Attitude
As long as we are human, we are bound to make mistakes. We all fall prey to flawed beliefs and views. What separates a forward-looking person from an intransigent one, a virtuous person from a malevolent one, however, is whether one can candidly admit to ones mistakes and take bold steps to redress them.
[Human Revolution, Vol. 6, “Transition” chapter]
Difficulties impede the progress of those who are weak. For the strong, however, they are an opportunity to open wide the doors to a bright future. Everything is determined by our attitude, by our resolve.
[Speech at Soka University and Soka Women's College Graduation Ceremony, Tokyo, March 18, 1998]
Human beings aren’t defeated by adversity. They are defeated by themselves, by giving up and abandoning their own convictions.
[The New Human Revolution, Vol. 13, “Shining Citadel” chapter]
If you always have a shallow perspective and pay attention only to trivial things, you are sure to get bogged down in all kinds of petty worries and concerns, and not be able to move forward. Even relatively minor hurdles or problems will seem insurmountable. But if you look at life from a broad perspective, you naturally spot the way to solve any problem you may confront. This is true when we consider our own personal problems as well as those of society and even the future of the entire world.
[Discussions on Youth]
It is not up to others or your environment. Change begins from the moment you muster the courage to act. When you change, the environment will change. The power to change the world is found nowhere but within our own life.
[Speech at Divisional Representative Conference, Tokyo, April 13, 2006]
It’s foolish to be obsessed with past failures. And it’s just as foolish to be self-satisfied with one’s small achievements. Buddhism teaches that . . . those who neglect this spirit of continual striving will start to veer off in a ruinous direction.
[Speech at Student Division Representatives Meeting, Tokyo, January 26, 1996]
Just as cherry, plum, peach and damson blossoms all possess their own unique qualities, each person is unique. We cannot become someone else. The important thing is that we live true to ourselves and cause the great flower of our lives to blossom.
[Lectures on the “Expedient Means” and “Life Span” Chapters of the Lotus Sutra]
Lies are truly frightening, because they not only deceive others but also destroy one’s own humanity.
[Speech at Headquarters Leaders Meeting, Tokyo, January 10, 2008]
Life is best lived by being bold and daring. People tend to grow meek when they taste failure, face a daunting challenge or fall ill. Yet that is precisely the time to become even bolder. . . . Those who are victors at heart are the greatest of all champions.
[Speech at Women’s Division Leaders Conference, Tokyo, February 10, 2006]
Life moves toward the direction our mind aims it in. A goal activates our minds and bodies; it stimulates wisdom and energy from within.
[Essay series, “Travels Around the Globe: My Home is the World,” Seikyo Shimbun, September 7, 2003]
No matter what the problem is, the way it is interpreted can have a positive or negative effect on one's life. By adopting a positive interpretation, one can make one’s problems a source of nourishment for personal growth.
[The Inner Philosopher: Conversations on Philosophy's Transformative Power, with Lou Marinoff]
Patience is, in and of itself, a great challenge and it often holds the key to breaking through a seeming impasse.
[Message to Soka University and Soka Women's College Graduation Ceremony, Tokyo, March 21, 1996]
Real optimism should not be mistaken for a carefree outlook on life, one in which we forfeit responsibility for our lives. The person undefeated by misfortune, poverty, disparagement and vilification. The person who can bounce back from every adversity and say, “What? That was nothing!” That person is a true optimist.
[Speech at Headquarters Leaders Meeting, Tokyo, December 9, 1995]
So many of life’s conflicts originate in envy. Envy ruins and destroys people’s hearts.
[“Days of Value,” Journey of Life: Selected Poems of Daisaku Ikeda]
Sometimes we complain without thinking much of it, but the frightening thing about complaining is that every time we do, a cloud descends over our heart, and our hope, appreciation and joy gradually wane.
[The New Human Revolution, Vol. 24, “Humanistic Education” chapter]
The misfortune of others is our misfortune. Our happiness is the happiness of others. To see ourselves in others and feel an inner sense of unity with them represents a fundamental revolution in the way we view and live our lives. Therefore, discriminating against another person is the same as discriminating against ourselves. When we hurt another, we are hurting ourselves. And when we respect others, we respect and elevate our own lives as well.
[The Wisdom of the Lotus Sutra]
The place where you are now is crucial. Never try to avoid that which you must do.
[Speech at Headquarters Leaders Meeting, Tokyo, November 10, 2006]
The reality of your future self is forged by your current action, in your behavior now.
[Ikeda Daisaku Zenshu (The Complete Works of Daisaku Ikeda), Vol. 46]
Those who face adversity with hope and the willingness to do their best don’t consider the process painful.
[The New Human Revolution, Vol. 22, “A New Century” chapter]
We have both a weak self and a strong self; the two are completely different. If we allow our weak side to dominate, we will be defeated.
[Speech at Young Men’s and Young Women’s Division Leaders Meeting, Tokyo, March 24, 1997]
When your determination changes, everything will begin to move in the direction you desire. The moment you resolve to be victorious, every nerve and fiber in your being will immediately orient itself toward your success. On the other hand, if you think, “This is never going to work out,” then at that instant every cell in your being will be deflated and give up the fight. Then everything really will move in the direction of failure.
[Speech at Young Men’s and Young Women’s Division Leaders Meeting, Tokyo, March 24, 1997]
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