10th November

A struggle is not won by theory or calculation. The factors that determine the outcome are energy, perseverance, capable people, and single-minded action.


AS our faith matures, we can see ourselves clearly, including our faults and shortcomings. As we try to conquer those failings, we learn humility. As we change, we also come to recognise the strengths and virtues of others. The true practice of Buddhism is to deepen our state of life, striving always to reflect on ourselves and to develop and grow.


IT is ideal to live without regrets. Social positions are for more the most part man-made institutions; by making the appropriate effort, one attains the corresponding status. However, the status of life, throughout this existence and eternity, is determined solely by faith in the Mystic Law.


THE test of a leader is whether he can recognise reasonable behaviour and honestly admit when he is wrong. A realm in which reason is not recognised as the truth is an unfortunate realm indeed. It will not survive long. Eventually people will abandon it, and it will perish. This has been proven again and again in history.


IF we are sincere, people will understand our intentions and our positive qualities will radiate. Those who act with discretion and speak with a sincere concern for and interest in others will leave a deep and lasting positive impression on people and steadily gain trust and confidence of many.

NOTE: Visit http://nichirendaishoningosho.blogspot.com/ for Nichiren Daishonin's gosho, On Reprimanding Hachiman.

9th November

THOSE of you, who have encountered the Mystic Law, this sublime law of life, in your youth, are the happiest and most fortunate people in the world. The question is whether or not you can fully appreciate this fact. The only way you can really awaken to the wonder of this practice is to actually experience it yourself.


I want you to be sharp, considerate and wise people. And whatever happens, you must never lose heart, you must always keep trying and be patient. Such a person will always triumph. It is the Lotus Sutra that has taught us this unbeatable strategy.


A person of conviction who leads an upstanding life and demonstrates shining victory in society is a true winner. More precisely put, a person who has faith is the ultimate victor. Buddhism exists to enable us to lead such a life. This is something that I want to clarify for the sake of the future.


OUR life grows only to the degree that we give hope and courage to others, and enable them to develop their lives. Therefore, while we speak of practising for others, it is we ourselves who ultimately benefit. With this understanding comes the ability to take action with a sense of appreciation.


EVEN those without much education can obtain Buddhahood if their faith is strong. On the other hand, even someone who graduated from the highest educational institution may suffer in the state of Hell if he/she becomes arrogant.

NOTE: Visit http://nichirendaishoningosho.blogspot.com/ for Nichiren Daishonin's gosho, On Reprimanding Hachiman.

8th November

ADVANCING kosen-rufu comes down to propagating the teaching. Through such efforts, we are laying the foundation for an age of the people. Those who can actually expand kosen-rufu are genuine leaders. Those who cannot, lack courage and are self-centred.


NO matter what might happen, the reason for all our problems and difficulties is so that we can show actual proof of the validity of faith. Once we realise this, confidence and courage, the sense that "there's no way that I cannot resolve this problem", wells forth from our lives. The greater our sufferings, the greater the actual proof that we can show, and the more magnificent the "drama of mission" we can perform.


HUMAN beings possess an innate and undeniable instinct for prayer. Religion first came into being in response to this. Prayer did not come into existence because of religion; it was the other way round. Prayer in Nichiren Daishonin's Buddhism - chanting daimoku to the Gohonzon - directly fuses all of our diverse prayers with reality, based on the universal law of life. In short, religion came into being out of human desire for happiness.


ACCORDING to the teachings of Buddhism, there is always a sign of tiding of a future event, followed by its actual manifestation or occurrence. This is true of both good and evil. The wise person is one who is keenly alert of those little signs and uses them to nip evil in the bud and encourage the first sprouts of good.


GUIDANCE is not merely encouragement. It begins with mercy (“Jihi”) and enables another person to gain absolute confidence.

NOTE: Visit http://nichirendaishoningosho.blogspot.com/ for Nichiren Daishonin's gosho, On Reprimanding Hachiman.

7th November

HAPPINESS is not something bestowed on us by others or that it comes from somewhere outside us. It is something that we ourselves must gain, with our own hearts. As Nichiren Daishonin said, "It is the heart that is important." (WND, P 1000)


THE satisfaction one feels, as he/she chants daimoku to the Gohonzon about the problems that arise in his/her immediate environment and surmounts them one by one, is proof of his/her human revolution, and of the faith that will enable him/her to accumulate happiness and good fortune eternally.


BEING alone may seem carefree and undemanding but it is a very sad and lonely experience. Cut off from others, we can neither polish our character nor develop our potential. The challenge lies in developing truly rich human relations. Good human relations are treasures that enrich our lives.


PEOPLE instinctively wish for protection for themselves and their loved ones when faced with sudden natural disaster or threat, and at the most desperate and dire of times. When such a wish is powerfully concentrated, it becomes a prayer. It is not of the realm of logic or intellect. It transcends such things. Prayer is an act in which we give expression to the pressing and powerful wishes and hopes in the depths of our being and yearn for their fulfilment.


UNSHAKEABLE faith, a future-orientated outlook, warm consideration, abundant wisdom, enthusiasm towards one’s mission, and a vast life-condition capable of embracing everything – these qualities cultivated through faith constitute a humanity capable of penetrating people’s lives, and opening the doors of their hearts.

NOTE: NEW! Visit http://nichirendaishoningosho.blogspot.com/ for Nichiren Daishonin's gosho, On Reprimanding Hachiman.

6th November

THE practice of chanting daimoku to the Gohonzon sends the radiation of the Mystic Law, so to speak, into one's being, life and society. While accumulating good fortune for oneself, it cuts off one's devilish workings at the root.


IT is important that we win the trust and acceptance of others. Embracing the supreme Law enables us to manifest our character to its fullest brilliance. This is what Buddhism is all about. While polishing the shining jewel of our own humanity, we have been helping more and more people understand True Buddhism.


WHAT is the secret to helping young people develop their potential? It is important not to take them to task unreasonably. There are also times when praise alone will not adequately move people’s hearts. While on occasion it is important that we give our juniors specific advice and direction, it is even more important that we work with them and together take action for kosen-rufu.


THERE is no limit to how widely we can open the path of kosen-rufu through words and our voice. Our struggle requires us to speak out. Therefore, we must not begrudge employing our voice and using words. Polishing ourselves so that we may speak in a way that is pleasant and refreshing and be wise in our choice of expressions is also an important part of our Buddhist practice.


NO one becomes great without a struggle. All of life is a struggle. Only those who have faced and triumphed over adversity possess genuine greatness; without this struggle, no matter how famous or celebrated one may be, any claim to greatness is merely an empty facade.


THE function of our organisation is to enable us to support and encourage one another so that we each maintain the “axial rotation” of our personal practice, and our broader “orbital revolution” of working with and for others, and thus never veer from the proper orbit in life.

NOTE: NEW! Visit http://nichirendaishoningosho.blogspot.com/ for Nichiren Daishonin's gosho, On Reprimanding Hachiman.

5th November

HE whose words are sought after are trusted and whose attitude is one of tolerance and understanding can win great support and develop capable people.


THE first thing people look at in others is how they conduct their daily lives. What is their life like? How do they rate on the counts of culture and integrity? The eyes of others are extremely exalting. No matter how correct the Law is, it is pointless to think that society will trust someone who embraces it, if they are loose with money, lack good sense or behave in a high-handed manner.


MUTUAL development and true Buddhist practice lie in joining together with people from many different backgrounds, experiencing various challenges together with them as we encourage each other to grow and move forward together. Herein lies a genuinely humanistic way of living and the path to true freedom. Practising together with many good people enables us to grow. This is in accord with the principle of the oneness of life and its environment.


THE benefit of the Mystic Law is inconspicuous. Even if we cannot see the results of our efforts right away, everything is constantly moving in the very best direction for our lives. That itself is the most profound benefit.


FAITH is the engine that powers our growth throughout life. But without making concrete efforts to advance, that engine would not work. For students, advancement means studying. Even if you chant and engage in faith-related activities, if you do not challenge yourself in your studies, you will be like a stalled car that is going nowhere.

NOTE: NEW! Visit http://nichirendaishoningosho.blogspot.com/ for Nichiren Daishonin's gosho, On Reprimanding Hachiman.

4th November

BUDDHISM is concerned with the present and the future. Instead of looking back at the past, we should always live our lives gazing from the present towards the future. No matter what great things we may have achieved in the past, we must not allow ourselves, now or in the future, to become people who succumb to criticism and complaint, to stray from the correct path, and cause trouble to our fellow members and the SGI as a whole. We will become losers if we do so.


IT is perfectly fine for you to speak about Buddhism from the heart, in your own words, in a very natural way, just as you are. The purpose of faith is not to make you look good in the eyes of others. To have compassion for others means sincerely praying and working for others’ happiness, no matter how they may regard you.


BUDDHISM does not exist removed from actual society, nor does it exist removed from human beings. Just shouting about the righteous of True Buddhism in a loud voice will not gain it ready understanding among others. Quite to the contrary, it may have a deleterious effect by actually alienating people from the path of Buddhism. Such behaviour goes against the spirit of the Daishonin, who bequeathed us the task of realising kosen-rufu.


THE important thing is to decide clearly the arena of the mission to which you will commit your life. The life of one who fails to decide this ultimately remains incomplete.

IN faith, the way to become a Buddha lies in making persistent effort. If we abandon efforts to develop our lives midway, then we cannot become truly happy. Those who persevere will be victorious. Those who are unflagging in their efforts will win in the end.

NOTE: Visit http://nichirendaishoningosho.blogspot.com/ for Nichiren Daishonin's gosho, Persecution by Sword and Staff.

3rd November

A person may have all the wealth and treasure in the world, but viewed from the perspective of the ultimate reality of life, such things are mere illusions. We cannot carry them with us into the next existence. The most important thing is to build an indestructible “palace of happiness” within our own life. This is the purpose of Buddhism and of Buddhist practice.


THERE is no need to be impatient. Faith is a lifelong process, spanning the three existence of past, present and future. What is important is to make plenty of friends and work at solidifying those relationships. Introducing others to Buddhism and striving for kosen-rufu is just an extension of the spirit of friendship that wishes those we care about become happy.


DAIMOKU is the fundamental source of vitality. It is also the way to solve one's actual problems. Through daimoku, one can acquire a profound and respectworthy state of life, surpassing anything else, in which he/she enjoys himself/herself in the world.


THE Daishonin's Buddhism is a great Law which allows common mortals to display their humanity freely just as they are, without restriction. This Buddhism neither compels one to undergo special austerities nor demands one's becoming some kind of special human being. Common mortals can attain Buddhahood just as they are, in their present form. The greatness of the Daishonin's Buddhism lies in this point.


THE Gohonzon exists within our life. The Gohonzon, or object of worship, to which we pray is the external cause enabling us to tap the power of the Gohonzon within us. People of strong faith make their own lives shine as the entity of the Gohonzon. It is impossible that such people could fail to become happy.

NOTE: Visit http://nichirendaishoningosho.blogspot.com/ for Nichiren Daishonin's gosho, Persecution by Sword and Staff.

2nd November

ULTIMATELY you alone know the condition of your faith. I hope that, no matter what may happen, you will steadily and faithfully maintain the kind of faith that can build happiness.


SINCERITY and integrity are important. Be it in our work, in introducing others to Buddhism, or in the area of diplomacy, sincerity is the means by which we can deeply win the hearts of others. And, it is this sincerity which provides the key to true, final victory. Manifesting sincerity requires incredible dedication and effort, not to mention prayer.


SO long as we are alive, we are bound to experience various fears and worries. These are like clouds that block the light of the sun. Regardless of appearances, the sun rises with the same majesty even when it is rainy or windy. So long as the sun of faith in one's heart continues to blaze, one's life will shine with happiness.


IT is important to remember that everything is up to you. If you are determined to absorb everything you can, you will most likely learn something from any meeting you attend. If you were to make the effort to attend a meeting but return home without having gained a thing, that would be your loss.


IN life, there is nothing more precious, correct and important than faith. For that very reason, please do no forget that it is an act of the deepest parental love and affection to, above all, encourage your children to live in the “garden of the SGI”.

NOTE: Visit http://nichirendaishoningosho.blogspot.com/ for Nichiren Daishonin's gosho, Persecution by Sword and Staff.

1st November

IT is at critical moments that the great path to enlightenment unfolds. Stand up with the conviction that you can break through all obstacles. At such times you must not vacillate, retreat, or do anything else that will later give you cause for regret.


THE history of kosen-rufu will be created by climbing and conquering one mountain of victory after another. In the practice of Buddhism, there are no half measures; there is only a never-ending succession of advancement and constant challenge. The most crucial factor for achieving victory is conquering oneself.


OUR mind cannot be seen. Yet our inner determination is directly reflected in the world and the universe. If our inner state of mind is broad, profound and rich, then the same will be reflected in our life, our surroundings and the land where we live.


PROBLEMS are proof that we are alive. They are also the source of all growth and progress. We have to use our problems and sufferings as the energy or fuel for propelling us forward towards even greater happiness in the future.


IF we are going to live this life, we must not waste it on trivial, self-centred pursuits but instead live for a lofty ideal. And the loftiest ideal is worldwide kosen-rufu. Those who continue to uphold a great philosophy, a great ideal, and a great religion are unsurpassed victors as human beings.

NOTE: Visit http://nichirendaishoningosho.blogspot.com/ for Nichiren Daishonin's gosho, Persecution by Sword and Staff.