Lotus House

03/02/2026

The inexhaustible lamp

Compassionate action can be described as an "inexhaustible lamp." This light of hope illuminates the lives of people close to us and around the world...

The spirit of the bodhisattva is the foundation that has sustained the SGI's efforts in support of the United Nations. We work for the resolution of global challenges. We stand for the relief of refugees; for rebuilding in the wake of natural disasters. Our constant focus is to promote the empowerment of ordinary people.

Like the inexhaustible lamp, the inner capacities of people that shine through empowerment are an enduring source of energy for transformation, a wellspring of inextinguishable hope.

This is highlighted in the 2017 Peace Proposal presented to the United Nations by Sensei Ikeda, here:

https://www.bharatsokagakkai.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/peace-proposal-2017.pdf

Also here https://www.worldtribune.org/2022/2017-peace-proposal-in-full/

Notes on the historical roots of the inexhaustible lamp are contained in the comments below.
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20/09/2025

20/09/2025

05/07/2025

The Swords of Good and Evil

Nichiren is the most perverse person in Japan. The reason is this: Nichiren proclaims that, because the people revere the Buddha Amida, the Thus Come One Mahāvairochana, Medicine Master, and other Buddhas even more than their own parents and lords, the three calamities and seven disasters are occurring in greater magnitude than in any previous age, and the unusual disturbances in the heavens and strange occurrences on earth are now more terrible than ever.

I am forever reminding them that they will not only ruin themselves and destroy the country in this lifetime, but fall into the great Avīchi hell in the next. Hence I have suffered this severe persecution.

I might be compared to a summer insect that flies into a flame, or a mouse that dashes in front of a cat. I am like an animal that knows it is in danger and yet pays no heed. But I risk my life as a matter of conscious choice; therefore, I am a perverse person.

Stones are split open for their hidden gems, deer are slain for their hides and meat, fish are caught for their flavor, the kingfisher is killed for its gorgeous feathers, and a beautiful woman is envied for her beauty.

This is the case with me. Because I am the votary of the Lotus Sutra, I have suffered all manner of persecution at the hands of the three powerful enemies.

How wondrous that you have, nonetheless, become a disciple and a supporter of such a person! There must be some profound reason for our relationship. Make every possible effort to deepen your faith, and reach the pure land of Eagle Peak.

I have received the two swords—a long one and a short one—that you sent as an offering for prayers. The long sword must have been made by a renowned swordsmith. It is fully equal to the celebrated swords Amakuni, Onikiri, and Yatsurugi, or to those famous Chinese swords Kan-chiang and Mo-yeh. You have offered this sword to the Lotus Sutra.

While you wore it at your side, it was an evil sword, but now that it has been offered to the Buddha, it has become a sword for good, just like a demon who conceives a desire to attain the Buddha way. How wondrous, how wondrous!

In the next life you should use this sword as your staff. The Lotus Sutra is the staff that helps all the Buddhas of the three existences as they set their minds on enlightenment. However, you should rely on Nichiren as your staff and pillar.

When one uses a staff, one will not fall on treacherous mountain paths or rough roads, and when led by the hand, one will never stumble.

Nam-myoho-renge-kyo will be your staff to take you safely over the mountains of death. The Buddhas Shakyamuni and Many Treasures, as well as the four bodhisattvas headed by Superior Practices, will lead you by the hand on your journey.

If I, Nichiren, precede you in death, I will come to meet you at your last moment. If you should precede me, I will be sure to tell King Yama all about you.

Everything that I tell you is true. According to the Lotus Sutra, Nichiren is the guide who knows the passes and gorges along the way. Devote yourself single-mindedly to faith with the aim of reaching Eagle Peak.

Money serves various purposes according to our needs. The same is true of the Lotus Sutra. It is a lantern in the dark or a boat at a crossing. At times it is water and, at times, fire. This being so, the Lotus Sutra assures us of “peace and security in our present existence and good circumstances in future existences.”

Of all the many places in Japan, Nichiren was born in the province of Awa. It is said that the Sun Goddess first dwelt in this province, where she began exploring the land of Japan. An estate exists there dedicated to the goddess, who is the compassionate father and mother to all living beings in this country.

Therefore, this province must be of great significance. What karma from the past caused Nichiren to be born in this same province? No reward could be greater. That is not the main point of this letter, so I will not go into further detail. But you should think about what I mean.

You must pray to the heavenly gods with all your heart. Be ever diligent in your faith so that your desire will be fulfilled. Please tell your wife all that I have said.

With my deep respect,
Nichiren
The twenty-first day of the second month
Reply to Lord Yagenta

This letter was written to Hōjō Yagenta, a lay believer in Kamakura, on the twenty-first day of the second month; though no year is indicated, it is believed to be 1274.

The letter was sent by the Daishonin from Ichinosawa on Sado Island seven days after a pardon for him was issued in Kamakura.

Although the official date of the pardon was the fourteenth of that month, it did not reach the Daishonin until the eighth day of the third month.

Yagenta was a samurai who belonged to the ruling Hōjō clan. He was a recipient in 1268 of one of the eleven letters the Daishonin wrote remonstrating with top government officials and religious leaders after a delegate from Khubilai Khan arrived demanding tribute.

For a samurai, the sword was the embodiment of status and strength. Swords were also symbols of power and death, but the Daishonin explains that because Yagenta has offered his to the Lotus Sutra their basic nature has changed for the good.

Yagenta’s act amounts to a demonstration of faith and devotion. Some years later he became a lay priest.
(WND-1, p. 451)

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05/07/2025

A concise presentation of the Concept of the Truth in Eastern Philosophy: Relative and Universal - and its implication on one's daily life.

01/07/2025

"Sun Rises in My Heart."

"Look can you see
Flowers of peace
Great trees of justice,　
Equality.
Voices so bright
As guiding lights
New era of life,
new world is in sight

Sun rises in my heart
We will win this victory
A lasting peace on earth
For all humanity

Come look with me
Each life is unique,
Shining with beauty
And dignity
Look where we are
No need to look far
It starts from within
Source of a new spring

Sun rises in my heart
We will win this victory
A lasting peace on earth
For all humanity

Now is the time
Each day we begin
Courage our compass
Never give in
Now we set sail
The dawning has come
United at heart
United as one

Sun rises in my heart
We will win this victory
A lasting peace on earth
For all humanity

A lasting peace on earth
For all humanity"

Wherever youth gather, where they grow and develop, there are always songs. Today, our members around the world are advancing proudly with lively voices raised in song.

Listen here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yiJbtRLp0X8&t=62s

Bharat [India] Soka Gakkai—continuing
its inspiring dynamic growth—has many
beloved songs.

One of them is “I Am That One Disciple!” The title echoes my own response and vow to my mentor when he declared that kosen-rufu would be achieved as long as there is even a single true disciple.*

Today, a great multitude of capable people radiant with joy—mirroring the assembly of the Lotus Sutra—is striving dynamically.

Soka Gakkai songs and the songs of kosen-rufu created by our members around the world pulse with the spirit of mentor and disciple and express a wish forpeace and human happiness.

*The New Human Revolution, vol. 30, “Vow” chapter
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01/07/2025

Great Evil and Great Good

Daisaku Ikeda: “Day and night, with every fibre of our being, we are earnestly pursuing activities towards achieving the goal of kosen-rufu in accord with the teachings of Nichiren Daishonin.

These noble efforts are free of self-interest, calculation or desire for fame and reputation. They are inspired solely by a fervent prayer for peace and for the happiness of people of all strata of society – young and old, rich and poor – in Japan and throughout the world.

At present, however, the Soka Gakkai is under fire from all sides, and we are being showered with malicious criticism and abuse. But because the Gosho teaches that ‘when great evil occurs, great good follows,’ I am convinced that these events are a happy omen”-- New Human Revolution Volume 6

From the Daishonin: “Great events never have minor omens. When great evil occurs, great good follows. Since great slander already exists in our land, the great correct Law will spread without fail.

What could any of you have to lament? Even if you are not the Venerable Mahākāshyapa, you should all perform a dance. Even if you are not Shāriputra, you should leap up and dance. When Bodhisattva Superior Practices emerged from the earth, did he not emerge dancing? And when Bodhisattva Universal Worthy arrived, the ground shook in six different ways." (WND-1, p. 1119)

With the assurance ‘when great evil occurs, great good follows,’ the Daishonin encourages his disciples to regard the hostility they face as an omen of great good, that is, the eventual spreading of the correct teaching.

He also urges them to rejoice like Mahākāshyapa and Shāriputra, who danced with joy in the Lotus Sutra when they heard the Buddha’s teaching of universal enlightenment, and realized that they, too, could become Buddhas.

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30/06/2025

We must all be vigilant to safeguard our faith.

“Nichiren Daishonin sternly warns in the Gosho that some who profess to embrace the Lotus Sutra have actually lost their faith although they give the outward appearance that they maintain it.
I would like to emphasise that those who accept the honoured responsibility of being a Soka Gakkai leader must never become base and self-serving, allowing their faith to decay.” –New Human Revolution, Volume 5.

Nichiren said: The size of the waves depends upon the wind that raises them, the height of the flames depends upon how much firewood is piled on, the size of the lotuses depends upon the pond in which they grow, and the volume of rain depends upon the dragons that make it fall. The deeper the roots, the more prolific the branches. The farther the source, the longer the stream. (WND-1, 736)

Nichiren added: ”The deeper the roots, the more luxuriant the branches. The farther the source, the longer the stream. All sutras other than the Lotus Sutra have shallow roots and short streams, while the Lotus Sutra has deep roots and a distant source. That is why the Great Teacher T’ien-t’ai stated that the Lotus Sutra would survive and spread even in the evil latter age.

Many people have taken faith in this teaching. But because great persecutions, both official and otherwise, have repeatedly befallen me, though they followed me for a year or two, all of them later either abandoned their faith or turned against the Lotus Sutra. Or if they have not given way in their practice, they have done so in their heart. Or if they have not given way in their heart, they have done so in their practice.” (cf. WND-1, 941)

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28/06/2025

SGI Future Division members aged 13 to 17 are often called the "Young Phoenix Group."

But it seems the hummingbirds are also interested in the nectar of knowledge !

The seven guidelines Sensei Ikeda offered to the teenagers are
1) Let’s take care of our health
2) Let’s read books
3) Let’s always use common sense
4) Let’s have patience
5) Let’s make lots of friends
6) Let’s accumulate good fortune
7) Let’s cherish our parents

These are worthy guidelines for all members !

'Phoenix' is a bird from Chinese mythology. In Chinese art and literature, it serves as a metaphor for peace, longevity, and virtue.

The 7 guidelines are from PAG-ASA, May 2025. "PAG-ASA" (which means "hope") is the monthly magazine of SGI Philippines
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25/06/2025

Will family accept your beliefs?

The New Human Revolution is a vibrant history written by Daisaku Ikeda. Often during social milestones and important events, we coexist with the everyday, where family life takes centre stage… Just one example of this is in Volume 6, Chapter 2: “Long Journey”

During a friendly evening meal with Japanese friends in a restaurant in Karachi, Sensei asked one of the party whether he would take responsibility for helping some Japanese friends settle in to lives in Pakistan.

But this came after the guest asked Sensei for guidance about a family matter concerning Buddhist faith. Imagine the scene as we see the Japanese family at home in Tokyo. A mother, father and their family coming to terms with a crucial element of their shared lives.

At the dinner, the guest asked: “Sensei, I have five children. Two of them, one son and one daughter are not practicing Buddhism. I am disappointed that I have not been able to put into practice Mr Toda’s guideline of ‘faith for a happy and harmonious family’ and I’m ashamed of my failure to do so.”

Sensei asked: “How old are your children?”

“They are adults already.”

Sensei advised: “It’s a mistake to assume that your children are always going to listen to you just because you’re their parent. Religious belief is a matter of free choice.

It’s unreasonable to think that your children will understand and accept your faith just because they’re your children. Particularly since they are adults, they will naturally have their own beliefs and values, so you should strive to respect their views and the way they choose to live their lives.

If, based on such respect, you truly wish to bring them to your faith, the best and only way is by your personal example. You must demonstrate just how wonderful this practice is, through your life and your character. In other words you must be a father your children can respect and really be proud of.”

“You can’t fool your family members; they know you too well. They are your most observant and severe critics. “

Sensei urged the father to set the highest standards at home and everywhere else.

“If you truly and sincerely chant for the happiness of your children, your prayer will communicate itself to them and they will eventually awaken to faith. In addition, if you practice hard, your family will be protected by the benefit and good fortune that you accumulate through your faith.”

“Therefore, there’s no need to worry or rush things. Most important there’s absolutely no reason to force your faith on your children.”

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24/06/2025

The story of Bodhisattva Never Disparaging

A bodhisattva described in the “Never Disparaging” (twentieth) chapter of the Lotus Sutra. According to the sutra, he lived after the death of a Buddha named Awesome Sound King, in the Middle Day of that Buddha’s teachings.

Buddhism was then in decline, and arrogant monks held great authority. This bodhisattva deeply respected everyone, and his practice consisted of addressing all he met in the following manner:

“I have profound reverence for you, I would never dare treat you with disparagement or arrogance. Why? Because you will all practice the bodhisattva way and will then be able to attain buddhahood.”

This statement is known as the twenty-four-character Lotus Sutra, because in Kumārajīva’s Chinese translation it consists of twenty-four characters.

The sutra describes his practice as follows: “This monk did not devote his time to reading or reciting the scriptures, but simply went about bowing to people.”

Although people ridiculed him and attacked him with staves and stones, he regarded all people with utmost respect because of their innate potential to become Buddhas. Therefore he was dubbed Never Disparaging.

Toward the end of his life he heard the Lotus Sutra that had been preached by the Buddha Awesome Sound King, and embraced it fully. As a result, he purified his six sense organs and extended his life span by “two hundred ten thousand million nayutas of years,” preaching the Lotus Sutra to countless millions of people.

People who had slandered Bodhisattva Never Disparaging now followed him and took faith in the sutra, but due to their past offenses of harboring anger and grudges against him, for two hundred million kalpas they never encountered a Buddha, heard of the Law, or saw the community of monks.

They languished in the hell of incessant suffering for one thousand kalpas. Eventually, however, after they had finished expiating their offenses, they once more encountered Never Disparaging who instructed them in supreme enlightenment.

In the “Never Disparaging” chapter, Shakyamuni identifies Bodhisattva Never Disparaging as himself in a previous lifetime.

Nichiren (1222–1282) often cites the story of Bodhisattva Never Disparaging to illustrate the principle of attaining enlightenment through reverse relationship, or the connection that one forms with the correct teaching by opposing or slandering it.

Nichiren often refers to Bodhisattva Never Disparaging as an example of the true spirit of bodhisattva practice. In his writing The Three Kinds of Treasure, he states: “The heart of the Buddha’s lifetime of teachings is the Lotus Sutra, and the heart of the practice of the Lotus Sutra is found in the ‘Never Disparaging’ chapter.

What does Bodhisattva Never Disparaging’s profound respect for people signify? The purpose of the appearance in this world of Shakyamuni Buddha, the lord of teachings, lies in his behavior as a human being” (851–52).

From Nichiren Buddhism Library
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