About Job -- From Daisaku Ikeda

There is rarely any company or job that will fulfill all your requirements. You should be glad if they meet even one or two. Work is not something you do for fun. Because you get paid for it, you have to accept that there are going to be challenges and difficulties. The important thing is that you do your best at whatever company you find employment.

A lot of us are thinking that if we get a job at big company , we will enjoy security. We must be able to see reality things, without being deceived by outward appearances.

There are no companies in the world that are 100 percent secure. This is because social circumstances are always changing. Everyday is a battle in which companies fight to survive. The companies that grow are the ones that are consistently developing new products , implementing structural reforms and striving to improve and expand. For example, a food manufacturer may venture into pharmaceuticals, trying various approaches and carrying out research in an attempt to open a new area of business and remain float. Business is a dog eat dog world.

The reality is that situations can change overnight. If people are dependent and lack the spirit of challenge, then no matter how many of them are, there will never be growth or development.

When it comes to getting a job, the important thing is to be resolved to do your best wherever you are assigned.

Both society and the world of business are constantly changing. If at such a time you stop making an effort or lose motivation because it is not what you originally wanted to do, that's being selfish and lazy. It's a sign of defeat.

When you start working somewhere, there is good chance you will have to do something that you have no aptitude for.
You may have supervisors or co-workers whom you dont like, or have a hard time getting along with others. But work itself is a challenge. When you decide approach it with such an awareness and aim to win in your workplace, your company will become the arena where you train and polish yourself as a person.

Treating work as nothing but a source of income is to have a hireling mentality. Someone with such an attitude will only do enough work to earn his salary, and not a bit more. Such a person is actually a burden on a company.

You need to earn the trust of your colleagues and become the best worker in your department. Of course you have to achieve good results, but in addition to that , its important to make an effort to arrive at your workplace before everyone else, straighten up the office and greet everyone pleasantly as they arrive.

Winning in the morning is the key. Tardiness is inexcusable. Those who cant even greet others don't deserve to be called members of society.

It is also crucial that, no matter what your position, you have the resolve that you are shouldering the company as a whole. Don't be passive. Cultivate a responsible , active, positive attitude.

That is the secret to personal growth and success.

1st President of SGI - Makiguchi often said that there are three kinds of people : those everyone wants to have around, those whose presence or absence does not make a difference and those whose presence causes problems.

- quoted from the New Human Revolution - Soka University

Daily Quote - July 17

Failure is an instrumental part of every success. Whether our life has been a triumph or tragedy can only be judged at its very end.

- Daisaku Ikeda -

Daily Quote - July 11

Life loses its dynamism from the moment we lose the passion with which to live it. No matter what our age, we cannot afford to let the flame within our heart grow dim. We do not become unhappy because we grow old. We become unhappy only when we grow ever more unwilling to change as we age.

- Daisaku Ikeda -

Daily Quote - July 9

Ultimately, we are responsible for our own destiny. It may seem to us that our fate is predetermined, whether by our genes or by our environment. What really matters, however, is how we can improve ourselves from this moment forward, how we can change the circumstances that we find ourselves in. This enormous transformative force is what Buddhism is all about. In this struggle lies the source of never-ending youth and vitality.

- Daisaku Ikeda -

Our Heart Is What Matters Most

One of my favorite Argentine poets, the great educator Almafuerte (1854-1917) wrote: "To the weak, difficulty is a closed door. To the strong, however, it is a door waiting to be opened." Difficulties impede the progress of those who are weak. For the strong, however, they are an opportunity to open wide the doors to a bright future. Everything is determined by our attitude, by our resolve. Our heart is what matters most.

- Daisaku Ikeda -

One Essential Phrase

Never give out your password or credit card number in an instant message conversation.

Fong Yee says:
hi there
*sakura* says:
one moment pls.. on phone
*sakura* says:
i'm back
*sakura* says:
what's up??
Fong Yee says:
so did you chant nam-myoho-renge-kyo yesterday night?
*sakura* says:
yup
*sakura* says:
u?
Fong Yee says:
on phone now
*sakura* says:
lol
Fong Yee says:
hi
Fong Yee says:
i did 3 times.. twice yesterday and one this morning
Fong Yee says:
around 10 min each
Fong Yee says:
and yesterday i attended a Gosho study. Gosho is the religious book study. Twice a month in Sri Damansara. VERY Good talk yesterday.
*sakura* says:
woww... looks like u r committed-wor
*sakura* says:
what's the talk abt?
Fong Yee says:
of course. we must do it with conviction or don't do it at all
Fong Yee says:
The talk was abt the "One Essential Phrase"
*sakura* says:
pls. elaborate - this phrase tingy
Fong Yee says:
I will .. give me a minute. Go pee
*sakura* says:
k
Fong Yee says:
Ok.. back.
Fong Yee says:
Gosho study is on all the writings of Nichiren Daishonin, the Buddha who expound the Lotus Sutra of Nam-Myoho-Renge-Kyo. Yesterday night was a study on a letter written by him to a lady.
Fong Yee says:
The lady asked a question, presumably on behalf of his sick husband. The lady said, hubby is very sick and is not able to read the entire Lotus Sutra. So what can hubby do?
*sakura* says:
pls continue
Fong Yee says:
So ND said that by chanting Nam-Myoho-Renge-Kyo, we are actually chanting the entire Lotus Sutra, implying that is a very powerful word.
Fong Yee says:
The speaker gave a good example. He said the atomic bomb that devastated Hiroshima and Nagasaki is powerful. But the formula for the bomb is really Einstein's e=mc2 and not some 10 page long formula.
Fong Yee says:
Similarly, NMRK is a simple phase, but it encompasses the whole essence of the entire Lotus Sutra, which is 8 volume, 69,000 characters!
*sakura* says:
interesting
*sakura* says:
wow!
Fong Yee says:
There's more.. trying to recall ..
*sakura* says:
k
Fong Yee says:
There's one other example that I like. The speaker said Sensai mentioned that our body is like a a mini universe. The hair on top of our heads are like the thousands sparkling stars, the hair on our body like trees in the forest, our blood veins like streams and rivers, our eyes a representation of the sun and moon, our breathe like the air gusting in the field, the warmth in our chest like summer and spring, the cold of our back like winter and autumn. So if our entire body is a microcosm of the Universe, then we need to
Fong Yee says:
be in rhythm with the Universe, to beat as one, to flow together and be with nature. Then, when our live is in rhythm, then things would move smoothly for us.
Fong Yee says:
This reminds me of another friend who told me about feng shui. Feng shui is all about aligning your location, your seating, your house, your being to be at the same flow as the qi in the world.. ie follow the path of the flow. So if you believe that feng shui can made someone's life smooth/rich/etc, then
Fong Yee says:
by implication, we need to also ensure our body, a mini universe, must be in the same flow as the forces in the universe and the way to ensure we are in rythm is to chant the power word. This explains why people who chant NMRK sees improvements in their lives.
Fong Yee says:
The speaker cautioned that not everyone who chants will see benefits instantly and the reason is because all of us have different karma (due to past life's doing).
Fong Yee says:
So someone who killed another human in the past life may need to chant for years because he can break the karmaic chain while someone who did good in past life may just need to chant a few hours.
Fong Yee says:
However, we shld always chant to break karma in times of difficulties and chant for gratitude in times of joy. Means, even someone who is having good life shld also chant for gratitude
Fong Yee says:
Did you get all the above?
*sakura* says:
yup
*sakura* says:
is that all?
Fong Yee says:
got
Fong Yee says:
coz MSN disconnect and said I can't send you msg so I am not sure if you got all of them
*sakura* says:
.
Fong Yee says:
then the speaker gave another example. We were talking abt Mystic Law and someone wonders if this Law really exists.
*sakura* says:
gd question-wor
Fong Yee says:
So the speaker said that take gravity for example. It exist but it was only discovered when an apple fell on top of Netwon's head. Another example, radiowave exists all these years but it was only discovered in 1900 year when someone discover radio - but these 2 things and more other Laws exist even 5000 years ago .. just not discovered aje
Fong Yee says:
So by definition, the Mystic Law exists.. and it was discovered by Nichiren Daishonin in 1200..
*sakura* says:
pls continue
Fong Yee says:
Mystic Law is Myoho
*sakura* says:
let me get this straight... r u saying by chanting these powerful words... it is mystic law?
Fong Yee says:
Nope. Buddhist believes that the Mystic Law governs us. Mystic Law is the fundamental force that dictates our existence.
Fong Yee says:
But chanting NMRK, we are in ryhtm with the Mystic Law
Fong Yee says:
Which is why things will become smooth for us
Fong Yee says:
Nam = devotion
Fong Yee says:
Myoho = Mystic Law
Fong Yee says:
Renge = Cause and Effect
Fong Yee says:
Kyo = Lotus Sutra
*sakura* says:
looks like its a "full pacakge"
Fong Yee says:
So you can't see gravity.. yet you believe it exists
Fong Yee says:
The Law exist
Fong Yee says:
Similarly we can't see Mystic Law, but we can see life.. life is an extention of ML
*sakura* says:
looks like u had a good 'class' yesterday
*sakura* says:
well... i hope to continue this new 'discovered practice'
*sakura* says:
and hopefully it will work for both us

Attitude, Determination and Courage

ON ATTITUDE:

"When your determination changes, everything will begin to move in the direction you desire. The moment you resolve to be victorious, every nerve and fiber in your being will immediately orient itself toward your success. On the other hand, if you think, "This is never going to work out," then at that instant every cell in your being will be deflated and give up the fight. Then everything really will move in the direction of failure. "

"Those who are always complaining about their circumstances find that success continually eludes them. As do those who speak ill of others or who make excuses for their failures. "

ON COURAGE:
"If you summon your courage to challenge something, you'll never be left with regret. How sad it is to spend your life wishing, "If only I'd had a little more courage." Whatever the outcome may be, the important thing is to step forward on the path that you believe is right. "

English Discussion Meet

Yesterday I went for a English discussion meeting in Sri Damansara. Dr Boey made a rare appearance. For someone as busy as he is, saving lives, it is an honour to have him attend a discussion meeting, I was told. My first impression of him was that he looked a lot like President Ikeda when the President was younger. The looks are so alike, it is uncanny. Looking at Dr Boey reminds me of all the pictures of President Ikeda as depicted in The New Human Revolution book.

Dr Boey said something to the group that made a deep impression to Annie and I. He said that in order to strengthen one's faith there are 2 things we have to do:
1. "wanting to do something";
2. "praying for the courage/strength/energy/wisdom to do it"

He said that wanting to do something means really putting one's mind and soul to doing it. We should always cover 4 aspect when talked about doing something:
a. Gakkai activities
b. our job
c. our family
d. our social life

There are opportunity to do kosen-rufu in each of the 4 areas - focusing on your job is working on kosen-rufu. Spending time with family is kosen-rufu. Focusing on all these 4 aspects does not mean that you need to allocate equal time for all four. This is where prayers come in - to give you the wisdom on what is the right time to focus and on which area.

For example, if this weekend is an anniversary, then you really need to spend time with the wife and pay more attention on the family part, even if it means not doing your office duty. On another weekend, it may mean that you are putting 12 hours into job and not on family. When and how much time to put in is where wisdom comes in. And wisdom is obtained from? Prayers!

And we should not forget the non-member friends, Dr Boey said. Human interactions is important because through these interactions, whether with members or non members, you build the relationship and thus paving ways for more kosen-rufu in the future.

Good Cheer

It's especially important during times of difficulty and hardship not to lose your good cheer, and to continue encouraging others and moving dynamically forward. Living in such a way is proof itself of the power of Buddhism and becomes the positive driving force for kosen-rufu.

- Cosmic October 2006

Glossary

Bodhisattva: A being aspiring to enlightenment or a future Buddha. The Bodhisattva seeks salvation for others and therefore concentrates on altruistic aims.

Dai-Gohonzon: The fundamental and supreme object of worship enshrined in the Sho-Hondo, Grand Main Temple, of the Nichiren Soshu head temple. It was inscribed by Nichiren Daishonin on October 12, 1279, to save all mankind from distress and unhappiness. The Dai-Gohonzon is the embodiment both of the profound theory of the Three Great Secret Laws and of the life of the Daishonin himself.

Daimoku: The invocation of Nam-myoho-renge-kyo, which Nichiren Shoshu believers chant in their worship of the Gohonzon. Only by means of this invocation is it possible for a person to draw on the life force inherent in him and thus enjoy life fully.

Gohonzon: The object of worship in Nichiren Shoshu, first inscribed by Nichiren Daishonin in 1279. At present it is inscribed only by the high priest of Nichiren Soshu and bestowed upon followers. "Go" is an honorific prefix; "honzon" means object of worship.

Gongyo: The prayer service performed by believers before the Gohonzon every morning and evening. During Gongyo, they recite the Hoben and Juryo chapters of the Lotus Sutra and chat the Daimoku.

Gosho: The complete works of Nichiren Daishonin, consisting of religious theses and letters to his disciples. For the followers of Nichiren Soshu, it serves a function similar to that of the Bible in Christianity.


Kosen Rufu: The attainment of world peace and happiness through the propagation of the spirit and teachings of true Buddhism.

Lotus Sutra: The next to last sutra expounded by Sakyamuni, it is his highest teaching, though the term also refers to the highest teaching of any Buddha, and its implications may vary with time. For instance, the Lotus Sutra of the Zoho, or Middle Day of the Law, is the Mo-ho-chih-kuan of T'ien-t'ai; and that of the Mappo, or Latter Day of the Law, is Nichiren Daishonin's Nam-myoho-renge-kyo, or the Gohonzon.

Nam-myoho-renge-kyo: Literally, "Devotion to the Wonderful Law Lotus Sutra." Initiated by Nichiren Daishonin, the True Buddha in the Latter Day of the Law, this invocation is the basis of universal life - the most fundamental law of all phenomena in the universe.

Nichiren Daishonin (1222-82): The founder of Nichiren Soshu, whose teachings are the basis of Soka Gakkai. A fisherman's son, he inherited the doctrine of Sakyamuni and in 1253, at the age of 31, distilled the essence of the Lotus Sutra into Nam-myoho-renge-kyo. In 1279 he exalted it to the position of the supreme guide for people living in the Latter Dat of Sakyamuni's law and embodied it in the form of the Dai-Gohonzon, the ultimate object of worship of Nichiren Soshu. Daishonin is an honorific suffix that is interpreted to mean "the True Buddha in the Latter Day of the Law."

The Ten States of Life: The states of life that are manifest in both pysical and spiritual aspects of all human activities. These ten states are hell, hunger, animality, anger, tranquillity, rapture, learning, absorption (realization), Bodhisattva nature and Buddha nature.

Transforming Our Way of Living

This is an excerpt of an article by Mr Ikeda in the Japan Times, titled "Transforming Our Way of Living"

....encouragement is not something offered at arm's length, keeping oneself at a safe distance. Real encouragement is conveyed only in the process of sharing the reality of life's sufferings and challenges. Making the effort to live this way amid the corruptions and humiliations of society, striving to offer the gifts of courage and hope, brings out the inner radiance of our lives. Encouraging others enables us to fully grasp the meaning of our lives and experience enduring happiness. The transformation from a self-centered, self-involved way of life to one dedicated to the well-being of others is the process of "human revolution."

http://search.japantimes.co.jp/cgi-bin/eo20070412a1.html

Anti-Social is not good!

In Japan, the mountain potatoes known as taros are rough and dirty when harvested, but when they are placed in a basin of running water together and rolled against each other, the skin peels away, leaving the potatoes shining clean and ready for cooking. Similarly, the only way for us to hone and polish our character is through our interactions with others.

Illness

Illness is not something to feel ashamed of. It is not a sign of misfortune or defeat. Suffering is the fuel of wisdom, and it opens the way to happiness. Through illness, human beings can gain insight into the meaning of life, understand its value and dignity, and strive to lead more fulfilling lives.

- ikedaquotes.org

Envy

An envious person does not look at those more capable than him and aspire to better himself; he plots to drag them down to his own level. Jealousy is simply an unwitting admittance of one's own flaws and failings.

- from ikedaquotes.org

Overcoming Difficulties

"Whatever your work may be, make a greater effort than anyone else and strive to produce remarkable results, demonstrating your victory for all to see.

Q: What have you enjoyed most in life?
A: Overcoming difficulties. (by Helen Keller)

True happiness in life is found in struggling to accomplish something of value.”

One mind

"When we are all of one mind, we can succeed in anything. And even when we fail, failure opens up new paths and new vistas for other attempts. When we work together, there will always be a way. This is the strength given to believers in true Buddhism."

- Josei Toda -

High Standards

"... every worthwhile project demands work and effort. In times like these, you'll never accomplish anything with a defeatist attitude." Toda continued: "Set yourself difficult tasks; then overcome them. Weaklings are afraid of difficulties, but I know I don't have any weaklings in my office."

- Josei Toda -

Friendship

Friendship, precious in any form, is more ennobling when it is based on a common belief in some great cause. Purely worldly friendship, though often beautiful and valuable, does not always go deep; it may even disintegrate in the face of difficulties and adversities. Friendship between people of common faith, however, endures anything and inspires the friends to risk their very lives in the struggle toward their common goal.

- Josei Toda -

Fostering Capable People

This morning, Fong Yee and I were talking about how to foster our staff to be capable people. This is what we have shared with each other....

Rather than judging people as competent or incompetent, it is best to look for each person's positive qualities. We should discover and praise their inherent strengths and abilities. Whether or not capable people are fostered comes down to the resolve and effort of the people who take responsibility for their growth.

There are always able people; the challenge lies in discovering and fostering them. The irresponsible fail to see them and the self-centered cannot raise them.

People who cease to grow can't inspire others. Leadership begins with challenging oneself.

- Daisaku Ikeda -

Daily Encouragement - Mar 26

When seen from the perspective of life's true value, whether a person is rich or poor is a marginal issue at best. The truly impoverished are those who are wealthier than others who take themselves too seriously and look down upon the less affluent. Happiness will never be a handout; it's something we create with our own hands.

- Daisaku Ikeda -

BlogThings

Saw this at Cathy's blog and wanted to try it.
This is amazingly accurate..

Here's what it says about Annie:

Your Birthdate: Month Day

You tend to be a the rock in relationships - people depend on you. Thoughtful and caring, you often put others needs first. You aren't content to help those you know... you want to give to the world. An idealist, you strive for positive change and dream about how much better things could be. Your strength: Your intuition Your weakness: You put yourself last Your power color: Rose Your power symbol: Cloud Your power month: June

What Does Your Birth Date Mean?

and me:

Your Birthdate: Month Day

You tend to be understated and under appreciated. You have a hidden force to do amazing things, doing them your own way. People may see you as strange and shy, but they know little. Your unconventional ways have more power than they (and even you) know. Your strength: Standing up for what you know is true Your weakness: You tend to be picky and rigid Your power color: Silver Your power symbol: Square Your power month: April

What Does Your Birth Date Mean?

Vol 67 - Hope

Gratitude is an expression of spiritual depth.
People who live with a sense of appreciation are joyful and happy.

Strength, wisdom and courage

Yesterday was one of those long day at work. My meetings were back to back. I met a few of my staff for one to one review. These reviews are normally exhausting because I am dealing with people and people are not machines - they are unpredictable, they need encouragement, they need praises or discipline.

I think today is going to be another one of those days. Every morning, when faced with challenges like this, I try to say a prayer or two while driving. Today I pray for:

1. the strength to go through the day with high spirit - meaning I know it's going to be tough but I wanted to go through it with smiles and positive mindset.

2. the wisdom to say the right thing, to make the right decision

3. the courage to stand on my ground, say the correct thing, even though the right thing may not be the nicest thing.

Hope my prayers are answered.

Complaints erase good fortune

"Complaints erase good fortune, grateful prayers build happiness throughout eternity"

Every time I complained about something, this quote came into my mind. It reminds me not to complain so much because it removed all the accumulated good fortune. This is why people who complained sound very negative and they find themselves spiraling downwards into the whirlpool of negativity! If you feel like complaining today, STOP! Instead, be grateful and say a prayer :)

Daily Encouragement - Feb 26

Gong Xi Fa Chai!!

I am back to work today, quite reluctantly after a long break during CNY. But Fong Yee reminded me this morning to live each day to the fullest and create values at my workplace. This also reminds me of a guidance from D. Ikeda which I would like to share with all of you. Have a splendid and fulfilling day ahead! :)


"Those who wake up each morning with work to accomplish and a mission to fulfill are the happiest person of all. Each day is one of supreme purpose and satisfaction. Each day is New Year's Day. Please exert yourselves vigorously with the determination to live each day to the fullest, so that you may compose a golden diary of life."

- Daisaku Ikeda -

No absence of beauty..

Annie always remind me that "there is no absence of beauty, only lack of discovery". I thought about this phrase on my way to work and I find that in this digital and Internet age, a lot of people tend to forget to discover the beauty in something they have.

Let me give you an example. When I was young and poor, I tend to truly treasure a lot of my possessions: books, music cassettes, computer games and even small little things like a "lead" pencil. I love to read and love music. I would save money to buy something I like. Most of the times, the things I bought did not turn out as I expected - the book is written with difficult English; the songs is not to my taste or the computer games, which cost RM50 that time, turned out to be something that I was not used to playing. At that time, that's the only book, song and games that I have. Like it or not, I still have to read it, listen to the music or plough through the computer games. And as I forced myself to read/listen/play, I discover the beauty behind the writing; I get used to the rhythm of the song; and I discovered unexplored worlds in the games. The more I read, the more I love the style of writing. The phrase above struck a deep chord with me. There is no absence of beauty.. it's just me, myself, not discovering the beauty behind a creation, a novel, a piece of music, a gaming world.

Today, most teenagers or adults alike has easy and free access to music, movies, TV series, softcopy of books and games. They don't need to save money to get them. All they need is a bit torrent software and time to download these from the Internet. It's all free, right? Just fire up the software, go to sleep and the next day, you will get access to the music, movies and games. For fellow Malaysians, we could buy the whole TV series for maybe a few ringgits. Not a lot of money.

Because of these easy access, people tend to throw away something that they don't like. They forget to discover. How many times did you delete the song that you downloaded which you previewed for only 5 second and found that you didn't like it? Or how many times do you find yourself uninstalling a games or software that you only played/used for 5 minutes? Or fast forward a movie to the end just to see the ending and then throw the CD away? How many of us truly go through the ordeal of listening to a unfamiliar tunes or movies or books to discover the beauty inside it, as the artist, directors, authors meant it to be?

The next time you listen to a song and decide to press the "Next Track" button, remember the phrase above. We must always strive to discover the beauty behind a creation.. be it a song, book, movie or even LIFE itself!

Daily Encouragment - Feb 15

Life is full of unexpected suffering. Even so, as Eleanor Roosevelt said: "If you can live through that [a difficult situation] you can live through anything. You gain strength, courage and confidence by every experience in which you really stop to look fear in the face. You are able to say to yourself, 'I lived through this horror. I can take the next thing that comes along.' " That's exactly right. Struggling against great difficulty enables us to develop ourselves tremendously. We can call forth and manifest those abilities lying dormant within us. Difficulty can be a source of dynamic growth and positive progress.

- Daisaku Ikeda -

Daily Encouragement - Feb 14

Strength is happiness. Strength is itself victory. In weakness and cowardice there is no happiness. When you wage a struggle, you might win or you might lose. But regardless of the short-term outcome, the very fact of your continuous struggle is proof of your victory as a human being. A strong spirit, strong faith and strong prayer - developing these is victory and the world of Buddhahood.

- Daisaku Ikeda -

Daily Encouragement - Feb 13

Remembering things about a person is an expression of compassion and concern. Forgetfulness shows a lack of compassion, a lack of responsibility.

- Daisaku Ikeda -

Introducing Human Revolution

In today's world where global issues are so important, many people feel a sense of powerlessness and resignation; a feeling that no individual's efforts can change the way things are. But the Buddhist viewpoint is that the world should be seen from the perspective of the individual, and that the human life contains the entire universe. That is why changing our own lives one by one will bring a change in our family, our community, and the society in which we live. It will change the age we live in, our history, and indeed all aspects of our world.

If we look for the true causes of war, we see that it is essentially caused by the human mind. War stems from the desire to control and conquer others, to have power, and from hatred and antipathy. Such is a human being in the grip of the negative force of life. World peace starts with the inner transformation of the individual, and the struggle to elevate our state of life, and free ourselves from the domination of the negative force of life.

A single sunflower contains the seeds for more than a thousand new plants. Similarly, when one brave person stands up for peace, his or her resolve spreads out into the environment in thousands of ways. Courage always brings a response. One person's human revolution can therefore eventually change the destiny of the entire human race.

- Daisaku Ikeda -

Daily Encouragement - Feb 9

"Exert your utmost effort. Make each day count. Ask yourself today and tomorrow also: "Did I do my best?" That is what makes a hero. The person who can do this is a WINNER."

"A wave grows stronger with each obstacle it encounters"

"Truly brave is the person who is strong when standing alone"

- Daisaku Ikeda -

Daily Encouragement - Jan 22

Ultimately, happiness rest on how you establish a solid sense of self or being. Happiness does not lie in outward appearances nor in vanity. It is a matter of what you feel inside; it is a deep resonance in your life. To be filled each day with a rewarding sense of exhilaration and purpose, a sense of tasks accomplished and deep fulfilment - people who feel this way are happy. Those who have this sense of satisfaction even if they are extremely busy are much happier than those who have time on their hand but feel empty inside.
- Daisaku Ikeda

Vol 73 Dynamic Strides

At the root of this recent attitude among young women was the belief that happiness comes from the outside. But happiness is something we must create in our hearts, through our own efforts. Happiness cannot be achieved without working for it. The famous German writer, Johann Wolfgang von Goethe (1749-1832) proclaimed: "He who sports with life / Can never prosper / He who cannot command himself / Forever stays a slave."

In addition, no life is free from suffering. No matter how glamorous some people's lives may appear from the outside, they all have their share of problems and worries. One may experience smooth sailing for a time, but it never lasts forever. Suffering is an inescapable part of being alive. Unhappiness comes from being defeated by that suffering, losing all hope, and succumbing to despair. The only way to avoid that is to build a strong, expansive spirit that cannot be beaten by any hardship.

The bigger our problems and difficulties, the greater the happiness we experience when we finally overcome them. In fact, it is in the very process of challenging our problems that our lives pulse with joy and fulfilment and a great wellspring of happiness rises up within us. The effort to transform ourselves into a strong, dynamic, and broad-minded person is called human revolution.

Vol 61 - Soka University

Shin'ichi announced the Soka University's founding principles as:
(1) Be the highest seat of learning humanistic education;
(2) Be the cradle of a new culture; and
(3) Be a fortress of peace for humankind

"Only labour and devotion to one's mission give life its worth"

"One truly committed individual can defeat ten thousand. If a leader is really dedicated, his troops will be likewise."

"Encouragement has the power to change disappointment to courage."

"Just as steel is forged in a furnace, our character can only be developed through intense hardship and struggles."

"The process of germination for fresh foliage of spring begins in the bitter cold of winter. In the same way, our lives, as well as human civilization, bear magnificent fruit through surmounting various hardships and challenges."

"..the key to success in life were always to be honest in money matters, to behave with integrity and prudence in romantic relations, and to regard any interpersonal problems they encountered at the workplace as opportunity to grow."

Vol 70 - Lion's Roar

People who have a defined starting point are stong. We must never forget our starting point. As long as we keep it foremost in mind, we will never lose sight of the path of our convictions.

Vol 57 - Mission

Each of us has a noble mission. When we awaken to that mission, the door to our inner life force is unlocked and immeasurable strength and wisdom well forth. Our fundamental mission is the realisation of the sacred and unprecendented undertaking of kosen-rufu, the attainment of happiness and peace for all humanity.

Vol 39 - Hope of The People

"So how is unity among members created? The key is prayer - chanting daimoku earnestly. When we encounter someone we find hard to deal with, we need to pray sincerely for that person. When we argue and fight with another person, it means that both of our life-conditions are low. Praying for the happiness of the other people will greatly elevate our own state of life.

"Emotional conflicts are frequently caused by misunderstandings, so it's important that we talk to each other with an open mind. We need to have the courage to engage each other in dialogue. There is no reason that two people of faith who share kosen-rufu as their fundamental goal shouldn't be able to work out their differences."

Vol 38 - Brilliant Light

Youth are the treasure of the age; they are the brilliant light leading the way into the future. Just as a single ray of light breaks through the darkness and heralds the dawn, the activities of fresh and dynamic youth usher in the dawn of hope. It was the youth of the Soka Gakkai who took the lead in the essential phase of kosen-rufu.

Vol 37 - Young Phoenixes

Youth has limitless potential. It is alive with boundless hope, burning passion, and an overflowing desire for self-improvement. The youthful strength of the next generation is the infinite treasure of all humanity.

Vol 36 - A New Era

Life is eternal. That is the reason we must do our human revolution. Why? Because, according to the strict law of cause and effect, the good causes we accumulate through our practice of Buddhism in this lifetime become the very life of our eternal self that we will carry into the next existence.

First Post

This blog is to document all the New Human Revolution books by Daisaku Ikeda which I have read.

I like the fact that I can label each post in the blog, thereby able to label all the guidances - this will allow me to find the right book based on the guidance I am looking for. As an example, I have labelled this post with the word "New Human Revolution". Clicking this label will show me all post that has this label.

And this blog allows multiple authors, so I can share it with Annie. She can post her own readings as well.

INTERESTING.....