Joy to the World

Hurrah for all of our fellow members who are devoting
themselves so earnestly to achieving kosen-rufu in
isolated island communities!
There is no doubt that all your dedicated efforts are
highly praised and admired by all the Buddhas and Buddhist deities.
May everyone on those most victorious islands in Japan and throughout the world lead the happiest and most glorious life!

"When with our mouths we chant the Mystic Law, our Buddha nature, being summoned, will invariably emerge. The Buddha nature of Brahma and Shakra, being called, will protect us, and the Buddha nature of the Buddhas and bodhisattvas, being summoned, will rejoice."

The Daishonin revealed the teaching of Nam-myoho-renge-kyo for all, without distinction or discrimination. It is a universal teaching for the happiness of all human beings. Moreover, the expression 'the boundless joy of the Law' is written with the Chinese characters that literally read 'the joy of the Law that one gains by oneself.' In other words, we don't sit around waiting for someone else to give us happiness. We bring forth the power to become happy from within our own lives. We don't chase after ephemeral mirages of happiness. For we can tap 'the greatest of all joys' (OTT, 212) from within us.

Persistance towards Glory

People with a seeking spirit are strong!
People who continue to advance are always youthful!
As we approach the end of summer
let's make clear plans for each day
so that we can realize the goals that we set for ourselves!

"The deeper the roots, the more luxuriant the branches. The farther the source, the longer the stream."

"All struggles are a struggle against time. Those who hesitate or waste time will be defeated. As Chinese Premier Zhou Enlai (1898-1976) declared: "Gaining time is the key to victory."

No matter if it's a rainy day or morning in the lingering summer heat,
our Seikyo Shimbun deliverers go out on the road.
Thank you so very much for your selfless dedication!
Glory blossoms of good fortune and benefit will surely
follow your noble footsteps.

"Nam-myoho-renge-kyo is like the roar of a lion. What sickness can therefore be an obstacle?"

Let's give our kind, warm and sincere words of
encouragement to those members who are struggling to
overcome hardships!
The Daishonin states,
"The voice carries out the work of the Buddha."*
Our unceasing effort to encourage each member is a proof of the pure stream that runs in the organization without stagnation.

Indeed, the purpose of faith is to receive benefit.
That is also the purpose of Buddhist practice and Soka
Gakkai activities. The Soka Gakkai organization and its leadership exist to ensure that each member receives benefit. If we lose sight of this, our organization will lose its vigor, stagnate and become idle.

Dialogue is the key towards peace and harmony

No matter what the circumstances, it is important that we cherish every single individual and do our very best to encourage each person.
As a leader, let's make every possible effort so that every member will be imbued with courage and strength!

"Strengthen your faith day by day and month after month. Should you slacken in your resolve even a bit, devils will take advantage."

"Dr. Bernard Lown, one of the cofounders of the International Physicians for the Prevention of Nuclear War (IPPNW), with whom I've met and spoken, has said that medicine is the art of healing and listening, and that listening properly to what others are saying begins with having respect for them as individuals. He also said that friendship that is built through sincere dialogue opens the way to genuine communication."

Sharings of Nichiren Daishonin Buddhism

Summer vacation is a perfect opportunity for parents to sit down and talk with their children.
By listening carefully to what they have to say and
sharing our thoughts with them at the same time,
let's make wonderful memories of parent and child!

"Those who believe in the Lotus Sutra are as if in winter, but winter always turns to spring."

"If we always have a sense of appreciation and strive to repay our gratitude to others, we'll come to know exactly what we should do, what course of action we should take. Boundless courage and wisdom will surge forth from within us without fail."

Sharings of Nichiren Daishonins Buddhism

The writings of Nichiren Daishonin remind us to
'arouse deep faith, and diligently polish our mirror day and night.'*
So let us polish our lives by chanting Nam-myo-ho-renge-kyo!
Those who maintain their faith without ever giving up,
will eventually become winners!

"On the twelfth day of the ninth month of last year, between the hours of the rat and the ox (11:00 P.M. to 3:00 A.M.), this person named Nichiren was beheaded. It is his soul that has come to this island of Sado and, in the second month of the following year, snowbound, is writing this to send to his close disciples."

"As Nichiren Daishonin states in reference to the principle of “emerging from the earth" (WND-1, 385), when one person stands up, they are certain to be followed by two, three, and then a multitude of Bodhisattvas of the Earth in steady succession."

Sharings of Nichiren Buddhism

We are in charge of helping the people in our local
community so that they can lead happy lives.
With refreshing greetings and by taking sincere and caring actions,
let's send a cool breeze of friendship to everyone around us.

"Strengthen your faith day by day and month after month. Should you slacken in your resolve even a bit, devils will take advantage."

"The Soka Gakkai will forever stand on the side of the people. This is its unchanging creed."

Sharings of Nichiren Daishonin's Buddhism

Nothing is more precious for youth than winning the trust of people!
Let's become trustworthy enough for people to feel good about us
and say: "As long as this person is there we have nothing to worry!"
Let's become people of integrity and action!
Let's shine in the place where we are right now!

"If you care anything about your personal security, you should first of all pray for order and tranquillity throughout the four quarters of the land, should you not?"

"Goethe, who exerted himself tirelessly for the welfare of his community, went by the motto: "What we are searching for is here or nowhere." He regarded wherever he was as the place of his mission, and he strove his hardest to win in everything he did.

Sharings of Nichiren Daishonin's Buddhism

Let us not be negligent about our health amidst this fierce heat wave!
Let us also be extra cautious about sudden weather changes,
especially when there is an unexpected downpour or lightening.
With constant vigilance and prudence*
let us stay safe, warding off any kind of accident or incident.

* Gosho: "It is a matter of rejoicing that your usual prudence and courage, as well as your firm faith in the Lotus Sutra, enabled you to survive unharmed."

"The deeper the roots, the more luxuriant the branches. The farther the source, the longer the stream."

"Trying to talk to people about the Daishonin's Buddhism in itself represents a noble effort to "establish the correct teaching for the peace of the land." There may be times when you feel frustrated in your attempts to have meaningful conversations with others, but don't be disheartened. Your seniors in the men's and women's divisions have become experts in dialogue through just such challenges, persevering and learning from the process. If everything always went smoothly from the beginning, you'd never grow and develop!"

Sharings of the day

For all of those members who are struggling against
sickness and disease,
never ever give up!
"No prayers will go unanswered."*
By sincerely chanting daimoku with this conviction,
let's fill our hearts with strong life force!

*"If you have faith in this Gohonzon and chant
Nam-myoho-renge-kyo even for a short while, no prayer
will go unanswered, no offence unexpiated, no good fortune unbestowed, and all righteousness proven."
(Commentary on "The True Object of Worship" by Nichikan Shonin)

--- DAILY GOSHO ---
"Tell them to be prepared for the worst, and not to expect good times, but take the bad times for granted."

---- WORDS OF THE WEEK ----
The Daishonin encourages us,
"Strengthen your faith day by day and month after month."*
Let's do gongyo and chant daimoku resonantly!
Brimming with strong life force,
let's maintain good health, first and foremost,
and continue to advance successfully!

Ordinary Buffet Steamboat with Side Toppings

It may well be common steamboat buffets to most people but i find it surprisingly interesting

especially the sides of the bowl which contains grill.

Lots of variety as mentioned, its a buffet duh! Rich in color and pretty cute look of bowl. The guy i pressume with the red shirt can't wait to start off his real meal, hmm ...

Sharings of Nichiren Daishonin's Buddhims

Let's all be very careful to prevent heat stroke!
It is vital that we keep rehydrated constantly and take every possible measure to protect ourselves from the sun by using a hat or parasol, etc.
Let's live each and every day successfully by maintaining good health!

--- DAILY GOSHO ---
"T'ien-t'ai states, 'From the indigo, an even deeper blue.' This passage means that, if one dyes something repeatedly in indigo, it becomes even bluer than the indigo leaves. The Lotus Sutra is like the indigo, and the strength of one's practice is like the deepening blue."

---- DAILY ENCOURAGEMENT ----
"If we care about the peace and prosperity of society, we must strive to establish a solid pillar of goodness and justice in people's hearts. Everything begins with the inner transformation of human beings themselves. We must also build a strong humanistic force for peace within society. Otherwise, the devilish nature of authority will dominate, and the cycle of suffering will be perpetuated."

Sharings of Nichiren Daishonin's Buddhism

We practice the Buddhism of "true cause".*
For us, every moment is a moment of fresh departure!
Based firmly on the 'two ways of practice and study'**
let us advance a step forward each day!
Let us truly become strong!

--- DAILY GOSHO ---
"I entrust you with the propagation of Buddhism in your province. It is stated that 'the seeds of Buddhahood sprout as a result of conditions, and for this reason they preach the single vehicle'"

(The Properties of Rice - The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, Vol.1, page 1117)
Selection source: "Kyo no Hosshin", Seikyo Shimbun, July 22nd, 2010

--- DAILY ENCOURAGEMENT ---
"The very best can’t be created by those willing to compromise and accept second best. A fierce and uncompromising effort is rewarded with true glory. "

SGI Newsletter No. 8034, The New Human Revolution--Vol. 23: Chap. 3, Courage 46

Buddhahood in every human being

Courtesy of The Star newspaper:

Robbers advise kids ‘don’t be like us’ after heist

MALACCA: Five masked machete-wielding robbers left not only with RM150,000 in cash and valuables, but also some words of advice for their victims.

“Don’t become robbers like us. Study hard, become doctors and lawyers and make your parents proud,” they told six primary schoolchildren present during the robbery.

The robbers had entered the house in Taman Batang Melaka at about 9pm and held up tuition teacher M. Sashi, 35, who was giving lessons to six primary schoolchildren aged between eight and 11.

They tied him, his wife and elderly mother before forcing the children to lie face down and remain silent.

One of the pupils’ uncle, who came to fetch his 10 year-old nephew, was also held and tied up.

Sashi said the robbers had also asked his mother for forgiveness.

“Don’t think too harshly of us. We too are like your son trying to make a living. Forgive us,” he said.

Jasin CID chief Asst Supt Ahzarha Abdul Rahim said the robbers, believed to be in their 20’s, stole an estimated RM150,000 worth of jewellery, an LCD television set and RM1,500.

“We believe the robbers may have known the victims or were working for someone who knew them,” he said.

Gunners ace Eds for Ukraine

EDUARDO has completed his £6million switch from Arsenal to Shakhtar Donetesk.
The Croatia striker's move was confirmed by the Ukrainian champions this afternoon.

He has signed a four-year contract with Shakhtar, who won the UEFA Cup in 2009.

A club statement said: "Shakhtar have signed a Brazilian-born Croatian forward Eduardo Da Silva from Arsenal on a four-year contract.

"All the details were agreed tonight at Donbas Arena in Donetsk.

"Within the nearest time the newcomer will be introduced to Ukrainian media as well as to the Pitmen fans."

Eduardo joined Arsenal from Dinamo Zagreb in July 2007 but struggled to recapture his best form after a year out with a broken leg and dislocated ankle.

He scored a total 20 goals in 67 appearances for the Gunners.

He was seriously injured in his debut season for Arsenal against Birmingham in February 2008.

He returned to play four games the following season and 32 the year after as Arsenal finished third in the Premier League.

Gunners boss Arsene Wenger said: "It makes me sad when I think of his injury and now because he has left."

courtesy of the thesun.co.uk

How to start a good wednesday morning

Zzz.. Woke up in the morning, as always resisting to wake up but after a couple of alarm snoozing it works.
Went to the balcony and saw it was about to rain so decided to quicken up my pace and leave my house as soon as possible before it becomes heavy.

Arrived office at approximately 8.45am. Had an extremely light breakfast.

Browse through some sites where found a few good morning love poems, that says:

Waking up, looking at you
and knowing the sun is high in the blue-
I realize everything is beautiful.

Feeling you brush across my cheek
brings my morning to its peak-
I realize everything is beautiful.

Sipping my coffee, I look into your eyes
Ones full of life, joy, love and surprise-
I realize everything is beautiful.

Hearing the words slip from your lips
those same which greeted me with a morning kiss-
I realize everything is beautiful.

Love, you don't know what you do
But every move... makes me more in love with you.
So, Good Morning, Beautiful. You are My Everything.

Sharing of the day

The writings of Nichiren Daishonin are
a brilliant light of hope for humanity!
They contain a truly profound philosophy
for leading an ever victorious life.
Even if it is only a line or two,
try to make the effort to read the Gosho daily!
By refreshing our spirits and minds each day,
let's gear up to advance!

"It is said that, if a teacher has a good disciple, both will gain the fruit of Buddhahood, but if a teacher fosters a bad disciple, both will fall into hell. If teacher and disciple are of different minds, they will never accomplish anything."

"When one person stands up based on the shared vow of mentor and disciple, two, three, and eventually a hundred like-minded people will follow. This is the eternal formula of kosen-rufu. As the Daishonin writes:

"At first only Nichiren chanted Nam-myoho-renge-kyo, but then two, three, and a hundred followed, chanting and teaching others. Propagation will unfold this way in the future as well. Does this not signify 'emerging from the earth'? (WND-1, 385)"