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Daily we change; daily we grow. This is the human revolution. This is the life of a person of true faith. It is no good to be always saying the same things, succumbing to inertia. Rather, please start by creating waves of change from within your own heart. |
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No matter what sins or offences one may have committed, through the power of the Mystic Law one can transform these into a driving force for becoming happy. The determination to strive willingly for the sake of kosen-rufu enables us to open the state of Buddhahood in our lives. |
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You have to face some challenges, no matter what the
undertaking, in order to open a path in life. If you have stopped fighting against evil or no longer wage a battle for justice, your spirit is no longer youthful. |
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Having the ability to advance, to press forward and make
progress is proof of one's humanity. Even just one or two steps are sufficient. Even just one or two millimeters. The important thing is to be certain to advance each day. One who does so is a person of victory and a person of glory. |
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Whether you succumb to difficulties in youth or make them the
source of nourishment for growth will determine how fully you will develop in the future. One who has accomplished something great has, without exception, used obstacles in his or her youthful days as a source of growth. |
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Happiness is ultimately determined by oneself alone, not by
others. To base one's happiness on how one appears to the world is to live in a "provisional" way, only chasing after illusions. In contrast, to live in accord with the "true" or "essential" way of life is to determine by oneself: "I did my best. I am satisfied. I have won." These two ways of life are as different as heaven and earth, and water and fire. |
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Surely the true and most humane way for us to live is to advance
just as we are, as ordinary people, basing our lives on Nam-myoho-renge-kyo and striving to improve ourselves little by little. Buddhism is the great Law that is open to all people; it does not make irrational or unreasonable demands. |
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The painstaking efforts that you make in the world of faith are
never wasted. You should be confident that, in the long run, every effort you make for kosen-rufu will become your benefit and shine forever. This is the nature of the great, beneficial power of Myoho. Herein lies the essence of faith. You should not forget this. |
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Numbers mean little. What is important is that each single
individual shines with the brilliance of a hundred or a thousand, and that he or she goes on to become a great leader in society. This is the way to show proof of the two fundamental Buddhist principles: Buddhism manifests itself in society; and faith manifests itself in daily life. |
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When we chant daimoku to the Gohonzon we can fuse our lives
with the life of the Buddha and reveal the supreme life-condition of enlightenment within ourselves. Those of us who are devoted to faith should be profoundly aware that we are the most fortunate people in the world. When you base your life on such pure and dedicated faith, you can experience an infinite outburst of life-force and creativity from within. |
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One's destiny is truly unpredictable. Let's keep in mind that our practice enables us to change our destiny and establish true happiness, the kind of happiness that transcends even the phases of life and death. |