Daisaku Ikeda

This is a photo of Daisaku Ikeda. So much to learn from him. Here are segments from one of his books called, "Treasures of the Heart". (pgs 71,72)

"Any person, even the worst villain, inherently has the spirit of a Bodhisattva, and moreover, the spirit of a Buddha. With regard to this point, the Lotus Sutra relates the parable of the jewel hidden in the robe:

Once upon a time there lived a man who had, as a friend, a rich public servant. One day the man called on his rich friend, who entertained him with food and wine. He became completely inebriated and fell asleep. The rich friend, however, suddenly had to set out on a journey involving urgent public business. He wanted to give his friend a priceless jewel which had the mystic power to fulfill any desire. But his friend was fast asleep. Finding no other alternative, he sewed the gem into the hem of his sleeping friend's robe. The man awoke to find his friend gone, totally unaware of the jewel his friend had given him. Before long, he allowed himself to sink into poverty, wandering through many countries and experiencing many hardships. After a long time, now reduced to sheer want, he met his old friend. The rich man, surprised at his condition, told him about the gift he had given him, and the man learned for the first time that he had possessed the priceless jewel all along.

This is an allegory told by Shakyamuni Buddha's disciples as they reflect upon their ignorance in forgetting to develop the supreme life-condition of Buddhahood and being satisfied with lower states of life. . . ."


" . . . Even adults come to hate each other vehemently for trivial reasons. Yesterday they were good friends or neighbors, and today they are bitter enemies. Never considering which is true - what the other person was yesterday or what he is today - they emotionally criticize one another. When one calls another bad names, the other returns in kind. Totally unaware of the existence of the "supreme jewel", they basely exchange harsh words and hurt one another. These emotional collisions take place far more often than one might imagine.

The fact that one cannot see the "supreme jewel" in another means that one cannot recognize it in himself either. I firmly believe, therefore, that we should all fix our attention on this point."