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Brief Guidances

Imparting Courage and Hope to All

Words of Encouragement From Ikeda Sensei

I hear that you . . . are even firmer and more dedicated in your faith than I myself, which is indeed no ordinary matter. I wonder if Shakyamuni Buddha himself may have entered your hearts, and it moves me so that I can barely restrain my tears.

“On Rebuking Slander of the Law and Eradicating Sins,” The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, vol 1, p. 436


This passage contains wholehearted praise for Nichigen-nyo—a predecessor of our women’s division members—who persevered in her Buddhist practice amid great hardship.

Determined not to be defeated by the busy demands of everyday life, our women’s division members are working incredibly hard, many juggling jobs, housework, childcare and other responsibilities. Nichiren Daishonin, the Buddha of the Latter Day of the Law, is surely aware of all their efforts.

Bright suns of Soka! With strong prayer as though to “produce fire from damp wood, or to obtain water from parched ground” (WND-1, p.444), as the Daishonin describes in this same letter, please continue imparting courage and hope to those around you.

Translated from the April 9, 2020, issue of the Seikyo Shimbun, the Soka Gakkai daily newspaper

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