---- 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."
"-- 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)
(The Bodies and Minds of Ordinary Beings - The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, Vol.1, page 1128)
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