I vowed to summon up a powerful and unconquerable desire for the salvation of all beings and never to falter in my efforts.

The Opening of the Eyes (1), WND, 240

Written to Shijo Kingo in February of 1272 from Tsukahara on Sado

Next, the teaching of the "Life Span" chapter is what I, Nichiren, personally depend on. Although T'ien-t'ai and Dengyo also understood it in a general way, they never put it into words or proclaimed it. The same is true of Nagarjuna and Vasubandhu. The verse section of the chapter states, "... single-mindedly desiring to see the Buddha, not hesitating even if it costs them their lives." As a result of this passage, I have revealed the Buddhahood in my own life. The reason is that it is this sutra passage that has enabled me to embody the Three Great Secret Laws, or the reality of three thousand realms in a single moment of life, that is found in the "Life Span" chapter.

Letter to Gijo-bo, WND, 389

Written to Gijo-bo on May 28, 1273 from Ichinosawa on Sado

Therefore, you must summon up the great power of faith more than ever. Do not blame the heavenly gods if you exhaust your good fortune and lose their protection. ... No matter how earnestly Nichiren prays for you, if you lack faith, it will be like trying to set fire to wet tinder. Spur yourself to muster the power of faith. Regard your survival as wondrous. Employ the strategy of the Lotus Sutra before any other.

The Strategy of the Lotus Sutra, WND, 1000

Written to Shijo Kingo on October 23, 1279 from Minobu

Foolish men are likely to forget the promises they have made when the crucial moment comes. Some of them feel pity for their wives and children and grieve at the thought of parting from them in this life. In countless births throughout many long kalpas they have had wives and children but parted from them in every existence. They have done so unwillingly and not because of their desire to pursue the way of the Buddha. Since they must part with them in any case, they should remain faithful to their belief in the Lotus Sutra and make their way to Eagle Peak, so that they may lead their wives and children there as well.

The Opening of the Eyes, WND, 283

Written to Shijo Kingo in February of 1272 from Tsukahara on Sado

Also, a person's death is not determined by illness. In our own time, the people of Iki and Tsushima, though not suffering from illness, were slaughtered in an instant by the Mongols. It is not certain that, because one is ill, one will die. And could not this illness of your husband's be the Buddha's design, because the Vimalakirti and Nirvana sutras both teach that sick people will surely attain Buddhahood? Illness gives rise to the resolve to attain the way.

The Good Medicine for All Ills, WND, 937

Written to Myoshin on August 16, 1278 from Minobu

I will be the pillar of Japan. I will be the eyes of Japan. I will be the great ship of Japan. This is my vow, and I will never forsake it!

The Opening of the Eyes (2), WND, 280

Written to Shijo Kingo in February of 1272 from Tsukahara on Sado

Why does the Buddha perceive the true aspect of the threefold world exactly as it is? To liberate the beings of the threefold world from suffering. The source of the Buddha's wisdom is compassion. The Buddha's wisdom arises from, and is at one with, compassion. The Buddha's wisdom to perceive the very core of the nature of reality arises from his strong and single-minded, compassionate determination to save those suffering.

Lectures on the Expedient Means & Life Span Chapters, Vol. 2, pg. 111

Standing at Raj Ghat, Shin'ichi Yamamoto said passionately: "Gandhi declared, 'My religion has no geographical limits." His compassion traveled beyond the national borders of India and became a treasure for the entire world. President Toda also said, 'I want to banish the word misery from the face of the Earth' and fought toward that end. His compassion, too, knew no national boundaries. In this respect, I feel that Gandhi and Toda share a common lofty spirit.

"The important thing is who will carry on their spirit and realize their ideals?"

The breeze blowing in across the green lawn was refreshing. Gazing into the distance, Shin'ichi Yamamoto continued:

"The mass movement undertaken by Gandhi had never been attempted by anyone before him. People criticized him, dismissing his work as ludicrous and impossible. This was perhaps inevitable. Nevertheless, as Gandhi succinctly declared: 'Dismissing something as impossible because it has never been done before signals a lack of faith in the dignity of human beings.' His conviction was indomitable. These words show the unwavering trust and confidence he placed in the people. And in accord with this conviction, he led India to independence, holding high the banner of the people's victory.

"The quest to realize kosen-rufu, too, is an unprecedented struggle for the triumph of ordinary people. Indeed, it is a nonviolent struggle to liberate people from the chains of destiny and help them win spiritual freedom and independence, a challenge never before undertaken in history - never even attempted. I feel strongly that in pursuing kosen-rufu we are also carrying on Mahatma Gandhi's spirit."

The other leaders listened in silence. It is uncertain to what extent they comprehended Shin'ichi's true meaning. But he had personally vowed never to allow Gandhi's spiritual flame to be extinguished.

The New Human Revolution, Vol. 3, pg. 98-99

All things, our struggles in life and activities for kosen-rufu included, are determined by powerful and unwavering resolve. The cause for defeat, too, lies not in the obstacles we face or the severity of our situation but only in an ebbing or breakdown in our inner determination.

Shin'ichi Yamamoto had accomplished such unprecedented results in propagation since becoming president because of his unshakable determination - his proud, unswerving commitment as Josei Toda's disciple.

"I will realize Sensei's vision without fail!" - this resolve was the force that drove him, what lay at the core of his every thought.

For Shin'ichi, the severity of obstacles and the difficulty of circumstances were irrelevant. He had embarked on his struggle knowing full well what difficulties lay ahead. Everything was difficult, everything was impossible, if one wished to view it that way.

When our resolve weakens, all we can see are giant obstacles looming on the horizon. We end up believing that they are immovable realities. This is where the cause of defeat lies. The key to victory in our struggle for kosen-rufu, it may be said, lies in battling the cowardice that resides in our own hearts. Shin'ichi now strove to bring about a transformation in each person's inner resolve, because ultimately this is where the human revolution begins.

The New Human Revolution, Vol. 3, pg. 18

Ikeda: Those who cast aside self-interest and devote themselves to helping others become happy are slandered and abused. We live in a truly befuddled world. To withstand such persecution and contempt and still persist in spreading the Mystic Law calls for a spirit of endurance. Even if we should be persecuted time and again, we need to continue struggling with dauntless resolve, repeatedly pushing back the devilish forces. Nichiren Daishonin teaches that doing so is itself the world of Buddhahood and the life state of Shakyamuni Buddha. The living beings in the worlds in the ten directions revere this world of Buddhahood. That is, they hold in high esteem the spirit of thorough dedication to kosen-rufu. Without doubt, the Buddhas and bodhisattvas throughout the universe applaud us who are now fighting for kosen-rufu.

Living Buddhism, 09/99, pg. 32

Ikeda: A passage in the Lotus Sutra says, "Although the devil and the devil's people will be there, they will all protect the Law of the Buddha" (LS6, 108). Kosen-rufu becomes a reality when we turn even enemies into allies. And the only way to do this is for those who have this awareness to stand up with fierce resolve and forge an iron unity of the people.

At the outset of this discussion, I mentioned cherry blossoms. Millions and tens of millions of noble irreplaceable lives have been destroyed by the perverse ideology of nationalism. It was President Makiguchi and President Toda who cried out for an end to the massacre. Theirs were actions of the ultimate patriotism.

Living Buddhism, 08/99, pg. 29

It could be said that the human revolution is a great struggle with the self. ... By under-going difficulties and struggling to overcome them, we can eradicate the fundamental darkness in our lives. Apart from this, there is no true attainment of Buddhahood.

The Wisdom of the Lotus Sutra, Vol. 3, pg. 154 [Living Buddhism, 08/97, Pg. 46]

In our practice of the Daishonin's teachings, we may sometimes encounter unpleasantness from others; we may also exert ourselves twice as hard as others. But this is all part of our Buddhist practice. The Daishonin teaches that we can attain Buddhahood in this lifetime. To do so, we have to pass through the trials of the three obstacles and four devils. Yet that's all we need to do to attain enlightenment in this lifetime and enjoy boundless Buddhahood over eternity. So no matter what happens, it's essential that we keep advancing joyfully and courageously, never succumbing to fear.

World Tribune, September 5, 1997, Pg. 8

Just as one cannot graduate from school without passing a test, one cannot become a Buddha without defeating devilish functions. To the extent that we struggle against and defeat such obstacles, we approach Buddhahood.

World Tribune, August 15, 1997, Pg. 15

A great source of pride to Mr. Makiguchi and Mr. Toda was hearing Einstein lecture on his Theory of Relativity, when he was in Japan. Mr. Toda often spoke of this event to me. In the midst of the struggle against the unspeakably evil Nazi regime, Einstein said that the Earth was just a small planet, that he believed somewhere far away there were much bigger, more important planets, perhaps nobler and happier. I understand his point well. It is similar to the Buddhist idea of countless enlightened Buddha lands existing throughout he universe.

I hope that all of you will live a youth committed to the ideal of kosen-rufu, with strong, invincible resolve, with hearts as big as the universe itself. Let's continue our efforts, without retreating even a single step, toward the 21st century! We must press forward, forward, always forward. That's the key to victory. Never fall back even a step.

World Tribune, 02/12/99, pg. 10

Ikeda: That's right. And, in particular, the prayers of those who are exerting themselves to accomplish the propagation of the Mystic Law cannot fail to be answered. The Daishonin says, "If you are of the same mind as Nichiren, you must be a Bodhisattva of the Earth" (WND, 385 [MW-1, 93]). To be "of the same mind as Nichiren" means to cherish the same determination for kosen-rufu. When we work for kosen-rufu and we stand up with the resolve to demonstrate the victory of faith, our lives overflow with benefit beyond belief. We receive benefit because we work for kosen-rufu, which is the wish of the Buddha. This is analogous to how someone who works for a company receives a salary. Second Soka Gakkai president Josei Toda characterized those who chant with a laundry list of things that they want, as though it were the "duty" of the Gohonzon to supply benefit, as having "beggar's faith." And he urged that instead they should stand up with the determination: "I will stake my life on the struggle for kosen-rufu!"

Living Buddhism, 10/99, pg. 29

We see that distinctions between priestly and lay, male and female, did not matter in the least to Nichiren Daishonin; he fixed his gaze solely on people's hearts, their spirit.

Spirit means inner state of life, or one's heart. It decides what we devote our lives to. It is the fundamental prayer on which we base our existence. A person's spirit is invisible but becomes manifest at a crucial moment. Not only that, it also controls everything about a person, each moment of every day - it is the fundamental determinant of one's life.

Learning from the Gosho: The Eternal Teachings of Nichiren Daishonin, pg. 128

There are many paths in life. Paths leading to celebrity. Paths leading to fame. Paths leading to high social standing. And the list goes on.

But where do we find the path to attaining Buddhahood? It is found only in efforts to expand the flow of kosen-rufu. Nichiren Buddhism teaches faith that is dedicated to advancing kosen-rufu.

World Tribune, February 8, 2002, Page 6

Therefore, we need not be surprised or taken aback by any changes or turmoil we encounter. We possess the Buddha's infinite wisdom in the treasure chest of faith in our lives. If we possess infinite wisdom, we can calmly take appropriate measures to surmount any and all difficulties that beset us with the rhythm of turning change into victory and turmoil into growth.

Lectures on the Expedient Means & Life Span Chapters, Vol. 2, pg. 111

The way of life of a courageous Bodhisattva of the Earth lies in diving headlong into the most difficult situations; embracing those experiencing the greatest suffering; talking to and protecting friends; and, through it all, creating a revolution of hope - a revolution toward the understanding that the saha world is itself the Land of Eternally Tranquil Light. When we lead such a way of life, our spirit shines.

Lectures on the Expedient Means & Life Span Chapters, Vol. 2, pg. 74-75

President Toda went so far as to say that unless great joy wells forth when praying to the Gohonzon, then one's faith is not correct. When we experience such joy, a great flower of benefit blossoms in our lives. ... Faith is to take spirited action. When we earnestly struggle, our hearts become light and filled with momentum. Pessimism is alien to Buddhism.

Lectures on the Expedient Means & Life Span Chapters, Vol. 2, pg. 88

Those who live based on a boundless seeking spirit and resolute vows never become deadlocked. This is the path of infinite advance.

Lectures on the Expedient Means & Life Span Chapters, Vol. 2, pg. 130

Capable people are of vital importance in our noble movement for kosen-rufu. Everything depends upon how many able members we can raise and how much we can cultivate them. Soka Gakkai meetings and training courses are nothing other than places for fostering the growth of capable people. I am talking now to the leaders of our organization about how we must respect the new sentiments of the age and listen to the opinions of young people. We must not neglect our efforts to exchange views for the sake of progress and development, and to employ these as the nourishment for further advancement.

As stated - "perfect unity with an invincible spirit that is like iron" - in order to accomplish our goals it is important that we advance in the unity of itai doshin. There are many cases when movements and activities in society collapse and lose their force, owing not to external influences but to treacherous intentions from within; we should keep this in mind. Above all, it is essential to have the pulse of faith vividly throbbing within the depths of our lives. The vibrant breath of faith in advancing toward kosen-rufu is the driving force for the development and victory of the Soka Gakkai.

The long course of life lies ahead of you. Therefore, I want to tell you in particular that you must never be driven to despair, even though you may encounter difficulties of the severest magnitude; this is because one who struggles to stand up with a firm resolve will not fail to find a way out of any predicament toward hope.

Buddhism in Action, Vol. 4, Pg. 157

Buddhahood is often likened to a diamond, the king of jewels. In the mineral kingdom, it is foremost in hardness and luster. It symbolizes purity and is the birthstone of the month of April, which, incidentally, is the month in which Nichiren Daishonin declared the establishment of his Buddhism. Its name comes from the Greek word meaning unconquerable or invincible.

How are diamonds made? Diamonds are chemically composed of carbon, just as graphite is. It is believed that diamonds crystallize when carbon buried deep underground is subjected to extremely high pressure and temperatures in the presence of certain catalysts.

There are also various ways to produce diamonds artificially. For example, carbon is put into a high-pressure container with nickel, iron and cobalt, which act as catalysts. It is then exposed to a pressure of more than several tens of thousands of atmospheres and a temperature of about two thousand degrees centigrade. In another method, the same process is repeated with crystallized graphite used in place of carbon. In a third, crystallized graphite is subjected to explosive forces, such as gunpowder. In any case, graphite or carbon changes into a diamond when exposed to extremely high pressure and temperatures in the presence of catalysts.

This is similar to how we can develop our lives. It is by forging our lives under the intense pressure of difficulties and in the severe heat of hardships that we develop and crystallize, like a diamond, the steadfast ichinen or "self" of Buddhahood in the depths of our lives. By experiencing hardships, our body and mind become indestructible entities of the Buddha. The diamond-like condition of absolute happiness that we attain can be destroyed neither by suffering nor by delusion. On the other hand, if ours is a safe and easy practice that is free from any real hardship, we will be unable to truly polish our lives. It is only by overcoming great hardships, by persevering in the midst of intense heat and pressure, that we can become "kings of life" just as a diamond is the king of jewels.

Such a life is completely pure, shedding beautiful rays of eternal light. It can never be destroyed in the midst of the rough waves of society and remains steadfast even in the face of great obstacles. It can only be realized when we totally dedicate our lives to Nam-myoho-renge-kyo and to the cause of kosen-rufu. In such a state of life, we are one with the Mystic Law for all eternity, throughout the three existences of past, present and future, and can freely work for its propagation.

By correctly embracing the Gohonzon throughout our lives, we can manifest Buddhahood, the supreme condition of life, in lifetime after lifetime. In order to receive such benefit, to embrace the Gohonzon is the single precept that we must observe. This is termed in Buddhism the precept of the diamond chalice, a precept which, like a diamond, is impossible to break.

I hope all of you will cultivate lives of indestructible brilliance and create a diamond crystal of happiness within yourselves, with your hearts beautiful and radiant. Toward this end, you must never fear difficulties, nor should you be swayed by insults and slander. Rather, you should regard these thankfully as the means with which to polish your lives.

Buddhism in Action, Vol. 5, pp. 314-5

Faith in Buddhism is definitely not fanaticism or blind faith that rejects the criteria of reason. It is in fact a rational function, a process of cultivating wisdom that begins with a spirit of reverent searching.

The Wisdom of the Lotus Sutra, Vol. 2, Pg. 51

Practice or training in any endeavor is never easy. It requires painstaking effort. In wrestling or judo, for instance, polishing one's technique takes repeated, strenuous effort. Also, success at playing the piano, working on the job or developing good grades at school all require diligent effort in the face of many hardships. This is all the more true when it comes to our Buddhist practice of faith, in which we strive to develop lasting happiness and good fortune and to establish an enlightened "self" based on the condition of Buddhahood within our lives.

Our Buddhist practice is training in life and therefore entails challenge. However, because our practice is based on the Mystic Law, the greater the efforts you exert and the greater the difficulties you face, the more fortune you will accumulate and the greater your benefit will be in the future. This is in accord with the principle that earthly desires are the source of enlightenment. I hope you will reaffirm this as an important principle of Buddhism and the ultimate formula for attaining happiness through faith.

Buddhism in Action, Vol. 5, Pg. 105

I am confident that the Daishonin's resolve for world kosen-rufu in the ten thousand years and more of the Latter Day was the cause that resulted in the appearance of the SGI, and it called forth Bodhisattvas of the Earth throughout the world.

The power of our hearts is great. Nichimyo Shonin's heart was directed toward the Daishonin. And from him, she learned to share the Lotus Sutra's ideal of all people becoming happy.

She was determined to travel to far-off Sado, even though it meant crossing mountains and treacherous waters. I hope that each of you will steadfastly advance one step at a time toward a great ideal, walking along roads, traveling over mountains and crossing seas, as need be, to reach it.

The Daishonin says, "as for the matter of becoming a Buddha, ordinary people keep in mind the words 'earnest resolve' and thereby become Buddhas" (WND, 1125).

We need to direct our spirit, our hearts, toward kosen-rufu. Attaining Buddhahood depends on cherishing such resolve. When we have such a spirit, our lives sparkle with jewels of good fortune and happiness. We undertake a wonderful journey through life in which our dreams, one after another, are accomplished.

Learning from the Gosho: The Eternal Teachings of Nichiren Daishonin, pg. 130

No matter how we might be attacked, no matter how disheartening the circumstances in which we find ourselves, we must not allow our resolute faith and conviction to waver. We must not allow our courage to falter. We absolutely must not be swayed.

'I have faith!' 'I have pride!' ' I have a mission!' 'I have hope!' 'These are my treasures!' Those who live with this wholehearted cry and conviction under any circumstance are people of genuine faith.

Through chanting daimoku, we can open the 'indestructible palace of happiness' within our own lives. To dwell therein is to lead the best possible existence."

World Tribune, April 7, 1995, pg. 4-5