CategoryIkeda Sensei’s Lectures

This lecture is part of the “The Buddhism of the Sun—Illuminating the World” series, originally published in the November 2018 Living Buddhism. It can be found in Champions of Hope. In the early days of our movement, one book we young people studied with second Soka Gakkai President Josei Toda was Hall Caine’s The Eternal

This lecture is part of the “The Buddhism of the Sun—Illuminating the World” series, originally published in the October 2018 Living Buddhism. It can be found in Champions of Hope. The Buddhas] have exerted themselves bravely and vigorously” (The Lotus Sutra and Its Opening and Closing Sutras, p. 56). My mentor, second Soka Gakkai President

What is the true benefit of faith? It is to advance on the path of indestructible happiness across the three existences—past, present and future. It is to construct in this lifetime the correct path of life that will guide us into eternity throughout the unending cycle of birth and death. This path is also the

Question: You insist that the followers of the Nembutsu [Pure Land] and Zen schools will fall into the hell of incessant suffering. This shows that you have a contentious heart. You yourself are in danger of falling into the realm of the asuras [the world of anger]. Moreover, it is said in the “Peaceful Practices”

Hawaii draws all people into the beautiful embrace of her nature. East and West meet here in friendship; diverse cultures mix and blend in harmony; there is a balance and fusion of the traditional and the modern. It is therefore an especially appropriate place to consider the issues of peace and security, issues of fundamental

It is an honor to be here today, but I feel especially privileged to have been invited to speak at this time, when Harvard University is commemorating 355 years of an illustrious history. I want to thank Professor John D. Montgomery of the Kennedy School for making this occasion possible and Professors Joseph Nye and

It is with a feeling of exuberance that I join you today, sensing the vigor, energy, and intellectual vitality of Claremont McKenna College. I am honored to have been invited to speak, and I extend my greetings and grateful thanks to President Jack L. Stark, the members of the faculty, and students. New Principles of

Although I and my disciples may encounter various difficulties, if we do not harbor doubts in our hearts, we will as a matter of course attain Buddhahood. Do not have doubts simply because heaven does not lend you protection. Do not be discouraged because you do not enjoy an easy and secure existence in this

Those who lead victorious lives, striving with a stand-alone spirit and steadfastly upholding the correct teaching, are free of the slightest doubt or regret. Their state of mind is like a clear, cloudless blue sky. “This I will state. Let the gods forsake me. Let all persecutions assail me. Still I will give my life

In “The Opening of the Eyes,” Nichiren Daishonin writes, “If there exists a votary of the Lotus Sutra, then the three types of enemies are bound to exist as well” (The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, vol. 1, p. 278). Persecution by the three powerful enemies—arrogant lay people, arrogant priests and arrogant false sages—arises in response

Kosen-rufu is a struggle to spread the Lotus Sutra so that all people in the evil age of the Latter Day of the Law can attain enlightenment. Obstacles and devilish forces of every imaginable kind are sure to assail the votaries of the Lotus Sutra who take up this challenge. In particular, the three powerful

The widespread propagation of the Mystic Law in the Latter Day—this is the great vow expressed in the Lotus Sutra, representing not only the individual wish of Shakyamuni but the shared aspiration of Many Treasures Thus Come One and all Buddhas and bodhisattvas throughout the ten directions and three existences. In the three pronouncements of

When he established his teaching in 1253, Nichiren Daishonin foresaw that great difficulties and obstacles would inevitably lie ahead of him. Nevertheless, he stood up as the votary of the Lotus Sutra, vowing to summon up “a powerful and unconquerable desire for the salvation of all beings and never to falter in [his] efforts” (“The

I, Nichiren, am the only person in all Japan who understands this [that the other Buddhist schools proffer slanderous teachings and cause people to fall into the evil paths of existence]. But if I utter so much as a word concerning it, then parents, brothers, and teachers will surely censure me, and the ruler of

Preface Religion is the pillar of humanity. Philosophy is the backbone of life. The Soka Gakkai has advanced based on the strength of its members’ solid grounding in Buddhist study, a pursuit that can be likened to the rigorous training of a master swordsman. Opening the pages of Nichiren Daishonin’s writings with the spirit of

The Heritage for Attaining Buddhahood Flows in the Lives of Disciples Who Strive Selflessly for Others’ Happiness in the Same Spirit as the Mentor

The Practice of the Buddha’s True Disciples to Awaken All People to the Power of the Mystic Law Inherent in Life

Buddhism is a teaching conveyed through the mentor-disciple relationship. The oneness, or shared commitment, of mentor and disciple forms the essence of Buddhist practice. If we forget the mentor-disciple relationship, we cannot attain Buddhahood. Nor can we achieve eternal happiness or realize kosen-rufu. It is through the bond of mentor and disciple that the Law

The following list chronicles Ikeda Sensei’s study lectures published after the Soka Gakkai’s spiritual independence from the Nichiren Shoshu priesthood on November 28, 1991. These lectures on Nichiren Daishonin’s writings appeared in the Soka Gakkai’s daily newspaper, Seikyo Shimbun, and monthly study journal, Daibyakurenge. They showcase Sensei’s wide-ranging efforts and his vast compendium of works

The True Heritage of Faith Flows in the Harmonious Community of Practitioners Who Share the Great Vow for Kosen-rufu