11/28 & 11/29 Today’s Buddhist Food for Thought

Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda
Friday, November 28, 2008

Nichiren Daishonin discusses the meaning of the Chinese characters for the word benefit (Jpn kudoku), as follows: “The ku of kudoku means to extinguish evil and doku means to bring forth good” (Gosho Zenshu, p. 762). We fight against those who try to destroy the True Law. That struggle purifies us and brings forth benefits in our lives. Justice or happiness without a battle is just an illusion. Thinking that happiness means a life free of hard work and effort is fantasy.

Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda
Friday, November 28, 2008 (Buddhism Day by Day)

Many young women agonize over perceived personality flaws and a lack of self-confidence. Nichiren Buddhism, however, teaches the great path of human revolution that enables each of us to shine in our own unique way. With this philosophy, you can decisively overcome a weak and easily swayed life-state and become a person of strength and purpose. It will allow you to withstand the storms of suffering and build a rock-solid foundation that will support you throughout your entire precious lives.

From the Writings of Nichiren Daishonin
Friday, November 28, 2008 (Daily Wisdom)

Buddhism spreads according to the time and the people’s capacity. Although I may not be worthy of this teaching, I expound it because the time is right.

The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, page 861
This is What I Heard
Written to the lay priest Soya Jiro on November 28, 1277

Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda
Saturday, November 29, 2008

Compassion is the very soul of Buddhism. To pray for others, making their problems and anguish our own; to embrace those who are suffering, becoming their greatest ally; to continue giving them our support and encouragement until they become truly happy-it is in such humanistic actions that the Daishonin’s Buddhism lives and breathes.

Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda
Saturday, November 29, 2008 (Buddhism Day by Day)

Do not become subservient. Do not dwell on every tiny setback in the course of pursuing your chosen path. To do so would be foolish. Victory or defeat is determined by our entire lives. Moreover, our final years are the most crucial. What is enviable about the pretentious rich? What is great about conceited celebrities? What is admirable about political leaders who gained their positions of power by treating others with contempt? Dig right where you stand, for there lies a rich wellspring!

From the Writings of Nichiren Daishonin
Saturday, November 29, 2008 (Daily Wisdom)

Whether or not your prayer is answered will depend upon your faith; [if it is not,] I will in no way be to blame. When the water is clear, the moon is reflected. When the wind blows, the trees shake. Our minds are like the water. Faith that is weak is like muddy water, while faith that is brave is like clear water. Understand that the trees are like principles, and the wind that shakes them is like the recitation of the sutra.

The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, page 1079

Reply to the Lay Nun Nichigon
Written to the lay nun Nichigon on November 29, 1280

11/26 & 11/27 Today’s Buddhist Food for Thought

Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda
Wednesday, November 26, 2008

Buddhism teaches that being led astray by evil friends, (negative influences) is to be feared more than being killed by a mad elephant. A mad elephant can only destroy our physical body, but evil friends, if we allow ourselves to be influenced by them, will drag us down into a state of hell.

Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda
Wednesday, November 26, 2008 (Buddhism Day by Day)

Life is long. The important thing is to remain true to a lofty goal to the very end. Buddhism enables you to adorn the final chapter of your life with brilliant success, just as the golden sun colors the sky in glorious crimson hues and beams of sublime light. To do so, you need to keep making efforts year after year and winning year after year.

From the Writings of Nichiren Daishonin
Wednesday, November 26, 2008 (Daily Wisdom)

Even if we should gather all the water of the four great oceans to wet inkstones, burn all the trees and plants to cinders to make ink, collect the hairs of all beasts for writing brushes, employ all the surfaces of the worlds in the ten directions for paper, and, with these, set down expressions of gratitude, how could we possibly repay our debt to the Buddha?”,

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The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, page 44
The Four Debts of Gratitude
Written to Kudo Sakon-no-jo Yoshitaka on January 16, 1262

Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda
Thursday, November 27, 2008

Faith is the ultimate essence of intellect. Through the practice of correct faith, the intellect comes to shine. Intellect without correct faith lacks a firm anchor in the soil of life and eventually becomes disordered. This prompted the first Soka Gakkai president, Tsunesaburo Makiguchi, to remark that many modern thinkers were suffering from what he termed “higher psychosis.” Faith without intellect, meanwhile, leads to blind faith and fanaticism. Faith or intellect alone-one without the other-is unhealthy.

Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda
Thursday, November 27, 2008 (Buddhism Day by Day)

The true victors in life are those who, enduring repeated challenges and setbacks, have sent the roots of their being to such a depth that nothing can shake them.

From the Writings of Nichiren Daishonin
Thursday, November 27, 2008 (Daily Wisdom)

Only in the Lotus Sutra do we read that a woman who embraces this sutra not only excels all other women, but also surpasses all men.

The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, page 462
The Unity of Husband and Wife
Written to Nichigen-nyo on January 27, 1275