CategoryTo My Friends

I have met with many leaders of international stature and renown in my time and spoken with individuals who will no doubt be recognized by history, but Mr. Toda was a leader of singular greatness. I know this better than anyone. It is an unparalleled source of pride to have lived my life as the

You are all dealing with personal challenges, I am sure. But you have voluntarily chosen to be born into these circumstances. You are all courageous Bodhisattvas of the Earth, who in accord with your own vow and mission have risen to action to create peace and happiness wherever you live. From The Wisdom for Creating

“Many in body, one in mind” is not something as superficial as just getting along well together. The “mind” in question is the mind or spirit to believe wholeheartedly in the Gohonzon, to never stray from the example of Nichiren Daishonin’s life, and to forge ahead tirelessly with our fellow practitioners to the very end.

I’d like you to become people with big hearts—people who remain strong and unshaken no matter what happens and who, rather than focusing on themselves, are concerned with helping and imparting hope to others. This is the purpose of our Buddhist practice. From The Wisdom for Creating Happiness and Peace, part 3, revised edition, p

What is the key to unity? It may seem at first like a contradiction, but the key to unity is for each individual to be self-reliant. Each person must pray earnestly and become strong. As long as we think someone else will do it, we can never build true unity. From The Wisdom for Creating

Propagation is the most difficult Buddhist practice. It’s no simple matter. Teaching people the power of Nichiren Buddhism today is just as challenging as it would have been trying to teach people a thousand years ago about atomic energy or explain to them the wonders of radio and television. You can do your best to

Buddhism enables us to concretely express our true dignity and recognize the dignity of others, making both a reality in daily life. It teaches the supreme practice of affirming the dignity of both oneself and others. From The Wisdom for Creating Happiness and Peace, part 3, revised edition, p. 429

In the light of the law of cause and effect, through the good fortune we accumulate by treasuring and caring for many people, we will be able to attain a state of life in which we are protected and supported by many others in this and future existences. From The Wisdom for Creating Happiness and

To rejoice in our friends’ happiness, to sincerely applaud their achievements, to be by their side and encourage them when they are struggling, to share both good times and hard times and weather life’s difficulties together—true unity is born of such warmhearted and humanistic ties. From The Wisdom for Creating Happiness and Peace, part 3,

Once you have helped someone form a connection with Buddhism, the time will surely come when the seed you have planted will sprout and blossom. From The Wisdom for Creating Happiness and Peace, part 2, revised edition, p. 105

In particular, we mustn’t be afraid to speak to others about what we know to be right. The Daishonin instructs, “You must act and speak without the least servility” (WND-1, 824). The confidence to share the true greatness of the Mystic Law is the spirit of propagation in Nichiren Buddhism, the Soka Gakkai spirit, and

The Buddha does not stop simply at relieving suffering but teaches people the correct way of life and calls on them to transform their inner state of being and actually attain happiness. Shakubuku is none other than this compassionate practice of “removing suffering and imparting joy.” From The Wisdom for Creating Happiness and Peace, part

Aligning our hearts with our mentor and deepening our determination to advance kosen-rufu are key to achieving solid unity in the spirit of “many in body, one in mind.” It is through such unity that we can activate the true brilliant power of the Mystic Law. From The Wisdom for Creating Happiness and Peace, part

It is easy to be attracted to abstract ideals but difficult to challenge the realities of daily life. I hope that while upholding the magnificent ideal of kosen-rufu, you will spend your days in the actual practice of encouraging and motivating one person and then another and another to contribute to kosen-rufu. This is the

Human revolution is not something unusual or special. For example, say that one day a boy who is always playing and never studies makes the decision “From now on, I’m going to study” or tells himself, “I’m going to make efforts for the sake of my future.” When he does that, he is engaging in

Spreading the teachings encompasses all forms of practice in Buddhism. There is no better way to forge character. If we neglect this basic practice of sharing the teachings, we cannot cultivate ourselves as human beings. From The Wisdom for Creating Happiness and Peace, part 3, revised edition, p. 216

The fundamental attitude of Soka Gakkai leaders must always be to value their fellow members to the highest degree and serve them sincerely. This spirit is what has enabled the Soka Gakkai to grow to the extent it has. From The Wisdom for Creating Happiness and Peace, part 3, revised edition, p. 204

The development of kosen-rufu lies in repeating such patient, painstaking efforts to awaken one friend after another to faith. That is true Buddhist practice. From The Wisdom for Creating Happiness and Peace, part 2, revised edition, p. 265

Kosen-rufu is possible when disciples embrace the same spirit as their mentor. Without the solid pillar of the mentor disciple relationship, it is all too easy to be swayed by one’s own emotions and the trends of the times, and one will readily cave in and give up when one’s faith is challenged. From The

It is our mission to ensure that Mr. Makiguchi’s perceptive faith and unshakable resolve, his passion and overflowing sense of justice, are passed on to future generations as the eternal Soka Gakkai spirit. From The Wisdom for Creating Happiness and Peace, part 3, revised edition, p. 264