July 2nd

In my younger days, I was doing a full time job and at the same time attending night school. I firmly believe that learning acquired amidst the tough reality of hardships is what really stays with us.

It is only when we strive harder than other people, that we really come to appreciate the pain of others. Those who have never suffered any hardships in life cannot understand the hearts of other people. Such people can never truly become leaders in society.

- Daisaku Ikeda

Japanese text:
私も若い頃、働きながら夜学で学んだ。
苦労して学んだことしか血肉にならない。
人一倍の苦労をすればこそ、
人の痛みがわかる人間になれる。
何の苦労もせず、人の心がわからないままで、
社会の本物のリーダーになることなどできない。

(Josei ni okuru kotoba 365 nichi, pg. 201)

June 3rd

The key to constructing a truly strong self that never gets defeated in the face of adversities, is to take the bull by the horns.

- Daisaku Ikeda

Japanese text:
逆境に負けない、真の強い自己を築くカギは、貫くこと、徹することです。

GYAKKYO NI MAKENAI, SHIN NO TSUYOI JIKO WO KIZUKU KAGI WA, TSURANUKU KOTO, TESSURU KOTO DESU.

(Josei ni okuru kotoba 365 nichi, pg. 170)

July 22nd

Life is certainly not a smooth, flat road. There may be sunny days, cloudy days and rainy days too. Whether we like it or not, it is impossible to escape from this road. We must walk one step and then another on this very path. In this challenge, there is no room for sentimentality, grief or pessimism. I would like to travel along this grand path of life with only a single treasure in hand, and that is, my cheerfulness.

- Daisaku Ikeda

Japanese text:
人生は決して平たんな道ばかりではない。晴れの日もあれば、曇りや雨の日もあるだろう。けれども、人生の道から逃げることはできない。一歩また一歩と歩み続けなければならない。
その挑戦の道に、感傷や悲嘆や悲観はいらない。
私はただひとつ、明朗という宝をもって、わが人生の大道を進みたい。
(Josei ni okuru kotoba 365 nichi, pg. 221)

October 22

All of our toils are our treasures.
Treasures of victory.
Treasures of happiness.

- Daisaku Ikeda

Japanese Text:
"すべての努力は、人生の宝です。勝利の宝です。幸福の宝です。"
(Josei ni okuru kotoba 365 nichi, pg. 317)

August 5th

When we undergo profound change within, then the environment we are in also changes dramatically. This is the principle of "Human Revolution".

"I am not going to be defeated!" "I am going to win, no matter what!" When we make a deep inner determination, all the obstacles and difficulties in our way transform into springboards for our human revolution and become treasures that will forever adorn our lives.

- Daisaku Ikeda

Japanese text:
自分が変わった時、環境も劇的に変わる。それが「人間革命」の法則である。断じて負けない！絶対に勝ってみせる！
そう一念を定めた時、あらゆる困難は、人間革命のバネとなり、わが生命を荘厳する宝となる。
(Josei ni okuru kotoba 365 nichi, pg. 236)

January 12th

Perspective decides everything. If we have made up our mind to be optimistic, then even though adversities might come our way, we will still be able to go ahead and enjoy the drama of our life and splendidly overcome all hardships. When we throw the window of our heart wide open, we can look up at the blue skies and live in the hope that "Tomorrow is definitely going to be a better day!"

- Daisaku Ikeda
心の置き方ひとつで決まる。「楽観主義で生きよう」と決めれば、逆境も苦難も、人生のドラマを楽しむように、悠々と乗り越えていくことができる。心の窓を大きく開いて、希望の青空を仰いで生きることだ。「明日はきっと、よくなる！」　――と。
(Josei ni okuru kotoba 365 nichi, page 22)

June 25th

As we find ourselves deep within the mountains and valleys of our life,
unless we push our way through with the sweat and toil of our persistence,
we will never be able to mine the diamond of happiness.
If we are only preoccupied with spending our time in fun places and having a good time there
we will fail to polish our diamond of happiness.

- Daisaku Ikeda

Japanese text:
奥深い人生の山や谷に、
汗を流して分け入っていかなければ、
幸福のダイヤモンドは採掘できない。
賑やかな町で遊び、楽をしているばかりでは、
決して幸福のダイヤモンドを磨くこともできない。

OKUBUKAI JINSEI NO YAMA YA TANI NI,
ASE O NAGASHITE WAKEITTE IKANAKEREBA,
KOFUKU NO "DAIMOND" WA SAIKUTSU DEKINAI.
NIGIYAKANA MACHI DE ASOBI, RAKU O SHITE IRU BAKARI DEWA,
KESHITE KOFUKU NO DAIMOND O MIGAKU KOTO MO DEKINAI.

(Josei ni okuru kotoba 365 nichi, pg. 192)

June 22nd

There is no one in this world who can sail through life without any hardships. Unless we take action, no matter how long we wait, happiness will never come to us. It goes without saying that reality is tough. That's precisely why, instead of allowing ourselves to be tossed about by our circumstances, we must determinedly advance forwards and throw ourselves into the midst of our reality, using it as the perfect training ground to temper our lives.

- Daisaku Ikeda

Japanese Text:
苦労のない人生などどこにもない。行動しなければ、いつまでたっても、幸福はやってこない。現実は厳しいに決まっている。故に、その現実に翻弄されるのではなく、進んで現実にいどみ、命の鍛錬の場としていくのだ。

KURO NO NAI JINSEI NADO DOKO NI MO NAI. KODO SHINAKEREBA, ITSUMADE TATTE MO, KOFUKU WA YATTE KONAI. GENJITSU WA KIBISHII NI KIMATTE IRU. YUE NI, SONO GENJITSU NI HONRO SARERUNODEWA NAKU, SUSUNDE GENJITSU NI IDOMI, INOCHI NO TANREN NO BA TOSHITE IKU NO DA.
(Josei ni okuru kotoba 365 nichi, pg. 189)

May 28th

True happiness is not something that we experience only when things are going smoothly. Even though there may be steep mountains and rough rivers in our way, if we advance straight ahead, crossing them over with a sense of composure, we deeply come to realize our true potential as human beings. This is the path on which we find joy, this the path upon which we find satisfaction, this is the path upon which we have no regrets.

- Daisaku Ikeda

Japanese text:
順調な時ばかりでは、本当の幸福を実感できるはずがない。
険しき山河がありても、すべてを悠々と乗り越え、深く人間の価値を知りながら進むことだ。
そこには喜びがある。そこには満足がある。そこには公開がない。

JUNCHO NA TOKI BAKARI DEWA, HONTO NO KOFUKU O JIKKAN DEKIRU HAZU GA NAI.
KEWASHIKI SANGA GA ARITEMO, SUBETE O YUYU TO NORIKOE, FUKAKU NINGEN NO KACHI O SHIRINAGARA SUSUMU KOTO DA.
SOKO NI WA YOROKOBI GA ARU. SOKO NI WA MANZOKU GA ASRU. SOKO NI WA KOKAI GA NAI.
(Josei ni okuru kotoba 365 nichi, pg. 163)

May 24th

Suffering from a complex eventually becomes the reason for one to become strong in life. Be rest assured, that all your complexes about yourself will turn into your strengths. Those who have never suffered a complex are totally unaware of the subtle melody, the subtle workings of the heart. The extent to which one has suffered a complex, the extent to which one has been teased or bullied, is the extent to which the folds of one's heart deepen and become enriched. We acquire mastery in our ability to tune in to and reverberate harmoniously with our environment. We become human beings who understand the hearts of others.

- Daisaku Ikeda

Japanese text:
コンプレックスは、あなたが強く生きて行く力となる。すべてのコンプレックスが、あなたの力となる。
コンプレックスに苦しまなかった人は、繊細な心のメロディがわからない。
コンプレックスで悩んだ分だけ、いじめられた分だけ、心のひだは深くなる。心の響きも豊かになり、人の心がわかる人間になる。

"COMPLEX" WA, ANATAGA TSUYOKU IKITE IKU CHIKARA TO NARU. SUBETE NO "COMPLEX" GA, ANATANO CHIKARA TO NARU.
"COMPLEX" NI KURUSHIMANAKATTA HITO WA, SENSAI NA KOKORO NO "MELODY" GA WAKARANAI.
"COMPLEX" DE NAYANDA BUN DAKE, IJIMERARETA BUN DAKE, KOKORO NO HIDA WA FUKAKU NARU. KOKORO NO HIBIKI MO YUTAKA NI NARI, HITO NO KOKORO GA WAKARU NINGEN NI NARU.
(Josei ni okuru kotoba 365 nichi, pg. 159)

April 21st

No matter what kind of situation your find yourself in, never allow yourself to feel miserable or dejected. Instead, with pride and confidence in yourself, hold your head high, look up with your sparkling eyes, and face life head on. If you can do this, you are a winner.

-- Daisaku Ikeda
April 21st

Japanese text:
NANI GA ARO TO ZETTAI NI HIKUTSU NI NATTE HA NARANAI. UTSUMUITE WA NARANAI. HOKORI TO JISHIN O MOTTE, KAGAYAKU HITOMI O AGE, DODO TO IKINUKU HITO GA KOFUKUSHA DE ARU.
(Josei ni okuru kotoba 365 nichi, pg. 124)

January 17th

Those who can keep their promises are the greatest of all human beings. Those who can go all out to realize their pledge may appear to have a hard time in life, but are in fact the happiest people.

- Daisaku Ikeda

Japanese text:
約束を守る人が、人間としていちばん偉い人である。誓いを果たす人が、いちばん苦しそうに見えて、いちばん幸福な人である。
(Josei ni okuru kotoba 365 nichi, 26 pg.)

July 9th

Being pulled this way and that by the troubles that confront you, or being obsessed and consumed by them, is quite foolish. Instead, may the brilliant light of an unwavering sense of fulfillment and contentment always radiate from within the palace of your heart. A joyful and cheerful existence is what I wish for you.

- Daisaku Ikeda

目先のことばかりにとらわれて、あれこれと揺れ動く人生は、愚かである。
自分自身の胸中には、つねに充実という心の宮殿が輝いている―――
そんな、はつらつたる人生でありたい。
(Josei ni okuru kotoba 365 nichi, pg. 208)

July 6th

Don't get defeated by the devilish forces of illness!
Never, ever!
Remember, that the sun resides within your own life.

- Daisaku Ikeda

Japanese text:
病魔に負けるな！
断じて負けるな！
あなたの命のなかに太陽がある。

(Josei ni okuru kotoba 365 nichi, pg. 205)

May 12th

Facing your goals and mission in life, challenge, challenge and challenge yet again. Don't give up. Take action. Study. Talk. Study again. And although you might feel you're not getting anywhere or think, "I struggled to the best of my ability," "How much further do I need to go?," be rest assured that you will definitely encounter the moment when your consistent efforts will burst forth into results.

-- Daisaku Ikeda

Japanese text:
自己の目的と使命に向かって、挑戦に挑戦を重ねる。あきらめない。動く。学び。語る。また学ぶ。その、これでもか、これでもかという実践の結果、ある時、パーッと大きく開けてくるものである。

JIKO NO MOKUTEKI TO SHIMEI NI MUKATTE, CHOSEN NI CHOSEN O KASANERU. AKIRAMENAI. UGOKU. MANABI, KATARU. MATA MANABU. SONO, KOREDEMO KA, KOREDEMO KA TO IU JISSEN NI KEKKA, ARU TOKI, PA-TTO OOKIKU HIRAKETE KURU MONO DE ARU.
(Josei ni okuru kotoba 365 nichi, pg. 147)

January 19th

Wildflowers, though they appear fragile and pitiful, are far from that. Appearances may be deceptive because wildflowers are never defeated by rain or wind. May we all learn from their example and never give up.

- Daisaku Ikeda

Japanese text:
どんなに可憐な野の花も、決して、ひ弱ではない。弱いように見えて強い。風にも、雨にも負けない。同じように、「何があっても負けない！」というのが、私たちの合言葉だ。
(Josei ni okuru kotoba 365 nichi, 28 pg.)

August 29th

Since we have to go through all the ups and downs of this life in any case, we might as well make the best of every situation, and through our actions, set an example that stands out in people's minds as a life worth emulating!

- Daisaku Ikeda

Japanese text:
どうせ生きるならば、「あの人の生きたように!」と、後世の人に希望と勇気をおくる人生でありたい。
(Josei ni okuru kotoba 365 nichi, pg. 260)

July 16th

What I wish most is for each one us to actively seek out opportunities to undergo hardships. If we must undergo hardships in any case, we might as well spend our efforts in working for an ideal. Let's not stay within our comfort zones, but instead break through the small shell that binds us, and dedicate our efforts for the sake of our friends, for society and for humankind.

- Daisaku Ikeda

Japanese text:
自ら求めて、苦労をしていってほしい。そして、同じ苦労をするならば、大きな理想のために苦労してもらいたい。
自分の小さな殻にとじこもるのではなく、友のため、社会のため、そして人類のために大いなる理想を掲げて、学んでいくことだ。
(Josei ni okuru kotoba 365 nichi, pg. 215)

July 15th

Being born to a wealthy family does not guarantee one's happiness.
Being born to a poor family does not imply unhappiness either.
Being raised within a family of social repute does not make one happy by default.

It is only by living through the thick and thin of hardships, shedding tears but not giving up, that we can construct an unshakable foundation of happiness within our lives. Such a life shines brilliantly, radiating hope for the sake of million others who suffer.

- Daisaku Ikeda

Japanese text:
富める家に生まれたから、幸福ではない。
貧しい家に生まれたから、不幸ではない。
名声の一家に育ったから、幸福ではない。
さまざまな苦しみのなかを、泣きながら生き抜くなかに、
普遍の幸福が築かれていくのだ。
大勢の悩める人に希望を贈れる命が輝いていくのだ。
(Josei ni okuru kotoba 365 nichi, pg. 214)

June 28th

When we observe the ease with which another person accomplishes certain tasks that we don't know or cannot perform, it's quite natural to end up feeling somewhat dejected. However, its important to remember that when faced with a challenge, we need to figure out what to do next. No one is perfect at doing things well right from the start. When we stumble and fall, all we need to do is to pick ourselves up and say "Ok, I'll do better next time" or "No worries, I've only started and I am going to get better and better."

- Daisaku Ikeda

Japanese text:
ほかの人には当たり前のようなことでも、自分はわからなかったり、できなかったりすれば、誰だって落ち込んでしまう。
しかし、大切なのは、そこからどうするかです。 何ごとにも、最初から完璧な人などいません。つまずいたら、「よし、頑張ろう」「さあ、これからだ」と立ちあがればいいのです。

HOKA NO HITO WA ATARIMAE NO YO NA KOTO DEMO, JIBUN WA WAKARANAKATTARI, DEKINAKATTARI SUREBA, DARE DATTE OCHIKONDE SHIMAU. SHIKASHI, TAISETSU NA NO WA, SOKO KARA DO SURU KA DESU. NANI GOTO NI MO, SAISHO KARA KANPEKI NA HITO NADO IMASEN. TSUMAZUITARA, [YOSHI, GANBARO] [SA, KOREKARA DA] TO TACHI AGAREBA II NO DESU.
(Josei ni okuru kotoba 365 nichi, pg. 195)