Daisaku Ikeda

“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

“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 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

“A moment’s encounter can decide the direction of one’s entire life.” ~ 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

“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

“One thing is certain: That is that the power of belief, the power of thought, will move reality in the direction of what we believe and conceive of it. If you really believe you can do something, you can. That is a fact.” ~ Daisaku Ikeda

“When we change, the world changes. The key to all change is in our inner transformation- a change of our hearts and minds. This is human revolution. We all have the power to change. When we realize this truth, we can bring forth that power anywhere, anytime, and in any situation.” ~ Daisaku Ikeda

“Life can unfold unlimitedly as long as we have a heart of appreciation and an undefeated mind.” ~ 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

“Keep moving forward, even one or two steps, in your own way. Those who live out their lives to the fullest, unperturbed by the noisy clamor around them, are the true winners.” ~ 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

“Prayer is the way to destroy all fear. It is the way to banish sorrow, the way to light a torch of hope. It is the revolution that rewrites the scenario of our destiny.” ~ Daisaku Ikeda

“Take heart, and do not let disappointment or shame stop you from moving forward. The true outcome of life is only apparent at the very end.” ~ Daisaku Ikeda

“One’s true worth as a human being is not a matter of outward appearance or title, but derives rather from the breadth of one’s spirit. Everything comes down to faith and conviction. It is what is in one’s heart, and the substance of one’s actions that count.” ~ Daisaku Ikeda

“In most cases, our so-called limitations are nothing more than our own decision to limit ourselves.” ~ 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

“A genuinely happy person is one who has rendered others happy.” ~ 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

“Patience is, in and of itself, a great challenge and it often holds the key to breaking through a seeming impasse.” ~ Daisaku Ikeda

“In life when we feel we have reached a limit, that is when the true battle begins. Just when you despair and think it is impossible to go any further, will you become apathetic, or will you say it’s not over and stand up with an unyielding spirit? The battle is decided by this single determination.” ~ Daisaku Ikeda

“When human beings live together, conflict is inevitable. War is not.” ~ 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

“Strength is happiness. Strength is itself victory. In weakness and cowardice there is no happiness.” ~ 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

“All people have a natural desire to be needed, to have their importance to others tangibly confirmed.” ~ Daisaku Ikeda

“True happiness means forging a strong spirit that is undefeated, no matter how trying our circumstances.” ~ Daisaku Ikeda

“No matter how healthy, intelligent or affluent we may be, if our minds are weak, then our happiness will also be frail and brittle. Our minds of faith, moreover, enable us to bring out the full potential in all things and situations, so it is crucial that we strive to forge our minds of faith.” ~ Daisaku Ikeda

“We are responsible for our own destiny. What matters is how we improve ourselves from this moment forward.” ~ 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

“Genuine sincerity opens people’s hearts, while manipulation causes them to close.” ~ 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

“You will pass through storms and heavy rains, and at times you will suffer defeat. The essence of the creative life, however, is not to give up in the face of defeat but to follow the rainbow that exists within your heart.” ~ Daisaku Ikeda

“Never be shaken, no matter what happens or what others may say. Never be flustered; never lose confidence. This is the way we should strive to live our lives. Being able to do so is a sign of genuine character.” ~ Daisaku Ikeda

“Strength is Happiness. Strength is itself victory. In weakness and cowardice there is no happiness. When you wage a struggle, you might win or you might lose. But regardless of the short-term outcome, the very fact of your continuing to struggle is proof of your victory as a human being.” ~ Daisaku Ikeda

“While it is important to win, it’s even more important to remain undefeated no matter what happens.” ~ Daisaku Ikeda

“Ultimately, all human activities have as their goal the realization of happiness. Why, then, have we ended up producing the opposite result? Could the underlying cause be our failure to correctly understand the true nature of happiness?” ~ 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

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

“Hope is the sun. It is light. It is passion. It is the fundamental force for life’s blossoming.” ~ Daisaku Ikeda

“Come on obstacles! I’ve been expecting you! This is the chance that I’ve been waiting for!” ~ Daisaku Ikeda

“Often the biggest obstacle in meeting life’s challenges is actually our own fear of failure.” ~ 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

“Ideal love is fostered only between two sincere, mature and independent people. Real love is not two people clinging to each other; it can only be fostered between two strong people secure in their individuality.” ~ Daisaku Ikeda

“If you lose today, win tomorrow. In this never-ending spirit of challenge is found the heart of a victor.” ~ Daisaku Ikeda

“It is important that we have the inner richness to be able to look up at the stars or the moon and compose a poem once in a while. When we open wide our minds and fix our gaze on the universe, we fix our gaze on our own life.” ~ Daisaku Ikeda

“Rather than becoming discouraged, know that encountering a wall is proof of the progress that you have made so far.” ~ Daisaku Ikeda

“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

“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

“I believe that a culture of peace must be the essential foundation of our efforts for peace.” ~ Daisaku Ikeda

“Life is painful. It has thorns, like the stem of a rose. Culture and art are the roses that bloom on the stem. The flower is yourself, your humanity. Art is the liberation of the humanity inside yourself.” ~ Daisaku Ikeda

“Hope is life’s greatest treasure. If you have no hope, create some!” ~ Daisaku Ikeda

“Nothing is more precious than peace. Peace is the most basic starting point for the advancement of humankind.” ~ 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

“Victory lies in not getting defeated.” ~ Daisaku Ikeda

“No matter what our personal circumstances may be, if we ourselves become a source of light, then there will be no darkness in the world.” ~ Daisaku Ikeda

“It is only through such real-life daily struggles and challenges that a genuine sensitivity to human rights can be inculcated. This is a truth that is not limited to school education: it applies to all of us.” ~ Daisaku Ikeda

“Humanity’s collective mission in the cosmos lies in the practice of compassion.” ~ Daisaku Ikeda

“Every war, when viewed from the undistorted perspective of life’s sanctity, is a “civil war” waged by humanity against itself.” ~ 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

“Whatever the outcome may be, the important thing is to step forward on the path that you believe is right.” ~ 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

“Whatever your circumstances, whatever your past, the forces that determine your future are nowhere but within your own heart and mind. It is here that the star of your destiny shines.” ~ 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

“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

“Envying another’s beauty will diminish your own. But when you praise beauty in others your own beauty deepens.” ~ Daisaku Ikeda

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

“When we care for others our own strength to live increases. When we help people expand their state of life, our lives also expand. Actions to benefit others are not separate from actions to benefit oneself. Our lives and the lives of others are ultimately inseparable.” ~ Daisaku Ikeda

“There’s no need for us to be held back by the past or how things have been so far. The important thing is what seeds we are sowing now for the future.” ~ Daisaku Ikeda

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

“A truly beautiful person is one who is good at discovering beauty.” ~ Daisaku Ikeda

“Human beings are inherently endowed with the power to bring out the best possible results from the worst possible circumstances.” ~ Daisaku Ikeda

“The problems of aging present an opportunity to rethink our social and personal lives in order to ensure the dignity and welfare of each individual.” ~ Daisaku Ikeda

“Freedom doesn’t mean the absence of all restrictions. It means possessing unshakable conviction in the face of any obstacle.” ~ Daisaku Ikeda

“If we look at the world with a love of life, the world will reveal its beauty to us.” ~ Daisaku Ikeda

“Humanity has experienced many revolutionary changes over the course of history: revolutions in agriculture, in science, industrial production, as well as numerous political revolutions. But these have all been limited to the external aspects of our individual and collective lives.” ~ Daisaku Ikeda

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

“Anyone who has ever made a resolution discovers that the strength of their determination fades with time. The important thing is not that your resolve never wavers, but that you don’t get down on yourself when it does and throw in the towel.” ~ Daisaku Ikeda

“Youthfulness is not determined by age. It is determined by one’s life force. One who possesses hope is forever young. One who continually advances is forever beautiful.” ~ Daisaku Ikeda

“I firmly believe that the mission of religion in the 21st century must be to contribute concretely to the peaceful coexistence of humankind.” ~ Daisaku Ikeda

“The determination to win is the better part of winning.” ~ 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

“Hardships make us strong. Problems give birth to wisdom. Sorrows cultivate compassion. Those who have suffered the most will become the happiest.” ~ 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

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

“Become like the sun. If you do so, all darkness will be dispelled. No matter what happens, live confidently with the conviction that you, yourself are the “sun.” Of course, in life there are sunny days and cloudy days. But even on cloudy days, the sun is still there. Even when you are suffering, it is vital that you strive to keep the sun shining brightly in your heart.” ~ Daisaku Ikeda

“It is precisely when we have suffered defeat that we can determine to win and open the path to future victory.” ~ Daisaku Ikeda

“Just as cherry, plum, peach and damson blossoms all possess their own unique qualities, each person is unique. We cannot become someone else. The important thing is that we live true to ourselves and cause the great flower of our lives to blossom.” ~ Daisaku Ikeda

“Hopes, dreams, faith and a sense of mission enable us to open up our lives.” ~ 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

“Japan learned from the bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki that the tragedy wrought by nuclear weapons must never be repeated and that humanity and nuclear weapons cannot coexist.” ~ Daisaku Ikeda

“Hope transforms pessimism into optimism. Hope is invincible.” ~ Daisaku Ikeda

“Like the ocean that remains calm in its depths even when waves rage over its surface, and like the sun that continues shining on high even during storms, we can at each moment create value and develop our state of life, enjoying our existence to the fullest in times of both suffering and joy.” ~ Daisaku Ikeda

“Bravely overcoming one small fear gives you the courage to take on the next.” ~ Daisaku Ikeda

“One cannot, without reflection, make some into bearers of goodness and others into miscreants, judging them by relative positive or negative criteria. These, like everything else, change according to historical circumstances, the character of a society, the time and subjective points of view.” ~ Daisaku Ikeda

“When one takes action for others, one’s own suffering is transformed into the energy that can keep one moving forward; a light of hope illuminating a new tomorrow for oneself and others is kindled.” ~ Daisaku Ikeda

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

“The darker the night, the nearer the dawn. Victory in life is decided by that last concentrated burst of energy filled with the resolve to win.” ~ Daisaku Ikeda

“Encouragement inspires people and lights the flame of courage in their hearts. To have that effect, however, one must develop a radiant state of life and engage people with every ounce of one’s being. Such a spirit touches people’s lives and gives them hope and inspiration.” ~ 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

“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

“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

“With love and patience, nothing is impossible.” ~ Daisaku Ikeda

“Salute to the Smiling Faces of the 21st Century.” ~ Daisaku Ikeda

“Instead of engaging in cutthroat competition, we should strive to create value. In economic terms, this means a transition from a consumer economy – the mad rush for ownership and consumption – to a constructive economy where all human beings can participate in the act of creating lasting worth.” ~ Daisaku Ikeda

“Embrace your dreams and advance as far as they can take you.” ~ 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

“The differences between people need not act as barriers that wound, harm and drive us apart. Rather, these very differences among cultures and civilizations should be valued as manifestations of the richness of our shared creativity.” ~ Daisaku Ikeda

“I can do more. I can grow. I can become a bigger and better human being.” ~ 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

“No one should be left to suffer alone.” ~ Daisaku Ikeda

“By changing our inner state of mind, we can change any suffering or hardship into a source of joy, regarding it as a means for forging and developing our lives. To turn even sorrow into a source of creativity – this is the way of life of a Buddhist.” ~ Daisaku Ikeda

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

“Let us join our efforts toward building the unshakable foundations for a culture of peace.” ~ Daisaku Ikeda

“Let us give something to each person we meet: joy, courage, hope, assurance, or philosophy, wisdom, a vision for the future. Let us always give something.” ~ 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

“Even if things don’t unfold the way you expected, don’t be disheartened or give up. One who continues to advance will win in the end.” ~ Daisaku Ikeda

“There are no greater treasures than the highest human qualities such as compassion, courage and hope. Not even tragic accident or disaster can destroy such treasures of the heart.” ~ Daisaku Ikeda

“What our world most requires now is the kind of education that foster love for humankind, that develops character-that provides an intellectual basis for realization of peace and empowers learners to contribute to and improve society.” ~ Daisaku Ikeda

“Courage and compassion are two sides of the same coin. Compassion without courage is not genuine. You may have a compassionate thought or impulse, but if you don’t do or say anything, it’s not real compassion.” ~ Daisaku Ikeda

“Only when we connect to nature, engaged with nature, are we truly alive and vigorous. To really be alive, one must be under the sun, the moon, the shining stars and surrounded by the beautiful greenery and pure waters of the natural world.” ~ 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

“To be fearless no matter what happens-that is the root of true happiness. To move forward resolutely regardless of what lies in store-that is the spirit, the resolve, that leads to human victory.” ~ Daisaku Ikeda

“Speak out tirelessly with conviction.” ~ Daisaku Ikeda

“You must not for one instant give up the effort to build new lives for yourselves. Creativity means to push open the heavy, groaning doorway to life.” ~ Daisaku Ikeda

“To communicate the truths of history is an act of hope for the future.” ~ 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

“Divorced from the cosmos, from nature, from society and from each other, we have become fractured and fragmented.” ~ 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

“Reality is harsh. It can be cruel and ugly. Yet no matter how much we grieve over our environment and circumstances nothing will change. What is important is not to be defeated, to forge ahead bravely. If we do this, a path will open before us.” ~ Daisaku Ikeda

“No matter how complex global problems may seem, it is we ourselves who have given rise to them. They cannot be beyond our power to resolve.” ~ Daisaku Ikeda

“It is much more valuable to look for the strength in others. You can gain nothing by criticizing their imperfections.” ~ Daisaku Ikeda

“Faith is to fear nothing, to stand unswayed, the power to surmount any obstacle.” ~ Daisaku Ikeda

“Our hopes, desires and ambitions are powerful forces existing within us for the shaping of the future. They are the generating forces that create the future.” ~ Daisaku Ikeda

“If you summon your courage to challenge something, you’ll never be left with regret. How sad it is to spend your life wishing, “If only I’d had a little more courage.” Whatever the outcome may be, the important thing is to step forward on the path that you believe is right.” ~ Daisaku Ikeda

“The person who lives life fully, glowing with life’s energy, is the person who lives a successful life.” ~ 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

“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

“Living here on Earth, we breathe the rhythms of a universe that extends infinitely above us. When resonant harmonies arise between this vast outer cosmos and the inner human cosmos, poetry is born.” ~ 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

“Have the depth of faith to regard everything as a source for creating happiness and value.” ~ Daisaku Ikeda

“World peace is not something that can be realized simply by politicians signing treaties, or by business leaders creating economic cooperation. True and lasting peace will be realized only by forging bonds of trust between people at the deepest level, in the depths of their very lives.” ~ Daisaku Ikeda

“There is no one as strong as a person whose heart is always filled with gratitude.” ~ Daisaku Ikeda

“Rise to the challenges that life presents you. You can’t develop genuine character and ability by sidestepping adversity and struggle.” ~ Daisaku Ikeda

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

“A person’s true nature is revealed at times of the greatest adversity.” ~ Daisaku Ikeda

“Hope changes everything. It changes winter into summer, darkness into dawn, descent into ascent, barrenness into creativity, agony into joy.” ~ Daisaku Ikeda

“I cannot say this too strongly: Do not compare yourselves to others. Be true to who you are, and continue to learn with all your might.” ~ 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

“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

“The reactions of the human heart are not mechanical and predictable but infinitely subtle and delicate.” ~ 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

“I have for some time urged that a nuclear abolition summit to mark the effective end of the nuclear era be convened in Hiroshima and Nagasaki on the 70th anniversary of the bombings of those cities, with the participation of national leaders and representatives of global civil society.” ~ Daisaku Ikeda

“Poems and songs penned as an unstoppable outpouring of the heart take on a life of their own. They transcend the limits of nationality and time as they pass from person to person, from one heart to another.” ~ Daisaku Ikeda

“Sometimes we complain without thinking much of it, but the frightening thing about complaining is that every time we do, a cloud descends over our heart, and our hope, appreciation and joy gradually wane.” ~ Daisaku Ikeda

“Great art is created only through diligent and painstaking effort to perfect and polish oneself.” ~ 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

“Strength is Happiness.” ~ Daisaku Ikeda