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 IkedaEnvying another's beauty will diminish your own. But when you praise beauty in others your own beauty deepens.
Daisaku IkedaHuman beings are inherently endowed with the power to bring out the best possible results from the worst possible circumstances.
Daisaku IkedaWomen 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 IkedaAdversity 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 IkedaJust 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 IkedaSo long as nuclear weapons continue to exist, so will the temptation to threaten others with overwhelming military force.
Daisaku IkedaStrength is happiness. Strength is itself victory. In weakness and cowardice there is no happiness
Daisaku IkedaI 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 IkedaThe heart is what is important." There is nothing more vulnerable, nothing more corruptible than the human mind; nor is there anything as powerful, steadfast and ennobling.
Daisaku IkedaHistory is filled with tragic examples of wars that result from diplomatic impasse. Whether in our local communities or in international relations, the skillful use of our communicative capacities to negotiate and resolve differences is the first evidence of human wisdom.
Daisaku IkedaNothing is more precious than peace. Peace is the most basic starting point for the advancement of humankind.
Daisaku IkedaAs long as we are human, we are destined to make mistakes. We all fall prey to flawed beliefs and views. What separates a forward-looking person from an intransigent one, a virtuous person from a malevolent one, however, is whether one can candidly admit to ones mistakes and take bold steps to redress them.
Daisaku IkedaWhat 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 IkedaThe institutions of human society treat us as parts of a machine. They assign us ranks and place considerable pressure upon us to fulfill defined roles. We need something to help us restore our lost and distorted humanity. Each of us has feelings that have been suppressed and have built up inside. There is a voiceless cry resting in the depths of our souls, waiting for expression. Art gives the soul's feelings voice and form.
Daisaku IkedaWhy 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 IkedaTrue love should be transformative; a process that amplifies our capacity to cherish not just one person but all people. It can make us stronger, lift us higher and deepen us as individuals. Only to the extent that we polish ourselves now can we hope to develop wonderful bonds of the heart in the future.
Daisaku IkedaPeople 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 IkedaLife is filled with potential that is truly unfathomable. At last we are coming to see the enormous power it possesses. That is why we must never write anyone off. In particular, we mustn’t put boundaries on our own potential. In most cases, our so-called limitations are nothing more than our own decision to limit ourselves.
Daisaku IkedaHumanity 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 IkedaNo one can live entirely on their own, nor can any country or society exist in isolation.
Daisaku IkedaReality 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 IkedaThe economy is after all driven by people. No matter how dire the situation may be, as long as people are firm, a turnaround, revival and progress can be possible.
Daisaku IkedaIt 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 IkedaTrue happiness means forging a strong spirit that is undefeated, no matter how trying our circumstances.
Daisaku IkedaWhatever the outcome may be, the important thing is to step forward on the path that you believe is right.
Daisaku IkedaYouthfulness 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 IkedaCourage 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 IkedaThe 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 Ikedait is impossible to build one's own happiness on the unhappiness of others. This perspective is at the heart of Buddhist teachings.
Daisaku IkedaKeep 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 IkedaA 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 IkedaIf 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 IkedaThere are some among the so-called elite who are overbearing and arrogant. I want to foster leaders, not elitists.
Daisaku IkedaWhat may look like a small act of courage is courage nevertheless. The important thing is to be willing to take a step forward.
Daisaku IkedaIn the past, human society provided encouragement and opportunity for people to extend support to each other, especially in highly stressful situations.
Daisaku IkedaNo 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