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)