Standing Up With Unyielding Spirit ~ Don't Give Up!

"In life when we feel we have reached a limit, 
that is when the true battle begins. 
Just when you despair 
and think it is impossible to go any further, 
will you become apathetic, 
or will you say it’s not over 
and stand up with an unyielding spirit? 
The battle is decided by this single determination."

Daisaku Ikeda, from the ikedaquotes.org website

Overcoming Doubt

I've gotten some letters lately from people who are finding it hard to chant because they are discouraged and full of doubt. I know this feeling. It's an obstacle; in other words, an opportunity for us to deepen our faith. How do we do this? 

The first key is to realize that you are fighting the biggest battle of all, the one within yourself, right here and right now. 

Having obstacles arise is part of a successful and healthy practice. It's a good thing. It doesn't always look like a good thing, I realize this! But it really is a chance for you to deepen your faith and strengthen your life if you don't give in to it. 

When doubt, and thoughts of doubt and hopelessness arise, it is up to you to shout them down by facing your life  squarely and overcoming it. Doubt will only defeat us if we let it. 

You can rise up to stop doubt by sitting in front of your Gohonzon ~ and while you are chanting, address your life in this way: "NO WAY DOUBT! YOU ARE NOT GOING TO GET ME DOWN! I see you for what you are. You are not winning over me. I am breaking through once and for all, and I am in charge now!" 

This is your time to roar like a lion. This is your opportunity to strengthen your faith. This is your time to win. Write a fresh determination. Chant from your heart to be victorious and to show actual proof of this practice so that you can inspire others. With this attitude you can bring your life back on track. 

Encouragement from Sensei :

"Anyone who has ever made a resolution 
discovers that the strength of that determination 
fades in times. 
The moment you feel that 
is when you should make a fresh determination. 
Tell yourselves: "OK! I will start again from now!" 
If you fall down seven times, get up the eighth. 
Don't give up when you feel discouraged ~ 
just pick yourselves up 
and renew your determination every time."

from Faith in Action, page 109

Resolve to be Victorious

'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." 

Daisaku Ikeda, 
Faith in Action. Page 108

Daily Guidance from Daisaku Ikeda

Great individuals fight abuses of authority. 

The truly strong do not lord it over the weak. 

People of genuine strength and courage 

battle against the powerful, the arrogant, 

the authoritarian, the evil and corrupt

~all who look down on the people with contempt. 

Daisaku Ikeda

From Today and Tomorrow, 

From Dying to Living ~ From Poison to Medicine ~ Experience in Health

Julia Landis

~ This experience is too important to miss. Enjoy!

The Great Repair Shop of the Human Heart. 

"It is the same with a Buddha and an ordinary being. When deluded, one is called an ordinary being, but when enlightened, one is called a Buddha. This is similar to a tarnished mirror that will shine like a jewel when polished. A mind now clouded by the illusions of the innate darkness of life is like a tarnished mirror, but when polished, it is sure to become like a clear mirror reflecting the essential nature of phenomena [i.e. the Dharma nature] and the true aspect of reality...

...Arouse deep faith and diligently polish your mirror day and night. How should you polish it? Only by chanting Nam Myoho Renge Kyo. ~ Nichiren Daishonin (WND-1 p. 4)

I have been chanting Nam Myoho Renge Kyo and studying the teachings that elucidate the central philosophy of the Lotus Sutra for nearly three years now. What is the key or central element to that philosophy? That each of our lives contains the seeds of Buddhahood and that an exalted state of life is ours as soon as we come to realize, support, and harmonize our lives with this indelible fact. 
Click "read more" below to see the rest of Julia's experience:

What is a High Life-Condition, and Why is it Important?

Today we had World Peace Prayer for April at the Chicago SGI Center. I'd arranged a meeting between one of the senior leaders and a youth member from my district. And I'd lined up lunch with the other young women in my district after the meeting. We were all looking forward to a great day. 

We set off in high spirits with plenty of time to spare from somewhere close to where this picture is taken, to head east and into the city. When we got there we found that the Shamrock Shuffle race was going on and all the streets leading to the SGI center were blocked from where we were. Here's where having a "high life condition" comes in. 
Click "read more" below to see the rest of this post.

Your Prayers are the Most Important

Occasionally I get requests from people for me to chant for them. I am always chanting for all of you and for each one who writes in, but YOUR prayers are the most important. I am not a "Better Buddhist" and my prayers may be heartfelt, yes, but your prayers are the exact ones that you need to penetrate your life. 

You are the Buddha. You are the one carrying forth a dialogue with your life when you chant. Your prayers are important. Each time you chant you are setting your wings towards the sun, just like in the picture above. You are moving towards your own bright horizon. 

Here's a Power Prayer I've been chanting lately to make every one of my actions count:

Power Prayer to Change Your Karma:

"I chant to connect with the life force of my mentor Daisaku Ikeda, and to see the world through his eyes, and connect my heart to his heart....to have the same passion and depth of prayer that he does for all of humanity. I chant that every single one of my thoughts, feelings and actions I take today will be the absolute BEST causes I can make for my life and for all of life. I chant to be able to encourage people from the depths of my heart so I that they can be en-couraged to strengthen their faith and practice and become happy. I pray that every one of my actions leads to kosen-rufu and a world of respect for all beings.  I fill my heart with appreciation!"