Daily Guidance by Daisaku Ikeda

24^th January 2014

IN any place, and at any time, voices chanting sincere daimoku with faith in the Gohonzon will be heard by the Buddhas and bodhisattvas throughout time and space. Such voices will reverberate throughout the universe. Filled with a sense of pride, you should chant daimoku confident that the reverberations of your voice will carry as far as billions of light-years away. By cultivating faith of such great conviction you will be able to receive tremendous benefit.


FAITH enables us to transform not only our day to day problems but our lives at their very foundation. Through the Buddhist practice, we can develop a strong inner core and a solid and inexhaustible reservoir of good fortune.


IN any endeavour, whether the arts or sports or any other pursuits, the master-disciple relationships is both challenging and rewarding. In particular, how strict and yet compassionate the bond is between master and disciple in the practice of faith, which comprises the very fundamentals of life, and in the pursuit of the great goal of kosen-rufu.


NOTHING is more noble than a life dedicated to kosen-rufu. Such people are devoted not only to their own happiness but also that of others. They enjoy good health and a fulfilling life. They accumulate boundless good fortune and benefit. This is the ultimate way of life. And it is the absolute promise of Nichiren Daishonin, the Buddha of the Latter Day of the Law.


ONE must not be so narrow-minded as to seek only to increase one's strength or exhibit one's capability. Doing so will obstruct the flow of kosen-rufu. The way to bring about a dynamic and powerful advances of kosen-rufu, like waves building upon waves lies in finding capable people, raising them and diverting them towards the goal of kosen-rufu.

Living Life in Ecstasy

After writing the last blog post this morning, and chanting an enlivening hour of Nam-myoho-renge-kyo I walked into the Assisted Living area where I work. I saw a gentleman in a wheelchair and I greeted him, introduced myself and asked how he was. He looked up at me with laughing eyes and said 
"I woke up this morning! And I have woken up EVERY MORNING for the past 96 years!!!"

What an attitude! He kind of put it all into perspective, didn't he?  His joy was found in just being alive! I shared his quote with countless people throughout the day. 

In Faith in Action (pg. 68) Daisaku Ikeda says:

"What is success in life? 
Who are the truly successful? 
There are famous and powerful people 
who become pitiful figures in their old age. 
There are people who die alone, 
feeling empty and desolate inside. 
Just what is success? 
The English write Walter Pater (1839-94) wrote: 
"To burn always with this hard, gemlike flame, 
to maintain this ecstasy, is success in life." 
The person who lives life fully, 
glowing with life's energy, 
is the person lives a successful life."

PowerPrayer for Success at Work and in Kosen-rufu!

In The Heart of the Lotus Sutra by Daisaku Ikeda pages 68 through 70 perfectly sum up the nature of attachments and desire in Nichiren Buddhism. 

In his provisional teachings:
"Shakyamuni taught the people of the nine worlds, whose lives were steeped in misery, the path for freeing themselves from such attachments (defined as a 'fetter on one's heart'. That is, he caused them to renounce their attachments. 
"The spirit of the Lotus Sutra, however, is not to eradicate earthly desires. When we base ourselves on the Mystic Law, we can transform desires ~ just as they are ~ into enlightenment. This is the principle that earthly desires are enlightenment."  

This morning I was awake before 4:00 am thinking of all the things I need to get done. Tonight is an SGI planning meeting at my house and I have a guest coming. I am spending the day mostly out of the office at a Rotary Club meeting and a few appointments at my new job for kosen-rufu! My title is Senior Community Outreach Specialist and I generate referrals and new business for the beautiful retirement community I work for. This community has so many ways to help seniors live their best lives. Seniors can live here in Independent Living, Assisted Living, skilled nursing or join us for a respite stay or short term rehabilitation. People who live in the surrounding community can use our non-medical home care, handyman services for work inside or outside the house, or technical support service professionals who can visit their homes to help with telephones, ipads, TVs, etc.  We even have a fitness center and outpatient rehab. And above all it is a community that has a promise of respect for all. Perfect for me, right?
This job is huge benefit, with 300 employees and a fabulous mission for helping people. I meet new people and make new friends every day! 

So, of course there is a lot on my mind, and this morning I wrote a PowerPrayer to increase my peace of mind, remind myself of all I am capable of, focus my goals and keep my life condition high. PowerPrayers are a means to focus while chanting Daimoku. 

PowerPrayer for Success at Work 
by Jamie Lee Silver
from the blog chantforhappiness.com

Life!
I am now generating Peace of Mind 
and composure in all things!
I know I can accomplish all my goals 
with Nam-myoho-renge-kyo. 
I am in the right place at the right time! Thank you! 
Make my life condition sky high, so that no matter what happens all day long my life conditions shines for all to see. 
Increase my ability to focus, 
and for wisdom to flow through me. 
I am now more organized and productive than ever! 
I will show actual proof today and every day in all I do. 
This job and my life IS kosen-rufu in ACTION! 
I can do it!
Keep my self confidence high!
Life! 
Wise choices flow through me. 
I have perfect timing! 
I am always in the right place at the right time 
I See and capture every positive opportunity. 
I am in rhythm with my organization 
and moving it forward in a positive direction. 
I accomplish my work goals of _______________by ____________. 
And help others accomplish their goals too. 
With every Daimoku 
I am creating a state of life 
and taking wise action 
to be an indispensable employee. 
Make my heart shine with fire and love and my every action brim with compassion and wisdom
so that President Ikeda would proudly say "Yes! ___________(your name here!)  is my disciple!" 

Finding Love and Sculpting Our Karma ~ An Experience from a Reader in India!

Experience: Ritika 01/01/2014

Relationships. They mystify - they can hurt, they can heal. They can drain, they can energize. While we women talk about them more, men are caught in them as much. I started chanting 5 years ago because I was desperate and hurting in a very bad marriage. While normally I would list out all the things that made him the “bad guy” and contributed to our unhappiness, I know better today.  He and his behavior were only puppets acting out the drama of my causes – obviously negative - from the past. 

I will be honest – it has taken me time – to get this concept of ownership – that I am the author of my destiny. Initially all I could do was chant to not feel pain, not feel humiliated, not feel alone, not feel a failure, and most importantly not feel rage at being the ticket to a Green Card. 

Buddhism taught me that my marriage was showing me my karma, that I had a choice on whether I wanted to change this forever or go the cynical route. That changing it was not only necessary, but possible, and guaranteed.  That rather than brooding over the past, why not use this as learning opportunity for what I need to do differently so I never experience such suffering again.

I had nothing more to lose and chanting was my last shot at finding the key to relationships. To my surprise, a viciously contested divorce, ended amicably and soon. This was my hook. I stepped up my practice. 

I learned that no one but me could change my karma and the way to do so was by chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo and plenty of it. 

I found myself happy for no reason. 

My first and chance visit to FNCC was life-transforming. I came back energized to work on myself. I wanted to sculpt not just my muscles but my karma. What is it about me that I need to change? So that I can not only magnetize a wonderful human being into my life but also offer this person a new me so we both feel “I cannot be luckier!”

President Ikeda says, 

“To think that things will somehow work out just because we are practicing amounts to taking advantage of faith. After we pray for something, we need to struggle with all our might, giving ourselves completely to actualizing it.” 

(Can find the source). I chanted many hours a day for many months, I planted the seed of Nam-myoho-renge-kyo in 100s of lives, and several became members – two of whom are in this meeting.  I went back to FNCC several more times to learn how to use this faith to polish my life, to understand what more I can do to change the course of my destiny. 

All through this process, I excelled at my job and also went through several changes – each making me grow and teaching me how to use an adverse situation and convert it into a springboard to leap forward. While I could literally see my life blooming under my nose, my confidence in having a beautiful family yo-yoed from hopeless cynicism and chills to a dream-like wish. I did not understand how I could make it a reality. It was too exhausting. My friends in faith kept encouraging me not to give up, to dig deep, to reach the root cause so I could uproot it. It was not pretty.

The quality of people that I was meeting was abysmal. Within hours of chatting or meeting, I could cut through the façade and walk away knowing that it was not going to work. While I did not realize this then, today I see that it was the protection of my faith – I was able to calmly assess character without being swayed by me emotions. I knew what I wanted, felt confident that I was worth it, and surprisingly patient. 

Nichiren Daishonin in the gosho Real Aspect on the Gohonzon (WND-1, p. 832) states: “A woman who makes offerings to such a Gohonzon invites happiness in this life, and in the next, the Gohonzon will be with her and protect her always. Like a lantern in the dark, like a strong guide and porter on a treacherous mountain path, the Gohonzon will guard and protect you, Nichinyo, wherever you go.” 

These little golden nuggets from the gosho and President Ikeda’s encouragement would help me keep hope alive. My friends would be bar-hopping on weekends, I would be parked in front of the Gohonzon or attend meetings. Changing karma I was learning is serious business. A casual attitude in faith yields less than desired results and I would have no one to be frustrated with but myself. I was learning to become happy just I as was, inspite of my circumstances. That I am told we called this process the emergence of Lotus Beauty in Buddhism.

In January last year I met Navdeep at a networking event. We casually exchanged business cards, meet for coffee several times, moved to dinner, he proposed to me in July and we got married in December. We both complement and bring out the best in each other. Rather than fire, we are like flowing water. We both feel lucky to have found each other. I had a spreadsheet listing all the qualities of my ideal soul mate – 2 pages long – I took the advice of clear goals to heart! I have checked off each line item  Each experience in these last five years has strengthened my confidence in this practice. Today, I have the determination that as long as I am around, any situation will be a bright one. I will be the sun of my family, my district, my community!

Inspiring Experience from a Reader

A very warm Good morning to all of you. My Name is Himani Agarwal and here I stand again to share my experience with you all.

I have been practicing Nichiren’s Buddhism for the last 3 years. I was told that I will become happy after chanting and practicing this Buddhism.  Become HAPPY?? I think until that time in my life I never thought if I am happy or not. I sincerely started chanting and reading Sensei’s writings. The more I read the more I liked this practice. I was naturally drawn to the practice as it says exactly what my heart believed from childhood.

2 years back when I came to Gurgaon to join my job I was a novice and was going through some challenges in my life. I didn’t know anyone in the city except Gakkai members.  I was very low in confidence and used to be quiet and feel very low at times. But somewhere deep in my heart I had faith that if I have NMHRK everything will be fine. I made the Gohonzon my friend.  I used to cry in front of the Gohonzon. Gohonzon knows exactly what’s going on in your heart and mind and if you chant the Universe will respond and support you in any struggle or challenge you go through.

Deep down in my heart that feeling of being alone, useless and not worthy was killing me. 

In Nichiren’s Buddhism we believe that in every person there’s a Buddha and we must respect the Buddha nature in others. The biggest slander which I was creating was that I was disregarding my own Buddha nature. I used to ask my leaders what I had done wrong and what Human Revolution did I need to do. The only answer I was given was that it’s your Karma and you only have to change it. I decided to take complete responsibility of my life and to become totally independent in every aspect of life. I increased my daimoku and the study helped me in understanding the practice correctly. 

Sensei says 

“Prayer is the courage to persevere. It is the struggle to overcome our own weakness and lack of confidence in ourselves. It is the act of impressing in the very depths of our being the conviction that we can change the situation without fail.”

I prayed to understand my own life and do my human revolution. I started having gratitude and appreciation for everything in my environment. I took every negative situation to learn and grow and made kosen rufu my goal. In this journey I was given more responsibly in the Gakkai as a deputy block chief. I tried to support my members to the best of my abilities. As my practice and understanding about Nichiren Buddhism grew, my faith in the Gohonzon also became stronger.

Nichiren says 

“A sword is useless in the hands of a coward.

The mighty sword of the Lotus Sutra must be wielded by one courageous in faith. Then one will be as strong as a demon armed with an iron staff.” 

Reading these lines again and again gave me immense courage and power. I could feel the inner growth day by day. I wanted to pursue a regular course from IIT Delhi with my regular job. I decided to apply the strategy of Lotus Sutra and Chanted for the clarity if this course is right for me this time and how would I be able to do this with my job. 

Sensei says, 

“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 towards your success”.

Through the power of my faith my manager agreed that I can attend college before work and be in the office a little later.  This course worked as catalyst in getting my confidence back. Since long I wanted to have my own Gohonzon but to afford a house in Gurgaon is not easy. Once again I applied my favourite Gosho “Strategy of Lotus Sutra”. and prayed for a place where my mission lies with all the necessary thing I require.

After exploring whole Gurgaon I didn’t get anything and my tenure was ending soon with my existing Landlord where I was living as PG. I did finalize one deal, packed my stuff and went to my new home. To my surprise the landlord cancelled the deal and returned the advanced money paid. I had no place to stay with all my stuff in my car. A friend and his wife helped me and allowed me to stay with them till I get a new place. During this whole episode I was in high life condition not worried. I was chanting to get an accommodation ASAP. 

As I determined in my mind in 3 days I got a call for an available place. I liked the place and moved the very next day and this place is near to my block so I can still take care of my block. 

Sensei says 

“Nothing can match the strength of those whose lives have been shaped and forged through challenging and overcoming hardships. Such people fear nothing. The purpose of our Buddhist practice is to develop such strength and fortitude. To cultivate such an invincible core is in itself a victory.” 

All the incidents in my life helped in growing a better person than yesterday.

I am happy to report that I got my confidence back with immense courage and strength. As Sensei says, your life should motivate others to practice this Buddhism, two of my friends took up the faith. In the whole journey of my practice I learned a lot about about life and human nature. I truly believe now that Result is a reflection of your faith in the Gohonzon.

I re determine Sensei I will win come what may...and work whole heartedly for Kosen Rufu and grow my block in district and spread this practice through my own life.

Looking for Members in Nicaragua

If you are practicing in Nicaragua (or know someone practicing there) can you send me an email at chantforhappiness@gmail.com? We're looking to connect someone there. Thanks 

The Heart of The Lotus Sutra by Daisaku Ikeda

I am reading this new book published by the SGI and written by Daisaku Ikeda. Have you ever read a book that was so good you just want to highlight every single passage? The Heart of the Lotus Sutra explores our beloved Gongyo passages line by line in a way that is making them jump out at me in a new way...and I am gaining a new understanding and appreciation of the Lotus Sutra itself. 
With each sentence I feel like Daisaku Ikeda, Josei Toda, Tsunesaburo Makiguchi and Nichiren Daishonin are speaking directly to me...and to all of us. This book can be purchased through the SGI-USA.org portal on the right, and possibly at your local SGI Center. 

I have been thinking about the best way to help you gain an understanding along with me, but I really feel the best way would be for you to get the book, if possible, and read it along with me ~ sharing your thoughts and observations. 

Here are just a few of the ideas I'd like to share with you:

According to Daisaku Ikeda this book arose from Josei Toda's lectures on the Lotus Sutra. 
"These lectures arose from the vast state of life of President Toda, who had awakened to the essence of Buddhism while in prison...
..."President Toda began each series of lectures by emphasizing that the Lotus Sutra is expressed differently according to the age..."
"What do the different expressions of the manifold Lotus Sutra have in common? Ultimately, it is the teaching that everyone equally has the potential to attain Buddhahood...Nichiren Daishonin revealed the ultimate truth of the Lotus Sutra as nam-myoho-renge-kyo, enabling all human beings of the Latter Day to attain Buddhahood."

He also says that Toda made this bold declaration: 

"I want to banish the word 'misery' from this world and rid the world of poverty and sickness." and goes on to state: "The passionate cry of the spirit of my mentor, who stood up alone after the war (WWII), still resounds in my ears. This cry of the spirit is none other than the heart of the Lotus Sutra." 

President Ikeda addresses the question that often comes up in Buddhist meetings. What kind of benefit will I get by reciting words I don't understand? He writes:

"I imagine some may wonder how reciting sutra passages you cannot understand could bring about any benefit. Let me reassure you that there is definitely benefit from carrying out this practice. 
The Daishonin writes:

A baby does not know the difference between water and fire, and cannot distinguish medicine from poison. But when the baby sucks milk, its life is nourished and sustained. Although one may not be versed (in the various sutras)...if one listens to even one character of the Lotus Sutra, one cannot fail to attain Buddhahood. (WND-1, 513)"

As we are "chanting nam-myoho-renge-kyo, we are speaking in the language of Buddhas and Bodhisattvas. Even though you may not understand what you are saying, your voice definitely reaches the Gohonzon, all Buddhist deities, and all the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas over the three existences (past, present and future ~JS) and in the ten directions. In response, the entire universe bathes you in the light of good fortune.
At the same time, of course, if you study the sutra with this practice as your basis and with a seeking spirit, you can as a matter of course deepen your confidence and strengthen your faith."

In a later passage, Daisaku Ikeda states:

"Nichiren's intent is for each person to shine as a celebrity of the Mystic law in their community and in society at large. By making dedicated efforts in faith, we are certain to develop such a reputation." 

There is so much more I'd like to write, but it is time to start my day. I have been enjoying every moment of my life. I love my new job. I love the people I work with. I am enjoying the new man in my life. Yesterday we went to the boat show in Chicago and I am allowing myself to believe that there will be wonderful days of Sunshine and boating in my future. Boating is one of those things I have always wanted to spend more time doing. It's another example of "Making the impossible possible!" Today I am going to a concert celebrating the life of Martin Luther King, and having my sons and some friends over to watch the 49er/Seattle Seahawks football game. (My son Aaron is a diehard fan of the 49ers...and he was born in San Francisco after all!) Ben is doing great. He's enjoying his new job and looking forward to some college courses coming up in a few weeks. My fortune is overflowing and I continually pray the same for you.