* Today's Daily Encouragement is slightly longer than normal, please try to give yourselves just a few more seconds, literally!, to read it! You won't regret it!
A translation of President Ikeda's "To My Friends"
published in the Seikyo Shinbun and more.
Friday, October 7th, 2016
-- TO MY FRIENDS --
When we read even just a single sentence
or phrase of Nichiren Daishonin's writings
and really try to apply it in our lives,
wisdom and courage wells out from within
and absolute and invincible conviction
springs up in our hearts.
Together with Nichiren Daishonin's encouraging
and inspiring words,
let's resolutely advance on the path of happiness!
Friday, October 7th, 2016
--- DAILY GOSHO ---
"If one befriends another person but lacks the mercy to correct him, one is in fact his enemy."
("The Opening of the Eyes (ll)",
WND – 1, page 286)
Selection Source: Suntetsu
Seikyo Shimbun:
October 6th, 2016
Saturday, October 8th, 2016
---- DAILY ENCOURAGEMENT ----
"Buddhism is ultimately a teaching about human life and conduct. In that sense, our Buddhist practice is expressed in our words and actions. The important thing is how we lead our lives in society, how we conduct ourselves each day, based on faith in the Mystic Law. Each of those actions helps pave the way to our attainment of Buddhahood.
"There is a famous passage in the Daishonin's treatise 'On Establishing the Correct Teaching for the Peace of the Land': 'You have associated with a friend in the orchid room and have become as straight as mugwort growing among hemp" (WND-1, 23). An "orchid room" is a room filled with sweet-smelling orchids. Just as one who dwells in such a room will gradually be imbued with the fragrance of the orchids, those who associate with people of outstanding character who believe in the correct teaching of Buddhism will eventually be awakened to the validity of that teaching themselves. "Associate" here means to actually come into contact with their words and behaviour.
"In 'On Establishing the Correct Teaching for the Peace of the Land,' the host (Nichiren Daishonin) presents the correct teaching to a visiting guest. When the guest reacts emotionally, becoming enraged, the host remains unperturbed. When the guest is about to storm away angrily, the host smiles soothingly, urges him to stay, and continues patiently to explain the correct teaching.
"Influenced by the host's actions, which embody compassion and reason, as well as the 'fragrance' of his noble character, the guest gradually begins to open his heart. In the end, he discards his attachment to erroneous views and seeks the correct teaching. Reading this treatise is like watching a drama of dialogue unfold before our eyes.
"Buddhism doesn't exist apart from the reality of society, or from people and their lives. No matter how valid the teachings of Buddhism may be, just loudly proclaiming that fact will not persuade people. If anything, that approach is quite likely to drive them away from the path of Buddhism, and that would be going against the intent of the Daishonin, who entrusted us with the mission of realising kosen-rufu.
"When we try to help people gain an understanding of the greatness of Nichiren Buddhism, the first thing they look at is our daily behaviour. How do we live our lives? Are we people of character and integrity? People observe us very closely. If we are careless about money matters or lack good judgment, if we behave in an arrogant, conceited manner, then, irrespective of how wonderful this Buddhism is, people will not believe us.
"Winning people's trust and understanding is very important. Buddhism teaches that when we uphold the supreme Law, we can come to shine as people of unsurpassed character.
"We of the SGI have widely spread understanding for Nichiren Buddhism while polishing our own humanity so that it shines brightly. We have made efforts to be the 'friends in the orchid room' to people in society.
"It is by developing our humanity through our Buddhist practice—cultivating unshakable conviction, hope for the future, warm concern for others, rich wisdom, passion for our mission, and an expansive, all-embracing state of life—that we will move other people and open their hearts to our message."
SGI Newsletter No. 9464, THE WISDOM FOR CREATING HAPPINESS AND PEACE, Part 3: Kosen-rufu and World Peac, Chapter 20: "Be Good Citizens!"—Part 1 [of 2], 20.1 Buddhism Teaches How to Live as a Human Being, from the August 2016 issue of the Daibyakurenge, translation released Oct. 7th, 2016
* The Japanese kanji is available by clicking on Seikyo Shinbun's
http://www.seikyoonline.com/news/wagatomo/
-- WAGA TOMO NI OKURU --
ICHIGYO DEMO II.
GOSHO O SHINKEN NI HAISEBA
CHIE TO YUKI GA WAKU.
ZETTAI NO KAKUSHIN GA UMARERU.
SACHI NO KIDO O AYUMINUKE!
--- KYO NO GOSHO ---
JI NAKUSHITE ITSUWARI SHITASHIMU WA KORE KARE GA ADA NARI
("KAIMOKU SHO – GE", Gosho Zenshu, page 236)
Posted by: Scobie-John Le May-Grellan <sjlmg@icloud.com>
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from there on it is all automatic!
ALSO if you want to introduce a friend to the SGI but just don't know where to start, share with them the following addresses and they can read and watch some very well put together explanations about the SGI. Check it out yourself!
http://www.sgi.org/
http://www.sgi-uk.org/buddhism/practice
Check out the following address if you are looking for an important gosho quote
http://www.nichirenlibrary.org
And for the children there's a wonderful new web-site
http://treasures-of-heart.com/
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