CategoryTo My Friends

It is through talking and interacting with others that we truly develop as human beings. Dialogue means learning from and respecting others, which makes heart-felt conversation possible. Learning from others enriches us. In such rich discussion, there is joy, happiness, and peace. Dialogue is itself a sign of human triumph. From The Wisdom for Creating

As practitioners of Nichiren Buddhism, we get up in the morning and do gongyo. Some perhaps may do so rather reluctantly! Nevertheless, doing gongyo is itself a truly great and noble thing. Gongyo is a solemn ceremony in which we are, in a manner of speaking, gazing out across the universe; it is a dialogue

In any situation, dialogue is positive. It builds solidarity and creates unity. To reject dialogue is wrong; it can be divisive and destructive. The point is to meet and to talk. It is only natural that our perspectives may differ from others. But discussion gives rise to trust, even among those who don’t see eye

As long as war and natural disasters afflict the land, people cannot attain personal happiness. It is not just a matter of striving for one’s own happiness. True happiness can be attained only by praying for a peaceful and prosperous society for all and working to make it a reality. From The Wisdom for Creating

In contrast, people who have worked hard and long to develop their own identities take delight in seeing others develop theirs to the fullest too. They support and encourage them in their efforts. They take joy in others’ successes. And they have the capacity to work for the happiness and welfare of others. I hope

Josei Toda urged young people to “strive constantly to improve themselves, to become more dignified and cultured, and to establish a better, greater self.” Develop yourself! This was his message to the youth. From The Wisdom for Creating Happiness and Peace, part 2, revised edition, pp. 341-42

Our organization exists to mobilize the spirit of human goodness—people’s desire to help and benefit others—and use it to create great value. You might say that the Soka Gakkai is a body or organism that took form and came to life specifically to bring together the basic goodness of people’s hearts, to further develop that

Practicing Nichiren Buddhism enables us to become as strong as we possibly can. To live in such a way that we can perceive everything in terms of faith and are always determined to overcome everything through faith means to walk the path to eternal happiness. From The Wisdom for Creating Happiness and Peace, part 1,

When we dedicate our lives to kosen-rufu, overcoming painful suffering and perseveringin faith, we, too, can actualize the principle of casting off the transient and revealing the true. As ordinary people, we can bring forth the same life state of Buddhahood as Nichiren Daishonin. From The Wisdom for Creating Happiness and Peace, part 2, revised

The sun of Nichiren Buddhism has begun to rise above the distant horizon. Rather than seeking after your own praise or glory, I hope that you will dedicate your noble lives to sowing the seeds of peace of the Mystic Law throughout the entire world. I shall do the same. At times I will lead

Seniors in faith have a responsibility to demonstrate victory, for the sake of their fellow members who have been striving valiantly for kosen-rufu. By victory, of course, I do not mean the external trappings of worldly success or superficial honors. True victory exists in realizing the great uncrowned state of having joyfully and confidently fulfilled

“Goodness” can be defined as that which moves us in the direction of harmonious coexistence, empathy, and solidarity with others. The nature of evil, on the other hand, is to divide: people from people, humanity from the rest of nature. From The Wisdom for Creating Happiness and Peace, part 2, revised edition, p. 119

Observing many leaders, I have come to the conclusion that those who have dedicated themselves to offering personal guidance to members never give up their practice. I think this is because giving guidance—though hard, unglamorous, and inconspicuous work that requires a great deal of patience—truly deepens one’s faith. From The Wisdom for Creating Happiness and

Buddhism teaches that earthly desires lead to enlightenment. This means the greater our worries and sufferings, the greater the happiness we can transform them into through the power of chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo. From The Wisdom for Creating Happiness and Peace, part 1, revised edition, p. 168

Many people seek success and importance in the eyes of the world, but few aspire to become truly great human beings. Many wish to be showered with praise and attention, but few strive to build an inner happiness that will remain undiminished until the moment of their death and extend throughout the three existences of

It is my belief that if we can foster, in the depths of each individual human life, the kind of active, independent basis for altruistic behavior exemplified in the bodhisattva’s vow, we can establish the fundamental foundation for an ethic of responsibility and commitment upon which a genuine culture of human rights can flourish. From

Religion has meaning only when it is dedicated to the welfare of individuals, the people, and society. To be satisfied merely with one’s own well-being or salvation, while ignoring the suffering of others, is not the mark of a genuine faith. Nichiren Buddhism is a teaching dedicated to realizing happiness and peace for all humanity

Refusing to allow our weaknesses to defeat us and triumphing in one activity after another is the way we train and strengthen ourselves; it is the path of human revolution for each of us to win over our negative tendencies. Soka Gakkai activities are the “place of practice” or “training ground” where we develop and

Let’s cast aside selfishness, be unswayed by others’ approval or disapproval, and work tirelessly for people’s happiness and a brighter future. That is the way to bring forth inner strength and to attain Buddhahood. From The Wisdom for Creating Happiness and Peace, part 3, revised edition, p. 50

A teacher or mentor in Buddhism is one who leads and connects people to the Law, teaching them that the Law on which they should depend exists within their own lives. The disciples in turn seek the mentor, who embodies and is one with the Law. Looking to the mentor as a model, they exert