Die Welt des Buddhismus des Nichiren Daishonin/ The world of buddhism of Nichiren Daishonin

2012-02-14T02:55:00.002+01:00

Creativity is more than just being different. Anybody can play weird; that's easy. What's hard is to be as simple as Bach. Making the simple, awesomely simple, that's creativity.»
Charles Mingus, musician

2012-02-11T05:51:00.000+01:00

Die grösste Entscheidung deines Lebens liegt darin, dass du dein Leben ändern kannst, indem du deine Geisteshaltung änderst. /Albert Schweitzer

2012-02-09T02:53:00.001+01:00

You can only become truly accomplished at something you love. Don't make money your goal. Instead pursue the things you love doing and then do them so well that people can't take their eyes off of you.»
Maya Angelou, author

2012-02-05T09:07:00.001+01:00

"We are in a struggle against time, and each moment must be used efficiently. People who can make the best use of their time are victorious.”

2012-02-04T02:52:00.001+01:00

«A hunch is creativity trying to tell you something.»
Frank Capra, fimmaker

2012-02-02T16:25:00.001+01:00

"The first courageous step is what matters. The important thing is to start with what we can do right now in our immediate environment, challenging ourselves steadily, day after day. This is how we can bring forth the infinite power of the Buddha that no trial or adversity can stop or hold back. Through such continued efforts, we can build the foundation for lifelong happiness."

2012-02-01T05:50:00.000+01:00

Wenn wir einem Menschen helfen wollen, müssen wir an ihn glauben. /Albert Schweitzer

2012-01-31T05:50:00.000+01:00

Es ist ein herrlich Ding um das Mutmachen. /Albert Schweitzer

2012-01-29T08:48:00.000+01:00

"The good fortune and benefit that accompany a life dedicated to kosen-rufu are boundless and immeasurable. Nichiren Daishonin writes: 'Be firmly convinced that [your benefit] will extend to your parents, your grandparents, nay, even to countless living beings' (WND-1, 533). As long as you remain steadfast in faith, you can shine as a bright sun of hope, illuminating all around you."

2012-01-28T07:57:00.001+01:00

Work and employment serve as a form of proof that one is necessary to society. Even if it does not bring particular recognition or fame, work can be a source of fulfillment and pride, realised through the steady pursuit of the role that is ours and ours alone to play. For people who have lost their homes and possessions in a disaster and are dealing with the strains of life as evacuees, the loss of work not only represents a severing of the economic lifeline but can further undermine the spiritual grounding necessary to move forwards.

2012-01-27T02:51:00.000+01:00

«Don't think. Thinking is the enemy of creativity. It's self-conscious, and anything self-conscious is lousy. You can't try to do things. You simply must do things.»
Ray Bradbury, author

Führender Buddhist ruft zu Gipfeltreffen zur Abschaffung von Nuklearwaffen in Hiroshima und Nagasaki im Jahr 2015 auf und fordert das Ende der Abhängi

2012-01-26T09:17:00.002+01:00

Tokio (ots/PRNewswire) - In seinem am 26. Januar veröffentlichten jährlichen Friedensvorschlag verlangt Daisaku Ikeda, Präsident der buddhistischen Organisation Soka Gakkai International (SGI), für das Jahr 2015 die Einberufung eines Gipfeltreffens in Hiroshima und Nagasaki zur Abschaffung der Nuklearwaffen. Dort soll sichergestellt werden, dass die weltweit wachsende Bewegung für die Abschaffung von Atomwaffen nicht mehr zurück gedrängt werden kann.
Ein Gipfelgespräch, das anlässlich des 70. Jahrestages des Atombombenabwurfs und im Jahr der Konferenz zur Revision des Kernwaffensperrvertrages stattfindet, würde führenden Politikern die schreckliche Zerstörungskraft der Atomwaffen vor Augen führen. Gleichzeitig würde es die Ergreifung notwendiger Massnahmen zur deren Abschaffung sichern und das tatsächliche Ende der Atomwaffen-Ära markieren.
Ikedas diesjähriger Vorschlag "Menschliche Sicherheit und Nachhaltigkeit: Gemeinsamer Respekt vor der Würde des Lebens" deutet auf die Möglichkeit hin, dass eine hoffnungsvollere Phase im Kampf um eine atomwaffenfreie Welt beginnt. Ikeda sieht Anzeichen für einen Wendepunkt, an dem die Regierungen sukzessive die Annahme eines Nuklearwaffenabkommens (NWC) zur globalen Ächtung von Atomwaffen unterstützen würden.
Ikeda, der sich seit Ende der 1950er Jahre für die Abschaffung der Atomwaffen einsetzt, bekräftigt nochmals seine Unterstützung einer Atomwaffenkonvention: "[Wir müssen die Überzeugung verteidigen,] dass die Menschheit und nukleare Waffen nicht nebeneinander existieren können. Dieser Überzeugung müssen wir als rechtsverbindliches Abkommen eine Form geben, worin der gemeinsame Willen der Menschheit zum Ausdruck kommt."
Ikeda plädiert für die Bildung einer Aktionsgruppe, bestehend aus Regierungen und NGOs, die das Zustandekommen eines Nuklearwaffenabkommen unterstützen. Wenn Argumente auf den Menschenrechten, der Nachhaltigkeit und internationalem Völkerrecht basieren, so würde dies die Welle von Graswurzelaktivitäten zur Ächtung der Atomwaffen weiter verstärken.
Mit Blick auf die Reaktorkatastrophe von Fukushima im März 2011 fordert Ikeda Japan zu einem raschen Übergang zu einer Energiepolitik auf, die sich nicht mehr von nuklearer Stromerzeugung abhängig macht. Japan solle sowohl im eigenen Land als auch in den Schwellenländern sein Engagement für die Technologien erneuerbarer Energien und deren Erforschung intensivieren. Er plädiert für eine Stärkung der IAEA im Umgang mit den Auswirkungen von Unfällen in Atomkraftwerken und der Stilllegung veralteter Reaktoren.
Angesichts des Leids durch die weltweit zunehmenden Naturkatastrophen fordert Ikeda einen menschenrechtszentrierten Ansatz. Er schlägt vor, das Mandat der UNHCR offiziell auf die Vorsorge für Hilfsmassnahmen für Menschen zu erweitern, die durch solche Katastrophen obdachlos werden. Auch die Stärkung der Rolle von Frauen sei im Hinblick auf die Prävention, die Schadensbegrenzung und den Wiederaufbau nach Katastrophen äusserst wichtig.
Im Hinblick auf die UN-Konferenz für nachhaltige Entwicklung, die dieses Jahr in Rio de Janeiro stattfinden wird, ruft Ikeda zu einer breiteren Debatte über das "Konzept nachhaltiger Entwicklungsziele" auf, um an die bis 2015 gesteckten Millennium-Entwicklungsziele anzuschliessen. Er fordert eine umfassende Herangehensweise, welche die gesamte Palette der Nachhaltigkeit und der menschlichen Sicherheit umfasst, sowohl in den Schwellenländern als auch in den Industrienationen.

Lesen Sie die Zusammenfassung des Vorschlages auf: http://www.sgi.org/sgipresident/proposals/peace/2012.html

Daisaku Ikeda, geb. 1928, hat seit 1983 jährlich am 26. Januar, dem Jahrestag der Gründung der SGI (1975) Vorschläge zu Schlüsselthemen der Menschheit herausgegeben. Er bietet Einsichten aus buddhistischer Perspektive. Gleichzeitig macht er konkrete Vorschläge im Sinne eines Beitrages zum globalen Dialog unter Führung der Vereinen Nationen. Viele seiner Vorschläge haben Früchte getragen.

Kontakt: Joan Anderson Büro für öffentliche Informationen Soka Gakkai International Tel: +81-80-5957-4711 Fax: +81-3-5360-9885 E-mail: janderson[at]sgi.gr.jp

The Creative Struggle

2012-01-24T02:31:00.000+01:00

by Julie Burstein for SGI Quarterly
It is difficult to watch our children struggle, whether it is with illness, schoolwork or in differences with their friends. At work and in our communities, it is usually frightening to acknowledge failure, to discover that we need to develop a new approach to a problem we thought we had solved. In our relationships with family and friends, it may feel easier and less hurtful to avoid the friction of opinions different from our own. But what artists show us is that these challenges are not just unavoidable: struggle, failure and difference can become sparks for our creativity.

Engaging Adversity
This is certainly true for the painter Chuck Close. He knew from the time he was a small child that he would be an artist. But for Close, art wasn't just fun, it was his most powerful way to connect, because he has severe learning disabilities. "In the 40s or 50s no one knew from learning disabilities; I was just dumb," Close says. "I learned early on that since I wasn't athletic, I couldn't run or throw or catch a ball, I needed to do something to keep people around me. I began to realize that one of the things I could do that my friends couldn't do was draw."…

Read more HERE

2012-01-22T22:48:00.001+01:00

«My role in society, or any artist's or poet's role, is to try and express what we all feel. Not to tell people how to feel. Not as a preacher, not as a leader, but as a reflection of us all.»
John Lennon, musician

2012-01-21T05:48:00.000+01:00

Du bist
so jung wie deine Zuversicht,
so alt wie deine Zweifel.
So jung wie dein Selbstvertrauen,
so alt wie deine Furcht.
So jung wie deine Hoffnungen,
so alt wie deine Verzagtheit.
/Albert Schweitzer

2012-01-20T18:53:00.001+01:00

Your family’s most precious treasure is your warm smile. It gives courage to your family members. It imparts hope to them. None of us can know what suffering life has in store for us. Those who can smile through their troubles are truly strong.

2012-01-19T22:28:00.000+01:00

When you lose your livelihood, the common tendency is to feel depressed, and if you have no apparent future prospects, you can easily become apathetic and despairing.

If you’re able at such a time to remain filled with life force, energised, and ready to face the challenges before you, you can impart tremendous courage to others. Courage spreads with a ripple effect. In addition, when buddhists are positive and energetic, actively taking on life’s challenges, they demonstrate proof of the power of Buddhism to others. The power of religion is manifested in the way people live their lives.

Attachments and Liberation

2012-01-17T23:57:00.002+01:00

Buddhism is a teaching of liberation, aimed at freeing people from the inevitable sufferings of life. To this end, early Buddhist teachings focused on the impermanence of all things. The Buddha realized that nothing in this world stays the same; everything is in a constant state of change. Pleasurable conditions, favorable circumstances, our relationships with those we hold dear, our health and well-being--any sense of comfort and security we derive from these things is continually threatened by life's flux and uncertainty, and ultimately by death, the most profound change of all…

Read more HERE

Thank you Annamaria!

2012-01-11T05:48:00.000+01:00

Aus jedem Tun kommt neue Kraft. /Albert Schweitzer

2012-01-10T09:00:00.003+01:00

In buddhism, nothing happens by chance. Everything has meaning. Please be convinced that you already possess every treasure. it is vital to recognize that no matter how difficult your situation may be you are alive now. There is no treasure more precious than life itself. Furthermore, you are still young and blessed with a youthful spirit, the greatest of all treasures in the universe. Please do not destroy or harm that treasure by giving way to feelings of despair.
«Faith into Action» by Daisaku Ikeda

2012-01-07T07:56:00.001+01:00

The Daishonin writes: “Those who believe in the Lotus Sutra are as if in winter, but winter always turns to spring” (WND-1, 536). Even when confronted with the harshest winter of karmic suffering, if we continue chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo and striving courageously for kosen-rufu, we can definitely bring the spring sunshine of happiness to shine in our lives.

2012-01-04T07:21:00.001+01:00

No matter how much a person or society prospers, if they become arrogant and stop learning, they will inevitably enter a path of decline. If, however, the spirit of learning continues to shine with sunlike brilliance, they will never be deadlocked, but always be able to find a path leading to continued growth and development.

2012-01-02T09:21:00.003+01:00

Buddhism is an earnest struggle to win. This is what the Dashonin teaches. A Buddhist must not be defeated. I hope you will maintain an alert and winning spirit in your work and daily life, taking courageous action and showing triumphant actual proof time and again.
«Faith into Action», Daisaku Ikeda

2012-01-01T05:47:00.000+01:00

Jeder Mensch geht uns als Mensch etwas an. /Albert Schweitzer

2011-12-31T09:08:00.000+01:00

There is a path that birds follow as they fly through the sky.
There is a path that fish follow as they swim through the sea.
There is a path that the stars follow as they travel the heavens.
And there is a path of principle that human beings should follow.
This is none other than the path of peace.

2011-12-29T08:53:00.001+01:00

To give one’s wholehearted attention to even the smallest task or matter, to not grow careless or negligent, to approach challenges with the determination to succeed, and to win out through all—this is the essential spirit of the lion king./ 8418

2011-12-29T08:11:00.000+01:00

The lion king is said to advance three steps, then gather himself to spring, unleashing the same power whether he traps a tiny ant or attacks a fierce animal. In inscribing this Gohonzon for her [Kyo’o, Shijo Kingo’s daughter] protection, Nichiren was like the lion king. This is what the sutra means by 'the power [of the Buddhas] that has the lion’s ferocity' [LSOC15, 258] (WND-1, 412).

2011-12-28T08:24:00.001+01:00

The English poet Shelley wrote: 'A [person], to be greatly good, must imagine intensely and comprehensively; he must put himself in the place of another and of many others; the pains and pleasures of his species must become his own.

2011-12-26T15:46:00.001+01:00

Ein freundlicher Blick durchdringt die Düsternis wie ein Sonnenstrahl./ Albert Schweitzer

2011-12-21T00:17:00.001+01:00

Everything starts from our inner determination. However dark the times, when the sun of time without beginning—our inner Buddhahood—rises in our heart, we can transform even our environment. No matter what happens, the important thing is not to despair, not to give up, and never to let oneself be defeated…/ 8408

2011-12-19T15:45:00.001+01:00

Jeder Tag bringt seine Geschenke mit, man braucht sie nur auszupacken./ Albert Schweitzer

2011-12-18T09:29:00.001+01:00

The bitterness we experience for the sake of Buddhism eventually adorns our lives as honour and praise.

2011-12-14T14:45:00.001+01:00

A brilliant outstanding history is not created in a single day.
It's the accumulation of all those seemingly small steps
that lead to the definite realisation of the great ones.
Let's courageously go all out today and make today a day of success!

2011-12-10T09:41:00.001+01:00

Japanese author Shugoro Yamamoto (1903–67) wrote: 'Once people have a goal of their own, they will not be beaten by poverty or insult or the worst persecution, but will strive to realise that goal as long as they have breath in their body. That’s the most humane way to live.

The Bodhisattva Ideal and Human Rights Culture

2011-12-08T21:07:00.000+01:00

By Daisaku Ikeda for SGI Quarterly
In this excerpt from his 1998 Peace Proposal titled "Humanity and the New Millennium: From Chaos to Cosmos," SGI President Daisaku Ikeda discusses the Buddhist concept of the bodhisattva.

The bodhisattva exemplifies the state of compassion, or altruistic life, and a person in this state aspires to help all people gain happiness, seeking, in Nichiren's words, "to attain enlightenment only after having first saved others from suffering."
The qualities that make a bodhisattva can be described from various perspectives, but here I would mention one that is of particular relevance to human rights. The bodhisattva undertakes a vow to save others and bases all action upon this vow, which is a spontaneous and unforced expression of altruism. Nor is the vow a mere expression of determination or desire, but a defining commitment to whose realization the bodhisattva devotes her or his entire being. . .
My point in introducing the concept of the bodhisattva is this: Human rights will only become truly universal and indivisible when they span the most basic, existential division--that of self and other. And this can only occur when both the right to and duty of humane treatment are observed, not in response to externally imposed norms, but through spontaneous action stemming from the naturally powerful desire to assist our fellows whose ability to live in a humane manner is under threat…

Read more HERE

2011-12-07T17:19:00.001+01:00

Chinese author Ba Jin (1904–2005) said: 'The future has endless possibilities, and can be shaped in innumerable ways through one’s own efforts.... Hope is produced through effort.

2011-12-07T05:55:00.002+01:00

The Lotus Sutra, a Mahayana Buddhist scripture that has been translated into Chinese from Sanskrit, teaches that all people innately possess the supremely noble life-state of Buddhahood. In other words, everyone has the potential to demonstrate unsurpassed capability and strength.
How is this achieved? By making what Buddhism calls 'good causes.' The Lotus Sutra says: 'The seeds of Buddhahood sprout through causation'. (LSOC2, 75)

2011-12-04T18:01:00.001+01:00

Past achievements aren’t what count. What matters is what you’re doing now, and what you’re going to do in the future. It’s vital to continue advancing and encouraging others as long as you live, whether you’re in your eighties or nineties. Please live your life with an eternally youthful spirit.

An Education in Human Rights

2011-12-01T21:04:00.003+01:00

By Andrew Fagan for SGI Quarterly
For its supporters and opponents alike, the doctrine of human rights has become a truly globalized phenomenon. Some of the most powerful as well as some of the most powerless members of the human race appeal to human rights. The President of the United States, Barack Obama, appeals to human rights in many of his foreign policy speeches. Similarly, citizens across the Middle East and North Africa have been willing to risk their lives in their attempts to overcome decades of human rights violations.
"Human rights" have become, arguably, the two most evocative and powerful words in global political discourse. The power of human rights to transform societies has already been witnessed within many formerly authoritarian regimes, from the military juntas of South America, through to apartheid South Africa and the breakup of the former Soviet Union. Those who would seek to continue to exercise power to the detriment of those over whom they rule have good reason to fear these two words.
One might imagine that words with the potential to transform human lives in such a dramatic fashion would be well understood. It would be easy to assume that the countless millions of people who turn to human rights as the principal mechanism for overcoming political and economic oppression share a common and accessible understanding of what human rights substantively consist of and refer to.
What human rights are, legally speaking, can be discerned and identified simply by reading all of the treaties, covenants, conventions and instruments which comprise an ever-expanding body of law. But the view that human rights can be simply understood is quite false and, in some cases, harmful to the pursuit of human rights. What human rights are and what they require in order to be adequately protected and promoted are questions which defy easy, ready-made answers…

Read more HERE

2011-11-30T23:06:00.001+01:00

Our confidence and conviction are the driving force for propagation. The heartfelt cry based on the unwavering faith that one can definitely become happy, no matter what one’s present circumstances, moves peoples’ hearts.

2011-11-28T15:51:00.000+01:00

The gosho says: "be millions of times more careful than ever."
Let us exercise good caution and make sure that we have absolutely no accidents or incidents. Keeping health our top priority, let's put the final touches on our goals and challenges of this year and adorn them with great victories!

2011-11-25T17:43:00.001+01:00

Think of what can be done rather than worrying about what cannot'—this was the personal motto of Dr. Wangari Maathai (1940–2011), the Kenyan environmental activist and Nobel Peace Prize laureate who sadly passed away on September 25 this year.

2011-11-23T07:39:00.001+01:00

Wherever we dwell and practise the single vehicle [the Lotus Sutra], that place will be the Capital of Eternally Tranquil Light.

2011-11-20T17:32:00.001+01:00

Mahatma Gandhi (1869–1948) stated: 'If we would but learn the lessons that have to be learnt from our adversity, it will not have been lost upon us. We would emerge from the trial a community richer in social virtues, stronger in the justice of our cause.'[1] If we’re always just having a good time, laughing and enjoying ourselves, never experiencing any suffering or hardship, we will not be able to gain anything truly profound or meaningful. It is adversity and challenge that develop character.

2011-11-16T20:00:00.000+01:00

It is precisely when we have suffered defeat that we can determine to win and open the path to future victory.

Interview with Tina Turner about the «Beyond Gold Edition» CD

2011-11-13T15:24:00.001+01:00

2011-11-12T23:41:00.001+01:00

When we live with a sense of gratitude, we will never be deadlocked in life. Being firmly resolved to show our appreciation to our parents, our teachers, and everyone who has helped us become the person we are today can serve as a driving force for self-improvement. Not wishing to betray the trust of those who have fostered us can keep us on the right path throughout life. And when we face difficulties, thinking of all those who have helped or assisted us in some way can rouse a renewed fighting spirit in our heart. Gratitude is a source of fundamental human strength.

2011-11-11T20:05:00.000+01:00

The Russian author Leo Tolstoy (1828–1910) wrote: 'The life of [the human being] is aspiration towards human good, and aspiration toward human good is human life.

Konnichiwa Deutschland

2011-11-10T10:58:00.004+01:00

Es werden Herr und Frau Ando vorgestellt, welche eine der ersten SGI Buddhisten von Deutschland/Europa sind (kommen auch in dem Buch Neue menschlichen Revolution von Daisaku Ikeda vor). Sie kamen nach Deutschland für Kosen-Rufu- für die Vision von Sensei-oder so wie Frau Ando sagt: aus jugendlicher Leidenschaft…

HIER können Sie den Dokumentarfilm in der WDR Mediathek anschauen!

2011-11-08T21:45:00.003+01:00

For this special edition, correspondent Michael Okwu gained unprecedented access to jazz great Herbie Hancock, at home and on stage.

The legendary 14-time Grammy winner opened up about his life, history, and accomplishments from over half a century of music-making with some of the jazz world's greatest artists. This special half-hour features amazing performances and never-before-seen footage of Hancock. It also includes interviews with Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Quincy Jones, Chaka Khan, and Los Angeles Times jazz critic, Chris Barton.

SoCal Connected takes you on a journey tracing the origins of Hancock's career as a musical prodigy with legendary trumpeter Miles Davis, his days recording hit songs for commercials and TV, and his current role spearheading jazz programs for the L.A. Philharmonic and Hollywood Bowl with renowned composer Gustavo Dudamel.

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2011-11-07T22:56:00.001+01:00

When we meet those who are struggling with various hardships,
let's warmly encourage them and do our utmost to inspire them with hope.
The Mystic Law promises that we can change poison into medicine.
Absolutely any kind of problem can be overcome through this practice.
Together let's take a courageous step forwards and progress!

2011-11-06T18:55:00.000+01:00

Our manner when speaking must never be haughty or impolite, or overly familiar; always be considerate and respectful. The way we speak to others reveals our character. We should speak politely, of course, to those who are older than we are, but also to our juniors.

2011-11-03T08:07:00.001+01:00

The Daishonin writes: “Teaching another something is the same as oiling the wheels of a cart so that they turn even though it is heavy, or as floating a boat on water so that it moves ahead easily” (WND-1, 1086). Encouragement and guidance serve to identify the thing holding us back, remove the obstacle, and rouse our courage.

Herbie Hancock, Keep the Music Alive

2011-10-31T15:43:00.001+01:00

ICAP Co-President Herbie Hancock, in a recent Huffington Post interview said: "My lesson for young people is to be willing to go out of your comfort zone and explore new territory. I never thought that at age 71 I would be creating a 'crowd-sourced' music video with digital cameras that can blast images around the world in minutes. But I am."

Read more HERE

2011-10-27T19:20:00.001+02:00

"If we stop striving, then all the efforts we have made so far will be in vain. As the Daishonin writes: ‘You cannot strike fire from flint if you stop halfway’ (WND-1, 319). We can’t fulfill the great vow of attaining Buddhahood in this lifetime if we give up halfway. All of our hard-won efforts up to now will vanish like foam on the waves. Nothing could be more unfortunate, or more of a waste. This is what I hope to remind everyone, for the sake of the future."

2011-10-25T06:47:00.000+02:00

What can we say, then, of persons who are devoting themselves to Buddhism? Surely they should not forget the debts of gratitude they owe to their parents, their teachers, and their country.
But if one intends to repay these great debts of gratitude, one can hope to do so only if one learns and masters Buddhism, becoming a person of wisdom.
On Repaying Debts of Gratitude, The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, Vol. 1

2011-10-24T07:14:00.001+02:00

If votaries of the Lotus Sutra carry out religious practice as the sutra directs, then every one of them without exception will surely attain Buddhahood within his or her present lifetime. To cite an analogy, if one plants the fields in spring and summer, then, whether it be early or late, one is certain to reap a harvest withint the year.

2011-10-23T16:50:00.001+02:00

Life is not always smooth sailing. We have accidents and we get sick. We reach impasses in our work or our relationships with people. We face all kinds of difficult trials and tribulations. Those are the times to chant with the utter determination to overcome adversity through Buddhist faith and practice. And they are also the times to share Buddhism with others, remaining true to one’s mission as a Bodhisattva of the Earth.

2011-10-10T04:03:00.003+02:00

Musik, diese wunderbare universale Sprache, die jeder überall auf der Welt versteht, sollte als Quelle für eine bessere Kommunikation der Menschen untereinander dienen. Deshalb starte ich einen besonderen Aufruf an meine Musikerkollegen überall auf der Welt und bitte jeden einzelnen, die Reinheit seiner Kunst in den Dienst der Menschheit zu stellen, indem er oder sie brüderliche und erleuchtete zwischenmenschliche Beziehungen auf der ganzen Welt herstellt.
Pablo Casals, Neue Menschliche Revolution, Band 5

2011-10-06T08:40:00.001+02:00

If one is determined to encourage people, one can always find a way to do so, no matter how busy one may be.

2011-10-06T03:57:00.003+02:00

Ich bin kein Politiker. Ich bin es niemals gewesen und möchte es auch nicht sein. Ich bin nur ein Künstler. Die Frage ist aber: Soll die Kunst ein blosser Zeitvertreib sein, ein Spielzeug am Rande des menschlichen Lebens, oder soll sie tief menschliche Bedeutung bewahren? Politische Tätigkeit gehört nicht in den Bereich des Künstlers, aber meiner Meinung nach hat er Partei zu nehmen - wie gross auch die Opfer seien, die es mit sich bringt - wenn die Menschenwürde auf dem Spiel steht.
Pablo Casals, Neue Menschliche Revolution, Band 5

2011-10-05T03:21:00.000+02:00

Making the world a better place is something that starts in our relationships with our neighbours, in our immediate circumstances.

2011-10-04T22:33:00.000+02:00

As Nichiren Daishonin writes: 'If one lights a fire for others, one will brighten one’s own way' (WND-2, 1060). This is a philosophy of coexistence and mutual benefit, a belief that helping others is also helping oneself.

2011-10-04T14:09:00.001+02:00

Ob eine Ehe glücklich wird oder nicht - das hängt von dem Bemühen ab, das die beiden Partner dafür aufbringen.
Daisaku Ikeda, Neue Menschliche Revolution, Band 5

2011-10-03T21:47:00.001+02:00

The daimoku of the Lotus Sutra is like the roar of a lion"*
The sound of the Mystic Law has invincible power.
Let's take on new challenges with our vibrant and resonant gongyo and daimoku
and at the end of the day come out successful and triumphant!

2011-10-02T09:04:00.001+02:00

Nichiren Buddhism teaches: 'The place where the person upholds and honours the Lotus Sutra is the "place of practice" to which the person proceeds' (OTT, 192). In other words, the place where we are engaged in our Buddhist faith and practice is the place where we are striving to attain enlightenment. As a result, our struggle as Buddhists is not to search for some distant utopia, but instead to recognise that the place where we live now is the ideal place to carry out our Buddhist practice and make it into a 'land of tranquil light.

2011-09-30T13:25:00.001+02:00

The Bodhisattvas of the Earth appear in the Lotus Sutra. In a broader sense, they are hope-filled individuals who vibrantly emerge from the earth of the ordinary people—individuals who, even amid the darkest confusion and chaos, continue to believe in the positive potential of humanity and the ultimate triumph of truth and justice.

2011-09-28T07:49:00.000+02:00

The Earth is the home of the human family, and we are all family members and comrades. That’s why we need to regard all the suffering and misery in the world as our own suffering. This is a truly Buddhist way of life.

2011-09-27T08:42:00.001+02:00

Never ever forget the vow you made in your youth! Those who have a foundation, a starting point to which they can return to, will never be defeated. Let's all make a fresh new start from now!

2011-09-26T08:44:00.000+02:00

Friendship makes one's happiness increase twofold.
Friendship has the power to move an era.
Good friends are indeed priceless treasures.

2011-09-25T08:26:00.002+02:00

Each of us can make a difference, and together accomplish what might seem impossible”[1]—this is the unshakable conviction of Wangari Maathai, the Kenyan environmental activist and Nobel Peace laureate.

[1] Wangari Muta Maathai, Unbowed: A Memoir (New York: Anchor Books, 2007), p. 306

2011-09-25T02:29:00.000+02:00

Was ist das höchste Glück des Menschen, als dass wir das ausführen, was wir als recht und gut einsehen? Das wir wirklich Herren über die Mittel zu unseren Zwecken sind?
Zitat von Goethe/ Lehrjahre VII

2011-09-21T18:41:00.001+02:00

The life of each individual is incomparably precious and noble. The aim of Nichiren Daishonin’s Buddhism, the purpose of faith in the Mystic Law, is to enable each individual to shine with the greatest possible happiness.

2011-09-18T02:27:00.000+02:00

Wenn wir die Menschen nur nehmen wie sie sind, so machen wir sie schlechter; wenn wir sie behandeln, als wären sie, was sie sein sollten, so bringen wir sie dahin, wohin sie zu bringen sind.
Zitat von Goethe/ Lehrjahre VIII

2011-09-11T02:25:00.000+02:00

Dem Einzelnen bleibe die Freiheit, sich mit dem zu beschäftigen, was ihn anzieht, was ihm Freude macht, was ihm nützlich deucht; aber das eigentliche Studium der Menschheit ist der Mensch.
Zitat von Goethe/ Wahlverwandtschaften II, 7

2011-09-08T16:42:00.001+02:00

Normally, most people aren’t aware of how they are thought of by those around them. Some are convinced that they can get away with not doing their best, instead doing just enough to get by. In fact, this is an extremely shallow way of thinking, because it completely disregards the value of others’ trust, which is actually the most important treasure as a human being and a member of society.

2011-09-06T22:13:00.000+02:00

«If you want to understand the causes that existed in the past, look at the results as they are manifested in the present. And if you want to understand what results will be manifested in the future, look at the causes that exist in the present…»
The Opening of the Eyes, The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, Vol. 1, page 279

2011-09-04T02:21:00.000+02:00

Der Mensch ist dem Menschen das Interessanteste, und sollte ihn vielleicht ganz allein interessieren. Alles andere, was uns umgibt, ist entweder nur Element, in dem wir leben, oder Werkzeug, dessen wir uns bedienen.
Zitat von Goethe/ Lehrjahre II, 4

2011-09-03T08:14:00.002+02:00

Putting our beliefs into practise is a part of the drama of life. When we feel engaged, we feel inspired. Of course, we will sometimes make mistakes, but the experience of not allowing those mishaps to hinder us, of getting back up again and fighting through to the end, inspires others. Stories about overcoming seemingly impossible odds can ignite the spirits of those who are feeling powerless and without hope, giving them courage to break through their own limitations.

2011-08-31T16:55:00.001+02:00

Let us change the way we perceive our "karma" transforming it into our own unique "mission". This is the Buddhism that teaches us how to "change poison into medicine". To the extent to which we have undergone hardships and challenging times our life condition naturally expands and elevates. Confident of this, let us advance forwards with a strong and focussed prayer!

Words of the week

2011-08-30T19:00:00.001+02:00

The treasures of the heart are the most valuable of all.

2011-08-27T02:18:00.001+02:00

Wenn grosse Hoffnungen sich verwirklichen, dass die Menschen sich mit allen ihren Kräften, mit Herz und Geist, mit Verstand und Liebe vereinigen und voneinander Kenntnis nehmen, so wird sich ereignen, woran jetzt noch kein Mensch denken kann.
Auch muss ich selbst sagen, halt ich es für wahr, dass die Humanität endlich siegen wird, nur fürcht ich, dass zu gleicher Zeit die Welt ein grosses Hospital und einer des anderen humaner Krankenwärter werden wird.
Zitat von Goethe/ an C. v. Stein, 8.6.1787

2011-08-25T10:15:00.001+02:00

Shakubuku˜the act of sharing the supreme Law of Nam-myoho-renge-kyo with others˜is a spiritual battle to "break and subdue" (Jpn. shakubuku) the fundamental darkness or negativity inherent in human life that plunges people into suffering and misery. When the power of goodness is weak, the power of evil intensifies. If such a state of affairs is allowed to prevail, genuine happiness and enlightenment will forever remain out of people's reach. That's why we must stand up and proclaim the correct teaching with the "courage of a lion king" (WND-1, 997).

2011-08-24T19:07:00.001+02:00

We were all born to become happy, to succeed in life, and to bring happiness to others. But the challenge we all face is to overcome the various karmic hindrances and sufferings that prevent us from achieving those things. It is the supreme power of Nam-myoho-renge-kyo, the Mystic Law, that enables us to attain genuine happiness and victory in life. It allow us to rise above even the deepest sorrow, to break through even the darkest despair. The Daishonin fully revealed the teaching of the Mystic Law and made it available to all humankind.

2011-08-22T19:46:00.003+02:00

assistance to people who are suffering the most is the way to open the path of happiness for all. The joy of a single individual whose life has been revitalized creates ripples of sympathy that spread far and wide. People are the foundation of society. Talking with others and gaining their trust and support is the way to establish a firm and unshakable foundation for enabling a teaching to flourish.

2011-08-22T00:05:00.000+02:00

Es ist keine Frage Eurer Umgebung oder den Menschen um Euch herum, noch der Organisation oder ihrer Leiter. Sich durch solche Äußerlichkeiten beeinflussen zu lassen, ist sinnlos. Alles läuft auf eine Person hinaus: Dich. Was zählt ist, dass Du ein strahlendes Leuchtfeuer wirst, voll Heiterkeit und Glück strahlend, und Dein Leben mit Vertrauen und Mut lebst. Wenn Du mit in einem
strahlenden Licht scheinst, kann es keine Finsternis in Deinem Leben geben.

2011-08-20T00:04:00.000+02:00

Furchtlos zu sein, egal was geschieht - ist die Wurzel des wahren Glücks. Unabhängig davon was einem auch bevorsteht, entschlossen weiterzugehen - das ist der Geist, die Entschlossenheit, die zum menschlichem Sieg führt. Aber wenn wir uns erlauben, durch unbedeutende Kritik und Verleumdung abgelenkt zu werden, wenn wir Druck und Verfolgung fürchten, werden wir nicht wachsen und schaffen nichts von dauerhaftem Wert.

2011-08-18T07:08:00.001+02:00

"The Law, or teaching, is fundamental in Buddhism; and it is not merely an abstraction existing somewhere separate from our actual practice or efforts. In fact, only when we as practitioners internalize and embody the Law in our own beings, does its power come vibrantly alive in reality. Only then can its unexcelled mystic functions enrich our lives and society."

2011-08-17T22:32:00.003+02:00

«Wenn diese Hoffnungen sich verwirklichen, dass die Menschen sich mit allen Kräften, mit Herz und Geist, mit Verstand und Liebe vereinigen und von einander Kenntnis nehmen, so wird sich ereignen, woran jetzt noch kein Mensch denken kann.
Auch muss ich selbst sagen, halt ich es für wahr, dass die Humanität endlich siegen wird, nur fürcht ich, dass zu gleicher Zeit die Welt ein grosses Hospital und einer des andren humaner Krankenwärter werden wird.»
Goethe an C.v.Stein, 8.6.1787

2011-08-16T07:34:00.001+02:00

My mentor, Josei Toda, often said that, as materialistic civilization reached a deadlock, religion would play a growing role as a fundamental basis for human happiness. Neither abstract theories, superstitions, nor mere moral cultivation would be effective; only a living religion or philosophy would do, he asserted. We need a teaching or philosophy that is an active and integral part of our lives. He proclaimed that the times call for the teaching of human revolution, or personal inner transformation, of Nichiren Daishonin's Buddhism.

2011-08-16T00:02:00.000+02:00

Bestimmt wird es Zeiten geben, in denen Ihr Euch wünscht, dass Ihr mehr Geld zum ausgeben, mehr Zeit zum schlafen, und mehr Zeit für Spaß und Unterhaltung habt. Ihr mögt Euch jetzt eingeschränkt fühlen, aber Ihr solltet Eure gegenwärtige Situation als die beste Bedingung für Euer Wachstum ansehen. Innerhalb der Beschränkungen, die Eure gegenwärtige Existenz definieren, ist die einzige Sache auf die Ihr Euch konzentrieren solltet, Euch in Richtung Wachstum und Selbstverbesserung zu disziplinieren. Wenn Ihr Euch dementsprechend bemüht, werdet Ihr ohne Zweifel Euren Einstellung, alles verändern.

2011-08-14T04:00:00.000+02:00

Der deutsche Autor Hermann Hesse (1877-1962) schreibt dass, je mehr man reif wird, desto jünger wird man. Und bestimmt gibt es viele Menschen, die, wenn sie älter werden, immer kräftiger und energischer, großzügiger und toleranter werden, mit einem größeren Sinn der Freiheit und Sicherheit. Es ist wichtig sich zu erinnern, dass altern und alt zu werden, nicht notwendigerweise dieselbe Sache sind.

2011-08-12T09:59:00.000+02:00

Mut ist frei. Jeder kann ihn haben. Mut ist ein anderer Name für den SGI Geist. Herr Toda sagte: "Der Buddha ist angefüllt von Mitfühl, aber es ist für uns gewöhnliche Sterbliche schwer, Mitgefühl zu zeigen. So müssen wir mutig für kosen-rufu arbeiten, werden unsere Handlungen stattdessen Mut haben." Mit anderen Worten, wenn wir in ihrer wirklichen Natur, mitfühlend.

2011-08-12T09:58:00.001+02:00

Summer is upon us, a time for making many new friends and deepening existing bonds. When we welcome or visit friends, let’s make it a heartfelt encounter based on genuine courtesy and respect. This is the spirit we should have as practitioners of the Daishonin’s Buddhism.
Courtesy is the hallmark of culture. Arrogance is the way of oppression, whereas sincerity is the way of honor. Let us always advance and win based on humanism.

2011-08-07T08:42:00.001+02:00

Irrespective of the times, the way to transform the chaos and confusion of human society on a fundamental level lies in individuals cultivating their wisdom and strength so that they can create lives of happiness and victory for themselves. The spiritual revitalization of the people is the key to achieving this, and in the thought and life of Nichiren Daishonin, we find a hope-filled philosophy and path of action that make this possible.

2011-08-04T17:03:00.001+02:00

When a religion is restricted to one people or nation, or when the cultural trappings, customs, or habits of a country take precedence over or dominate the universality of the teachings, it will be prevented from developing into a world religion.

2011-08-04T08:20:00.000+02:00

It must be ties of karma from the distant past that have destined you to become my disciple at a time like this. Shakyamuni and Many Treasures certainly realised this truth. The sutra's statement, 'Those persons who had heard the Law dwelled here and there in various Buddha lands, constantly reborn in company with their teachers,'cannot be false in any way.
The Heritage of the Ultimate Law of Life, The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, Vol.1

2011-08-03T07:05:00.000+02:00

Als Menschen, lasst uns jenseits unseres kleinen, beschränkten Selbst einen allumfassenden Lebenszustand erreichen, in dem unsere Herzen mit dem riesengroßen Weltall kommunizieren.

2011-08-03T07:04:00.001+02:00

Persevering, always pressing forward in spite of every obstacle˜that is the source of success and the driving force for victory.

2011-07-28T03:48:00.000+02:00

No matter how dark and troubled the times, we who are dedicated to the Mystic Law and united in the beautiful and lofty spirit of mentor and disciple can continue to illuminate our families, communities, and society at large with the inspiring light of hope.