CategoryTo My Friends

Rather than being thankful because we are happy, being thankful itself will make us happy. Also, chanting with gratitude puts us in rhythm with the universe, turning our lives in a positive direction. From The Wisdom for Creating Happiness and Peace, part 2, revised edition, p. 67

Kosen-rufu extends “horizontally” through growing networks of friends and “vertically” through the transmission of faith from parent to child, from one generation to the next. The only way forward is to entrust the future to the younger generation. From The Wisdom for Creating Happiness and Peace, part 3, revised edition, p. 399

Mentors and disciples are like runners in a relay race. They are pressing ahead, passing the baton forward on the shared path of justice, happiness, and peace for all humanity. The mentors run ahead to later pass the baton to the disciples. From The Wisdom for Creating Happiness and Peace, part 3, revised edition, p.

People who can express their gratitude are truly happy. A life that is always filled with appreciation is a bright and cheerful one—be it when you are meeting with people, when someone gives you a lift in his or her car, or when you are at home with your family. Sincerely offering thanks is a

Mentors convey to their disciples all the goals and all the good they wish to accomplish. Why? Because life is limited. We need to pass the baton on to the next generation, and again to the next, to achieve anything of enduring value. From The Wisdom for Creating Happiness and Peace, part 3, revised edition,

Be like the sun. Not all of the light of the sun falls on planets that will reflect it back. The sun’s rays also spread out into empty space, seemingly wasted. Yet the sun still goes on shining brightly. From The Wisdom for Creating Happiness and Peace, part 2, revised edition, p. 378

Buddhism is strict. Our commitment in faith must be firm and true. Self-centeredness and arrogance not only destroy one’s own faith but also that of others. Arrogance is a devilish function that destroys faith. Only by banishing arrogance can we achieve new growth and development in kosen-rufu. Please deeply engrave this in your hearts. From

Exerting ourselves in the practice of gongyo each day amounts to what we might call a “spiritual workout.” It purifies our lives, gets our “motors” running, and sets us on the right track. It gets our bodies and our minds moving and sets a good rhythm for the day. From The Wisdom for Creating Happiness

The progress of the Mystic Law’s spread throughout the world depends on our success in fostering individuals who will take the lead in that effort. I would like to state clearly that each of you is such an individual, a noble pioneer of our movement. From The Wisdom for Creating Happiness and Peace, part 3,

Struggling for answers, dispelling dark clouds and moving toward the sun, toward hope—this is the power of youth. Of course, you will have problems, make mistakes, and have regrets. But what matters is not allowing them to defeat you. Just keep pressing forward, ever forward, pushing through all problems and suffering. From The Wisdom for

Valuing each individual—this is the spirit of the Soka Gakkai. As long as we keep that tradition vibrantly alive, the Soka Gakkai will grow and develop forever. From The Wisdom for Creating Happiness and Peace, part 3, revised edition, p. 103

When we base our lives on the Mystic Law, the life states that drag us toward suffering and unhappiness move in the opposite, positive direction. It is as if sufferings become the “firewood” that fuels the flames of joy, wisdom, and compassion. The Mystic Law and faith are what ignite those flames. From The Wisdom

The important thing is to live with energy and vigor, because that proves the benefit of our Buddhist practice. As the Daishonin indicates, “You will grow younger, and your good fortune will accumulate” (WND-1, 464). From The Wisdom for Creating Happiness and Peace, part 3, revised edition, pp. 191-192

Our vow to work for kosen-rufu serves as a fundamental source of strength, giving us the courage to remain fearless in the face of any adversity and undaunted by any hardship. When we dedicate ourselves to this vow, then no matter what obstacles and devilish functions arise, our lives will shine with the serene, invincible

Surely the correct path and most dignified way to live is to advance just as we are, as ordinary people, striving to improve ourselves even just by small increments based on chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo. From The Wisdom for Creating Happiness and Peace, part 1, revised edition, pp. 117-18

If we have hardships to overcome, we can grow and savor exhilarating joy once we surmount them. And when we strive with courageous, pure-hearted faith, all difficulties are transformed into a source of benefit and good fortune, becoming springboards for creating an even brighter future. From The Wisdom for Creating Happiness and Peace, part 3,

Mr. Toda was always in complete earnest in the struggle for kosen-rufu. When the leaders are truly serious, the members will be too. In such an organization, no matter how intense the struggle, everyone will share a warm spirit of mutual trust. From The Wisdom for Creating Happiness and Peace, part 3, revised edition, p.

Doing gongyo and chanting daimoku before the Gohonzon represent the dawn, the start of a new day, in our lives; it is the sun rising; it gives us a profound sense of contentment in the depths of our being that nothing can surpass. Even on this point alone, we are truly fortunate. From The Wisdom

Introducing others to Buddhism and striving for kosen-rufu are extensions of the spirit of friendship, of the wish to see those we care about become happy. From The Wisdom for Creating Happiness and Peace, part 2, revised edition, p. 276

On the vast stage of human history, you are all noble pioneers in the great undertaking of spreading Nichiren Buddhism. Please take the exam with strong confidence in yourselves. That you have gathered for this occasion to study Buddhism is itself a victory and an achievement. It will become a powerful driving force for your