This Week and This Month's Event Calendars: August 2009

Monday, August 31, 2009

[SGI-ToMyFriends-Wagatomo] To My Friends & Daily Gosho Aug. 31st + Words of the Week Aug 31st - Sep 6th

Translations of President Ikeda's "To My Friends" and
"Words of the Week" published in the Seikyo Shimbun and more.

Monday, August 31st, 2009
-- TO MY FRIENDS --
To all of our heroes and heroines of kosen-rufu throughout Japan,
I put my palms together in expressing my sincere appreciation, from the bottom of my heart, for all your efforts.
All of the connections to Buddhism you helped to create are indestructible treasures in your lives
throughout the three existences of past, present and future.

Monday, August 31st, 2009
--- DAILY GOSHO ---
"More valuable than treasures in a storehouse are the
treasures of the body, and the treasures of the heart are
the most valuable of all. From the time you read this
letter on, strive to accumulate the treasures of the heart!"

(The Three Kinds of Treasure - The Writings of Nichiren
Daishonin, Vol.1, page 851) Selection source: "Kyo no
Hosshin", Seikyo Shimbun, August 31st, 2009

August 31st - September 6, 2009
---- WORDS OF THE WEEK ----
Three cheers to all of our great noble members who
exerted themselves, till the very last moment, without
any regrets at all!*
The great fortune and benefit that you have accumulated
through your dedicated effort will most certainly adorn your lives for all eternity.
Now, proudly and confidently, let's aim directly towards the 80th anniversary of the Soka Gakkai's founding in 2010!

* This is in reference to the Soka Gakkai's support of the New Komeito Party's election activities. They received some very heavy blows this time, as you may well have heard, but they - the New Komeito - are not blaming or pointing the finger at anyone but are already reviewing what went wrong, making changes where need be and
are certainly preparing for the next battle determined to show voters where they may have made a very bad choice! Japan is a very unique country, as we all know! But sadly there are times when people here in Japan need to see and experience with their own eyes what the alternative is before they decide what would be much better.

**The Japanese kanji for To My Friends, Words of the Week and Daily Gosho is available by clicking on Seikyo Shimbun's web-site address at
http://www.sokanet.jp/sg/sn/member_support_top.html

--- WAGATOMO NI OKURU ---
ZENKOKU NO
KOFU NO DAIEIYU NI
KOKORO KARA KANSHA GASSHO!
HIROGETA BUTSUEN WA
SANZE NI FUMETSU NO TAKARA DA!

-- KYO NO GOSHO --
"KURA NO TAKARA YORIMO MI NO TAKARA SUGURETARI MI NO
TAKARA YORI KOKORO NO TAKARA DAIICHI NARI KONO ONFUMI O
GORAN ARAN YORIWA KOKORO NO TAKARA O TSUMASE TAMAUBESHI"
(Gosho Zenshu, page 1173)

--- KONSHU NO KOTOBA ---
KUINAKU TATAKAIKITTA
IDAINA DOSHI, BANZAI!
MINASAMA NO FUKUUN WA EIEN NARI.
SA SORITSU 80 SHUNEN E
IFU MO DODO TO DAIZENSHIN DA!

------------------------------------

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Sunday, August 30, 2009

[SGI-ToMyFriends-Wagatomo] To My Friends & daily Gosho Aug. 30th + Daily Enc. Aug 31st

A translation of President Ikeda's "To My Friends"
published in the Seikyo Shimbun and more.

Sunday, August 30th, 2009
-- TO MY FRIENDS --
The movement towards Kosen-rufu is all about our sincere actions to
send a breeze of joy and happiness into people's hearts.*
Cheerfully and victoriously,
let's advance along our own unique paths
of "joyfully spreading the Mystic Law!"**

*"Why do mandarava and manjushaka flowers rain down and
breezes scented with sandalwood delight the hearts of the
assembly?" - The Lotus Sutra, "Introduction" chapter

**"'I will live exactly as the Daishonin teaches!' This
is the faith of 'rejoicing.' The SGI has laboured with
the fundamental spirit to live according to the
Daishonin's writings. By striving to do this, we can
experience true joy and benefit.

"In short, no benefit can compare to the joy of dedicating
one's life to kosen-rufu. No joy is greater than the joy
of propagating the Mystic Law. Nothing is greater than
the joy of seeing other people become happy as a result of
our efforts in dialogue. And when we rejoice at others'
happiness, our own lives become increasingly pure.

"Propagation has nothing to do with arrogance. On the
contrary, it is motivated by a sincere desire to share
Nichiren Daishonin's Buddhism with others, delighted at
our good fortune to have been born as human beings and to
be able to expound the Law."
(The Wisdom of the Lotus Sutra, Vol. 5, "Joyfully
Spreading the Mystic Law")

Sunday, August 30th, 2009
--- DAILY GOSHO ---
"It is due to the authority and supernatural power of
Bodhisattva Universal Worthy that this Lotus Sutra is
propagated throughout Jambudvipa. Therefore the
widespread propagation of this sutra must be under the
care and protection of Bodhisattva Universal Worthy."

(Ongi kuden - Gosho Zenshu, page 780, The Record of the
Orally Transmitted Teachings, page 190) Selection source:
SGI President Ikeda's lecture series, "The Writings of
Nichiren Daishonin and the Mentor-Disciple Relationship",
Seikyo Shimbun, August 30th, 2009

Monday, August 31st, 2009
---- DAILY ENCOURAGEMENT ----
"The phrase 'treasures in a storehouse' in 'The Three Kinds of Treasure' refers to money and material wealth. 'Treasures of the body' are the physical body, health, and our physical skills and abilities. 'Treasures of the heart' are our inner strength and brilliance, the richness of our character and humanity that we build within our lives. And by extension they refer to the indestructible good fortune we shall enjoy across the three existences. 'Treasures of the heart' are acquired through thepractice of Buddhism.

..."Even the most enormous wealth is not inexhaustible, and it can all be lost in a moment--during a disaster, for example. If we have our health, however, we can always work hard again and acquire more wealth. So our body, our health, are more important than wealth. That's why the Daishonin writes: 'More valuable than treasures in a
storehouse are the treasures of the body.

"But even 'treasures of the body' gradually fade, as we grow old or fall ill. Such treasures are not eternal. Moreover, we can have a strong, healthy body, but if our mind is filled with insecurity and fear, or with envy and malice, our lives will still be very unhappy. While 'treasures in the storehouse' and 'treasures of the body' are important, they do not always guarantee happiness.

"The 'treasures of the heart' are the ultimate key to true happiness. Without these treasures, there can be no genuine happiness. As the Indian non-violence champion Mahatma Gandhi (1869-1948) once wisely observed: 'Happiness was largely a mental condition.' But modern civilization has low regard for the heart, the mind, because
it has so far advanced by exclusively focusing on pursuing and acquiring 'treasures in the storehouse' and 'treasures of the body.'"

SGI Newsletter No. 7846, The New Human Revolution--Vol. 22: Chap. 4, The Treasure of Life 17, translated Aug 27th, 2009

* The Japanese kanji for To My Friends is available by
clicking on Seikyo Shimbun's web-site address at
http://www.sokanet.jp/sg/sn/member_support_top.html

--- WAGATOMO NI OKURU ---
TOMO NO KOKORO NI
KUNPU O HIROGERU
SEIJITSU NO FURUMAI!
WAGA ZUIKI NO MICHI O
KAIKATSU NI KACHI SUSUME

-- KYO NO GOSHO --
"KONO HOKEKYO O ENBUDAI NI GYOZURU KOTO WA FUGEN BOSATSU
NO IJIN NO CHIKARA NI YORU NARI KONO KYO NO KOSENRUFU SURU
KOTO WA FUGEN BOSATSU NO SHUGO NARU BEKINARI"

(Gosho Zenshu, page 780)

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Saturday, August 29, 2009

[SGI-ToMyFriends-Wagatomo] To My Friends & Daily Goshio Aug. 29th + Daily Enc. Aug 30th

*Back up to speed! Heaps of thanks, and more, to Ritu, Mitsuko, Jim and Mukesh for standing on the very front line for so long! And thank you to all those people I met on my travels who said so many many kind and encouraging words about this service! So off we go...

A translation of President Ikeda's "To My Friends"
published in the Seikyo Shimbun and more.

Saturday, August 29th, 2009
-- TO MY FRIENDS --
Victory in the battle towards achieving kosen-rufu
is decided by the earnestness and enthusiasm in our voices.
Aiming towards such decisive and absolute victory,
let's carry straight on with an absolutely unyielding determination to win!

Saturday, August 29th, 2009
--- DAILY GOSHO ---
"Nam-myoho-renge-kyo is like the roar of a lion."

(Reply to Kyo'o - The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin,
Vol.1, page 412) Selection source: "Kyo no Hosshin",
Seikyo Shimbun, August 29th, 2009

Sunday, August 30th, 2009
---- DAILY ENCOURAGEMENT ----
"The French thinker Marquis de Vauvenargues
(1715-47) wrote: 'Becoming familiar with others is
training for the spirit.' It is through our interactions
with others that we develop and forge our character. Human
relationships begin with the courage to initiate a
dialogue. For some, it means making a conscious effort to
break out of their shell, to overcome their tendency to
hide away and avoid other's company. Making efforts to
talk to and converse with others is the first step in
transforming oneself from a closed to an open individual."

SGI Newsletter No. 7842,
THE LIGHT OF THE CENTURY OF HUMANITY,
Saluting the Women's Division--Part 1 [of 2],
translated Aug. 24th, 2009

* The Japanese kanji for To My Friends and Daily Gosho is available by
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http://www.sokanet.jp/sg/sn/member_support_top.html

--- WAGATOMO NI OKURU ---
KOFU NO IKUSA WA
NEKKI NI MICHITA
"KOE" DE KIMARU.
ZETTAI SHORI E
SHUNEN NO DAISHINGEKI O!

-- KYO NO GOSHO --
"NANMYOHORENGEKYO WA SHISHIKU NO GOTOSHI"
(Gosho Zenshu, page 1124)

------------------------------------

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[SGI-ToMyFriends-Wagatomo] To My Friends & Daily Gosho August 28th + Daily Encouragement August 29th

A translation of President Ikeda's "To My Friends"
published in the Seikyo Shimbun and more.

Friday, August 28th, 2009
-- TO MY FRIENDS --
Once we make a determination,
let's put it into action right away!
Those who boldly and fearlessly
persevere in their conviction
have the best chance of winning.

Friday, August 28th, 2009
--- DAILY GOSHO ---
"I am praying that, no matter how troubled the times may
become, the Lotus Sutra and the ten demon daughters will
protect all of you, praying as earnestly as though to
produce fire from damp wood, or to obtain water from
parched ground."

(On Rebuking Slander of the Law and Eradicating Sins - The
Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, Vol.1, page 444) Selection
source: "Kyo no Hosshin", Seikyo Shimbun, August 28th,
2009

Saturday, August 29th, 2009
---- DAILY ENCOURAGEMENT ----
If we base ourselves on our own fickle, ever-changing
hearts or minds, we will not be able to make our way up
steep ridges buffeted by the fierce winds of devilish
functions. We must set our sights on the solid and
unshakable summit of attaining Buddhahood and continually
seek to master our minds. This is the meaning of the
words, "become the master of your mind rather than let
your mind master you" (WND-1, 502).

Becoming the master of one's mind ultimately means basing
oneself on the unwavering foundation of the Law. Herein
lies the importance of sutras or writings containing the
teachings of the Buddha who has awakened to and spreads
the Law. For us, as practitioners of the Daishonin's
Buddhism, mastering our mind means basing ourselves on the
Gohonzon and the Daishonin's writings. And in Buddhism, it
is the teacher or mentor who puts the teachings into
practice that helps us connect to the Law. Mastering our
mind means living our lives with a sincere seeking spirit
in faith based on the shared commitment of mentor and
disciple, and not being ruled by arrogant egoism or
self-centeredness.

(SGI Newsletter No. 7832: SGI President Ikeda's Study
Lecture Series, LEARNING FROM THE WRITINGS OF NICHIREN
DAISHONIN: THE TEACHINGS FOR VICTORY, [6]
"Letter to the Brothers" Part 3 [of 3]. Translated August
5th, 2009)

* The Japanese kanji for To My Friends is available by
clicking on Seikyo Shimbun's web-site address at
http://www.sokanet.jp/sg/sn/member_support_top.html

--- WAGATOMO NI OKURU ---
OMOITATTARA
SOKU KODO DA!
SHOKI O TSUKAMU NOWA
DANTO TO KAKEYUKU
OSORE NAKI TOSHI DA

-- KYO NO GOSHO --
"IKANARU YO NO MIDARE NIMO ONOONO OBA HOKEKYO JURASETSU
TASUKE TAMAE TO SHIMERERU KI YORI HI O IDASHI KAWAKERU
TSUCHI YORI MIZU O MOKEN GA GOTOKU GOJO NI MOSUNARI"

(Gosho Zenshu, page 1132)

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Friday, August 28, 2009

[SGI-ToMyFriends-Wagatomo] To My Friends & Daily Gosho August 27th + Daily Encouragement August 28th

A translation of President Ikeda's "To My Friends" published in the Seikyo Shimbun and more.

Thursday, August 27th, 2009
-- TO MY FRIENDS --
The Daishonin states:
"(The reason that you have survived until now when so many
have died was) so that you would meet with this affair."*
Realizing that now is the crucial moment,
let us manifest our full potential and take action
to accomplish a glorious victory!

*"Reply to Yasaburo" - WND-I, page 829

Thursday, August 27th, 2009
--- DAILY GOSHO ---
Whether you chant the Buddha's name, recite the sutra, or merely offer flowers and incense, all your virtuous acts will implant benefits and roots of goodness in your life. With this conviction you should strive in faith.

(On Attaining Buddhahood in This Lifetime, Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, Volume 1, Page 4) Selection source: "Kyo no Hosshin", Seikyo Shimbun, August 27th, 2009

Friday, August 28th, 2009
---- DAILY ENCOURAGEMENT ----
Life is a struggle against tribulation. Especially in striving to fulfill our noble mission for kosen-rufu, we are bound to encounter daunting obstacles. When that happens, do we rise to that challenge and try to surmount them, or do we retreat? The strength to break through such obstacles derives from courage, and faith in the Buddhism of Nichiren Daishonin enables us to bring forth the ultimate courage for victory from within the depths of our being.

(SGI Newsletter No. 7839, SGI President Ikeda's Editorial, Translated on Thursday, August 20, 2009)

* The Japanese kanji for To My Friends and Daily Gosho is available by clicking on Seikyo Shimbun's web-site address at

http://www.sokanet.jp/sg/sn/member_support_top.html

---WAGATOMO NI OKURU---
[KONO KOTO NI AWAN
TAME NARIKERI]
IMA KOSO SHONENBA!
WAGA CHIKARA O DASHIKIRI
EIKAN O KACHITORE

-- KYO NO GOSHO --
"HOTOKE NO NA O TONAE KYOKAN O YOMI HANA O CHIRASHI KO O HINERU MADEMO MINA WAGA ICHINEN NI OSAMETARU KUDOKU ZENKON NARI TO SHINJIN O TORUBEKINARI"

(Gosho Zenshu, page 383)

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Thursday, August 27, 2009

[SGI-ToMyFriends-Wagatomo] To My Friends & Daily Gosho August 26th + Daily Encouragement August 27th

A translation of President Ikeda's "To My Friends" published in the Seikyo Shimbun and more.

Wednesday, August 26th, 2009
-- TO MY FRIENDS --
We can break any impasse with strong prayer!
The Gosho teaches us to pray "as earnestly as though
to produce fire from damp wood"*
Invoking the power of faith,
let's be victorious even in our toughest battles!

* Gosho - On Rebuking Slander of the Law and Eradicating Sins - WND-1, page 444, "I am praying that, no matter how troubled the times may
become, the Lotus Sutra and the ten demon daughters will protect all of you, praying as earnestly as though to produce fire from damp wood, or to obtain water from parched ground."

Wednesday, August 26th, 2009
--- DAILY GOSHO ---
"Employ the strategy of the Lotus Sutra before any other."

(The Strategy of the Lotus Sutra - The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, Vol.1, page 1001) Selection source: "Kyo no Hosshin", Seikyo Shimbun, August 26, 2009

Thursday, August 27th, 2009
---- DAILY ENCOURAGEMENT ----
Untrustworthiness is not only a betrayal of others but also leaves a dark pall of regret covering the betrayer's heart. Those who can honestly say that they have always acted in a trustworthy and honest manner have lived triumphant lives.

(SGI Newsletter no. 7840, The New Human Revolution Volume 22: Chapter 4, Installments: "The Treasure of Life" 10, Translated on Thursday, August 20, 2009)

* The Japanese kanji for To My Friends and Daily Gosho is available by clicking on Seikyo Shimbun's web-site address at
http://www.sokanet.jp/sg/sn/member_support_top.html

---WAGATOMO NI OKURU---
GOJO NA INORI GA
FUKANO O UCHIYABURU!
[SHIMERU KI YORI
HI O IDASHI]
DAISHINRIKI DE SERI KATE!

-- KYO NO GOSHO --
"NANI NO HEIHO YORIMO HOKEKYO NO HEIHO O MOCHII TAMAUBESHI"

(Gosho Zenshu, page 1192)

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Wednesday, August 26, 2009

[SGI-ToMyFriends-Wagatomo] To My Friends & Daily Gosho August 25th + Daily Encouragement August 26th

A translation of President Ikeda's "To My Friends"
published in the Seikyo Shimbun and more.

Tuesday, August 25th, 2009
-- TO MY FRIENDS --
Let us not retreat even a single step in our challenge.
Instead, let's attack it with the force of dashing waves.
It is through such efforts that we prove the true worth of Soka.
As we move closer to our goal,
let us remain bold and determined,
bracing ourselves for the task ahead!

Tuesday, August 25th, 2009
--- DAILY GOSHO ---
"Now when Nichiren and his followers chant Nam-myoho-renge-kyo, they are like the blowing of a great wind."

(Ongi kuden - Gosho Zenshu, page 742, Chapter Eleven: The Emergence of the Treasure Tower--twenty important points - The Record of the Orally Transmitted Teachings, page 96) Selection source: "Kyo no Hosshin", Seikyo Shimbun, August 25th, 2009

Wednesday, August 26th, 2009
---- DAILY ENCOURAGEMENT ----
What disciples do at the critical moment is of utmost importance. Do they stand by passively, fearing for their own safety? Or do they courageously stand up alongside their mentor with a selfless attitude? This difference is what reveals whether the mentor and disciple bond is genuine or not.

SGI Newsletter 7840, The New Human Revolution Volume 22: Chapter 4, Installments: "The Treasure of Life" 9, Thursday, Translated on August 20, 2009

* The Japanese kanji for To My Friends is available by
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--- WAGATOMO NI OKURU ---
IPPO MO HIKANU
DOTO NO MOKO KOSO
SOKA NO SHINKOCCHO DA.
[IYOIYO] NO KOKORO DE
KAKAN NI UTTE DEYO!

-- KYO NO GOSHO --
"IMA NICHIRENRA NO TAGUI NANMYOHORENGEKYO TO TONAE
TATEMATSURU WA OKAZE NO FUKU GA GOTOKU NARI"

(Gosho Zenshu, page 742)

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Tuesday, August 25, 2009

[SGI-ToMyFriends-Wagatomo] To My Friends & Daily Gosho August 24th + Words of the Week August 24th-30th

A translation of President Ikeda's "To My Friends"
published in the Seikyo Shimbun and more.

Monday, August 24th, 2009
-- TO MY FRIENDS --
The Daishonin states,
"The wise will rejoice while the foolish will retreat."*
Strengthening our faith more than ever,
let's drive back the raging storms of obstacles and negative forces!
Let's confront them with a challenging spirit and win!**

*"Something uncommon also occurs when an ordinary person
attains Buddhahood. At such a time, three obstacles and
four devils will invariably appear, and the wise will
rejoice while the foolish will retreat." - "The Three
Obstacles and Four Devils", WND-I, page 637

** "People leading lives of minor good who practice faith
only for their own benefit will certainly not encounter
obstacles, but those leading lives of major good dedicated
to altruistic bodhisattva practice will most definitely be
assailed by devilish functions...

"Just like lotus flowers that bloom unsullied by the muddy
water in which they grow, we [the members of the Soka
Gakkai] boldly plunge into the midst of forces hostile to
the correct teaching people of small and medium good
who commit slander of the Law and resolutely seek to
redress their grave error and wrongdoing. It is only
natural, therefore, that the three obstacles and four
devils will furiously descend upon us. Indeed, their
appearance earns us the name of 'practitioners.'

"We mustn't be fainthearted 'believers' who only desire
minor benefit for themselves and are too fearful to battle
devilish functions. Authentic 'practitioners' are those
who throw themselves wholeheartedly into battling the
three obstacles and four devils for the sake of the great
benefits of attaining Buddhahood in this lifetime and
advancing kosen-rufu for the happiness of people
everywhere. All members of the Soka Gakkai are noble
'practitioners of the Lotus Sutra' of the modern day."
(SGI Newsletter No. 7832, SGI President Ikeda's Study
Lecture Series LEARNING FROM THE WRITINGS OF NICHIREN
DAISHONIN: THE TEACHINGS FOR VICTORY [6] "Letter to the
Brothers" Part 3 [of 3])

Monday, August 24th, 2009
--- DAILY GOSHO ---
"Each of you should summon up the courage of a lion king
and never succumb to threats from anyone. The lion king
fears no other beast, nor do its cubs."

(On Persecutions Befalling the Sage - The Writings of
Nichiren Daishonin, Vol.1, page 997) Selection source:
"Kyo no Hosshin", Seikyo Shimbun, August 24th, 2009

August 24th-30th, 2009
---- WORDS OF THE WEEK ----
The Daishonin says,
"(Because I have expounded this teaching, I have been
exiled and almost killed. As the saying goes, 'Good
advice grates on the ear.')
But still I am not discouraged."*
Let's take on every challenge confidently,
and charge ahead with the courage of a lion king!
Chanting abundant and sincere daimoku,
let's be in perfect unity so that we can ensure absolute victory!

*"The Essentials for Attaining Buddhahood" - WND-I, page
748

* The Japanese kanji for To My Friends is available by
clicking on Seikyo Shimbun's web-site address at
http://www.sokanet.jp/sg/sn/member_support_top.html

--- WAGATOMO NI OKURU ---
"KENJA WA YOROKOBI
GUSHA WA SHIRIZOKU"
SHINJIN TSUYOKU
REPPU O HANEKAESE!
KOGEKI SEISHIN DE KATE!

-- KYO NO GOSHO --
"ONOONO SHISHIO NO KOKORO O TORIIDASHITE IKANI HITO
ODOSUTOMO OZURU KOTO NAKARE SHISHIO WA HYAKUJU NI OJIZU
SHISHI NO KO MATA KAKUNO GOTOSHI"

(Gosho Zenshu, page 1190)

--- KONSHU NO KOTOBA ---
"IMADA KORIZU SORO"
DODOTO SHISHI NO YUSEN O!
TSUYOKI DE SEMENUKE!
INORI NI INOTTE
DANKETSU DE KESSHO SEYO!

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Monday, August 24, 2009

[SGI-ToMyFriends-Wagatomo] To My Friends & Daily Gosho August 23rd + Daily Encouragement August 24th

A translation of President Ikeda's "To My Friends"
published in the Seikyo Shimbun and more.

Sunday, August 23rd, 2009
-- TO MY FRIENDS --
The Buddhist gods are moving in response to our enthusiastic and dedicated efforts!
Let's create a new history through our courageous faith!

Sunday, August 23rd, 2009
--- DAILY GOSHO ---
"Matters of minor importance arise from good, but when it comes to a matter of great importance, great disaster without fail changes into great fortune."

(A Warning against Begrudging One's Fief - The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, Vol.1, page 824) Selection source: SGI President Ikeda's essay, Seikyo Shimbun, August 23rd, 2009

Monday, August 24th, 2009
---- DAILY ENCOURAGEMENT ----
"The passage that the Daishonin cites from Great
Concentration and Insight begins, 'As practice progresses and understanding grows ...,' indicating a stage where practitioners have deepened their understanding of the Lotus Sutra and solidified their practice as a result. The three obstacles and four devils attack precisely because of the genuine efforts by practitioners to transform their lives at the most fundamental level. In our own context today, it means such obstacles will descend when we exert ourselves wholeheartedly in the two ways of practice and study and move forward in our lives and in our efforts for kosen-rufu. The Daishonin asserts that the three obstacles and four devils arise when we are on the verge of attaining Buddhahood."

SGI Newsletter No. 7832: SGI President Ikeda's Study Lecture Series, LEARNING FROM THE WRITINGS OF NICHIREN DAISHONIN: THE TEACHINGS FOR VICTORY, [6] "Letter to the Brothers" Part 3 [of 3]. Translated August 5th, 2009

* The Japanese kanji for To My Friends is available by clicking on Seikyo Shimbun's web-site address at http://www.sokanet.jp/sg/sn/member_support_top.html

--- WAGATOMO NI OKURU ---
WARERA NO NETTO DE
SHOTEN GA OKIKU
UGOITE IRU!
YUKANNARU SHINJIN DE
REKISHI O KACHI HIRAKE!

-- KYO NO GOSHO --
"SHIKAREDOMO SHOJI KOSO ZEN YORIWA OKOTE SORAE DAIJI NI
NARINUREBA KANARAZU DAINARU SAWAGI GA DAINARU SACHI TO
NARUNARI"

(Gosho Zenshu, page 1164)

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Sunday, August 23, 2009

[SGI-ToMyFriends-Wagatomo] To My Friends & Daily Gosho August 22nd + Daily Encouragement August 23rd

A translation of President Ikeda's "To My Friends"
published in the Seikyo Shimbun and more.

Saturday, August 22nd, 2009
-- TO MY FRIENDS --
Let's guard ourselves against the new influenza.
Especially during our hectic schedules,
let's take every precaution to prevent it.
First and foremost the most important thing is to chant daimoku earnestly to keep ourselves in good health.

Saturday, August 22nd, 2009
--- DAILY GOSHO ---
"The first shi of the word shishi, or 'lion' [which means 'teacher'], is the Wonderful Law that is passed on by the teacher. The second shi [which means 'child'] is the Wonderful Law as it is received by the disciples. The 'roar' is the sound of the teacher and disciples chanting in unison."

(Ongi kuden - Gosho Zenshu, page 748, The Record of the Orally Transmitted Teachings, page 111) Selection source: "Kyo no Hosshin", Seikyo Shimbun, August 22nd, 2009

Sunday, August 23rd, 2009
---- DAILY ENCOURAGEMENT ----
"Founding Soka Gakkai president Tsunesaburo Makiguchi
(1871–1944) once said: 'Do we make our lives dwellings of the Buddha which lead us to happiness or do we instead make them abodes of devilish functions which lead us to unhappiness? We have to choose either one or the other. Actively driving devilish functions out and defeating them will lead to happiness and kosen-rufu.'"

SGI Newsletter No. 7832: SGI President Ikeda's Study Lecture Series, LEARNING FROM THE WRITINGS OF NICHIREN DAISHONIN: THE TEACHINGS FOR VICTORY, [6] "Letter to the Brothers"— Part 3 [of 3]. Translated August 5th, 2009

* The Japanese kanji for To My Friends is available by
clicking on Seikyo Shimbun's web-site address at
http://www.sokanet.jp/sg/sn/member_support_top.html

--- WAGATOMO NI OKURU ---
SHINGATA RYUKAN NI CHUI!
ISOGASHII TOKI KOSO
SAISHIN NO CHUI O!
KENKO DAIICHI NO
INORI GA KONPON DA.

-- KYO NO GOSHO --
"SHI TOWA SHISHO SAZUKURU TOKORO NO MYOHO SHI TOWA DESHI UKURU TOKORO NO MYOHO KU TOWA SHITEI TOMONI TONAURU TOKORO NO ONJO NARI"

(Gosho Zenshu, page 748)

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Saturday, August 22, 2009

[SGI-ToMyFriends-Wagatomo] To My Friends & Daily Gosho August 21st + Daily Encouragement August 22nd

A translation of President Ikeda's "To My Friends"
published in the Seikyo Shimbun and more.

Friday, August 21st, 2009
-- TO MY FRIENDS --
The Daishonin encourages us,
"Now you must strengthen your faith more than ever."*
Those who possess courage and tenacity to win and advance will definitely be protected by Buddhist gods.**

*"I say this for your sake. I know your faith has always been admirable, but now you must strengthen it more than ever." - "The Supremacy of the Law", WND-I, page 614

** heavenly gods and benevolent deities (shoten-zenjin) -
http://www.sgilibrary.org/search_dict.php?id=975

Friday, August 21st, 2009
--- DAILY GOSHO ---
"It is rare to be born a human being. The number of those endowed with human life is as small as the amount of earth one can place on a fingernail. Life as a human being is hard to sustain--as hard as it is for the dew to remain on the grass. But it is better to live a single day with honor than to live to 120 and die in disgrace."

(The Three Kinds of Treasure - The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, Vol.1, page 851) Selection source: "Kyo no Hosshin", Seikyo Shimbun, August 21st, 2009

Saturday, August 22nd, 2009
---- DAILY ENCOURAGEMENT ----
All of you are sincerely chanting daimoku and working for the happiness of others. You are striving hard in Soka Gakkai activities. Nothing is nobler than this. Without a doubt, the Daishonin is praising and applauding your efforts. You are sure to attain clear and wonderful benefits. It doesn't matter whether others are aware of your efforts or not. When you dedicate your life to kosen-rufu, you will have no regrets. All of your struggles will have meaning and become causes for your victory. Please continue to fight alongside me as proud Gakkai members!

(SGI Newsletter No. 7837, SGI President Ikeda's Speech, Young Women's Division Commemorative Gathering, Part 3 of 5. Translated August 18th, 2009)

* The Japanese kanji for To My Friends is available by
clicking on Seikyo Shimbun's web-site address at
http://www.sokanet.jp/sg/sn/member_support_top.html

--- WAGATOMO NI OKURU ---
"IMA ICHIJU GOJONI
ONKOKOROZASHI ARUBESHI"
YUKI TO SHUNEN DE
KACHISUSUMU TOSHI O
SHOTEN WA GENGO SURU!

-- KYO NO GOSHO --
"JINSHIN WA UKEGATASHI TSUME NO UENO TSUCHI JINSHIN WA
TAMOCHIGATASHI KUSA NO UENO TSUYU HYAKUNIJU MADE TAMOCHITE NA O KUTASHITE SHISEN YORIWA IKITE ICHINICHI NARITOMO NA O AGEN KOTO KOSO TAISETSUNARE"

(Gosho Zenshu, page 1173)

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This Week and This Month's Event Calendars

Upcoming Events

Month At A Glance

Monday, August 31, 2009

[SGI-ToMyFriends-Wagatomo] To My Friends & Daily Gosho Aug. 31st + Words of the Week Aug 31st - Sep 6th

Sunday, August 30, 2009

[SGI-ToMyFriends-Wagatomo] To My Friends & daily Gosho Aug. 30th + Daily Enc. Aug 31st

Saturday, August 29, 2009

[SGI-ToMyFriends-Wagatomo] To My Friends & Daily Goshio Aug. 29th + Daily Enc. Aug 30th

[SGI-ToMyFriends-Wagatomo] To My Friends & Daily Gosho August 28th + Daily Encouragement August 29th

Friday, August 28, 2009

[SGI-ToMyFriends-Wagatomo] To My Friends & Daily Gosho August 27th + Daily Encouragement August 28th

Thursday, August 27, 2009

[SGI-ToMyFriends-Wagatomo] To My Friends & Daily Gosho August 26th + Daily Encouragement August 27th

Wednesday, August 26, 2009

[SGI-ToMyFriends-Wagatomo] To My Friends & Daily Gosho August 25th + Daily Encouragement August 26th

Tuesday, August 25, 2009

[SGI-ToMyFriends-Wagatomo] To My Friends & Daily Gosho August 24th + Words of the Week August 24th-30th

Monday, August 24, 2009

[SGI-ToMyFriends-Wagatomo] To My Friends & Daily Gosho August 23rd + Daily Encouragement August 24th

Sunday, August 23, 2009

[SGI-ToMyFriends-Wagatomo] To My Friends & Daily Gosho August 22nd + Daily Encouragement August 23rd

Saturday, August 22, 2009

[SGI-ToMyFriends-Wagatomo] To My Friends & Daily Gosho August 21st + Daily Encouragement August 22nd

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