nothing can obstruct the tremendous power of theMystic Law. If you rise up boldly in the face of devilish functions with the firm resolve to battle them head-on and win, they'll beat a hasty retreat. No matter what happens, just keep sending them flying!"

--- DAILY GOSHO ---

"When someone reported to me, however, that you had been taken with this illness, day and night, morning and evening I addressed the Lotus Sutra on the matter, morning and evening I implored the gods of the blue heavens. And now today I have received word that you have recovered from illness. Could any tidings be more joyful than these?"
(Recovering from Illness - The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, Vol.2, page 1034)

Daily Guidance

---- DAILY ENCOURAGEMENT ----

"Making one’s way through life actively avoiding hard work and tough challenges will produce nothing of true lasting value. Young people, inparticular, need to throw themselves into their chosen task, roll up their sleeves, grit their teeth, and bravely weather all hardships and difficulties as they steadily work toward fulfilling their mission. That indomitable, invincible spirit is the highest honour a youth can earn."

--- DAILY GOSHO ---

"A blue fly, if it clings to the tail of a thorough bredhorse, can travel ten thousand miles, and the green ivy that twines around the tall pine can grow to a thousand feet."
(On Establishing the Correct Teaching for the Peace of the Land - The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, Vol.1, page 17)

Daily Guidance

---- DAILY ENCOURAGEMENT ----

"In Buddhism, the world we live in is called the 'saha world.' 'Saha' means' endurance.' We all struggle with various problems and difficulties that press in upon us. What is crucial is whether we can endure and triumph over them. Life is a struggle for which we need an invincible spirit.
"Nichiren Daishonin, too, placed utmost importance on an invincible spirit. Indeed, we can see this spirit burning brightly throughout his writings.

--- DAILY GOSHO ---

"Consider this: if one cannot cross a moat ten feet wide, can one cross a moat that is twenty or thirty feet wide? If you cannot bring about rainfall, which is easy, how can you attain rebirth in the pure land and achieve Buddhahood, which is difficult?"
(The Letter to Petition from Yorimoto - The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, Vol.1, page 808)

Daily Guidance

---- DAILY ENCOURAGEMENT ----

"If we let opportunities slip by because of indecision, we are likely to lose even struggles that we could have won. A delayed response can even lead to serious setbacks or defeats. This is a golden rule that applies in all things."

--- DAILY GOSHO ---

"It seems to me that on the path to attain Buddhahood it may invariably be when one has done something like lay down one's life that one becomes a Buddha."
(Banishment to Sado - The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, Vol. 1, page 202)

Daily Guidance

--- 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, page 283)

---- DAILY ENCOURAGEMENT ----

"The secret of success in business is to take personal initiative and action instead of relying on others."

Daily Guidance

---- DAILY ENCOURAGEMENT ----

"I’ll never forget my dialogue with the eminent American economist John Kenneth Galbraith (1908–2006). Dr. Galbraith took great pride in his contribution to the speedy inception of the New Deal under U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt (1882–1945), at the time of the Great Depression in the 1930s. In his first inaugural address, Roosevelt said: “There are many ways in which it [the pressing task at hand] can be helped, but it can never be helped merely by talking about it. We must act, and act quickly.” Swift action is always critical."

--- DAILY GOSHO ---

"Strengthen your faith day by day and month after month."
(On Persecutions Befalling the Sage - The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, Vol.1, page 997)