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Only those who have experienced the harshness of winter can truly know the joy of spring. The same is true of life. The Swiss philosopher Carl Hilty asserted: “What joy is, is essentially known only to those who have suffered much. Others know only pleasure, which is in no way similar.” Those who haven’t experienced

True unity is achieved when we each have the strength to stand alone—the conviction and fortitude to advance, even if we are the only one. It’s not just passively depending on the support of others or finding strength in numbers. From The Wisdom for Creating Happiness and Peace, part 3, revised edition, p. 159

Our environment doesn’t decide our happiness; we do. We are either defeated by our environment or we triumph over it. That’s what determines our happiness. From The Wisdom for Creating Happiness and Peace, part 2, revised edition, p. 347

Nothing is irredeemable in youth. The only real mistake you can make when you are young is giving up on yourself or allowing fear of failure to prevent you from trying to accomplish something. From The Wisdom for Creating Happiness and Peace, part 2, revised edition, p. 343

I especially hope that you, the youth division members, will strive with all your passion and power. This is to your own benefit, and it is the natural mission of youth. I look to you to carry on and spread the founding spirit of the first three presidents into the vast, uncharted future and develop

There may be times when life itself seems a burden, when we feel trapped or weighed down by something, when we feel passive and a victim of circumstances, or when we feel somehow lost. Those are the times to shed our passivity and turn it into initiative, telling ourselves: “I’m going to follow through on

As third Soka Gakkai president, I accomplished all the goals and visions of Mr. Makiguchi and Mr. Toda. Taking on the brunt of all persecution, I fought to the end, and I triumphed. This is my greatest pride. Now, I must entrust the future to you. It is your turn, members of the youth division!

As you struggle and strive to find your way, please chant, think, study, talk with friends and tackle the things you need to do now. If you continue to challenge yourself without giving up, you will come to see the mission that is yours and yours alone to accomplish. From The Wisdom for Creating Happiness

The mentor-disciple relationship is not a mere formality. It comes to life when we constantly have our mentor in our hearts. That is the key to developing self-mastery and real self-reliance. From The Wisdom for Creating Happiness and Peace, part 3, revised edition, p. 237

I hope that you, the young women’s division members, will make this wonderful time of your youth the most enjoyable and fulfilling time possible. May you all become happy without exception. To do so, may not a single one of you ever be defeated! July 2021 Living Buddhism, p. 23

I love young people. Nothing delights me more than their growth. I am thrilled when I see them developing into wise, peace-loving, and happy individuals. I also cherish the hope that I may walk alongside them and maintain a youthful spirit as long as I live. My one and only wish, and my greatest happiness,

Mr. Makiguchi called discussion meetings “discussion meetings offering experimental proof of a life of great good.” By this, he meant demonstrating through actual examples in our lives, in a way convincing to all, the wonderful effect of putting our Buddhist faith based on the Mystic Law into practice in the real world, of a life

In “On Establishing the Correct Teaching for the Peace of the Land,” the Daishonin describes the “host” who engages the “guest” in dialogue as “a friend in the orchid room.” In a room filled with orchids, the flowers’ sweet fragrance permeates the clothing of those who enter. In the same way, our dialogues on Buddhism

I always feel a rising excitement in my heart when the week for discussion meetings comes around each month. I envision the warm light glowing in the windows of meeting places throughout Japan. I hear the members’ happy voices singing Soka Gakkai songs and their joyous laughter. I imagine the topics that are being discussed

Young people are works in progress, not yet complete. That’s what makes each young person an unknown quantity with limitless potential. Youth are a vibrant force for new, positive change; they are bursting with energy and vitality. Nothing is more wonderful than this. From The Wisdom for Creating Happiness and Peace, part 2, revised edition,

The Lotus Sutra, the ultimate teaching of Shakyamuni Buddha, is itself a discussion meeting on a grand scale. It is a gathering of people earnestly seeking the meaning and purpose of life. Shakyamuni replies to their questions with utter sincerity, relating his personal experiences and employing similes and parables. Those observing and listening to this

If we look at things from the perspective of faith, the way forward will become clear to us. Do not be deceived by pretense or hypocrisy. The time of youth is one when we are easily swayed by our emotions and environment. Establishing an unshakable foundation of Buddhist study in your lives while you are

On the eve of the young men’s division’s establishment, my mentor, second Soka Gakkai President Josei Toda, said to me, “Start your struggle as a group leader on the front lines, and lead our organization toward the realization of kosen-rufu!” “I’m counting on you!” he declared and then urged me: “Work for the happiness of

In the eyes of society, our discussion meetings may seem very simple, modest gatherings, involving a small number of individuals and not particularly noteworthy. But these meetings are based on a profound philosophy that teaches the Law pervading the entire universe. They have a warmth that embraces everyone. They brim with irrepressible hope that can

I hope you will all experience for yourselves, and demonstrate to others, just how sublime is a youth spent exerting oneself in the two ways of practice and study. From The Wisdom for Creating Happiness and Peace, part 2, revised edition, p. 311