Daily Guidance

---- DAILY ENCOURAGEMENT ----

"Venezuela is a land filled with hope and an impressive array of talentedpeople. The Venezuelan historian Arístides Rojas (1826-94) declared in thispassage that strikes home to me: 'Valour is necessary for finding goodfortune or reaping the reward for all one's exertions.' Valour also entailsbeing true to one's pledges. On the other hand, neglecting to keep one'spromises is a sign of cowardice and mean-spiritedness."

--- DAILY GOSHO ---

"Now, no matter what ,strive in faith and be known as a votary of the LotusSutra, and remain my disciple for the rest of your life."
(The True Aspect of All Phenomena- The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, page385)

Daily Guidance

---- DAILY ENCOURAGEMENT ----

"It was the Bodhisattvas of the Earth who, at the assembly of the LotusSutra, were entrusted with the mission of kosen-rufu in the Latter of Day ofthe Law. When we make this mission our own, we manifest the inherentlife-state of Buddhahood along with the four virtues and four elementsrepresented by the four leaders of the Bodhisattvas of the Earth. That iswhat enables us to fundamentally transform our state of life, carry out ourhuman revolution, and change our karma."In this way, just as we are, we are able to bring our lives to shinebrightly and, as we overcome various difficulties--such as illness,financial hardship, or in our relationships with others--demonstrate proofof the beneficial power of the Mystic Law. Indeed, we have karma preciselyso that we can show actual proof of the Daishonin's Buddhism by changing it.The German composer Ludwig van Beethoven (1770-1827) wrote: 'I will boldlymeet my fate, never shall it succeed in crushing me. Oh! it is so gloriousto live one's life a thousand times over!' His words resonate with the Sokaspirit of faith."

--- DAILY GOSHO ---

"Whatever trouble occurs, regard it as no more than a dream, and think onlyof the Lotus Sutra."
(Letter to the Brothers - The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, page 502)

Daily Guidance

---- DAILY ENCOURAGEMENT ----

"The Chinese writer Ba Jin (1904-2005), ... wrote: 'If you take the firststep, the second will be easier. If someone takes the lead, they will not belacking in others to follow after them.'"

--- DAILY GOSHO ---

"The mighty sword of the Lotus Sutra must be wielded by one courageous infaith. 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 ----

"Perseverance is indispensable in achieving anything of importance. If westop digging a well after a few feet because we find it too tiring, we’llnever hit water."

--- DAILY GOSHO ---

"And yet, though one might point at the earth and miss it, though one mightbind 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 thepractitioner of the Lotus Sutra would go unanswered."
(On Prayer - The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, page 345)

Daily Guidance

---- WORDS OF THE WEEK ----

"The voice carries out the work of the Buddha"*Let's courageously speak out by using the strength of the Buddha!Then the Buddhist gods, the protective forces of the universe, willdefinitely assist us.Let's do our very best by taking the offensive until the very last moment inall our challenges and strugglesso that we can proudly and gloriously raise the flag of great victory!

--- DAILY GOSHO ---

"If you stop to consider, you will realise that, at one time or another inthe past, all men have been your father and all women, your mother. Thus, inthe course of all the many lifetimes and existences you have lived through,you have come to owe a debt of gratitude to all living beings. And sincethis is so, you should help all of them to attain Buddhahood."

(The Four Virtues and the Four Debts of Gratitude - The Writings of NichirenDaishonin, Volume 2, page 637)

Daily Guidance

---- DAILY ENCOURAGEMENT ----

"Sincerity touches the hearts of others."

--- DAILY GOSHO ---

"And yet, though one might point at the earth and miss it, though one mightbind 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 thepractitioner of the Lotus Sutra would go unanswered."

(On Prayer - The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, page 345)

Daily Guidance

---- DAILY ENCOURAGEMENT ----

"Resolving to do something only takes a moment, but it determines the courseof our life and our future. If we don't make determinations, our life willnot progress or develop."

--- DAILY GOSHO ---

"What does Bodhisattva Never Disparaging's profound respect for peoplesignify? The purpose of the appearance in this world of Shakyamuni Buddha,the lord of teachings, lies in his behaviour as a human being."
(The Three Kinds of Treasure - The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, page 852)

Daily Guidance

Saturday, April 14, 2007

---- DAILY ENCOURAGEMENT ----

"Actual proof is powerful. Actually changing our circumstances is the key tovictory in life."

--- DAILY GOSHO ---

"It is said that, if a teacher has a good disciple, both will gain the fruitof Buddhahood, but if a teacher fosters a bad disciple, both will fall intohell. If teacher and disciple are of different minds, they will neveraccomplish anything."(Flowering and Bearing Grain - The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, page 909)

Daily Guidance

---- DAILY ENCOURAGEMENT ----

"A sincere, kind word can open the door to a person's heart. Courageouslyengaging in dialogue strengthens and deepens our ties with others."

--- DAILY GOSHO ---

"What a joy it is for us to have been born in the Latter Day of the Law andto have shared in the propagation of the Lotus Sutra! How pitiful are thosewho, though born in this time, cannot believe in this sutra!"(Letter to Niike - The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, page 1026)

Daily Guidance

---- DAILY ENCOURAGEMENT ----

"A vital aspect of our Buddhist practice lies in continuing it throughoutour lives. In his 'Letter to Niike,' the Daishonin emphasizes the importanceof maintaining faith to the very end:''Be diligent in developing your faith until the last moment of your life.Otherwise you will have regrets. For example, the journey from Kamakura toKyoto takes twelve days. If you travel for eleven but stop with only one dayremaining, how can you admire the moon over the capital?' (WND-1, 1027)This is a well-known passage. Though having had the great good fortune toembrace the Daishonin's Buddhism, if we stop practising before we reach theend of our life, we won't be able to attain the ultimate summit ofBuddhahood. Since the flame of Buddhist practice is easily extinguished, theDaishonin urges us to remain diligent in developing our faith."Why is the flame of faith easily extinguished? Because people allowthemselves to be defeated by the desire for fame and fortune or byonslaughts of the three obstacles and four devils. Hence the Daishonin says:'Strengthen your faith day by day and month after month. Should you slackenin your resolve even a bit, devils will take advantage' (WND-1, 997). Aslackening or wavering in our resolve or faith triggers our fundamentaldarkness, our negativity. To maintain faith throughout our lives, therefore,rests on our resolve to keep on striving in our Buddhist practise."

--- 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,page 637)

Daily Guidance

---- DAILY ENCOURAGEMENT ----

"There is a proper time for everything. The key to the success of anyimportant undertaking is to act at the most appropriate time. Failing toseize the moment can imperil the future."

--- DAILY GOSHO ---

"Believe in this mandala with all your heart.Nam-myoho-renge-kyo is like the roar of a lion. Whatsickness can therefore be an obstacle?"(Reply to Kyo'o - The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, page997)

Daily Guidance

---- WORDS OF THE WEEK ----

To all of our fellow members throughout Japan (and all over the world),please accept my sincere appreciation and deep respect,from the bottom of my heart,for all of your dedicated efforts towards achieving our goals and targets!Now, let's strongly determine that we will continuallybe victorious and successful so that we can gloriouslycelebrate "May 3rd (Soka Gakkai Day)"!Let's together make unwavering great advancements!

--- DAILY GOSHO ---

"If Nichiren's compassion is truly great and encompassing,Nam-myoho-renge-kyo will spread for ten thousand years and more"
(On Repaying Debts of Gratitude - The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, page736)

Daily Guidance

---- DAILY ENCOURAGEMENT ----

"I would like to say something regarding the Buddhist principle of causalitythat operates over the three existences of past, present, and future. Animportant point, first of all, is that in his discussions of causality, theDaishonin always places primary focus on the present. In 'The Opening of theEyes,' he quotes a passage from the Contemplation on the Mind-Ground Sutraon the workings of causality over the three existences:"'If you want to understand the causes that existed in the past, look at theresults as they are manifested in the present. And if you want to understandwhat results will be manifested in the future, look at the causes that existin the present'.(WND-1, 279)"I was deeply struck by these words when I first read them in my youth,because they drove home to me that nothing is more important than thepresent and our own faith when it comes to cause and effect. This sutrapassage and the Daishonin's related explanation in 'The Opening of the Eyes'clarify that the essence of the Buddhist view of causality lies in changingour present self. We see the Daishonin express both unassailable confidencein being able to transform any negative karma from the past, and boundlesshope in the certainty of enjoying immense happiness in future lifetimes--allachieved as a result of his present actions for the sake of the Law (cf.WND-1, 287)."The Daishonin's Buddhism enables us to establish a solid self in thepresent so that we can transform past sorrows and misery into inexhaustiblehope for the future. The heart of the Daishonin's teaching is that no matterwhat difficulties we may now face, we should earnestly challenge the presentwith unflagging optimism and the belief that we can change the future."In any event, our faith, our Buddhist practice, in this existencedetermines the direction of all of our lifetimes throughout past, present,and future--that is, whether they will be pervaded by happiness andcompassion, or by sorrow and darkness."Faith means infinite hope. There is not the slightest doubt that we cancreate the causes for our eternal future happiness in this present lifetimeand in this present moment."

--- DAILY GOSHO ---

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

Daily Guidance

---- DAILY ENCOURAGEMENT ----

"When you respond sincerely to the sincerity of another, allowing yourselfto be moved to action. you make history and create a new chapter in life's epic."

--- DAILY GOSHO ---

"All disciples and lay supporters of Nichiren should chantNam-myoho-renge-kyo with the spirit of many in body but one in mind,transcending all differences among themselves to become as inseparable asfish and the water in which they swim. This spiritual bond is the basis forthe universal transmission of the ultimate Law of life and death. Hereinlies the true goal of Nichiren's propagation. When you are so united, eventhe great desire for widespread propagation can be fulfilled."
(The Heritage of the Ultimate Law of Life - The Writings of NichirenDaishonin, page 217)

Daily Guidance

SATURDAY, April 7th, 2007

---- DAILY ENCOURAGEMENT ----

"The great Russian writer Leo Tolstoy (1828-1910) said: 'Never postpone agood deed if you can do it today.' In order to achieve victory in thefuture, we must give our all in the present. We must win in every moment."

--- DAILY GOSHO ---

"... become the master of your mind rather than let your mind master you."(Letter to The Brothers - The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, page 502)

Daily Guidance

FRIDAY, April 6th, 2007

---- DAILY ENCOURAGEMENT ----

"We will never become strong if we only rely on others....When we have apowerful sense of mission, we are able to tap our inner potential. When weshoulder full responsibility, we find the wisdom we need to succeed."

--- DAILY GOSHO ---

"The sutra's statement, 'Those persons who had heard the Law dwelled hereand there in various Buddha lands, constantly reborn in company with theirteachers,' cannot be false in any way."
(The Heritage of the Ultimate Law of Life - The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, page 217)

Daily Guidance

---- DAILY ENCOURAGEMENT ----

"Even those who are struggling with illness need to have hope in theirlives. Though they may be bedridden, they mustn't let that defeat them.Having great struggles means we have a great mission, a great purpose inlife. When one falls ill, that, too, is part of one's mission. As theDaishonin says: 'Could not this illness... be the Buddha's design?' (WND-1,937). I hope that all those battling illness will win over it, confidentthat they have a wonderful mission to demonstrate the tremendous power ofthe Mystic Law."

--- DAILY GOSHO ---

"Employ the strategy of the Lotus Sutra before any other."(The Strategy of the Lotus Sutra - The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, page1001)

Daily Guidance

4th April 2007

---- DAILY ENCOURAGEMENT ----

"The Daishonin's Buddhism is indeed a philosophy of hope. The Daishoninwrites: 'Those who believe in the Lotus Sutra are as if in winter, butwinter always turns to spring' (WND-1, 536). As symbolised by these words,those who live out their lives based on the Mystic Law will never bedeadlocked. They can surmount the most difficult of trials and carry on witheven greater hope. People with hope in their hearts are always vibrant andenergetic. A Buddhist scripture says that hope has the power to nourish thebody and lengthen life."

--- DAILY GOSHO ---

"Nichiren is like the plant, and my teacher, the earth."(Flowering and Bearing Grain - The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, page 909)

Daily Guidance

---- WORDS OF THE WEEK ----

A golden opportunity has arisen!We practice a faith that enables usto become absolutely victorious and successful.Let's all win with courage, patience and perseverance!With perfect unity based on the spirit of "Many in Body, One in Mind"*,let's not fail to achieve total victory so that we can all shout loud cheersof victory together!* "If the spirit of many in body but one in mind prevails among the people,they will achieve all their goals" - "Many in Body, One in Mind", WND, page618"'Many in body, one in mind'-namely, unity of purpose-is the unchanging rulefor success in every country and organisation. Especially in the realm ofBuddhist practise, we won't be able to bring forth any real benefit orstrength if we fail to follow this great principle." (SGI President Ikeda'seditorial, Daibyakurenge, April 2007 issue)

--- DAILY GOSHO ---

"It is said that, if a teacher has a good disciple, both will gain the fruitof Buddhahood, but if a teacher fosters a bad disciple, both will fall intohell. If teacher and disciple are of different minds, they will neveraccomplish anything."
(Flowering and Bearing Grain - The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, page 909)

Daily Guidance

---- DAILY ENCOURAGEMENT ----

"In a sense, kosen-rufu means to spread hope, happiness, and friendship. Mr.Toda used to encourage us to make friends with people from all walks oflife, noting that the support of people outside the organisation cansometimes be even more valuable than of those within."When it comes to cultivating genuine friends and allies, sincerity is mostimportant. No one likes a person who is always putting up a front. Trust isbuilt through such actions as readily lending a helping hand, or offeringothers a cheerful greeting."Also, you need not act in a rigid or contrived manner. It is best to relateto others in a relaxed, natural way. Of course, sincerity should never beconfused with naïveté, a condition which can be exploited by crooked people.It is always necessary to exercise clear wisdom to distinguish betweenpeople with good intentions and those with unscrupulous motives."Most crucial of all, stay cheerful and positive. If you forget this pointand allow yourself to be bogged down by negativity, you will only suffer.Strive ahead with a big heart and a tolerant outlook. Sometimes, no matterhow hard you try, you won't be able to persuade someone to try practicingNichiren Daishonin's Buddhism. That's fine. It is vital to chant for thatperson's happiness. Your prayers will certainly reach them. No one cansurpass a person of heartfelt, consistent prayer. Prayer is the essence ofBuddhism and the entire universe."

--- DAILY GOSHO ---

"Though calamities may come, they can be changed into good fortune."
(How the Gods Protect the Place of Practice - The Writings of NichirenDaishonin, Volume 2, page 668)