March 19th

We cannot truly nurture and develop an individual based on ideas alone. Only by moving and exerting ourselves, at times through tears and pain, at others by laughing together - it is in the midst of such interactions with others that the lives of human beings get polished and acquire finish.

-- Daisaku Ikeda
March 19th

Japanese text:
KANNEN DAKEDEWA, SHIN NI NINGEN O SODATERU KOTO WA DEKIMASEN. JISSAI NI KARADA O UGOKASHI, ASE O NAGASHI, TOMONI NAKI, TOMO NI WARAI - SOSHITA NINGENDOSHI NO UCHIAI NO NAKA DE KOSO, HITO WA MIGAKARETE IKU MONO DESU.
(Josei ni okuru kotoba 365 nichi, 90 pg.)

June 23rd

The growth and development of children depends completely on the growth and development of the adults in their lives. In fact, it depends on the voluntary challenge and struggle an adult undergoes in order to do something for the sake of the child, using their own lives as an example.

- Daisaku Ikeda

Japanese Text:
子どもたちの成長は、大人の成長にかかっている。
ゆえに、教育とは、子どもたちに何ができるのかという、自らの生き方をかけた、大人たちの挑戦にほかならない。

KODOMO TACHI NO SEICHO WA, OTONA TACHI NO SEICHO NI KAKATTE IRU.
YUE NI, KYOIKU TO WA, KODOMO TACHI NO TAME NI NANI GA DEKIRU KA TO IU, MIZUKARA NO IKIKATA O KAKETA, OTONA TACHI NO CHOSEN NI HOKA NARANAI.

(Josei ni okuru kotoba 365 nichi, pg. 190)

May 14th

Although parents scold their children at times, if they don't explain the reason why they are doing so, and just break into a rage without explanation, it will only serve to make children grow fearful of them. It will encourage the child to become cunningly dishonest, just to avoid having to face the music. A repetition of this behavior could ultimately lead to a situation where they will eventually stop paying heed to what their parents say, even if what they are saying is really important.

- Daisaku Ikeda

Japanese text:
叱るといっても、親が理由も言わずに、怒りにまかせて叱ってばかりいると、子どもがおびえます。そして、とにかく「怒られないように」「叱られないように」と一種のずるさを身につけてしまうこともある。
そんなことを繰り返しているうちに、大事な時にも親の言うことに耳を傾けなくなってしまう。

SHIKARU TO ITTE MO, OYA GA RIYU MO IWAZU NI, IKARINI MAKASETE SHIKATTE BAKARI IRU TO, KODOMO GA OBIEMASU. SOSHITE, TONIKAKU [OKORARENAI YO NI] [SHIKARARENAI YO NI] TO ISHHU NO ZURUSA O MINI TSUKETE SHIMAU KOTO MO ARU.
SONNA KOTO O KURIKAESHITE IRU UCHI NI, DAIJI NA TOKI NI MO OYA NO IU KOTO NI MIMI O KATAMUKENAKUTE SHIMAU.

(Josei ni okuru kotoba 365 nichi, pg. 149)

September 27

In raising children, there is absolutely no need hurry them into perfection. Trying to coerce kids into stereotypes could manifest as stress in some form. The important thing is for you to allow them to deepen their roots so that they can grow into fine, great trees some day.

Daisaku Ikeda

Japanese Text:
"子どもの教育においては、早くから小さく完成させようとする必要はない。ひとつの型にはめようと強いることは、いつか無理が表れてしまう。むしろ、大樹と育つための根を張らせることが、最も重要であろう。"
(Josei ni okuru kotoba 365 nichi, pg. 290)

May 5th

Every child has a special mission that is their's alone to fulfill. Every person possesses the inborn seeds for some ability or talent. The best possible nutrition that can cause this seed to sprout, is to believe.

Depending on the individual, the seeds of their abilities might sprout early or with sudden speed after the passage of time.

However, it is important that we wholeheartedly believe that a child's abilities will come to the fore sooner or later, and till such a time let us warmly watch over their development, patiently encouraging them over and over again.

-- Daisaku Ikeda

Japanese text:
どんな子であれ、その人にしか果たせない使命がある。だれしも、なにかの才能の芽を持っている。その芽を伸ばすための最高の養分は、信じてあげることです。
人によって、早く芽吹く人もいれば、時間がたってから、急に伸び出す人もいる。
しかし、いつかは必ず才能の芽が伸びる事を信じて、温かく見守り、根気強く励ましいを重ねて行くことです。

DONNA KO DE ARE, SONO HITO NI SHIKA HATASENAI SHIMEI GA ARU. DARE SHIMO, NANI KA NO SAINO NO ME O MOTTE IRU.
SONO ME O NOBASU TAME NO SAIKO NO YOBUN WA, SHINJITE AGERU KOTO DESU.
HITO NI YOTTE, HAYAKU MEBUKU HITO MO IREBA, JIKAN GA TATTE KARA, KYU NI NOBIDASU HITO MO IRU.
SHIKASHI, ITSUKA WA KANARAZU SAINO NO ME GA NOBIRU KOTO WO SHINJITE, ATATAKAKU MIMAMORI, KONKIZUYOKU HAGEMASHI O KASANETE IKU KOTO DESU.
(Josei ni okuru kotoba 365 nichi, pg. 140)

April 14th

True education is possible only when our we walk our talk. Mere words are not enough. Only when we follow our words with our actions does our education acquire meaning.


-- Daisaku Ikeda
April 14th

Japanese text:
JIBUN NO FURUMAI O TOSHITE OSHIETE KOSO, HONTO NO KYOIKU DE ARU. KUCHISAKI DAKEDENAKU, KODO GA TOMONATTE HAJIMETE, KYOIKU NI TAMASHI GA HAIRU.
(Josei ni okuru kotoba 365 nichi, 117 pg.)

August 11th

The most important point of home education is to nurture the heart. Being perceptive about the feelings of other people and knowing how to behave in ways consistent with that realization, makes a person really strong. In order to nurture and train such an individual, it is important that the mother uses her own life as an example for her children to learn from. As long as this most vital point is taken care of, there is plenty of time later to teach and catch up with other things.

- Daisaku Ikeda

Japanese text:
家庭教育の最大にして最重要の眼目は、心を育むことです。人の心がわかり、行動できる人こそが、本当に心の強い人間です。
そのためにも、親の生き方を通して、子どもの心を鍛えることです。その急所さえ外さなければ、ほかのことはいくらでも後で取り返しがきくものです。
(Josei ni okuru kotoba 365 nichi, pg. 242)

July 26th

In the case of growing-up children, it is important that we correctly assess growth patterns and attitudes, and hold consistent and repetitive dialog that is most appropriate in each situation. And to follow it through, I do recommend that mothers keep a close watch on their own growth and development.

- Daisaku Ikeda

Japanese text:
成長していく子どもの姿を正しく認識し、それにふさわしい対話を持続していくことである。そのためにも、母親は、つねに、
自己自身の成長をはかることが大切であろう。
(Josei ni okuru kotoba 365 nichi, pg. 225)

July 24th

Although spending time on studies and home work during summer vacations is important, it is equally important that kids learn to challenge and help out with something in the house. Anything. Doing some job at home and taking it all the way to completion also helps children gain a lot of confidence in themselves. In fact, parents and children challenging something together, creates treasured and noble memories for life.

- Daisaku Ikeda

Japanese text:
夏休みは勉強も大事だが、家の手伝いなどに挑戦するのも大切なことだ。「何かひとつ」やり抜くことが、子どもの自信につながる。親子で一緒に何かに挑戦することは、尊い思い出になる。
(Josei ni okuru kotoba 365 nichi, pg. 223)

May 31st

Let us make it a point to always call out to and connect with children. Together with them, let us find beauty around, let us make new discoveries each day. It takes one heart to nurture another.

- Daisaku Ikeda

Japanese text:
日頃、子どもにかたりかけるひと言を大切にしたい。日々、子どもたちとと一緒に美しいものを喜び、新しいものを見いだしていきたい。
心を育むのは、心である。

HIGORO, KODOMO NI KATARIKAKERU HITOKOTO O TAISETSU NI SHITAI. HIBI, KODOMO TACHI TO ISSHO NI UTSUKUSHII MONO O YOROKOBI, ATARASHII MONO O MIIDASHITE IKITAI. KOKORO O HAGUKUMU MONO WA, KOKORO DE ARU.
(Josei ni okuru kotoba 365 nichi, pg. 164)

September 16

My mother was never really particular about my school grades, but she was quite strict about how I lived my life. When I was young, she often told me to never inconvenience other people and to never lie. When I grew a little older she only added to this by saying that I should always follow through with whatever choices and determinations I had made in life.

Daisaku Ikeda

Japanese Text:
"私の母は、成績については何も言わなかったが、日頃の生活習慣などには厳しかった。小さい頃、母によく言われた。「他人に迷惑をかけてはいけない」「嘘をついてはいけない」と。少し大きくなってからは、「自分で決意したことは、責任を持ってやり遂げなさい」という言葉が加わった。"
(Josei ni okuru kotoba 365 nichi, pg. 279)