Daily Guidance

---- DAILY ENCOURAGEMENT ----

"The French author Victor Hugo (1802-85) declared: 'Isolated forces cancel each other out.' Working together in unity is very important. For the continued success of our movement, we need to keep building a solid alliance for truth and justice.
"Religion is often seen as being self-righteous and isolating. However, the Daishonin writes: 'What does Bodhisattva Never Disparaging's profound respect for people signify? The purpose of the appearance in this world of Shakyamuni Buddha, the lord of teachings, lies in his behaviour as a human being' (WND-1, 852). Buddhism seeks to enable all people to behave with the utmost humanity.
"As our practice and understanding of the principles of Buddhism deepen, we develop the ability to transcend all differences and open our hearts to anyone, helping them form a connection with Buddhism. We are able to forge warm bonds of friendship with those we meet and interact with them sincerely. This leads to the expansion of a network of good people and the creation of the values of peace, culture, and education. This is the humanistic path of Nichiren Daishonin's Buddhism. The SGI is a great alliance for peace bringing people together everywhere."

--- DAILY GOSHO ---

"Three things are required-- a good teacher, a good believer, and a good teaching-- before prayers can be effective and disasters banished from the land."
(How Those Initially Aspiring to the Way Can Attain Buddhahood through the Lotus Sutra - The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, Vol.1, page 880)

Daily Guidance

---- DAILY ENCOURAGEMENT ----

"Each encounter with another person is a priceless opportunity. Interacting with people entails an earnest struggle waged with sincerity and integrity. There can be no missteps.

--- 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 sunrise 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 Daishonin states: 'The Law does not spread by itself: because people propagate it, both people and the Law are respectworthy' (GZ, 856). People who are eager to share Buddhism with others are essential. Through courageous dialogue, they can inspire others and change their times and societies for the better. Dialogue has immense power."

--- DAILY GOSHO ---

"More valuable than treasures in a storehouse are the treasures of the body, and the treasures of the heart are the most valuable of all."
(The Three Kinds of Treasure - The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, Vol.1, page 851)

Daily Guidance

---- DAILY ENCOURAGEMENT ----

"This challenge is so difficult because remaining steadfast in faith means battling the ignorance or darkness in the depths of our lives-- in other words, making continuous efforts to transform our lives on a fundamental level. This is an extremely arduous path because those who pursue it are certain to be assailed by the three obstacles and four devils, along with the three powerful enemies. However, we can only truly attain Buddhahood by defeating these obstacles and steadfastly working on our inner transformation."

--- DAILY GOSHO ---

"In the light of the Buddha's prophecy, 'the last five-hundred-year period' has already begun. I say that without fail Buddhism will arise and flow forth from the east, from the land of Japan."
(On the Buddha's Prophecy - The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, Vol.1, page 401)

Daily Guidance

---- DAILY ENCOURAGEMENT ----

"Kosen-rufu is a struggle. It is a fierce battle between the Buddha and negative forces. It can never be won through half-hearted efforts. That is why it is so important to stay true to our convictions, to summon all our wisdom, and to do our utmost--so that we can win in that struggle."

--- DAILY GOSHO ---

"There are six causes of illness: ... (3) inappropriatepractice of seated meditation..."
(On Curing Karmic Disease - The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, Vol.1, page 631)

Daily Guidance

---- DAILY ENCOURAGEMENT ----

"“Once you take the first step, overcoming each difficulty that arises is an easy matter.' These are the confident words of Madame Xie Bingxin (1900-99; commonly known by her pen name Bing Xin), a great Chinese writer with whom my wife and I enjoyed an unforgettable friendship. She wrote this in a letter one January during a period that was fraught with hardship and adversity.
"In this Year of Youth and Victory, let us take action with a youthful and courageous spirit, one step after another. Let us keep pressing energetically forward, ever forward, towards a glorious golden victory."

--- DAILY GOSHO ---

"The people of today all turn their backs upon what is right; to a person, they give their allegiance to evil. This is the reason that the benevolent deities have abandoned the nation and departed together, that sage sleave and do not return. And in their stead devils and demons come, and disasters and calamities occur. I cannot keep silent on this matter. I cannot suppress my fears."
(On Establishing the Correct Teaching for the Peace of the Land - The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, Vol.1, page 7)

Daily Guidance

---- DAILY ENCOURAGEMENT ----

"As a wise champion of kosen-rufu upholding Buddhism, take pride and lead the way to victory.
"I once sent this poem to a member who was struggling against adversity. He immediately responded with a letter expressing his determination, and he cited a quote from the Swiss philosopher Carl Hilty (1833-1909) to the effect that people who have suffered in life only trust those who've experienced hardship themselves. His letter closed with the pledge: 'With that resolve, I will strive to become truly wise, sparing no effort.'
"Hilty himself lived a life filled with difficulties, but to a friend who visited him in his final year he said: 'If I were to erase all of the sufferings from my life, I would have no good memories left. Everything grew out of such times [of suffering].' By encountering many obstacles, a genuine leader is able to develop the ability to guide and encourage others. This is a principle that we should never forget."

--- 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, page681)

Daily Guidance

---- DAILY ENCOURAGEMENT ----

"A compassionate life dedicated to working for the welfare of all living beings is a joyous one.
"In his treatise 'The Opening of the Eyes,' Nichiren Daishonin writes: '[In his earlier teachings, Shakyamuni Buddha] spoke of the present world as an impure land. But now, in the 'Life Span' chapter [of the Lotus Sutra], he has reversed this, revealing that this world is the true land' (WND-1,256). Our communities are the 'true land' of our mission. We should, therefore, not lament about the places where we find ourselves right now. The challenge falls to us to transform them, through our own efforts, into victorious Lands of Tranquil Light--realms of Buddhahood. Such is a way of life based on the essential teaching of the Lotus Sutra."

--- DAILY GOSHO ---

"Nevertheless, I vowed to summon up a powerful and unconquerable desire for the salvation of all beings and never to falter in my efforts."
(The Opening of the Eyes - The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, Vol.1, page 240)

Daily Guidance

---- DAILY ENCOURAGEMENT ----

"Recently, researchers of Harvard Medical School and the University of California, San Diego, published findings indicating that happiness is contagious. Their conclusions are based on a study of about 5,000 individuals over a 20-year period. According to their research, when one person feels happy, that happiness spreads like a ripple from friend to friend. Indeed, if one's next-door neighbour is happy, the likelihood that one will feel happy as well increases 34 percent. This research supports the idea that a zone of happiness can be spread through a social network.
"The world economy is in the direst of straits right now, and many are concerned about the impact that it is having on people's morale and spiritual welfare. It is precisely at this time that the example of our wise and committed SGI members standing up bravely in their communities and societies can serve as an incredible source of hope and inspiration for many others. In particular, nothing is more noble than the united efforts of our women's and young women's division members who are always earnestly chanting for the cause of good and warmly encouraging everyone. As Mr. Toda asserted:'The vibrant example of a woman who upholds the Mystic Law is more powerful than a hundred sermons or books.'"

--- DAILY GOSHO ---

"Fortune comes from one's heart and makes one worthy of respect."
(New Year's Gosho - The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin,Vol.1, page 1137)

Daily Guidance

---- DAILY ENCOURAGEMENT ----

"To one of his trustworthy lay disciples, the Daishonin writes: 'Can it be that Shakyamuni Buddha or the Bodhisattvas of the Earth have entered into your body? I entrust you with the propagation of Buddhism in your province'(WND-1, 1117). Carrying out kosen-rufu in our communities is the sacred task entrusted to us directly by the Daishonin, the Buddha of the Latter Day. That is why the wisdom and power of the Buddha to share the Law with many others flows vibrantly in our chapters, districts, and groups, which are striving in the same spirit as the Daishonin. There is absolutely no doubt that capable Bodhisattvas of the Earth will continue to joyously emerge, and that the heavenly deities will always staunchly protect us.
"The activities of SGI members everywhere and their sincere contributions to society are beacons of hope and reassurance for their local communities.
"Contribute to the enduring prosperity of your beautiful communities, through fostering harmonious relations, enjoying long, fulfilling lives, and bringing happiness to bloom."

--- DAILY GOSHO ---

"Therefore when we speak of withdrawing or departing, it refers to a 'departure that is not a departure.'"
(Ongi kuden - Gosho Zenshu, page 719, The Record of the Orally Transmitted Teachings, page 36)

Daily Guidance

---- DAILY ENCOURAGEMENT ----

". The Daishonin emphasises that the essence of faith is in 'transcending all differences among themselves' (WND-1, 217). When each of us, in divers espheres of endeavour, loses the spirit to advance toward kosen-rufu with the shared commitment of our mentor and to advance harmoniously with our fellow members, we stray from the path of faith and our belief immediately falters. Then we are liable to succumb to the fundamental darkness inherent in our lives."

--- DAILY GOSHO ---

"The lion king fears no other beast, nor do its cubs. Slanderers are like barking foxes, but 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 ----

"Everything comes down to striving with a sense of joy at each moment, believing that the area we find ourselves in right now-- no matter how small or how challenging it might be-- is the shining stage on which we can make a difference in this life."
SGI Newsletter No. 7688, THE WRITINGS OF NICHIREN DAISHONIN AND THE MENTOR-DISCIPLE RELATIONSHIP [NEW SERIES] {2} The "Threefold Transformation of the Land" --Part 2 {of 2}, from the Dec. 12th, 2008, issue of the Seikyo Shimbun, translated Jan 15th, 2009

--- DAILY GOSHO ---

"The mighty sword of the Lotus Sutra must be wielded by one courageous in faith."
(Reply to Kyo'o - The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, Vol. 1, page 412)

Daily Guidance

---- Daily Encouragement ----

Let's chant daimoku to achieve kosen-rufu, sincerely and seriously. Let's be perfectly united with the spirit of "many in body but one in mind."Let's continually base our actions on the selfless spirit of "never begrudging our bodies or lives."*What is important is to have the same faith, the same prayer, as our mentor, committing ourselves together to the same cause.
* fushaku shinmyo (Japanese) - "never begrudging our bodies or lives" as in the passage "But although it will be difficult to teach and convert them, we will summon up the power of great patience and will read and recite this sutra, embrace, preach and copy it, offering it many kinds of alms and never begrudging our bodies or lives."("Encouraging Devotion" chapter of the Lotus Sutra)
** The ultimate meaning of faith is to treasure Nam-myoho-renge-kyo even more highly than our own lives. It is to devote ourselves entirely to achieving the widespread propagation of the Mystic Law. Concretely speaking, this means advancing together with the SGI, thoroughly protecting the SGI, and practicing together with the SGI, in both times of hardship and times of joy. Apart from the SGI, there is no kosen-rufu of the Mystic Law. (The Wisdom of the Lotus Sutra, Volume 3, page 146)

--- DAILY GOSHO ---

"No matter how earnestly Nichiren prays for you, if you lack faith, it will be like trying to set fire to wettinder. 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 ----

"...wherever we spread the Mystic Law, all Buddhas and bodhisattvas throughout the universe will gather joyously to praise and protect us. The teachings subsequently expounded by Shakyamuni in the Ceremony in the Air -- which begins with the 'threefold transformation of the land' -- clearly attest to this.
"Kosen-rufu is the process of spreading the Mystic Law in this troubled, strife-filled world. Dedicating our lives to kosen-rufu means taking on the struggle inherent in the 'threefold transformation of the land' -- the struggle to fundamentally transform society -- a place afflicted by the three poisons of greed, anger, and foolishness -- into a Buddha land.
"And, further, from the standpoint of life-condition or state of being, the 'threefold transformation of the land' is a demonstration of the boundless virtues possessed by the two Buddhas Shakyamuni and Many Treasures. It also represents the unification or merging of all the Buddhas throughout the three existences who are emanations of Shakyamuni. Buddhas and bodhisattvas from every corner of the universe, seeking the Law and their teacher, travel from afar to assemble in the saha world. This gives us an indication of the towering life-state of Shakyamuni, brimming with infinite wisdom and compassion, as he preached the Lotus Sutra. This is a testament to the greatness of the Mystic Law that underlies this life-state -- a life-state that all of us who dedicate our lives to the Mystic Law are also able to attain."

--- DAILY GOSHO ---

"Iron, when heated in the flames and pounded, becomes a fine sword."
(Letter from Sado - The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, Vol.1, page 303)

Daily Guidance

---- DAILY ENCOURAGEMENT ----

"...from the perspective of Nichiren Buddhism, the moment we decide to transform our environment, our lives undergo a tremendous change. This is because when we forge a deep and unwavering resolve to embark on this undertaking, we immediately vanquish all of the three categories of illusions.* As a result, our environment, or the land, also changes without fail.
"The 'threefold transformation of the land' essentially represents the challenge of doing our human revolution to smash through the tiny shell of our lesser self. This means vigorously chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo and courageously initiating efforts for kosen-rufu with the same spirit as our teacher or mentor in faith. Victory lies in taking action right here and now, not sometime in the future."

--- DAILY GOSHO ---

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

Daily Guidance

---- DAILY ENCOURAGEMENT ----

"Those who strive to 'establish the correct teaching for the peace of the land' as taught by Nichiren Daishonin and achieve kosen-rufu will no doubt face obstacles and hardships. As the Daishonin writes: 'Without tribulation there would be no votary of the Lotus Sutra' (WND-1, 33). The Daishonin teaches that the world is ruled by the devil king of the sixth heaven. The term 'devil' indicates the negative functions of life that cause unhappiness and misfortune. Discrimination, domination, the desire to harm and kill -- all these are due to the devilish functions operating within the human heart and mind.
"Buddhism teaches that the origin of these devilish functions is the fundamental darkness or ignorance residing at the very foundation of life. The life-state of the Buddha is the key to overcoming this ignorance or darkness. Kosen-rufu is the struggle to awaken the life-state of Buddhahood in all people and vanquish the darkness and ignorance that is the root of all unhappiness. Because of that, wherever kosen-rufu is advancing, there is a tremendous struggle going on between the Buddha and devilish functions, which appears in the form of persecutions of those who uphold and spread the Mystic Law.".

--- 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."
(The Opening of the Eyes - The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, Vol.1, page 283)

Daily Guidance

---- DAILY ENCOURAGEMENT ----

"Tolstoy said that when we look up into the heavens, we see infinite numbers of stars and planets, similarly, when we look inside ourselves, we see something that we call the spirit, and realise that it is even greater and more wondrous than the star-filled universe. This is an idea that has much in common with the Buddhist view of life and the cosmos.
"Nichiren Daishonin writes: 'Winter always turns to spring' (WND-1, 536). Our Russian members, bracing themselves against winter blizzards, are especially fond of these words. From within our lives, we can bring the sun to shine forth, undefeated by the adversities of winter, and we can bring the flowers of spring into bloom."

--- DAILY GOSHO ---

"Misfortune comes from one's mouth and ruins one, but fortune comes from one's heart and makes one worthy of respect."
(New Year's Gosho - The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, Vol. 1, page 1137)

Daily Guidance

---- DAILY GUIDANCE ----

Let's hold really cheerful and vibrant discussion meetings this month, where all of us feel inspired to support the success and victory of kosen-rufu. Both victory and success depend on the momentum of our advancement. Let's build castles of happiness in our districts where everyone is in splendid full bloom.

--- DAILY GOSHO ---

"Therefore, those who become Nichiren's disciples and lay believers should realise the profound karmic relationship they share with him and spread the Lotus Sutra as he does."
(Letter to Jakunichi-bo - The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, Vol.1, page 994)

Daily Guidance

---- DAILY ENCOURAGEMENT ----

"The global financial crisis has plunged the world into a period of ever greater anxiety and uncertainty. People are realising that things cannot continue as they have been, and they're seeking a sound philosophy of peace and prosperity.
"My friends in the youth division, now is the time to speak out with even greater conviction, energy, and vigour for our hope-filled philosophy of the dignity of life and human revolution. Be bold! Dedicating your lives resolutely for the happiness of yourselves and others is the most fulfilling life there is-- as the Daishonin says. 'the treasures of the heart are the most valuable of all' (WND-1, 851). There must not be a single coward in the Soka Gakkai."

--- 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 ----

"René Dubos (1901-82), the eminent French-American microbiologist whom I met at the recommendation of British historian Arnold J. Toynbee (1889-1975), warned: 'Despite our scientific and technological triumphs we suffer from a loss of nerve and have become a conservative society satisfied with continuing on our present course.'
"Humankind today needs courage and hope to choose a new path of change -- for the sake of achieving sustainable development and for lasting peace. The noble mission of the SGI is to impart the energy of courage and the philosophy of hope to societies around the world.
"Our movement is not something abstract or beyond the scope of daily life. It is manifested in our relationships with those in our immediate surroundings, the people around us, in our neighbourhoods, communities, and societies. It is a movement that spreads from individual to individual, through sincere and earnest one-on-one dialogue."

--- DAILY GOSHO ---

"More valuable than treasures in a storehouse are the treasures of the body, and the treasures of the heart are the most valuable of all."
(The Three Kinds of Treasure - The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, Vol.1, page 851)