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Daisaku Ikeda

Daisaku Ikeda Quotes

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Famous Daisaku Ikeda Quotes

“Buddhism holds that everything is in constant flux. Thus the question is whether we are to accept change passively and be swept away by it or whether we are to take the lead and create positive changes on our own initiative. While conservatism and self-protection might be likened to winter, night, and death, the spirit of pioneering and attempting to realize ideals evokes images of spring, morning, and birth.”

SelfMightSpiritNightRealizingAcceptingMorningBuddhismBirthSpringIdealsConstantWinterProtectionBuddhistInitiativeAttemptingConservatismEvokeFluxPositive ChangeSwept AwayPioneeringSelf ProtectionAccepting ChangeWinter Night
Author:Daisaku Ikeda
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“A sense of being part of the great all-inclusive life prompts us to reflect on our own place and on how we ought to live. Guarding others' lives, the ecology and the earth is the same as protecting one's own life. By like token, wounding them is the same thing as wounding oneself. Consequently, it is the duty of each of us to participate as members of the life community in the evolution of the universe. We can do this by guarding earth's ecological system.”

EarthUniverseCan DoCommunityDutyOughtEvolutionMembersOneselfEcologyEcologicalPromptsTokensGuarding
Author:Daisaku Ikeda
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“Why is it that sometimes our prayers seem not to be answered? This is a manifestation of the Buddha's wisdom, so that we can deepen our prayers, become stronger people, live more profound lives and secure deeper, more lasting good fortune. If our slightest prayer was answered immediately, we would become lazy and degenerate. And we could not hope to build a life of great dignity and substance.”

PeopleIfsSometimesSeemsPrayerDignityStrongerFortuneProfoundDeeperSecureSubstanceManifestationLazyLastingGood FortuneOur PrayersDegenerates
Author:Daisaku Ikeda
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“People can only live fully by helping others to live. When you give life to friends you truly live. Cultures can only realize their further richness by honoring other traditions. And only by respecting natural life can humanity continue to exist.”

PeopleGivingHelpingHumanityCultureRealizingCommunityNaturalTraditionHelping OthersRichnessNatural Life
Book:Journey of Life: Selected Poems of Daisaku Ikeda
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“Culture is an elevated expression of the inner voice which the different peoples of the Earth have heard in the depths of their being, a voice which conveys the vibrant compassion and wisdom of the cosmic life. For different cultures to engage in interaction is to catalyze each other's souls and foster mutual understanding.”

DifferentSoulEarthCulturePeaceUnderstandingVoiceCompassionHeardExpressionDepthKarmaMutualCosmicInteractionDifferent PeoplesInner VoiceDifferent CulturesMutual UnderstandingSelf Reformation
Author:Daisaku Ikeda
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“The institutions of human society treat us as parts of a machine. They assign us ranks and place considerable pressure upon us to fulfill defined roles. We need something to help us restore our lost and distorted humanity. Each of us has feelings that have been suppressed and have built up inside. There is a voiceless cry resting in the depths of our souls, waiting for expression. Art gives the soul's feelings voice and form.”

NeedsGivingHumansHas BeensArtSoulHelpingFeelingsFormHumanityLostPeaceWaitingVoiceRolesCryExpressionBuiltMachinesTreatsPressureInstitutionsDepthKarmaDefinedHuman SocietyVoicelessSelf Reformation
Author:Daisaku Ikeda
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“How aware are we of our own inner life, our spirituality-something so intangible yet so priceless? How much effort do we make to perceive that which is not obvious, which can neither be seen nor heard? I believe the exploration and enrichment of the human spirit is what determines our very humanity. Such enrichment provides an inner compass that can lead civilizations to greatness.”

BelieveHumansSpiritHumanitySpiritualityI BelieveEffortHeardGreatnessCivilizationDetermineObviousKarmaPerceiveExplorationHuman SpiritCompassPricelessInner LifeIntangibleEnrichmentSelf Reformation
Author:Daisaku Ikeda
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“The human spirit is as expansive as the cosmos. This is why it is so tragic to belittle yourself or to question your worth. No matter what happens, continue to push back the boundaries of your inner life. The confidence to prevail over any problem, the strength to overcome adversity and unbounded hope — all reside within you.”

HumansMatterProblemHappensSpiritOvercomingAdversityNo Matter WhatBoundariesCosmosTragicWithin YouHuman SpiritOvercoming AdversityInner LifeBelittle
Author:Daisaku Ikeda
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