A translation of President Ikeda's "To My Friends" published in the Seikyo Shimbun and more.
Sunday, November 14th, 2010
-- TO MY FRIENDS --
The Daishonin states,
"My wish is that all my disciples make a great vow."*
Now is "one chance in a million"
to write one of the most important episodes in our lives.
Let's achieve one of the greatest victories
in this significant month of the Soka Gakkai's founding!
*"The Dragon Gate" - WND-I, page 1003
Sunday, November 14th, 2010
--- DAILY GOSHO ---
"When the skies are clear, the ground is illuminated. Similarly, when one knows the Lotus Sutra, one understands the meaning of all worldly affairs."
(The Object of Devotion for Observing the Mind Established in the Fifth Five-Hundred-Year Period after the Thus Come One's Passing - The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, Vol.1, page 376)
Selection source: SGI President Ikeda's Essay, Seikyo Shimbun, November 14th, 2010
Monday, November 15th, 2010
---- DAILY ENCOURAGEMENT ----
"Our life in this world is limited. Death comes to all of us one day. As the Daishonin says: 'No one can escape death' (WND-1, 1003). That is why he urges Tokimitsu to devote his life unhesitatingly to the Lotus Sutra (cf. WND-1, 1003).
"There is nothing to fear when one has made the decision to dedicate one's limited life span in this world to widely propagating the Mystic Law and establishing the correct teaching for the peace of the land. There is nothing to fear when one is determined to raise high the banner of supreme victory and glory and achieve happiness that will endure throughout the three existences.
"Again, in a letter to the lay nun Toki, the Daishonin writes: 'Take care of yourself, and do not burden your mind with grief" (WND-1, 656). Because we are human, a serious or protracted illness may drain our strength or spirit, causing us, without realizing it, to lament our situation or succumb to feelings of powerlessness or doubt. But no matter what ails us, we should live with the resolve not to give in to grief or sorrow. Especially, in terms of faith, we should rouse a powerful spirit to battle the devil of illness and not be defeated by our sickness. The key to this is chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo --the daimoku of the Mystic Law -- of which the Daishonin declares: 'Only the ship of Myoho-renge-kyo enables one to cross the sea of the sufferings of birth and death' (WND-1, 33). The beneficial power of chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo even once is boundless and immeasurable. All that matters is that we keep moving forwards in our hearts each day, even if only a fraction of an inch. All that matters is that we are taking a step forwards in our lives by continuing to 'strengthen our faith day by day and month after month' (cf. WND-1, 997), as the Daishonin urges. Even if things don't always progress the way we'd hoped, we should remember that many fellow members are also chanting for us to get well. There is no greater source of strength and support than this.
"When we steadfastly battle the devil of illness based on faith, our illness in its entirety becomes an opportunity to transform our karma through the beneficial power of the Mystic Law to change poison into medicine. As the Daishonin confidently declares: 'There is nothing to lament when we consider that we will surely become Buddhas' (WND-1, 657). He is describing a state of absolute assurance, of absolute peace of mind.
* 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 ---
"NEGAWAKUWA WAGA DESHIRA
DAIGAN O OKOSE"
SAIKO NO JIBUNNSHI O TSUZURU
SENZAI ICHIGU NO TOKI DA!
"SORITSU NO TSUKI" O KATE!
-- KYO NO GOSHO --
"TEN HARENUREBA CHI AKIRAKA NARI HOKKE O SHIRU MONO WA SEHO O UBEKIKA"
(Gosho Zenshu, page 254)
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