Burning Midnight-Oil.

The time of the semester has finally come again! I'm sure no matter what course we are currently pursuing, how many examinable modules are left or how many projects we have to rush, I'm sure we are all working hard.

Here's something to share with those who hasn't felt the urgency to revise and the rest who have been working hard yet are struggling from time to time. The following excerpts are taken from NHR Volume 4, "Fresh Leaves" chapter.

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Regarding study.

When Shin'ichi met with some youths at a garden in the newly completed Jitsudo-ji, a temple donated by the Soka Gakkai.

"Are all of you studying hard?"

Looking at the young people around him, he saw that some nodded while others blushed and dropped their eyes.

"Studying is what counts. No matter how busy you are, you still should read one or two books a month. Those who realize great success in society, even if they've no formal schooling, all study very hard. This is the time you need to work hard, study earnestly and develop your abilities."

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Regarding time management.

"Again, in trying to strike a balance between work and activities, you have to consider the problem of time. It is only natural that a student, for example, should study hard before an examination. And there are similar critical times on a job. At such times, it's natural to devote most of your time to work.

"While we are young, however, we should exert ourselves so that we can honestly say that we've done our best in both our work and Gakkai activities. That's because our efforts during this time will become the foundation for our entire lives. President Toda often said,

'In faith, do the work of one; in your job, do the work of three.'

"There are two sides to everything. Not seeing things just one way is very human. Life involves striking a balance amid the tensions of conflicting issues while striving to always improve ourselves and move ahead. While we may think that concentrating on one thing - work, for example - would make life a lot less complicated, it's a mistake to cast aside other committments or pursuits on that account."

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Let our current struggles be treasures of our future! All of us should advance with courage, wisdom, strength and emerge victorious!!

Let's give in 100% in practicing this wonderful Buddhism!
Let's put in 300% in our studies and work!

NPSD! Together, We Win!