Gems of Wisdom

Been doing some house keeping on my computer; can't believe I have so much junk! Anyways, been deleting like crazy when I came upon some Buddhist encouragements. They're a mish-mash of quotes either from Soka Gakkai's President Daisaku Ikeda or from Nichiren Daishonin or from someone... don't know either way. Well here they are:

1. This moment, this instant, is important, not some unknown time in the future. Today, this very day, is what matters. You must put your whole being into the time exist now, for future victory rests in the present moment.
2. 'Dig below your feet, and there you will find a wellspring.' Taking care of the task at hand is important. The main thing is to make your goals clear and then set about achiving them one by one with steady and thorough effort. Only through such continuous effort can we open up the path before us.
3. Our lives are full of possibilities. It depends how we view ourselves, how well we regconize these possibilities and what kind of relationship we chose to create with our surrounding. The important thing is that we create a positive relationship with the ever-shifting surrounding at every moment and thereby create values.
4. Each moment of our lives is a struggle between creating good causes and giving in to our own weaknesses and negativity. We always have the choice of taking responsibility for our future and taking action with the strong conviction that it is never too late to change our lives for the better.
5. Why waste time wallowing in the misery of the unchangeable past when there is so much joy and appreciation to gain in making each moment, each day, a valuable step toward the unlimited potential of the future?
6. Big-hearted people are happy people. Faith enables us to become such people. 'I know I'll be all right no matter what happens. I'm not worry about me. More importnatly, I want to help this person. I want to give hope to that person.' Such is the kind of big- hearted person.
7. The most important people are those in your immediate environment. These are the people you must value. The wise person considers the special characteristics of each person he or she meets and ehlps them to bring out their full potential.
8. It's important to elevate your life condition so that you can calmly accept whatever happens in life, always striving to put problems into proper perspective and solving them with a positive attitude. Happiness blossoms forth from such a strong and all encompassing life condition. You are on the path of a fulfilling and enjoyable life if you have the depth of faith to regard everything as a source for creating happiness and value.
9. Unless we are strong, we cannot win in life. The essence of our human revolution is to become as strong a human being as possible. President Toda used to say, "Become individuals who are strong physically, intellectually & spiritually." To be strong in all 3 areas is the ideal. Many people may be strong in one or two of these areas, but only when all 3 are combined can we enjoy a well-balances life. A life of resounding victory. Those who cultivate such well-rounded strength are never defeated.
10. Defeat in the morning is connected with the defeat of an entire day. One day's defeat may even ultimately bring about the downfall of one's entire life. On the other hand, a fresh start in the morning brings about fulfillment and steady progress throughout the entire day. These will invariably lead to contentment and victory in life. Therefore, the important thing is to win in the morning and make a fresh start everyday. No matter how sleepy or tired you may be, only when you win over yourself you have a victorious day.
11. Buddhism is not found somewhere else separate from such beautiful expressions of humanity as appreciation and courtesy towards others. Our world of faith must be a gathering that is full of affection and heartfelt consideration.
12. The conversation of keen women of keen perception who are sensitive to the feelings of others has the power to open the most barricaded heart. And it is invariable women's cries for justice that moves people to action and changes the time.
13. When you devote yourself to chanting daimoku with strong faith, you can develop the capacity to respect one another and help each other's life condition expand like the vast sky. With such a supreme life condition, your life will be totally free from any form of unhappiness that arises from conflicts based upon a small mided ego or ill feelings towards others.
14. It is foolish to compare youself to others and seesaw between feelings of joy and sorrow at your relative strength and weaknesses. Isnt it far better to strive to improve yourself as to be better today than you were yesterday, and better tommorrow than today?
15. Complaining doesn’t help. Whining doesn't produce anything of benefit. When faced with trouble, the way to rouse your courage is to think positively. If you set a positive goal- to learn something new, to regain your health, to live a richer life; courage, hope and wisdom will well forth to meet the challenge.
16. As it says in Presidents Ikeda's poem: Arise, the sun of the century. Show action rooted in compassion for others. Be the proof as a person of value at work, Be the foundation of peace and happiness at home. And be the light of good sense in society.
17. Making a great vow creates a strong self. The pledge to work towards a worthy goal enable us to overcome our weaknesses and becomes a solid support in helping us challenge any and all difficulties.
18. Faith is the cause, and the life-state of Buddhahood, the effect. Both cause and effect are contained within a single life-moment.
19. To stand alone means to draw forth hope from within and develop an unshakeable self.
20. It's natural for us to apply various types of definitions to people situation & ourselves, in order to make sense of the world. Unless we are careful about the nature of our thoughts & opinions, however, we can easily become trapped in narrow & negative views: "He's not a very nice person," "I'm not good at relationships." "There'll never be peace in the Middle East." As soon as we make up our minds about something in this way, we impose a limitation on it, shutting out the possibilities of growth & development....
    
21. When we choose to view things in terms of their infinite positive potential, however, our thoughts & actions become a constructive influence; helping create the conditions for that potential to become reallity. Because of the intimate interconnectedness of all things each of us, at each moment has a profound impact on the shared reality of life. The way we see things has a definite effect on reality. Realizing this enables us to act with the confidence that we can shape reality toward positive outcomes....
    
22. The most positive and constructive view is to believe in the unbounded positive potential inherent in all life. Buddhism terms this potential- the real nature of life-'Buddhahood'.
    
23. Buddhahood, the highest realm, is characterized by boundless compassion, wisdom, joy and the courage and strength to surmount all hardship in order to help others attain this state.
24. Buddhism is action.