Ikeda Quotes & Sayings

Planetary Citizenship reveals a vital blueprint for a compassionate and sustainable world. Hazel Henderson and Daisaku Ikeda make a formidable team stepping forward as humanity's guides in this great transition to the next stage of social evolution. — Barbara Marx Hubbard

Women are, in my view, natural peacemakers. As givers and nurturers of life, through their focus on human relationships and their engagement with the demanding work of raising children and protecting family life, they develop a deep sense of empathy that cuts through to underlying human realities. — Daisaku Ikeda

The idea of interdependence is central to Buddhism, which holds that all things come into being through the mutual interactions of various causes and conditions. — Daisaku Ikeda

Reading is a dialog with oneself; it is self-reflection, which cultivates profound humanity. Reading is therefore essential to our development. It expands and enriches the personality like a seed that germinates after a long time and sends forth many blossom-laden branches.
People who can say of a book, 'this changed my life' truly understand the meaning of happiness. Reading that sparks inner revolution is desperately needed to escape drowning in the rapidly advancing information society. Reading is more than intellectual ornamentation; it is a battle for the establishment for the self, a ceaseless challenge that keeps us young and vigorous. — Daisaku Ikeda

Faith and daily life, faith and work-these are not separate things. They are one and the same. To think of them as separate-that faith is faith, and work is work-is theoretical faith. Based on the recognition that work and faith are one and the same, we should put one hundred percent of our energy into our jobs and one hundred percent into our faith, too. When we resolve to do this, we enter the path of victory in life. Faith means to show irrefutable proof of victory amid the realities of society and in our own daily lives. — Daisaku Ikeda

Adversity gives birth to greatness. The greater the challenges and difficulties we face, the greater the opportunity we have to grow and develop as people. A life without adversity, a life of ease and comfort, produces nothing and leaves us with nothing. This is one of the indisputable facts of life. — Daisaku Ikeda

If everything is smooth sailing right from the beginning, we cannot become people of substance and character. By surmounting paining setbacks and obstacles, we can create a brilliant history of triumph that will shine forever. That is what makes life so exciting and enjoyable. In any field of endeavour, those who overcome hardships and grow as human beings are advancing towards success and victory in life. — Daisaku Ikeda

Humanity's collective mission in the cosmos lies in the practice of compassion. — Daisaku Ikeda

Leave behind the passive dreaming of a rose-tinted future. The energy of happiness exists in living today with roots sunk firmly in reality's soil. — Daisaku Ikeda

[Love that would] break open the hard shell of my lesser self. — Daisaku Ikeda

A moment's encounter can decide the direction of one's entire life — Daisaku Ikeda

Happiness does not exist as an isolated quality, nor does it conform to a single fixed pattern. Happiness is something that breathes and lives in the relationships between one person and another. — Daisaku Ikeda

Those who always have a sense of appreciation and gratitude never reach an impasse in life. — Daisaku Ikeda

Strength is itself victory. — Daisaku Ikeda

People need to be made conscious of a very simple reality: we have no choice but to share this planet, this small blue sphere floating in the vast reaches of space, with all of our fellow 'passengers.' — Daisaku Ikeda

The profound unity of subjective existence and objective environment leads naturally to the idea that the life-force of one human being can affect other living beings and even the fundamental being of humankind as a whole. Furthermore, the minds of humankind fuse into one and exert a continuous influence, both physical and spiritual, on other living beings and on the whole of nature. — Daisaku Ikeda

Salute to the Smiling Faces of the 21st Century. — Daisaku Ikeda

The moment you resolve to be victorious, every nerve and fiber in your being will immediately orient itself toward your success. — Daisaku Ikeda

The course of our lives is determined by how we react
what we decide and what we do
at the darkest of times. The nature of that response determines a person's true worth and greatness. — Daisaku Ikeda

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. — Daisaku Ikeda

Faced with stress, too many people feel they have nowhere to turn to, that they don't have access to the kind of friendships or communities where they can easily and openly share their problems and worries. — Daisaku Ikeda

What may look like a small act of courage is courage nevertheless. The important thing is to be willing to take a step forward. — Daisaku Ikeda

No one can live entirely on their own, nor can any country or society exist in isolation. — Daisaku Ikeda

Being sincere, dedicated and honest is the key. People of integrity triumph in the end. — Daisaku Ikeda

learn your place! — Ikeda Akihisa

Since ancient times, people from throughout Asia have brought to Japan their talents, knowledge and energy, helping to lay the basis for Japan's existence as a country. — Daisaku Ikeda

A great human revolution in just a single individual will help achieve a change in the destiny of a nation and, further, can even enable a change in the destiny of all humankind. — Daisaku Ikeda

Where there is an absence of international political leadership, civil society should step in to fill the gap, providing the energy and vision needed to move the world in a new and better direction. — Daisaku Ikeda

A person, who no matter how desperate the situation, gives others hope, is a true leader. — Daisaku Ikeda

The experience of losing a loved one impels us toward a deeper understanding of life. Everyone fears and is saddened by death. That is natural. But by struggling to overcome the pain and sadness that accompanies death, we become sharply aware of the dignity and preciousness of life and develop the compassion to share the sufferings of others as our own. — Daisaku Ikeda

The Earth never ceases to spin. All life is dancing : The trees, the wind, the sea. Keep dancing for the rest of your life. — Daisaku Ikeda

Effort and hard work construct the bridge that connects your dreams to reality. — Daisaku Ikeda

In most cases,our so-called limitations are nothing more than our own decision to limit ourselves. — Daisaku Ikeda

Rather than turning away from the staggering scale and depth of misery caused by war, we must strive to develop our capacity to empathize and feel the sufferings of others. — Daisaku Ikeda

A healthy vision of the future is not possible without an accurate knowledge of the past. — Daisaku Ikeda

A person who respects others is respected by others in return. Those who treat others with compassion and concern are protected and supported by others. Our environment is essentially a reflection of ourselves — Daisaku Ikeda

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. — Daisaku Ikeda

The misfortune of others is our misfortune. Our happiness is the happiness of others. To see ourselves in others and feel an inner oneness and sense of unity with them represents a fundamental revolution in the way we view and live our lives. Therefore, discriminating against another person is the same as discriminating against oneself. When we hurt another, we are hurting ourselves. And when we respect others, we respect and elevate our own lives as well. — Daisaku Ikeda

Dialogue and education for peace can help free our hearts from the impulse toward intolerance and the rejection of others. — Daisaku Ikeda

Extreme poverty threatens people's right to life itself and makes impossible the enjoyment of the rights and freedoms essential to a humane way of life. — Daisaku Ikeda

Before comparing yourself with others, win the battle with yourself. Strive to be better today than yesterday, and better tomorrow than today. — Daisaku Ikeda

Do something! Start something! As you make consistent efforts, you will begin to see your goals come into focus. You will discover your mission
the one only you can fulfill. — Daisaku Ikeda

Everything begins with the resolve to take the first step. From that action, wisdom arises and change begins. Without action, nothing changes. — Daisaku Ikeda

Our voice resonates with life. Because this is so, it can touch the lives of others. The caring and compassion imbued in your voice finds passage to the listener's soul, striking his or her heart and causing it to sing out; the human voice summons something profound from deep within, and can even compel a person into action. — Daisaku Ikeda

It is natural for us, as human beings, to look forward. Our eyes naturally look ahead. In this sense, we are made for moving toward a goal. — Daisaku Ikeda

There are some among the so-called elite who are overbearing and arrogant. I want to foster leaders, not elitists. — Daisaku Ikeda

We should all develop the mind to rejoice in, praise and share in the gift of those who have artistic talents and a richness of heart, whether they achieve wide recognition or not. Cultivating such a beautiful mind is a very worthy effort. Culture and art are not just decorations. They are not just accessories. What matters is whether culture enriches the essential substance of our lives. — Daisaku Ikeda

The power of growth, of improvement, the power to overcome all stagnation and break through every obstacle and transform a barren wasteland into a verdant field - that unstoppable power of hope resides right within your own heart. It wells up from the rich earth of your innermost being when you face the future without doubt or fear: "I can do more. I can grow. I can become a bigger and better human being." — Daisaku Ikeda

Within the heart of every person exists the flame of wisdom that transforms all suffering into kindling for the fire of creative energy. — Daisaku Ikeda

The power of art can break the shackles that bind and divide human beings. — Daisaku Ikeda

Envying another's beauty will diminish your own. But when you praise beauty in others your own beauty deepens. — Daisaku Ikeda

No matter what kind of difficult situation one may find oneself in, some opening, some opportunity to fight one's way out, can always be found. What's most important is to hold fast to Hope, to face the future with courage. — Daisaku Ikeda

It is senseless to blame others or your environment for your miseries. Change begins from the moment you muster the courage to act. When you change, the environment will change. The power to change the world is found nowhere but within our own life. — Daisaku Ikeda

No matter how hopeless or bleak things appear, the moment always comes when suddenly our spirit revives, and hope is reborn. That is why we must never give up. — Daisaku Ikeda

The wisdom and experience of older people is a resource of inestimable worth. Recognizing and treasuring the contributions of older people is essential to the long-term flourishing of any society. — Daisaku Ikeda

Life can unfold unlimitedly as long as we have a heart of appreciation and an undefeated mind. — Daisaku Ikeda

Buhhdism is wisdom. As long as we have wisdom, we can put all things to the best use, we can turn everything in the direction of happiness. — Daisaku Ikeda

We have both a weak self and a strong self; the two are completely different. If we allow our weak side to dominate, we will be defeated. The thought ,"I am still young and have a lot of time, so I can relax and take life easy" is a function of our own weakness. — Daisaku Ikeda

Hope is life's greatest treasure. If you have no hope, create some! — Daisaku Ikeda

A person's true nature is revealed at times of the greatest adversity. — Daisaku Ikeda

Victory lies in not getting defeated. — Daisaku Ikeda

Dialogue starts from the courageous willingness to know and be known by others. It is the painstaking and persistent effort to remove all obstacles that obscure our common humanity. — Daisaku Ikeda

The greatest tragedy in life is not to die, it is to live as if dead, to let the life within us wither. Toward what goal or achievement are we striving in life? This is the important question to ask ourselves. — Daisaku Ikeda

A person fully awakened to the jewel-like dignity of their own life is capable of truly respecting that same treasure in others. — Daisaku Ikeda

A commitment to human rights cannot be fostered simply through the transmission of knowledge. Action and experience play a crucial role in the learning process. — Daisaku Ikeda

Why doesn't constant trampling defeat the dandelion? The key to its strength is its long and sturdy root, which extends deep into the earth. The same priciple applies to people. The true victors in life are those who, enduring repeated challenges and setbacks, have sent the roots of their being to such a depth that nothing can shake them. — Daisaku Ikeda

An attitude of compassion does not mean looking down on someone, pitying them in their misery. Compassion is based on respect. We discuss life as equals, learn from each other and strive together to improve our lives. — Daisaku Ikeda

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. — Daisaku Ikeda

Leadership that exploits and sacrifices young people on the altar of its goals is nothing more than raw, demonic power. Genuine leadership is found in ceaseless efforts to foster young people, to pave the way forward for them. — Daisaku Ikeda

Lack of wisdom does not make a fool. A fool, in the truest sense, is the man who regards his own misfortunes or those of others as a source of doubt or criticism of the infinite mercy of the Gohonzon.-Josei Toda — Daisaku Ikeda

So long as human history continues, we will face the perennial challenge of realizing, maintaining and strengthening peace through dialogue, of making dialogue the sure and certain path to peace. We must uphold and proclaim this conviction without cease, whatever coldly knowing smiles or cynical critiques may greet us. — Daisaku Ikeda

Anyone who has ever made a resolution discovers that the strength of that determination fades in time. The moment you feel that is when you should make a fresh determination. Tell yourself, "OK! I will start again from now!" If you fall down seven times, get up an eighth. Don't give up when you feel discouraged-jus t pick yourself up and renew your determination each time. — Daisaku Ikeda

Health is not simply the absence of illness. Real health is the will to overcome every form of adversity and use even the worst of circumstances as a springboard for new growth and development. Simply put, the essence of health is the constant renewal and rejuvenation of life. — Daisaku Ikeda

When we have a genuine sense that,
no matter how difficult our present
circumstances, we are not alone-that
we are vitally connected with others
and with the world-we will, without
fail, rise up to the challenge of living
again. — Daisaku Ikeda

The effects of human rights education can be dramatic in awakening people to the value and power of their own lives, as shown in the following stories. — Daisaku Ikeda

Ultimately, the only way to make good friends is to become a good friend yourself. Good people gather around other good people. — Daisaku Ikeda

Genuine happiness can only be achieved when we transform our way of life from the unthinking pursuit of pleasure to one committed to enriching our inner lives, when we focus on 'being more' rather than simply having more. — Daisaku Ikeda

A truley heroic way of life lies in squarely confronting and courageously overcoming the pounding vicissitudes that life always throws in our paths — Daisaku Ikeda

Genuine sincerity opens people's hearts, while manipulation causes them to close. — Daisaku Ikeda

I believe that we must maintain pride in the knowledge that the actions we take, based on our own decisions and choices as individuals, link directly to the magnificent challenge of transforming human history. — Daisaku Ikeda

What matters is the value we've created in our lives, the people we've made happy and how much we've grown as people. — Daisaku Ikeda

The place where you are now is vital. The path toward victory opens from where you stand. — Daisaku Ikeda

We are not merely passive pawns of historical forces; nor are we victims of the past. We can shape and direct history. — Daisaku Ikeda

With love and patience, nothing is impossible. — Daisaku Ikeda

If we are to put the era of nuclear terror behind us, we must struggle against the real 'enemy.' That enemy is not nuclear weapons per se, nor is it the states that possess or develop them. The real enemy that we must confront is the ways of thinking that justify nuclear weapons; the readiness to annihilate others when they are seen as a threat or as a hindrance to the realization of our objectives. — Daisaku Ikeda

The eyes of a poet discover in each person a unique and irreplaceable humanity. While arrogant intellect seeks to control and manipulate the world, the poetic spirit bows with reverence before its mysteries. — Daisaku Ikeda

Likewise, education can direct people toward good or evil ends. When education is based on a fundamentally distorted worldview, the results are horrific. — Daisaku Ikeda

While it is important to win, it's even more important to remain undefeated no matter what happens. — Daisaku Ikeda

The role of humankind is to use the cultural and social environment it has created to devise new global values ... Human relations with nature are intimately bound up in interpersonal relations and with the relation of the self and its inner life. — Daisaku Ikeda

It's important to resolve to yourself, 'I will absolutely win!' Then this firm commitment will serve as the wellspring of great wisdom and courage that surges forth from within. — Daisaku Ikeda

Hope is the sun. It is light. It is passion. It is the fundamental force for life's blossoming. — Daisaku Ikeda

Dig beneath your feet, there you will find a spring. The place where you are now is crucial. Never try to avoid that which you must do. — Daisaku Ikeda

There is no true joy in a life lived closed up in the little shell of the self. When you take one step to reach out to people, when you meet with others and share their thoughts and sufferings, infinite compassion and wisdom well up within your heart. Your life is transformed. — Daisaku Ikeda

We are responsible for our own destiny. What matters is how we improve ourselves from this moment forward. — Daisaku Ikeda

Creating harmony amidst diversity is a fundamental issue of the twenty-first century. While celebrating the unique characteristics of different peoples and cultures, we have to create solidarity on the level of our common humanity, our common life. Without such solidarity, there will be no future for the human race. Diversity should not beget conflict in the world, but richness. — Daisaku Ikeda

Just as a diamond can only be polished by another diamond, it is only through genuine, all-out engagement with others that people can polish their character, and help each other to reach greater heights. — Daisaku Ikeda

Freedom doesn't mean the absence of all restrictions. It means possessing unshakable conviction in the face of any obstacle. — Daisaku Ikeda

But I believe we must not allow feelings of defeat to take root in our hearts. — Daisaku Ikeda

The important thing is to firmly fix our gaze on our own weaknesses, not run away from them, but to battle them head-on and establish a solid self that nothing can sway. Hardships forge and polish our lives, so that eventually they shine with brilliant fortune and benefit. If left in its raw, unpolished form, even the most magnificent gem will not sparkle. The same applies to our lives. — Daisaku Ikeda

Music speaks directly to the heart. This response, this echo within the heart, is proof that human hearts can transcend the barriers of time and space and nationality. Exchanges in the field of culture can play an important role in enabling people to overcome mistrust and prejudice and build peace. — Daisaku Ikeda