---- 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
(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
"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."
"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)
(On Attaining Buddhahood in This Lifetime - The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, Vol.1, page 4)
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