18 Jan 2014
by Anupadin
in Buddhism
Tags: Buddhist Practice, Creativity, Daisaku Ikeda, Human Revolution, Nam Myoho Renge Kyo
As you meet various trials and difficulties, thus polishing all the many facets of the jewel which is life, you will learn to walk that supreme pathway of humanity.
Of this, I am confident, and I am confident too that those who embrace life’s native creativity now stand and will continue to stand in the vanguard of history.
Bringing the creativity of life to its fullest flowering is the work of human revolution. Carrying out this kind of human revolution is your mission now as it will be throughout your lives.
~ Daisaku Ikeda
17 Jan 2014
by Anupadin
in Buddhism
Tags: Challenges, Connections, Daisaku Ikeda, Determination, Happiness, Positive, Possibilities, Sensei
It’s amazing how we and the rest of the Universe are so closely connected. The shoots of progress are suddenly showing through a fog of uncertainty, and I find myself running dozens of ‘what if’ scenarios through my head.
And as if to focus my own thoughts on just what this situation might make possible, I stumble across this Thought For Today from Sensei …
“When we plant the seeds of self-doubt, only noxious weeds sprout. When we limit ourselves with low expectations, the growth of the tree of happiness immediately ceases.
The power of growth, of improvement, the power to overcome all stagnation and break through every obstacle and transform a barren wasteland into a verdant field—that unstoppable power of hope resides right there in your own heart.
It will well up from the rich earth of your innermost being when you face the future without doubt or fear: “I can do more. I can grow. I can become a bigger and better human being”—life and faith are a never-ending struggle to grow.”
Having secured my very first, albeit part time, teaching position today, I am in a world of happiness and ever growing possibilities.
Nam Myoho Renge Kyo
13 Jan 2014
by Anupadin
in Buddhism
Tags: Buddhahood, Daisaku Ikeda, Friendship, Good Friend, Practice
What Buddhism terms ‘good friends’, are sincere, honest people without a trace of deceit, who guide others toward the correct path, toward good. It also refers to people who lend their assistance or support to us so that we can practice Buddhism with full assurance.
If you become close to a person who makes you feel “that person is always glowing and animated” or “when I’m with that person I feel strong and secure,” then your faith will naturally deepen, and you will develop bountiful wisdom. In carrying out this Buddhist practice, encountering good friends is the key to obtaining Buddhahood.
– Daisaku Ikeda
10 Jan 2014
by Anupadin
in Buddhism
Tags: Daisaku Ikeda, Happiness, Helping Others, Josei Toda, Wisdom Courage and Compassion
Happiness, as my brother and I discussed recently, is connected to everything, and connected with nothing. It cannot be bought or sold and it cannot be measured against any physical scale. It is determined by a combination of our circumstances and the way in which we are controlled by, or are dealing with, those circumstances.
To be concerned only with one’s own happiness is egoism. To claim you care only about the happiness of others is hypocrisy. Genuine happiness is becoming happy together with others. Josei Toda said: “Just becoming happy oneself – there’s nothing difficult to that. It’s easy. Helping others become happy is the foundation of our faith.”
Nam Myoho Renge Kyo
03 Jan 2014
by Anupadin
in Buddhism
Tags: Daisaku Ikeda, Happiness, Human Revolution, Transformation
Things such as money, fame, and material possessions may offer a degree of fleeting satisfaction, something that can be called relative happiness.
However, when we transform our lives internally, when we develop within ourselves a brilliant inner palace, then we can be said to have established absolute happiness.
If we develop a state of mind as vast and resplendent as a magnificent palace, then there is nothing – no matter where we go or what we may encounter in life – that can undermine or destroy our happiness.
~ Daisaku Ikeda
23 Dec 2013
by Anupadin
in Buddhism
Tags: Daisaku Ikeda, Darkness, Nature, Solstice, Spring, Summer, Sunshine, Winter, Wisdom
Last Saturday was the shortest day of the year here in the UK and strangely, some may say, it’s my favourite day of the year. Why, I can hear you asking, isn’t the longest day of the year more favoured, all those lovely hours of daylight, and often sunshine too? Well it’s because today marks the nadir of the year in terms of daylight. From now on we get an extra minute or so more light each day, and that’s something to look forward to.
Daisaku Ikeda has some very wise words for these long dark days, and offers a welcome ray of hope …
“Even if today may seem to be a time of total darkness, it will not last forever. The dawn will surely come if you advance, ever forward, without being defeated.
The day will definitely come when you can look back fondly and declare, “I am savouring this happiness because I struggled back then.” It is those who know the bitterness of winter that can savour the true joy of spring.”
~ Daisaku Ikeda
09 Dec 2013
by Anupadin
in Buddhism
Tags: Bad, Challenges, Changes, Confidence, Daisaku Ikeda, Good, Happiness, Life-State, Sadness, Self, Self Awareness, Self Discipline, Self Improvement
Many things happen in life. There are joyous days and times of suffering. Sometimes unpleasant things occur. But that’s what makes life so interesting. The dramas we encounter that are part and parcel of being human.
If we experienced no change or drama in our lives, if nothing unexpected ever happened, we would merely be like automatons, our lives unbearably monotonous and dull.
Therefore, it is important to develop a strong self so that you can enact the drama of your life with confidence and poise in the face of whatever challenges you may encounter.
~ Daisaku Ikeda
07 Dec 2013
by Anupadin
in Buddhism
Tags: Challenges, Daisaku Ikeda, Determination, Effort, Self Improvement, Strength
There is no self-improvement without effort.
Without taking action, happiness will never come, no matter how long you wait. A life without peaks and valleys is a fairy tale. Reality is strict, because it is a win or lose struggle.
This is the way it is for human beings. Therefore, you should not allow yourselves to be battered about by reality but rather willingly rise to its challenges and use them as opportunities to train and strengthen yourselves.
~ Daisaku Ikeda
29 Nov 2013
by Anupadin
in Buddhism
Tags: Buddhahood, Daisaku Ikeda, Faith, Happiness, Life-State, Nichiren Buddhism
There is an expansive life-state of profound, secure happiness, that transcends any material or social advantage.
It is called faith; it is called the life-state of Buddhahood.
As Nichiren reminds us:
“It is the heart that is important.”
It is in the heart of faith that Buddhahood resides and boundless and immeasurable happiness shines forth. Happiness is not something located far away.
We must realise that it exists within our own lives. Nichiren Buddhism teaches this and shows us how to attain indestructible happiness.
~ Daisaku Ikeda
14 Nov 2013
by Anupadin
in Buddhism
Tags: Challenges, Daisaku Ikeda, Ichinen Sanzen, Life-Energy, Life-Force, Life-State, Positive, Self Determination
Whilst feeling a little adrift given my current situation and enraged by the lack of fairness in the way modern institutions and those in power treat us mere morals, I found this piece by Sensei rather encouraging …
What can the individual accomplish in the face of the huge institutions that run our world? This feeling of powerlessness fuels a vicious cycle that only worsens the situation and increases people’s sense of futility.
At the opposite extreme of this sense of powerlessness lie the Lotus Sutra’s philosophy of three thousand realms in a single moment of life and the application of this teaching to our daily lives.
This principle teaches us that the inner determination of an individual can transform everything; it gives ultimate expression to the infinite potential and dignity inherent in each human life.
~ Daisaku Ikeda
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