Daisaku Ikeda addresses the topic of health from a Buddhist perspective, sharing some important passages from Nichiren's writings. In the five lessons presented in this volume, taken from the series "Buddhism of the Sun," SGI President Daisaku Ikeda addresses the topic of health, sharing important passages from Nichiren Daishonin's writings from various perspectives.
The author, starting from every person's desire to be healthy and live a long life, shows how the compassionate light of Buddhism can illuminate the darkness stemming from the sufferings of birth, aging, sickness, and death, and offer humanity the ability not to view illness with aversion but to consider it an integral part of the precious experience of being alive, an indispensable step on the journey toward happiness and the attainment of Buddhahood in this existence. In his lesson, Ikeda also clarifies that medical science and faith in Nichiren Daishonin's Buddhism are in no way contradictory.
Because we embrace the great teaching of Nam-myoho-renge-kyo, there are no karmic sufferings that we cannot overcome. There is no need to worry or fear illness; what matters is our attitude, the way we face it.
Daisaku Ikeda
When we consider illness as one of the sufferings inherent in life, we can appreciate the true richness of the experience of living. Buddhism considers illness an innate part of life. When we fall ill, we understand how important and precious it is to be healthy, and we appreciate our life and our mission more. Furthermore, facing illness with strong faith and tenacious prayer, thereby developing a vast life-condition, instills courage and hope in those around us. In this way, illness becomes our mission.
Daisaku Ikeda
