May 25th

The Japanese phrase "mottainai" which roughly translates to mean "better not waste" can be considered synonymous with the wisdom of Japanese mothers. This phrase has inspired and given hope to environmentalists the world over, in tackling our environmental problems.

No matter how small something might seem, behind the spirit to not waste, lies the affectionate heart of a mother who fosters in others, a deep respect for life and consideration for everyone.

- Daisaku Ikeda

Japanese text:
「もったおない」――この日本の母の“知恵の代名詞”ともいうべき言葉が、環境問題を打開する道として、世界に希望を広げている。
どんなものも無駄にしないという慈しみ心――この「母の心」が、命お尊ぶ心、他者を思いやる心を育むからだ。

[MOTTAI NAI] - KONO NIHON NO HAHA NO "CHIE NO DAIMEISHI" TO MO IUBEKI KOTOBA GA, KANKYO MONDAI O DAKAI SURU MICHI TOSHITE, SEKAI NI KIBO O HITOGETEIRU.
DONNA MONO MO MUDA SHINAI TO IU ITSUKUSHIMI NO KOKORO - KONO [HAHA NO KOKORO] GA, INOCHI O TOTOBU KOKORO, TASHA O OMOIYARU KOKORO O HAGUKUMU KARA DA.
(Josei ni okuru kotoba 365 nichi, pg. 160)

April 20th

A mother, is after all, a full-fledged member of the society. I really hope mothers will widen their range of interest and scope of involvement within society. You might agree that it's only when we participate fully as a member of our society that we can truly experience happiness as a human being and as a parent.

-- Daisaku Ikeda
April 20th

Japanese text:
HAHAOYA MO, RIPPA NA IKKO NO SHAKAIJIN DE ARU. SHIYA O SHAKAI NI OKIKU HIROGETE KOSO, NINGEN TOSHITE NO KOFUFKU MO, HAHAOYA TOSHITE NO KOFUKU MO, MIETE KURU NO DEWA NAI DARO KA.
(Josei ni okuru kotoba 365 nichi, pg. 123)

May 6th

Even trees bear great flowers and gladden the hearts of those who pass by. Human beings too, must similarly dedicate their lives to the service of others.

-- Daisaku Ikeda

Japanese text:
木も大きな花を咲かせ、皆の心を楽しませてくれる。
人間も、何か人のためにならねばならない。

KI MO OOKI NA HANA O SAKASE, MINA NO KOKORO O TANOSHIMASETE KURERU.
NINGEN MO, NANI KA HITO NO TAME NI NARANEBA NARANAI.
(Josei ni okuru kotoba 365 nichi, pg. 141)

May 3rd

A mother inherently possesses the sustaining power of the great earth. Just like the earth nurtures plants, causes them to flower and bear fruit, a mother too is like the great earth of creation and education who trains her children in all aspects of life. When this great earth moves even a little, everything connected with her also moves.
A mother has the power to transform the family.
A mother has the power to change the community.
A mother has the power to transform society.
A mother has the power to change the times.
And a mother can lead the world in the direction of peace.

-- Daisaku Ikeda

Japanese text:

母の力は大地の力である。大地が、草木を茂らせ、花を咲かせ、果実を実らせるように、母は、いっさいを育む創造と教育の大地である。その大地が、ひとたび動けば、すべては変わる。
母が家庭を変える。
母が地域を変える。
母が社会を変える。
母が時代を変える。
そして、母が世界を平和へと変えていくのだ！


HAHA NO CHIKARA WA DAICHI NO CHIKARA DE ARU.
DAICHI GA, KUSAKI O SHIGERASE, HANA O SAKASE, KAJITSU O MINORASRU YONI, HAHA WA ISSAI O HAGUKUMU SOZO TO KYOIKU NO DAICHI DE ARU. SONO DAICHI GA, HITOTABI UGOKEBA, SUBETE WA KAWARU.
HAHA GA KATEI O KAERU.
HAHA GA CHIKI WO KAERU.
HAHA GA SHAKAI WO KAERU.
HAHA GA JIDAI WO KAERU.
SOSHITE, HAHA GA SEKAI O HEIWA E TO KAETE IKU NO DA!
(Josei ni okuru kotoba 365 nichi, pg. 138)

August 12th

How should we live our lives? How should we be of service to the world?

There are nameless individuals in society who may not live in grand homes but are always thinking and working sincerely for the sake of others. Such people, as a matter of course, accumulate the 'treasures of the heart'. Such people experience real happiness in life.

- Daisaku Ikeda

Japanese text:
いかに生きたか。いかに世の中の役に立ったか。無名であっても、立派な家に住んでいなくても、誠実に、人びとのために尽くしていく人こそ、心の財宝を積んでいける。その人こそ、本当の幸福を実感できる。
(Josei ni okuru kotoba 365 nichi, pg. 243)

November 6th

There is no need to cringe. There is no need to shed tears. If indeed you must cry, then shouldn't it be for the sake of people, for the sake of friends, for the sake of protecting life.

- Daisaku Ikeda

Japanese Text:
"たじろいではならない。もう泣いてはならない。もし泣くならば、友のため、人のために、人生の応援の涙を流そうではないか。"
(Josei ni okuru kotoba 365 nichi, pg. 333)

November 1st

The fundamental basis for human society is love. A person who is brought up on love will never be so overpowered by the feeling of competition so as to kick out the other, but will always aim to work harmoniously with others and make a positive contribution to society.

- Daisaku Ikeda

Japanese Text:
"人間教育の根本は、愛情です。愛情によって育てられた人は、競争によって他人を蹴落とすのではなく、社会のため、人びとのために貢献する生き方を志向していくものです。"
(Josei ni okuru kotoba 365 nichi, pg. 328)