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Friday

2nd October

THE SGI seeks to enable all people to realise genuine, indestructible happiness, not only those who are obviously suffering, but also those who are leading what appear to be happy and enjoyable lives. That is because, no matter how happy a person may think he is, there is no greater happiness than practising Nichiren Daishonin’s Buddhism. As the Daishonin said, “There is no true happiness for human beings other than chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo.” (WND, p681)


A drop of rain from the sky, a drop of water from the ocean is all just that: a drop of water. The friends in our own small circle contribute to the spread of friendship around the world. Our individual circle of friendship is part of the global circle of friendship; it is one and the same. Making one true friend is a step towards creating world peace.


IF we “let our minds master us”, our faith will be destroyed. There are far too many who give themselves up to fame and status, get taken in by desire for money, or are swayed by concern for maintaining a good reputation, and accordingly lose sight of the fundamental path of faith. Faith is what enables us to “become the master of our minds”, or to control ourselves, and open up the future with the determination that everything begins from now.


ONE encounter spawns another. A new path is opened. The value of encounters is not easy to measure. In particular, Buddhism teaches that there are no accidents. Every event has a meaning, and all is an expression of the profound workings of cause and effect. That is why I value encounters. I never speak loosely or thoughtlessly with anyone I meet. I have always engaged others in dialogue with the greatest sincerity and earnestness. I believe that is the way to a meaningful and serious life.


A humble person is usually composed while an arrogant person is often impatient. A composed person can assess things correctly while a person in a hurry always see things in a distorted way.

NOTE: Visit http://nichirendaishoningosho.blogspot.com/ for Nichiren Daishonin's gosho, A Gift of Rice.