CategoryDaily Life

Two-and-a-half millennia ago, the Greek philosopher Aristotle wrote that human beings by nature are social animals: “Anyone who either cannot lead the common life or is so self-sufficient as not to need to, and therefore does not partake of society, is either a beast or a god.” And yet here we are, in an age

In volume 24 of  The New Human Revolution, “Vigilant Safeguarding” chapter, Ikeda Sensei encourages members of the Byakuren Group, one of the SGI’s youth training groups.  Many think that happiness is taking it easy, never working hard and enjoying wealth and social status, recognition and success, without any special effort. Some flatter and cozy up

That human beings possess philosophy and ideals distinguishes us from other animals. All people ask, at least once in their lives, why they were born in this world. But animals don’t ask themselves that question.  Another of our distinguishing features is our human yearning for principles that allow us to live honorably, peacefully, happily. It’s

The following is Ikeda Sensei’s guidance on recognizing the value and mission of every child. It can be found in Happy Parents, Happy Kids, pp. 2–3. Children are precious treasures of the future. All children have the right to become happy. No child is without a mission. Parents are exerting themselves every day to raise

Every time I look at my phone, it’s as if my worth is being calculated,” says Mili, a high school student in New York. “How many likes did my post get? How many views? Why so many views but so few likes?” A growing body of research finds that the more time a person spends

Messages, testimonials and more on the Soka Gakkai’s enduring efforts for nuclear abolition.

Distilled from Ikeda Sensei’s encouragement, here are five reasons to practice gratitude.

We sometimes find ourselves in difficult situations that seem beyond our control. Instead of viewing difficult events as our unchangeable destiny, we take them on as our mission to revolutionize our state of life and create value. And by not being defeated by such challenges, we lessen their negative impact on us. In fact, we

Ikeda Sensei offers guidance on helping our children grow into compassionate individuals by leading by example and learning to understand their hearts. It can be found in Happy Parents, Happy Kids, pp. 71–72. Children’s hearts are naturally pure until polluted by the muddy, egoistic society of adults. It takes genuine kindness to understand the pain

The following is from Ikeda Sensei’s guidance in My Dear Friends in America, third edition, pp. 432–34. To Lead Victorious Lives Is the Purpose of Buddhism Prayers based on the Mystic Law will definitely be answered. The 26th high priest, Nichikan, writes: “If you take faith in this Gohonzon and chant Nam-myoho-renge-kyo even for a

Ikeda Sensei presented five points for advancing kosen-rufu in the United States, at a Feb. 13, 1990, meeting commemorating the 30th anniversary of SGI-USA. Read the full speech in My Dear Friends of America, third edition, pp. 6–9. 1) Construct a solid foundation for the kosen-rufu movement in the United States. There is no need

The following is Ikeda Sensei’s guidance on supporting our kids through all the experiences they may face at school. It can be found in Happy Parents, Happy Kids, pp. 53–56. Children experience many things at school that help them become stronger. It is important that they spend time with other children so they can learn

The following is Ikeda Sensei’s guidance on achieving growth and maintaining conviction as parents when our children are not interested in embracing faith in Buddhism. It can be found in Happy Parents, Happy Kids. Faith is a lifelong matter. It is all right if it deepens gradually, over time. It is not something to be

There’s no need to be impatient. Faith is a lifelong process, spanning the three existences of past, present and future. What’s important is to make plenty of friends and work at solidifying those relationships. Introducing others to Buddhism and striving for kosen-rufu are extensions of the spirit of friendship that wishes to see those we

Ikeda Sensei’s speech from an SGI Representatives Conference in Miami, Florida, Feb. 3, 1993. This guidance can be found in My Dear Friends in America, revised edition, pp. 244–50. I am sure that the just-announced decision to found the SGI-USA future division will shine with increasing significance as time goes by. My most heartfelt congratulations.

The term human revolution was used by second Soka Gakkai President Josei Toda to describe the process by which we elevate our state of life and become unshakably happy—the ultimate goal of our Buddhist practice.  In Japan, the attainment of Buddhahood had long been viewed as something to be realized only after death, but Mr.

Ikeda Sensei’s guidance on being sincere and showering our children with love. It can be found in Happy Parents, Happy Kids, pp. 5–8. The Lotus Sutra relates the story of the dragon king’s daughter, or dragon girl, who attained Buddhahood at only eight years of age. Nichiren says, “As for the dragon girl, her father

In the spring of 1992, the world’s eyes were on Los Angeles, as the verdict in the Rodney King trial sparked massive social unrest and a national debate about police brutality, racial discrimination and economic disparity. In six days of intense rioting, more than 60 people were killed and 2,300 injured in Los Angeles, with

The Soka Gakkai recently launched “Transforming Human History,” a campaign to encourage engagement and inspire confidence that change is possible. It covers three areas that will determine the future for life on our planet: nuclear weapons abolition, education for all and climate action. These issues are the focus of Ikeda Sensei’s 2022 peace proposal.  The

The following is Ikeda Sensei’s guidance from The New Human Revolution, vol. 11,revised edition, pp. 107–08. 1) Chant Nam-myoho-renge-kyo “Chanting transforms suffering into joy and joy into supreme joy. This is why it is important to single-mindedly chant Nam-myoho-renge-kyo no matter what, whether we are happy or sad, in good times or in bad. This