August 17th

There is no need to worry about how we appear in the eyes of the world. After all, the greatest treasures lie within our own life. Let's live to the best of our ability!

- Daisaku Ikeda

Japanese text:
世間体など、気にする必要はない。どこまでも自分自身が、最高の宝をもっているのだ。自らの命に生きよ!
(Josei ni okuru kotoba 365 nichi, pg. 248)

June 14th

Chasing a flashy, glamorous life style, getting carried away by show and appearances or feeling envious towards those who "have it all" - allowing yourself to be swayed by such shallow pursuits in life is quite foolish. And being foolish is the same as being unhappy.

A person who acquires the wisdom to see through the realities of life, growing in their ability to do so even a little at a time, is truly a philosopher. Such a person possesses the life force to be happy at all times.

- Daisaku Ikeda

Japanese text:
華やかな境遇や格好に憧れたり、うらやんだり―浅はかな見栄に左右されることは、愚かである。愚かであることは、不幸である。
一歩、深く賢く、人間の生きざまを見抜くことだ。その人は哲学者である。ゆえに常に、幸福の命をもっている人だ。

HANAYAKANA KYOGU YA KAKKO NI AKOGARETARI, URAYANDARI - ASAHAKANA MIE NI SAYU SARERU KOTO WA, OROKA DE ARU. OROKA DEARU KOTO WA, FUKO DE ARU.

IPPO, FUKAKU KASHIKOKU, NINGEN NO IKIZAMA O MINUKU KOTO DA. SONO HITO WA TETSUGAKUSHA DE ARU. YUE NI TSUNE NI, KOFUKU NO INOCHI O MOTTE IRU HITO DA.

(Josei ni okuru kotoba 365 nichi, pg. 181)

January 18

It is important to dress well and tend to our physical appearance, always carrying a sense of cleanliness and neatness about ourselves. First class individuals of the world also pay attention to this aspect of their lives.

-- Daisaku Ikeda
(Words of Encouragement to Women - 365 days, page 27)

Japanese text:
MIDASHINAMI YA FUKUSO O TOTONOE, SEIKETSU NI, KICHINTO SHITE IKU KOTO. SEKAI NO ICHIRYU NO JINKAKU TO IU NO WA, SONO TEN NI MO KOKORO O KUBATTE IRU.
(Josei ni okuru kotoba 365 nichi, 27 pg.)