20th February

THOSE who are always striving towards a cause, towards an ideal, are ever young. Their minds are alert and they are full of vitality. This is all the more true of those who uphold the Mystic Law, which is un-aging and undying. Faith is the foundation for developing a youthful, inner glow. No amount of make up or cosmetics can compare to what faith can do. Our Buddhist practice enables us to become beautiful from within, cleansing and purifying our lives.


WHAT is important is that we dauntlessly advance along the correct path based on our own conviction. Continually self-reflecting and pondering the direction we wish to take in life, we should make a fresh departure along the path of our mission each day.


THOUGH you may be unable to carry out a complete practice of morning and evening gongyo, so long as you maintain faith in and a seeking mind towards the Gohonzon throughout your life, your good fortune will never diminish. What is important is that you tenaciously continue your practice of faith and strive to improve yourself, year in and year out.


MAINTAIN your faith throughout your life. Because the purpose of faith is to attain enlightenment in this lifetime, you can declare that you have practised faith correctly only when you have carried it out throughout your life. If you should backslide halfway, you can by no means say that your faith was genuine.

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

19th February

A seeking spirit means taking action. Embracing the Gohonzon, doing gongyo and chanting daimoku to the Gohonzon are all actions which reflect one's seeking mind. Moreover, reading the gosho; attending meetings, whether large or small; and receiving guidance are, in a similar sense, expressions of one's seeking spirit.


FAITH is the greatest joy there is. The 'Buddhism of joy' enables us to live each day with excitement, as though we were on an enjoyable journey, arm in arm with dear friends. There is no need whatsoever for us to have to experience undue pressures, or to get caught up in extreme formalism, on account of faith.


WE must continually grow - from the self of yesterday to the self of today, and from the self of today to the self of tomorrow. It is precisely in so doing that we are able to inspire courage and hope in others and guide them towards victory.


THE Gohonzon encompasses the entire universe. Therefore, we who believe on and chant daimoku to the Gohonzon can live out our lives with the greatest serenity and composure. Please be confident that through faith in the Mystic Law we can definitely lead a wonderful and unsurpassed existence.


WE can never rectify the folly of endless feuding, hatred and killing taking place on this small planet of ours and make it a place where all can live in peace and happiness until we firmly embrace a correct view of the universe, of life and philosophy based on a cosmic perspective.

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

18th February

THE wise, the truly strong, can surmount even the most painful times with courage. In contrast, the pessimistic, who weakly wallow in their problems and unable to move on, tend to agonise and suffer over the smallest things. Please be wise people who can live with joy.


WHETHER one experiences happiness or misery is to a great extent determined by the subtle orientation of our heart, by the way we direct our ichinen, or our inner resolve. Since we are alive, then we might as well view all things in a positive and joyful light, as we will be much happier this way. Having a robust and joyful inner resolve enables one to quickly transform one's destiny.


WISDOM is the absolute requirement for a happy life. The most profound wisdom is found in Buddhism, and thus faith in the Mystic Law encompasses all things. That is why a person of faith must also be wiser than anyone else.


TO promote the cause of kosen-rufu, which is the Buddha's will, is in itself the greatest glory and honour. Please be confident that doing so will lead to your eternal good fortune.


I believe that in order for humanity in the 21st century to eliminate war and conflict and establish genuine peace, it is vital that we open our hearts, broaden our intellectual capacities and expand our states of life so they become as wide and all-encompassing as the cosmos itself.

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

17th February

IF you forget to read the Gosho, then your practice and guidance will tend towards idealism, beginning to reflect your own personal views. Let us sincerely check each other in this regards so that we do not waste our efforts. Please bear in mind that within the Gosho, you can find the way to solve any problem, as well as the fundamental principles of faith.


WISDOM is tremendously important for living each day in a wise and productive manner, instead of just letting the time slip lazily. And faith is the inexhaustible source from which such wisdom flows.


NO matter what happens, we should view everything that happens with a firm and hopeful attitude, confident that it will lead to a positive outcome. We should view things in such a way that energy wells up in our life, and in light of the principle of "changing poison into medicine". It is faith that enables us to do this.


CONSTRUCTION requires arduous effort; destruction takes but a moment. It is vital that we continue making unceasing efforts. The construction of kosen-rufu into the eternal future will fall to the youth who are prepared to keep on striving for this cause with all their heart and being.


IN Buddhism, the term "fundamental darkness" is used to describe the most fundamental ignorance and delusion inherent in human life. The aim of our great struggle for kosen-rufu, our great movement of human revolution, is to transform that innate darkness into light. Our goal is to vanquish the insidious destructive tendencies within human life that give rise to mutual distrust and hate, violence and fear.

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

16th February

BUDDHISM is about winning; to live with unshakeable confidence and speak out fearlessly like lions for justice and truth; to uphold the correct teaching of Buddhism, come what may. People who live with this spirit will win in the end. Nichiren Daishonin teaches a way of life that vividly demonstrates this truth.


HUMANISM is not some grand, high sounding theory. It is having faith in human beings and forging links with others. This is true humanism. In other words, it is making friends.


A golden vessel does not leak. One who practises the Mystic Law - like a water-tight golden vessel - is able to daily accumulate good fortune that will adorn one's life eternally. For this reason, we must on no account allow the pure water of our faith to be polluted by slander or disbelief.


CONSISTENCY is a crucial component of faith. Faith in this Buddhism will enable us to attain enlightenment in this lifetime. If we maintain faith like flowing water throughout our entire lives and exert ourselves in daily life, we will before we know it, be carried towards the great ocean of happiness and good fortune that encompasses the three existences of past, present and future.


STAND alone. Never be swept along by force of habit. Build a solid core in each individual.

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

15th February

SHAKUBUKU enables others to give up their attachments to mistaken views, causing them to entertain doubts about their shallow way of living. It is a noble act through which we teach others a true way of life and show them the eternal, correct course to a happy existence. There is no greater or more deeply compassionate practice for a human being.


FAITH requires us to continue to the end. Along the way there will be many valleys to travel and mountains to cross. Sometimes you may feel exhausted, and there may be times when you are unable to do a full morning and evening gongyo. The important thing, however, is never to stray from or abandon the Gohonzon.


A person who takes correct action and lives correctly on the foundation of correct faith will be protected by the Buddhist gods and by all Buddhas. The original Buddha will certainly protect such a person.


THERE may be times, certainly, when being a member of an organisation 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 faith. True growth comes from striving together with our fellow members in the living realm of human beings, ourselves experiencing the rich gamut of human emotions.


VICTORS are always sincere. The arrogant, who betray others' sincerity, always come to a fall in the end, even though it may seem for a time that they have gained the upper hand. The happy are always sincere and they possess inner strength. Such people shine as the ultimate victors.

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

14th February

IN life and in art, such things as short-term popularity and fame are all petty considerations. While of course it is important to make one's best effort, there is no reason to be disappointed if there are no immediate results. The important thing is to become a stronger person and to grow as a human being.


IF you are neglecting the things you should be doing, forgetting your purpose in life because of the relationship you are in, then you are on the wrong path. A healthy relationship is one in which two people encourage each other to reach their respective goals while sharing each other's hopes and dreams. A relationship should be a source of inspiration, invigoration and hope.


LIFE is eternal, spanning the three existences of past, present and future. The future of kosen-rufu stretches out endlessly before us. Thus, to depart from the depth of happiness on account of being caught up in immediate concerns would be a cause for untold regret.


NICHIREN DAISHONIN explained that as long as we have sincere faith, our ordinary lives as common mortals in society are the very sphere of our Buddhist practice. I believe the greatness of this Buddhism lies in the fact that it leads the way to enlightenment that all people can follow.


EARNEST prayer becomes the rhythm of one's life, and through the Gohonzon, enables one to fuse with the rhythm of the universe. As a result, one can experience benefit and manifest one's capability in daily life, in accordance with the true principle of prayer.

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

13th February

OUR lives have been stained by karma and destiny from the past and encrusted with a layer of greed, anger, stupidity, arrogance and doubt, that has built up over a vast period of time without being cleared away. When we devote ourselves to the Gohonzon, however, the law of Myoho will function to penetrate our lives and clear away the source of unhappiness.


THERE is no need to envy anyone else. There is no need to complain. There is a saying, "Dig where you stand, and you will find a bounteous spring." If you uphold the Gohonzon and work for kosen-rufu, your life will shine with the light of the eternal Buddha land.


THOSE who can smile are strong; people of truth and integrity are cheerful. Such people can face criticism and persecution with a dauntless smile. In contrast, those who constantly criticise, yet are incapable of creating anything of value themselves are pitiful, wretched souls. In the end, they become miserable and disillusioned. Their faces are not lit by radiant smiles, nor do they savour truly enjoyable and satisfying lives.


TRULY capable leaders are those who can engage others, on a one-to-one basis, in inspiring dialogue and move them with warm-hearted encouragement to set forth with renewed determination in faith. Determinations inspired in this way tend to last. They become a catalyst, causing a ripple effect that spreads out to touch many, many others.


IT is not our environment or circumstances but our inner resolve that is important. Do not allow you to be pre-occupied or held back by considerations of educational background, wealth, fame or social position. Always advance in life based on faith, no matter what happens. That is the spirit of a Buddhist.

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

12th February

BUDDHISM teaches "attaining Buddhahood without changing your original state". This means that we ordinary people in the nine states of being can attain Buddhahood as we are, in our original states. We can attain a state of absolute happiness, here, now, in the midst of this very life.


TO be swayed by one's destiny is most regrettable. However, when you continue to chant daimoku to the Gohonzon sincerely, you will develop the wisdom to change yourself for the better and build a life that is directed towards happiness. This is in accord with the principle of "substituting faith for wisdom" (ishin daie).


HAUGHTINESS and harsh language or behaviour are evidence of one's lack of culture. In Buddhism, those who are wise are termed human beings, while those who are foolish and vain are naught but animals.


THERE may be some people who, for one reason or another, have no room in their hearts to enjoy the beauty of flowers. They come home from work, complain about their day and go to sleep. We can try to help them change their mindset by drawing their attention to the beauty of flowers or of a work of art. That often is enough to get them to open their hearts and minds to all sorts of new possibilities.


WORDS are very important. Leaders in particular must be very careful about what they say. Words are decisive. As it said in the Gosho, "The voice does the Buddha's work." (Gosho Zenshu, p400) Our words reveal our character, our wisdom and our attitude towards life.

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

11th February

THE Gosho stated, "Even if one should become master of his mind, he should not make his mind the master of his life." Instead of basing ourselves on or mind, which easily changes from moment to moment, we should make the fundamental, unchanging principle of Myoho the master of our mind. This is the essential teaching of Buddhism.


NICHIREN DAISHONIN said that within the self that upholds the Mystic Law is a palace of life. The purpose of Buddhist practice is to open that magnificently adorned palace; it is entirely for your own sake. When you are aware of that, everything is transformed into joy. It is a right.


AS long as one perseveres with strong faith, times of the greatest difficulty will become times of the greatest opportunity. A person of strong faith is able to "change poison into medicine", thereby accumulating limitless good fortune. For this reason, no matter what may happen, we have nothing to fear. In difficult times, all we need to do is summon forth still stronger faith.


MR TODA asserted, "If you base yourself on faith, you can come to terms with things that you can't come to terms with intellectually." The key is deciding how you will live your life and then devoting all your strength and energy towards doing just that. This is what faith is all about. This is the life of a person who possesses a solid philosophy.


KOSEN-RUFU is an undertaking that we must pursue in society, in the real world. If we stand apart from society and just utter fine-sounding rhetoric, it will have no value. Kosen-rufu is an indomitable struggle for peace and justice in which we must strive unceasingly against the negative and destructive forces found in the real world.

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