"To pray, in Nichiren Buddhism, is to make a vow to win absolutely," says Master Ikeda in one of the five lectures in this volume from the series "Sun Buddhism." Beginning with passages from Nichiren Daishonin's writings, the author addresses the topic of prayer, clarifying that prayer based on the Lotus Sutra is a prayer sure to be answered and that through the recitation of Nam myoho renders kyo we can turn everything that happens to us in a positive direction, with the confidence that even one daimoku brings immeasurable benefits. Daisaku Ikeda (1928-2023) was a Buddhist teacher, peacemaker, educator, author and poet. He was president of the international Buddhist lay association Soka Gakkai International (SGI), which has members in 192 countries and territories around the world. He was founder of the Institute of Eastern Philosophy and Soka University. In 1983 he was awarded the United Nations Peace Prize.

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Daisaku Ikeda addresses the topic of health from the perspective of Buddhism by sharing some important passages from Nichiren's writings. In the five lectures in this volume from the series "Sun Buddhism," SGI President Daisaku Ikeda addresses the topic of health by sharing some important passages from Nichiren Daishonin's writings from different perspectives. The author, starting from the desire of every person to be healthy and to be able to live long, shows how the compassionate light of Buddhism can illuminate the darkness resulting from the sufferings of birth, aging, illness and death and offer humanity the ability not to look at illness with aversion but to regard it as an integral part of the precious experience of being alive, an indispensable step in the journey toward happiness and the attainment of Buddhahood in this existence. In his lecture, Ikeda also makes it clear that medical science and faith in Nichiren Daishonin Buddhism are in no way contradictory. Because we embrace the great teaching of Nam myoho renge kyo there is no karmic suffering that we cannot overcome. There is no need to worry or fear illness; what matters is our attitude, the way we deal with it. Daisaku Ikeda When we regard illness as one of the sufferings inherent in life we can appreciate the true richness of the experience of living. Buddhism views illness as an innate part of life. When we become ill we understand how important and valuable it is to be healthy, and we appreciate our life and mission more. Moreover, facing illness with strong faith and tenacious prayer, thus developing a vast vital condition, instills courage and hope in the people around us. In this way, illness becomes our mission. Daisaku Ikeda

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  In the five lectures in this volume, taken from the "Buddhism of the Sun" series, SGI President Daisaku Ikeda addresses new members in particular, outlining the cornerstones of Soka Gakkai Buddhism. From the non-duality of master and disciple to the desire for happiness for self and others, from the spirit of standing up on one's own to the network of "good friends" we find in the organization, Ikeda illustrates the Soka religious revolution, a light of humanism that spreads across the planet, and explains how the samgha, a harmonious community of practitioners united with an open and egalitarian spirit, plays an irreplaceable role in helping people pursue their Buddhist practice.

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In the twelve lectures in this volume, taken from the series "The Buddhism of the Sun" and collected under the significant title The Religion of Human Revolution, SGI President Daisaku Ikeda outlines the contours of a genuinely humanistic religion, capable of enabling each person to revolutionize his or her own life condition and contribute to positive change in society, influencing the destiny of all humanity. Master Ikeda addresses several cardinal tenets of Buddhism and, again starting with the Daishonin's writings, explains what it means to practice Nichiren Buddhism in modern times and how the Soka Gakkai has embraced the Buddha's mandate to carry out a wide propagation of the Mystic Law, awakening numerous Bodhisattvas of Earth to their great vow. These are valuable directions from the master aimed at ensuring the eternal development of the kosen rufu movement. "In any country or society, the presence of even one member of the Soka Gakkai is the starting point for creating an era of people's victory." Daisaku Ikeda

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Five lectures by Daisaku Ikeda from the "Buddhism of the Sun" series dedicated to members of the Soka Gakkai Youth Group. "I would like to dedicate the next few lessons to the members of the Youth Group, to whom I completely entrust the worldwide kosen rufu movement. I would like to share with them various passages from the Daishonin's writings that offer guidance for becoming humanity-rich leaders and living victorious youth." With these words Daisaku Ikeda introduces the five lessons in this volume, which, although aimed specifically at youth, offer important guidance for all Soka Gakkai members. Having courage, manifesting an invincible spirit, raising successors, adopting a humanistic philosophy, realizing kosen rufu: Ikeda delves into these topics from the words of Nichiren Daishonin, never failing to share his own personal experience of struggle shared with his teacher Josei Toda.

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Faith, practice and study are truly the driving forces for the growth and victory of all members of the Soka Gakkai, Bodhisattvas of the Earth from beginningless time. They are the timeless guidelines for the efforts we make in order to fulfill the mission the Buddha has entrusted to us. engaging in faith, practice, study and embracing the correct teaching, in direct connection with Nichiren Daishonin, have always constituted the tradition of Soka Gakkai members since the beginning. "A symbol of limitless hope and infinite passion, the sun never stands still and embraces everything with its compassionate rays. Nichiren Buddhism is the Buddhism of the sun." - Daisaku Ikeda

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President Toda first expounded the three guides in December 1957. He came to formulate these guides after a long reflection while he was struggling with serious health problems. He was trying to clarify what faith the members should aspire to so that each of them, without exception, would attain happiness. Several years later, in 2003, two were added to the three guides formulated by the master by his disciple Daisaku Ikeda. The five eternal guides of the Soka Gakkai are immutable principles for deepening our faith. They point us in the direction for the attainment of Buddhahood and the realization of kosen rufu. "A symbol of unlimited hope and infinite passion, the sun never stands still and embraces everything with its compassionate rays. Nichiren Buddhism is the Buddhism of the sun." - Daisaku Ikeda

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