CategoryBrief Guidances

From now through August, the SGI-USA’s Summer of Shakubuku is here! It’s a time for each of us to take on the challenge of introducing others to Buddhism freely, spontaneously and joyfully! The following are excerpts from Ikeda Sensei’s guidance on the compassionate spirit of propagation. My Life is Nam-myoho-renge-kyo!  Josei Toda declared: “Propagating the

Even though your late son, Yashiro, committed evil [in killing others as a samurai], if you, the mother who gave birth to him, grieve for him and offer prayers for him day and night in the presence of Shakyamuni Buddha, how could he not be saved? Moreover, because he believed in the Lotus Sutra, he

A person’s heart may change with the times, and the nature of a thing may alter with its surroundings. Just as the moon on the water will be tossed about by the waves, or the soldiers in the vanguard will be cowed by the swords of the enemy … “On Establishing the Correct Teaching,” The

Many of the practitioners from Sado Province have made the longjourney all the way to this place [Mount Minobu], and that is why I have expounded for them the teaching that I am propagating now, which will become the seed of Buddhahood in their future lives as well. All of this is due to the

“Opening” [of “opening the door of Buddha wisdom” (see The Lotus Sutra and Its Opening and Closing Sutras, p. 64)] is another name for the mind of faith. When we recite Myoho-renge-kyo [chant Nam-myoho-renge-kyo] with the mind of faith, we are in that very act opening the door of Buddha wisdom. The Record of the

The word “benefits” … means the reward that is represented by the purification of the six sense organs. In general we may say that now Nichiren and his followers, who chant Nam-myoho-renge-kyo, are carrying out the purification of the six sense organs. Hence they are acting as teachers of the Law of Myoho-renge-kyo and possess

I may have been at the [Ceremony in the Air], but since I am a common mortal, it is beyond my power to know the past. There is no doubt, however, that in my present life I am the votary of the Lotus Sutra, and that in the future I will therefore reach the seat

When one livens other people’s complexions, one livens one’s own too, when one gives them strength, one gives oneself strength too, when one prolongs their lives, one prolongs one’s own life as well. “On Clothing and Food,” The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, vol. 2, p. 1066 Living a contributive life is a source of health

The mystic principle of the true aspect of reality is one, but if it encounters evil influences, it will manifest delusion, while if it encounters good influences, it will manifest enlightenment. Enlightenment means enlightenment to the essential nature of phenomena, and delusion, ignorance of it. “The Entity of the Mystic Law,” WND-1, 417–18 Our lives

The four virtues are (1) filial piety toward one’s father and mother; (2) loyalty to one’s lord; (3) courtesy toward one’s friends; and (4) pity and kindness toward those less fortunate than oneself. “The Four Virtues and the Four Debts of Gratitude,” The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, vol. 2, p. 636 After these words, Nichiren

Toward a Hope-filled Future With the Daishonin’s Writings

Toward a Hope-filled Future With the Daishonin’s Writings

Toward a Hope-filled Future With the Daishonin’s Writings

Toward a Hope-filled Future With the Daishonin’s Writings

This life is like a dream. One cannot be sure that one will live until tomorrow. However wretched a beggar you might become, never disgrace the Lotus Sutra. Since it will be the same in any event, do not betray grief. Just as you have written in your letter, you must act and speak without

This installment of “Living the Writings: Words of Encouragement from SGI President Ikeda,” was originally published in the July 22, 2011, issue of the Soka Gakkai’s daily newspaper, Seikyo Shimbun. [In China long ago, the general] T’ai-kung Wang undertook to invade the Yin realm because the Earl of the West [King Wen of the Chou

Toward a Hope-filled Future With the Daishonin’s Writings

Toward a Hope-filled Future With the Daishonin’s Writings

Toward a Hope-filled Future With the Daishonin’s Writings

Toward a Hope-filled Future With the Daishonin’s Writings