Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda

[Derwin Lycan Sherwood]

Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda
Monday, July 12, 2010:

I imagine that some of you have family members who are not yet practicing Nichiren Daishonin's Buddhism. There is no need to be impatient or to agonize over this. Whether people take faith has to do with their mystic connection with Buddhism, which takes a variety of different forms. Important is the presence of one person who is practicing. One person's attainment of Buddhahood brings happiness to family members and relatives and all those around him or her. When a single sun rises, everything is illuminated.  

[Derwin Lycan Sherwood]

Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda

Tuesday, July 13, 2010:

The glory we enjoy in a dream vanishes without a trace when we awaken. When an illusion disappears, nothing is left of its joy except a sense of emptiness, like that which one feels when finally sobering from a state of drunkenness. The joy of Buddhahood, however, is profound, indestructible and everlasting. 
 

[Derwin Lycan Sherwood]

Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda

Wednesday, July 14, 2010:

Governments come and go, economies rise and fall and society constantly changes. Only the good fortune that we accumulate during our lives lasts forever. The true victors are those who cultivate the tree of Buddhahood in the vast earth of their lives, while achieving success both in society and their personal lives through true faith and a true way of living.

 

[Derwin Lycan Sherwood]

Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda

Thursday, July 15, 2010:

What is the treasure of youth? It is struggle; it is hard work. Unless you struggle, you cannot become truly strong. Those who fight hard during their youth will have nothing to fear when the time comes to put the finishing touches on their lives. They will possess a great state of life that towers strong and unshakable. In Buddhism, we call this the state of Buddhahood, which nothing can undermine or destroy. It is a state of mind enjoyed by invincible champions of life.

 

[Derwin Lycan Sherwood]

Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda

Friday, July 16, 2010:

The powerful may appear great, but in reality they are not. Greatest of all are the ordinary people. If those in power lead lives of idle luxury it is because the people are silent. We have to speak out. With impassioned words, we need to resolutely attack abuses of power that cause people suffering. This is fighting on the side of justice. It is wrong to remain silent when confronted with injustice. Doing so is tantamount to supporting and condoning evil.

 

[Derwin Lycan Sherwood]

Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda

Saturday, July 17, 2010:

Life isn't always smooth. If it were, we would never grow and develop as human beings. If we succeed, we are envied; if we fail, we are ridiculed and attacked. Sadly, this is how people are. Unexpected grief and suffering may lie ahead of you. But it is precisely when you encounter such trying times that you must not be defeated. Never give up. Never retreat.

 

[Derwin Lycan Sherwood]

Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda

Sunday, July 18, 2010:

There is no need to seek impatiently for greatness, fame or wealth. The earth and sun do not hurry; they follow their own path at their own pace. If the earth were to accelerate and complete one rotation in three hours instead of twenty-four, we would be in big trouble! The most important thing in life, too, is to find a sure and certain path and confidently advance along it.

 

[Derwin Lycan Sherwood]

Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda

Monday, July 19, 2010:

Youth is a truly wonderful thing. Unfortunately, though, this is often something that's hard to appreciate when we're young. Life passes by quickly. Before we know it, we are old. That's why in our youth we should be as active as we possibly can. Rather than a life of blank pages, live a life crammed full of memories—of battles well fought and wonderfully diverse experiences. Not to leave behind any history, to just grow old and die, is a sad way to live.

 

[Derwin Lycan Sherwood]

Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda

Tuesday, July 20, 2010:

Our lives are ruled by impermanence. But simply realizing that changes nothing. There is no value in bleak pessimism. The challenge is how to create something of enduring value within the context of our impermanent lives. The Lotus Sutra teaches us how to do this.

 

[Derwin Lycan Sherwood]

Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda

Wednesday, July 21, 2010:

True and lasting happiness only and always comes from our own efforts, our own wisdom, our own good fortune. This is a fundamental truth. Faith is the key to strengthening our efforts, wisdom and good fortune; SGI activities are the key to strengthening ourselves.