CategoryTo My Friends

Say, for example, you visit and encourage one of your members who has stopped coming to meetings. It is unlikely that they will be inspired to make a fresh determination in faith after only one visit. You need to call on them from time to time and patiently continue to encourage them. Eventually, your sincerity

When the sun rises, it illuminates everything on earth. When a single lighthouse shines out to sea at night, countless vessels can navigate safely. When a family has one person who acts as a strong pillar, all of its members can lead secure, tranquil lives. From The Wisdom for Creating Happiness and Peace, part 2,

The formula for the eternal expansion of kosen-rufu is found in ceaseless, steady efforts to benefit others and engage in dialogue, efforts that spread from one person to another. From The Wisdom for Creating Happiness and Peace, part 3, revised edition, p. 96

Chanting about challenges in our life and chanting for kosen-rufu, the aspiration to help all people become happy, are essentially one and indivisible. Both propel us forward. Our personal victories are actual proof of kosen-rufu. When we chant strongly for the development of the Soka Gakkai, which is advancing kosen-rufu, we forge invincible inner strength

A single individual who encounters and awakens to the true, great Law goes on to courageously engage in altruistic action, meeting with another and telling them about Buddhism. Never forget that this ripple effect from one person to another is the source of the limitless expansion of kosen-rufu and that through such steady efforts, the

Mr. Makiguchi, a great scholar, at first hoped that his writings would be an effective means of propagation, but they were not. Then he tried speaking to large groups at lectures and meetings. That, too, proved ineffective. Books were no good, big meetings were no good. So he set out on his own to meet

True dignity means having absolute, irreplaceable value. Our lives, which inherently possess the world of Buddhahood, are of absolute value. That is the meaning of the term treasure tower. From The Wisdom for Creating Happiness and Peace, part 3, revised edition, p. 76

There are no requirements other than to “embrace the Lotus Sutra.” We don’t have to do anything special. That’s why there is no need to try to be anyone other than who we are, to put on airs, or to envy others. When we face problems and suffering, all we need to do is continue

Offering heartfelt encouragement is what defines a genuine practitioner of Buddhism. Losing no time in encouraging those who are struggling or suffering; helping people transform their sadness into courage and suffering into hope—this is the spirit of the Daishonin. From The Wisdom for Creating Happiness and Peace, part 3, revised edition, p. 86

Who in actuality is striving earnestly to share Nichiren Buddhism with others? Who is working wholeheartedly to spread our movement for kosen-rufu? It is our members, all ordinary people from different walks of life, with our women’s division members in the forefront. From The Wisdom for Creating Happiness and Peace, part 3, revised edition, p.

You must love, respect and treasure yourself. You’ll be miserable if you allow yourself to be swayed by the prejudices, passing trends and contradictions of society. Never forget to be who you are, to be true to yourself. From The Wisdom for Creating Happiness and Peace, part 2, revised edition, p. 344

Persevering for us means continuing in our efforts to chant Nam-myoho-renge-kyo and share Nichiren Buddhism with one person after another. We who know this sure and practical way for transforming winter into spring are fortunate indeed. From The Wisdom for Creating Happiness and Peace, part 2, revised edition, p. 339

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