Guidance by Daisaku Ikeda

THIS existence passes by in an instant 

but our lives themselves are eternal. 

Please be deeply confident 

that all your present efforts and hard work 

will contribute to your eternal happiness. 

That is why it is important never to retreat in faith, 

no matter how daunting the difficulties you may encounter. Do not be afraid. 

If you retreat or let yourself be ruled by fear, 

you will be the one to lose. 

“For your own sake and for the future, 

do not backslide in faith! 

Do not be afraid! 

Persevere in faith!” – 

This is Nichiren Daishonin’s message.

ONE saying goes that people will not exceed their dreams. So you should have big dreams. 

But you must recognize at the same time 

that dreams are dreams and reality is reality. 

It is natural, therefore, that to achieve big dreams, 

you must view your situation realistically 

and work with your entire being to see that they come true.


REALITY is harsh. 

You must courageously challenge the stern realities of life and win, and win again, in everything – 

in your daily lives, 

at work, 

at school 

and in your homes. 

Buddhism and faith 

are the driving force for unlimited improvement.


WHAT is the most important in one’s practice of faith? 

It is to have courage. 

Courage is the source of 

justice, happiness, comradeship and benefit.


ONE who can always give courage and hope 

to others is great. 

To bring courage and hope to each person we meet, 

we must make sure 

that passion and conviction burn bright in our lives. 

Thus, we will become true leaders.

 

Source: Volume 1 to 5, Daily Guidance, Singapore Soka Association

Michael's Encouraging Experience

I am a former foster kid and I was born with drugs in my system.  I had a very tough life growing up. I ended up in the foster care system at 11, emancipated and ended up homeless at 19. I lived place to place and ended up in a homeless shelter for youth 18-24 years old. I stayed there for about a year and got into some legal issues and went to jail. I had a fight and was defending myself but the legal system does not always work in favor of young black men. They attempted to have me accept 5 years in prison my first time ever in-trouble with the law. 

I found my way to a non-profit organization called The Alliance for Children's Rights who help former foster kids find housing and a variety of other legal issues. The CEO of this organization just happens to be Buddhist and she introduced me to the practice and chanting nam myoho renge kyo. I didn't delve into it then. I was very standoffish about chanting. I thought I was evoking some evil demons lol superstitions can get the best of you and keep you close minded.  I had christian beliefs when entering this practice so I didn't want to burn in hell for all eternity lol. I finally got through that legal issue and I still had to serve time in jail. 

When I got out I was homeless again and I was 21 years old. I found my way into a living situation where I meet my first district in California. I was told I could chant for anything and what I needed at that time was a better living situation. I was living in a roach infested apartment with mold and a disgusting roommate who always had people over. So I chanted for the perfect living situation. Not only did I find the perfect living situation but the non profit orginization that was helping me through my legal issues offered me an internship working for them. At this time I was barely chanting and not really that into it. I worked this internship position for 6months and decided I wanted to go back to college. 

I started my first semester of college and upon looking for my African american studies class on the first day I was really early and started talking to my teacher about Egypt and past lives and I found out that coincidentally she was Buddhist as-well so she is the person who helped give me the encouragement to go all the way in the practice. I continued chanting and overcame homelessness. I also joined a mentor-ship and now I have a support system. 

One of the benefits was that my mentor was a surgeon and I had recently found out I had a tumor on my back. This mentor was able to help me get the tumor removed with no cost to me at all. I also received student of the year and a few other scholarships including one sponsored by Jay-Z the rapper who put a scholarship out there for economically disadvantaged youth. I was able to purchase a car and I have not been homeless since I started chanting. 

Chanting brought me a support system and positive perspective. I can now control my anger. I am able to forgive my relatives who I had resented. No one else in my family is Buddhist and I caught so much crap.  But through my own actual proof and chanting I have been able to introduce friends and close people in my life who have seen such a drastic change in me.  This practice is real and it helped and is still helping me each and every single day.