August 2025 Living Buddhism

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

Gongyo—which includes reciting portions of the “Expedient Means” and “Life Span of the Thus Come One” chapters of the Lotus Sutra morning and evening—is part of daily practice for Nichiren Buddhists. This series carries Ikeda Sensei’s explanations of gongyo, section by section. The full text can be found in The Heart of the Lotus Sutra,

This section features Ikeda Sensei’s seminal guidance to the members of the United States. The following is an excerpt of his speech given at the World Peace Ikeda Auditorium, in Santa Monica, California, September 29, 1991. The full speech can be found in My Dear Friends in America, fourth edition, pp. 152–65. Winter Never Fails

Awakening to my power to impact my environment, I bring hope and joy to my community through friendship. I am Jun Koizumi of Gardena, California.

Districts share how to truly foster friendship with youth in our communities.

Please base your monthly discussion meeting study on one of the following: 1) Buddhist Concepts (pp. 46–47) 2) Writings for Discussion Meetings (pp. 48–49) 3) Material from any recent issue of the World Tribune or Living Buddhism Buddhist Concepts A Vow for Happiness  Outside of weddings and pacts of silence, we rarely hear about making

Ikeda Wisdom Academy members: • are group through national youth leaders and all student division members. • should have their own copy of The Wisdom of the Lotus Sutra, vol. 4. • are encouraged to read the assigned material before each meeting. August Syllabus: The Wisdom of the Lotus Sutra, vol. 4, pp. 145–70• Part

Shin’ichi Yamamoto, Ikeda Sensei’s character in The New Human Revolution, meets with some 50 members of the student division amid student demonstrations at the University of Tokyo that turned violent. This scene unfolds in response to a question that a student asked Shin’ichi: “How can we best lead our lives as people dedicated to realizing

Ikeda Sensei’s serialized novel The New Human Revolution chronicles the history of the Soka Gakkai following his inauguration in 1960 as its third president. It carries practical guidance on how to expand our movement for kosen-rufu and hundreds of experiences of inner transformation. Sensei appears in the novel as Shin’ichi Yamamoto. The following takes place

Looking up I see sunlight glimmering through the leaves. The trees of Oirase stand like venerable, wise persons. Gazing upward from the streambed where I stand, I see deep-green leaves of August, filled with life, extending from treetops and branches toward small patches of blue sky. Nothing is more deserving of praise than a tree