Bishan Youths

Buddhism Day by Day: Wisdom for Modern Life
by Daisaku Ikeda

a) Dialogue is a positive endeavor. It builds solidarity and creates unity. To reject others only has negative repercussions. It invites division and leads to destruction. The point is to meet and to talk. It is only natural that our perspective may at times differ from that of others. But dialogue gives rise to trust, even among those who don't see eye-to-eye.

b) If a person is hungry, we should give them bread. When there is no bread, we can at least give words that nourish. To a person who looks ill or is physically frail, we can turn their spirits and fill them with the hope and determination to get better. Let us give something to each person we meet: Joy, Courage, Hope, Assurance, Philosophy, Wisdom, a vision for the future. Let's us always give something.

c) Compassion is the very soul of Buddhism. To pray for others, making their problems and anguish our own; to embrace those who are suffering; becoming their greatest ally; to continue giving them our support and encouragement until they become truly happy – it is in such humanistic actions that Nichiren Buddhism lives and breathes.

d) When individuals practice a teaching is intended, the expected results become manifest in their lives as well as their environment. Religion not only deals with spirituality but also has significant impact (positive/negative) upon peoples' daily lives and their society. The nature and extend of a particular religion's impact become the standard for evaluating its validity.

Thanks, Javier for the recommendation (book available from SYC Library)