TagGosho for Victory

According to the teachings of the true sutra, when the latter age has begun and Buddhism has fallen into complete disorder, a great sage will appear in the world. For example, the pine tree, which withstands the frost, is called the king of trees, and the chrysanthemum, which continues to bloom after other plants have

What is more, although your late father was a warrior, he had an abiding faith in the Lotus Sutra, and thus—you were only a child at the time—I know that he ended his life in the frame of mind of a true believer. And now you have succeeded him and likewise are firm in your

Great evil portends the arrival of great good. If all of Jambudvipa [the entire world] were to be thrown into chaos, there could be no doubt that [this sutra would] “be widely propagated throughout Jambudvipa.”—“The Kalpa of Decrease,” The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, vol. 1, p. 1122 Ikeda Sensei’s Guidance The light of wisdom of

Buddhism primarily concerns itself with victory or defeat, while secular authority is based on the principle of reward and punishment. (“The Hero of the World,” The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, vol. 1, p. 835) Ikeda Sensei’s Guidance Buddhism does not deny things of worldly or secular value. As practitioners, however, we will not be able

Since you now appear certain to attain Buddhahood, perhaps the heavenly devil and evil spirits are using illness to try to intimidate you. Life in this world is limited. Never be even the least bit afraid! (“The Proof of the Lotus Sutra,” The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, vol. 1, p. 1109) Ikeda Sensei’s Guidance In

“Realize that the time will come when the truth will be revealed that both the person and the Law are unaging and eternal. There cannot be the slightest doubt about the sutra’s promise of ‘peace and security in their present existence.’” (“On Practicing the Buddha’s Teachings,” The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, vol. 1, p. 392)

“Neither the pure land nor hell exists outside oneself; both lie only within one’s own heart. Awakened to this, one is called a Buddha; deluded about it, one is called an ordinary person. The Lotus Sutra reveals this truth, and one who embraces the Lotus Sutra will realize that hell is itself the Land of

“I wonder if you and I have not been pledged to each other as teacher and disciple from countless kalpas in the past.” (“Reply to Sairen-bo,” The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, vol. 1, p. 309) Ikeda Sensei’s Guidance Although this statement is addressed specifically to Sairen-bo, we can read it to include all of us.

“Buddhism teaches that, when the Buddha nature manifests itself from within, it will receive protection from without.” (“The Three Kinds of Treasure,” The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, vol. 1, p. 848) Ikeda Sensei’s Guidance Nichiren Daishonin explains … the “Buddha nature manifesting itself from within and bringing forth protection from without.” In other words, when

“That is why the Great Teacher Miao-lo stated, ‘The stronger one’s faith, the greater the protection of the gods.’ So long as one maintains firm faith, one is certain to receive the great protection of the gods. I say this for your sake. I know your faith has always been admirable, but now you must

“Though the moon is forty thousand yojanas high in the heavens, its reflection appears instantly in a pond on earth; and the sound of the drum at the Gate of Thunder is immediately heard a thousand, ten thousand ri in the distance. Though you remain in Sado, your heart has come to this province. The

“Believers in the Lotus Sutra should fear those who attempt to obstruct their practice more than they fear bandits, burglars, night raiders, tigers, wolves, or lions—even more than invasion now by the Mongols.” (“Letter to the Brothers,” The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, vol. 1, p. 495) Ikeda Sensei’s Guidance Who is it that we, as

“Iron, when heated in the flames and pounded, becomes a fine sword. Worthies and sages are tested by abuse. My present exile is not because of any secular crime. It is solely so that I may expiate in this lifetime my past grave offenses and be freed in the next from the three evil paths.”

“Usually these sufferings appear one at a time, on into the boundless future, but Nichiren has denounced the enemies of the Lotus Sutra so severely that all eight have descended at once. This is like the case of a peasant heavily in debt to the steward of his village and to other authorities. As long