Your Life State

"President Ikeda encouraged us by saying: "Don't concern yourself with vanity or pretension. Just earnestly continue to chant Nam-Myoho-Renge-Kyo. That will rouse strong life force and brighten your face, too. Just like a jet taking off, your life state will begin to rise rapidly because chanting revs up the engine of your life until it's running at full speed. Always aim for the top, win over yourself and create a proud record of triumph for all the world to see. That's the way to enjoy an invigorating and fulfilling life."

(World Tribune, Nov. 2, 2007 page 6)

Salute To Poets (Excerpt)

"The deepest evil,
the ultimate source
of all conflict and tragedy
is the dividing heart.
Preoccupied with
difference,
it drives people
to reject and exclude
others."

-Daisaku Ikeda-

Life

--TO MY FRIENDS--
Life is a "win or lose" battle.
It is a succession of struggles.
Let's advance ever more,
always aiming for the summit.
This is the wisdom for achieving victory.

-Daisaku Ikeda-

Toward Our Dreams

"A victor is one whose life shines with faith. Emerson, one of the favorite writers of my youth, once said, "That which befits us...is cheerfulness and courage, and the endeavor to realize our aspirations." To advance toward our dreams cheerfully, to courageously work toward achieving them-this is what gives sublime meaning and value to our lives."

-Daisaku Ikeda-

Viewpoint

"If you always have a shallow perspective and pay attention only to trivial things, you are sure to get bogged down in all kinds of petty worries and concerns, and not be able to move forward. Even relatively minor hurdles or problems will seem insurmountable. But if you look at life from a broad viewpoint, you naturally spot the way to solve any problem you may confront. This is true when we consider our own personal problems as well as those of society and even the future of the entire world."

-Daisaku Ikeda-

--TO MY FRIENDS--
Guidance and advice should be clear
and practical.
Your personal experience surpasses
100 points of logic.
Let's be credible and convincing and inspire our
fellow members with courage.

-Daisaku Ikeda-

Call Forth

--TO MY FRIENDS--
Call forth your wisdom to
ensure that everyone is
happy and content.
If you have compassion, boundless
wisdom will arise.

-Daisaku Ikeda-

Buddhism Elucidates

--TO MY FRIENDS--
Buddhism elucidates the principle of
"three thousand realms in a
single moment of life."
A firm resolve to consistently
believe in the Mystic Law
will enable you to transform yourself
as well as the world around you.

-Daisaku Ikeda-

Treasures

Had a second reunion with my birth mom last week. Met my aunt and uncle and some wonderful cousins. Had my husband and my dog with me.

My cousin, Sharon, took this shot of me and my mom. Came home to receive a message from my mentor.
Because of this - I am able to accumulate unlimited 'treasures of the heart'.

Thank you, Sensei!

Drawing Forth

"I hope that each of you will study broadly and develop your understanding of life, society and the universe, based on your faith in Nichiren Daishonin's Buddhism. This type of learning enables you to cultivate a rich state of life, or inner world, drawing forth profound wisdom and limitless leadership ability from the depths of your life."

-Daisaku Ikeda-

Embark

--TO MY FRIENDS--
"Having good friends is
the entirety of our Buddhist practice."
Let's foster a great solidarity of
friendship and cheerfully and joyfully
embark on a journey of kosen-rufu.

-Daisaku Ikeda-

Key

--TO MY FRIENDS--
Encounters are human dramas.
Every discussion, every exchange
is an earnest "win or lose" battle.
Therefore, sincerity is key!
Communicate with your entire life and being
and capture the hearts and minds of others
with heartfelt dialogue.
-Daisaku Ikeda-

New Era

--TO MY FRIENDS--
With gathering momentum, let's
create the first wave of the new era
and expand it to ten thousand.
One person's courage
becomes the prodigious strength
to transform history.
Youth arise.


-Daisaku Ikeda-

Our Own Earth

"We each move forward secure on our own earth, not the earth of others. Happiness is something we must create for ourselves. No one else can give it to us."

-Daisaku Ikeda-

To Paint

"What kind of future do I envision for myself? What kind of self am I trying to develop? What do I want to accomplish in my life?" The thing is to paint this vision of your life in your heart as specifically as possible. That "painting" itself becomes the design of your future. The power of the heart enables us to actually create with our lives a wonderful masterpiece in accordance with that design.

-Daisaku Ikeda-

Transformative

"True love should be transformative, a process that amplifies our capacity to cherish not just one person but all people. It can make us stronger, lift us higher and deepen us as individuals. Only to the extent that one polishes oneself now can one hope to develop wonderful bonds of the heart in the future."

-Daisaku Ikeda-

Friendship

--TO MY FRIENDS--
Let's treasure our neighbors.
Friendship begins with
cheerful, refreshing greetings.
The truth of Buddhism is revealed
in our "behavior as human beings."

-Daisaku Ikeda-

Achieving it

"Everything depends on what is in our hearts. If we decide to ourselves that something is impossible, then, consistent with our minds in thinking so, even something that is possible for us will become impossible. On the other hand, if we have the confidence that we can definitely do something, then we are already one step closer to achieving it in reality."

-Daisaku Ikeda-

--TO MY FRIENDS--

Thinking "Things will work out"
is irresponsible.
Thinking "Someone else will do it"
is arrogance.
The person who earnestly
determines "I myself will struggle"
is the one who will become the pillar
of the great citadel of "many in body, one in mind."


-Daisaku Ikeda-

Most Natural

"It doesn't matter in what area, just keep working on your personal revolution to transform and improve yourself in the way most natural for you. The important thing is that you change in some positive way. There is surely no more exhilarating a life than one in which we write our own unique history of human revolution each day. And the growth and transformation we achieve in this way can convince people of the greatness of the Daishonin's Buddhism more eloquently than anything else."

-Daisaku Ikeda-

Rich

"There may be times, certainly, when being a member of an organization seems bothersome and we just want to be alone. But how sad it is if we are left alone without any support and then lose our faith. True growth comes from striving together with our fellow members in the living realm of human beings, experiencing the rich gamut of human emotions."

-Daisaku Ikeda-

The Power to Open

--WORDS OF THE WEEK--
The character "myo" contains
the power to open.
Let's open new avenues through
deep prayer and tenacious efforts,
beginning with our local group
of members.




--TO MY FRIENDS--
Let's energize our meetings
with fresh anecdotes.
Let's lead meetings that hearten
fellow members and leave them feeling
glad they came and
inspired to work together.

-Daisaku Ikeda-

Shushmita

Shushmita just arrived
In the 'hood from Bangladesh.
She doesn't speak much English -
But her shoes say the rest!

Words of Encouragement

Like the sun
always bright in heart,
like the sea
with a heart vast and wide,
like the sky
with a heart unendingly tall,
like the flowers
with a heart forever beautiful,
with a heart set on happiness,
like the wind
be free!


-Daisaku Ikeda-

Jubilant

--TO MY FRIENDS--
Leaders themselves should advance victoriously
with a joyful and courageous spirit.
Let's encourage and inspirit our fellow members
with a powerful and jubilant life force.

-Daisaku Ikeda-

Mother of Art, Sun of Blessings (excerpt)

Art is a living power
like the drums of spring that bring rejuvenation to nature
an irrepressible gushing forth of life
that pierces through all anguish
and opens the way for joy

Art is the power of love
that discovers the shining gems
hidden in the hearts of all persons
It is the symphony of human love

Art is the power of mutual trust
knowing no differences of nation or individual
built on the foundation stone
of what we humans have in common
a rainbow bridge linking together all humankind

Ah, art is the breath of life
the proof of what it means to be alive


-Daisaku Ikeda-

The Important Thing

"What will the future be like? No one knows the answer to that question. All we know is that the effects that will appear in the future are all contained in the causes that are made in the present. The important thing, therefore, is that we stand up and take action to achieve great objectives without allowing ourselves to be distracted or discouraged by immediate difficulties."


-Daisaku Ikeda-

Great Hopes (excerpt)

Great hopes --
the shining light of peace

Already the time has come
when human beings travel to other celestial bodies --
what use now to squabble over this little earth of ours?
All human beings now must be friends
must be siblings to one another

The earth
the sea
all shall be filled with life
all things shall be nourished there
and love and compassion overflow
Then what borders
what boundaries will we need?
This globe we live on
will belong to all
All then must pool their efforts to cultivate it
to make it flower as never before
The bad dreams of the past we will wipe out
and with open hearts
welcome in the light of shining peace


-Daisaku Ikeda-

Who Answers Our Prayers?

Thank you, Joe - for suggesting I get Herbie's new CD and this wonderful book.

"Who answers our prayers? We do - through faith and effort. No one does it for us."

-Daisaku Ikeda-

The Wonders

All words have power. Words can make people happy or sad, angry or loving, and so on. Language has a more profound effect on our lives than we realize. Nichiren Daishonin says: "They say that.... if you so much as hear the words 'pickled plum', your mouth will begin to water. Even in everyday life there are such wonders, so how much greater are the wonders of the Lotus Sutra." (Major Writings, vol.3, pp.34).

Historically, Myoho-renge-kyo is the title and essence of the Lotus Sutra, the highest of Shakyamuni's teachings, as translated from Sanskrit into ancient Chinese characters. Nichiren Daishonin placed "nam," a Sanskrit word meaning 'devotion', in front of these characters; so that in simple terms Nam-myoho-renge-kyo means devotion to the ultimate Law of the universe. Each of the characters themselves contain extremely profound principles of life, however, and together they express how everything in the cosmos works in one harmonious relationship.


". . . when we chant Nam-myoho-renge-kyo, even if we don't understand its profound meaning, we can tap the condition of Buddhahood. Our voice chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo permeates the cosmos and reaches the life condition of Buddhahood and all the Buddhas in the universe." (Daisaku Ikeda)

Excerpted from the sgi-usa website - New Members section - www.sgi-usa.org

Paths

October 2, 2007

--TO MY FRIENDS--
Open paths of friendship and
build bridges of trust
toward an era of harmonious coexistence.
World peace begins with
one-on-one dialogues.

-Daisaku Ikeda-

One

--TO MY FRIENDS--
One earnest individual
prevails over ten million.
Let's build a magnificent citadel
of capable individuals in our
respective communities.

-Daisaku Ikeda-

Speed

September 28, 2007

--TO MY FRIENDS--
The new era is one of constant change.
Resolve to win, no matter what,
and take concrete steps.
The speed with which you
take action is the key to
winning.

-Daisaku Ikeda-

And in our Actions

"Faith means making a hundred percent effort ourselves-in our daimoku and in our actions. When we practice in this way, the Buddhist gods will lend us their protection. We mustn't have a complacent, dependent attitude in faith, chanting haphazardly without definite goals and making only halfhearted efforts in the belief that we'll automatically be protected. Depth of determination and unshakable character are vital. Those possessing these qualities are second to none in faith."

-Daisaku Ikeda-


("Daimoku" means chanting Nam-Myoho-Renge-Kyo)

New Heights

September 27, 2007
--TO MY FRIENDS--
The greatest achievement we can aspire to
is winning over our own weaknesses.
Let's pray and pray with all our might
and ascend to new heights while
striving to create a fresh history in the
chronicle of kosen-rufu and our
own lives.


-Daisaku Ikdea-

To A Friend's Mother

Marilyn,
I wanted to tell you how you have, for many years, been an inspiration to me. Tom was always able to encourage me about my work as a singer because of you.
He told me a bit about your life and how you became a working singer after having already raised your children, and devoted so much time and effort to your family. Even without ever having met you, you've been more of an inspiration than you know.
I spent time gazing at the full moon last night (the night of Tom's funeral). I felt him smiling, I felt the inseparability of life and death, I felt his friendship and the eternity of his life.
Thank you for giving us Tom. He has become a wonderful teacher of life and a profound treasure of the heart.

With warmest regards,

Bethany

Life Force

September 26, 2007

--TO MY FRIENDS--
Leaders should encourage everyone
with a bright and passionate spirit.
A bouyant life force serves as
a driving force for development.

-Daisaku Ikeda-

Good Friends

September 25, 2007

--TO MY FRIENDS--
"[T]he best way to attain Buddhahood
is to encounter a good friend. (*)
To lead a correct life,
make sure to have good friends.
The SGI is a solidarity of good friends.

New Phase

--WORDS OF THE WEEK--

Youth should stand up, speak out
and pave the way.
Engage in an unprecedented struggle
to open the path of mentor and disciple
toward victory in the new phase [of kosen-rufu].





--TO MY FRIENDS--
Live out your lifetime
together with the Mystic Law
and with the SGI.
Therein lies exhilarating and
invigorating happiness.

-Daiskau Ikeda-

On The Recent Passing of My Friend

T-
Somehow
I feel I caught your time,
Even without
Knowing that you were ill.

This day, your day, Sept 21st -
Will from now on
Be
A fresh beginning.

A door opens,
Pains dissolve.

A deep and truer language is
Recovered.

Faith.


-Bethany Wild-

Causes

""What kinds of causes am I making right now?" "What actions am I taking?" The answers to these questions are what will determine our future-in this life and throughout the three existences. Herein lies the foundation of faith. True glory and victory in life lie in basing oneself on this fundamental principle."

-Daisaku Ikeda-

Transcendental Power

"True transcendental power is not along the lines of so-called supernatural abilities. It is actually the ability to help others become happy. Nichiren Daishonin says, "Aside from the attainment of Buddhahood, there is no 'secret' and no 'transcendental power'" (Gosho Zenshu, p. 753)."

"As the Daishonin indicates where he says, "It is from this single entity of life that the differences among lands arise," society and even the land change depending on the state of life of people living there. The power to change even the environment exists in the heart."

(Excerpted from 'Learning from the Gosho: The Eternal Teachings of Nichiren Daishonin' by Daisaku Ikeda, pg. 184)

Truly

"Winning in life is not a matter of form or appearances. It has nothing to do with vanity. Victory in life ultimately hinges on whether one has truly fought, whether one has truly advanced."

-SGI President Ikeda's Daily Encouragement for September 23-

Freely

"Often allowing a person to speak freely of their dissatisfaction and unhappiness resolves their problems and, in many cases, they feel much better just because they've been heard."

Daisaku Ikeda "World Tribune" Sept 21, 2007 pg. 3

Win or Lose

September 21, 2007

--TO MY FRIENDS--

Buddhism is a "win or lose" struggle.
Manifesting concrete results
where you happen to be right now
will ensure a life of great fulfillment
and value-creation.

-Daisaku Ikeda -

Words

" . . The mission of Buddhists is none other than to be physicians of life. Praising, encouraging or admonishing as the situation demands, they help heal and lighten others' hearts and impart hope and bravery. Truly, "the voice carries out the work of the Buddha" (OTT,4). What wonderful behavior and what a noble mission this is!

Our world today is a vortex of heartless, mean-spirited, malicious words - of lies, demagoguery, accusations and slanders. It shows all the symptoms of a terrible illness. In these circumstances, a truly healthy and sound society can only be created by spreading positive and inspiring words - words of truth, words of justice, words of hope, words that bring people together and enrich their hearts."

(Daisaku Ikeda, 'World Tribune', Sept 21, 2007, pg. 3)

Let's Stand Up

--TO MY FRIENDS--
"Let's stand up for justice and truth.
Then the driving force for advancement
will increase twofold.
Let's stand up with courage.
Then the driving force for victory
will increase a hundredfold."

-Daiskau Ikeda -

The Direction You Desire

"When your determination changes, everything else will begin to move in the direction you desire. The moment you resolve to be victorious, every nerve and fiber in your being will immediately orient itself toward your success. On the other hand, if you think "This is never going to work out," then at that instant every cell in your being will be deflated and give up the fight, and then everything really will move in the direction of failure."

Daisaku Ikeda,"For Today and Tomorrow", pg. 288

A Beautiful Heart

". . . But the most essential point is whether the hearts of the people living in a country are beautiful or not. Qualities that make a heart ugly are, for example, coldness, cruelty, intolerance, jealousy and slander. A beautiful heart, on the other hand, is characterized by compassion, caring and respect for others, a commitment to equality and peace, and a positive and constructive spirit. As Nichiren states: "It is the heart that is important." (WND-1, 1000). It is what's inside that counts, not external appearances. "

(Daisaku Ikeda, World Tribune Sept 7, 2007 pg. 2)

Fresh line-up

September 18, 2007

--TO MY FRIENDS--
"We have entered a new era
when a fresh line-up of capable individuals
must emerge.
Charge ahead with initiative,
into the community and society
at large."

-Daisaku Ikeda-

Chosen Road

"Pray earnestly and thoroughly
in any situation.
Continue to speak out
on behalf of truth and justice.
Those who remain true to their
own chosen road are the victors."

-Daisaku Ikeda-