CHANGING POISON INTO MEDICINE THROUGH FAITH

CHANGING POISON INTO MEDICINE THROUGH FAITH

Turning adversity into an opportunity to expand our state of life:

Life's course does not always run smoothly. There are days of deep sadness and times of great suffering. It is only to be expected, then, that young people who have taken on a noble mission will face many hardships. 

But the deeper the sorrow and the greater the hardships we face, the more profound our joy will be when we overcome them.

We practice Nichiren Buddhism, which enables us to change poison into medicine. 

Nichiren Daishonin writes: "Misfortune will change into fortune" (Reply to Kyo o, WND-1, 412).

We can transform all our problems and sufferings, moving everything in a positive direction - in the direction of happiness, human revolution and Buddhahood without fail. With the passage of time, this will become clear. 

Nothing is ever wasted in Buddhism. Times of adversity are opportunities to expand our state of life and accumulate benefit. 

PUTTING DAIMOKU FIRST IN TIMES OF DIFFICULTY

Let's press forward with powerful optimism especially in times of difficulty. Bewailing our circumstances will not change anything. Looking back will not get us anywhere. The first thing to do is chant daimoku. Everything is contained in daimoku. 

Life is a struggle to the very end. That is why it is important that we chant with the determination to win no matter what. 

Faith in the Mystic Law is a source of limitless hope and self-confidence. Even though we may be in the midst of hellish suffering, the power of daimoku enables us to turn our environment into the Land of Tranquil Light. Please stand up based on faith, come what may. 

Source: Excerpt from SGI President Ikeda's Words of Encouragement. Value Creation, April, pg.65-66