Quotes by Sensei Ikeda

Quotes by Sensei Ikeda

  

"Our prayers are answered only to the extent that we exert ourselves to realize the Buddha’s wish for the happiness of all humanity. The Gohonzon (Mystic Law) has no obligation to answer our prayers. It has not asked us to chant to it. We request the privilege of being allowed to pray to the Gohonzon. If we have such a sense of gratitude and appreciation, our prayers will be answered more quickly."

  

"There are no Buddhas who suffer in poverty forever. And just as there are no cruel or malicious Buddhas, so too are there no weak, pallid Buddhas who allow life to defeat them. A Buddha is another name for a person who is determined to win no matter what."

  

"Even a cave that has been in total darkness for millions of years will become brightly illuminated the moment a light is brought inside. Only your practice of faith can ignite the flame of happiness within your heart." Please chant Nam Myoho Renge Kyo to your Hearts content.

  

"No matter what your circumstance, it is your ichinen of faith that enables you to open the palaces of happiness that exists within you and establish a life that is fulfilled in every respect. This is the purpose of faith and Buddhist practice. Your powerful ichinen directed towards the Gohonzon and the accomplishment of kosen-rufu will cause every aspect of your life to unfold"

  

"It is important to live true to yourself. If you become strong, then no matter how trying your present situation may be, you will not be daunted by it. Even if you are struggling financially now, as long as you continue making efforts based on faith, you will eventually find that you have the money you need. Even the most painful and difficult situations will, when viewed from the distance of time, seem like the events of a dream."

  

"In life there are times when you may face a slump. At times you may also suffer from illness or family problems, have trouble with your children, or experience difficulties in your relationships with other people. However, Nichiren Daishonin's Buddhism is a great law which enables one to change poison into medicine. Through faith, everything serves to transform one's life into one which manifests the enlightened properties of eternity, happiness, true self and purity."

  

"I am always praying that you and your families will enjoy good health and abundant fortune. Please win in all your endeavours. Please make your family a “fountainhead of faith” and create a brilliant flow of great good fortune that will extend to your children and coming generations, and across the three existences of past, present and future."

  

BUDDHIST WAYS TO HANDLE STRESS

TOP 3 BUDDHIST WAYS TO HANDLE STRESS

How important are positive emotions in the struggle between health and illness? Is there scientific evidence that corresponds with the teachings of Buddhism? There is in fact a growing mountain of evidence supporting Buddhism and the importance of nurturing positive qualities in ourselves. Let’s consider one example: stress management. The book Buddha in Your Mirror cites the work of Kathleen H. Dockett, professor emerita of psychology at the University of the District of Columbia, who reports that three key personality traits facilitate the process of handling stress positively. A stress-resistant personality type—someone who handles stress better than others—is less prone to stress induced illnesses and, when faced with illness, overcomes it better.

  

This personality type consists of three factors: commitment, control and challenge—qualities that are identified and nurtured by the practice of Nichiren Buddhism.

  

1. COMMITMENT

Being dedicated to a cause or activity that is important to you; feeling meaning, purpose, a sense of mission in life.

  

2. CONTROL

Believing that you are in control of your life and that you determine your future.

  

3. CHALLENGE

Feeling that life is full of exciting challenges and opportunities for growth, rather than it being full of threats or obstacles.

  

The next time you are faced with a stressful situation, try chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo to:

  

Strengthen your commitment to kosen-rufu.

Take control and envision your desired outcome.

Confidently challenge the situation with determination.

Source: www.sgi-usa.org

LINDA JOHNSON'S GUIDANCE

LINDA JOHNSON'S GUIDANCE

We must understand that there is nothing we cannot achieve with Nam-myoho-renge-kyo. There is no problem bigger than that. When you pray, take the responsibility through your prayer that you will help another human being have a breakthrough. Take the responsibility for your leader to win, for your husband to win, for your teacher or your boss to win. Anything that you run from, anything that you separate from will cause you to lose all your power as a human being. Connect to your pain, connect to your suffering – in the sense of owning it & deciding that you will take the responsibility to change it. When you stay connected & take that kind of responsibility for your life - because it’s the choice you made about the way to live your life – you will be empowered. You will learn that the only limitations that you ultimately have – and will ever have – are the ones you put on yourself.

This is truly a magnificent practice. Decide that you owe it to yourself to have the most wonderful life – a life in which you’re able to joyfully use everything to create undeniable joy & value, a life in which you take the responsibility to create precisely the kind of life that you want for yourself. A life where you no longer live reacting to where everybody else is but instead become the kind of person that sets the example for everything you want everyone else to be.

-From Linda Johnson's article in Living Buddhism