Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda
Thursday, November 25, 2010:

Please do not forget your mother's love or the hardships she has endured for you. I am convinced that while people keep the memory of their mothers' loving faces alive in their mind, they will never go far astray. Similarly, as long as we bear in mind the Daishonin's profound compassion and live in deep appreciation of it, our lives will be illuminated brightly by the light of Buddhahood. And enveloped in the Gohonzon's great compassion, we will walk along a path that is filled with tranquillity and immeasurable joy.

Sensei's daily encouragement14-11

Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda
Sunday, November 14, 2010:
In a family, if one person is unhappy, then so is the entire family. Therefore, I would like you to sincerely pray for and protect one another so that there are no people who are unfortunate and unhappy, or who abandon their faith, and that every person will become happy. These are the kinds of humanistic bonds among fellow members that give birth to true unity. Coercion or force stemming from power and authority is ineffective at critical moments.

Sensei's daily encouragement

There are various kinds of careers and roles that people fill in society. While each role of course has significance, the fundamental role that we each play as a Buddhist is that of philosopher of life and of humanity who can impart eternal value to humankind. We are leaders of happiness and creators of peace. In this sense, our role is unique.


in this encouragement , sensei is trying to say that there are many types of jobs and careers in society , and every type of job , no matter how poorly we are paid , or how boring or useless it is , the jobs that we do are still important as it affects the organisation that we are working for as a whole. However , beneath the significance of our work , our true role and main significant contribution to society is that we are Buddhist that spreads the philopsophy of life for humanity who truely create value within our society as well as happiness to our immediate surroundings and peace. that way , our roles in society is truely unique indeed!

-Criss

Daily Encouragment

"Be the pencil that never forgets the happy that guides its step. Be the person who never forgets to repay debts of gratitude. Be the pencil that suffers pain from the sharpener and becomes sharper in the end. Be the person who never fears suffering and use it as an opportunity for growth. Be the pencil that allows an eraser to rub out mistakes. Be the person who dares to make and learn from mistakes. Be the pencil that revels in its shiny graphite despite its lackluster woody appearance. Be the person who accumulates treasures of the heart rather than monetary gains. Be the person who finds and fulfills his mission in life" ~ Daisaku Ikeda

Counting down to 2011... What have you achieve this year?

Sensei's Video Review by Chin Peng (July 2010)

This time Sensei video covered quite a bit of things.

As far as I can remember, the meeting started with the woman division presenting a award to Mrs Kaneko Ikeda for her accomplishment on her book Kaneko's Story. She deserves the award as she really is the role model for the YWD and WDs

Sensei told the MD present at the meeting to support the YWD,WD and YMD to show proof with their experience. He also stress that the 3 founding president are from MD showing that he expects great result from MD.

He also mentioned that he did not live a life of regret as he never fail a promise with Toda sensei, as a sign of wanting us as his disciple to do the same of not leading a life of regret nor failing a promise. To proof his point, he mentioned how many academic awards he has been awarded, assuring us that we are not following a wrong mentor.

In my option he is also encouraging us and especially the Europe members to hold more dialogue as he mentioned that he had many different dialogues with different famous people of Europe.

Sensei also took that chance to encourage the Chief of culture of USA who was present, not only that he also asked a Africa leader to lead the whole meeting in 3 cheers of banzai and giving that leader bookmarks to encourage his members and leaders who could not meet sensei in person. Sensei could not encourage all the members especially those who are overseas, so he take any chance he can to encourage such members as seen from the above 2 example.

SD KENSHU is HERE!

24 hours til our annual SD KENSHU-kai!!
(Here's a love letter from our trailblazers!)

Hey all NPSD SOS (Successors of Soka) !!

Are you all prep up and looking forward to the kenshu this weekend? =)
Please rest well as I'm sure this is going to be a tiring (physically) but revitalizing (spiritually) event.

*For those who want to sign up for Personal Guidance, please let us know asap! Slots are closed when kenshu starts.

See u 12PM (Exam starts at 1pm) at SENJA this Saturday =)


*** Very Important Kenshu Update ***

Please pass the information down to your Members & Invited Friends

1. Recommended Packing List
• See table below.
• This information will be available on the website.
• 
  
2. Request for YWD
   
• Wear Tee-shirt with sleeves and at least 3 quarter trousers. i.e. no shorts and sleeveless shirt.
• Reasons: We'll be doing some exercises & games outdoors.
  
• 
  
3. Personal Guidance Sign up
• Please encourage your members & yourself to sign up as early as possible before the kenshu.
• Reasons: We need to anticipate and request the support from our seniors in advance.
• Sign up are still open untill we start our kenshu.
• 
  
4. Kenshu Registration, Exam & Reporting Time
• Please do not be late. (It is a form of kenshu training)
• CICs & Members taking SD Exams to register from 12pm onwards till 1pm.
  
• CICs & Members Exam start @ 1pm sharp.
  
• CICs & Members to register from 2pm onwards till 3pm.
• Kenshu will start @ 3pm sharp.
  
• Kenshu Day 2, Daimoku will start @ 6:45am sharp.
• NPSD MEMBERS meet @ 10am, Senja Level 2 for 80 Seconds of Fame rehearsal
  
5. SD Exam
• Please do not be late. (It is a form of kenshu training)
  
• Please inform all exam takers to bring your own pen.
  

RECOMMENDED PACKING LIST

Basic Essentials

Water bottle

Umbrella

Notepad (Writing Materials)

Pen / Pencil

Gongyo book & Beads

Personal Medication (if any)

Jacket / Sweater

Payment (Please bring exact change)

If you have ordered SD Tee-shirt, it is $6.50 per piece

If you have not paid for SD Kenshu Registration Fee

Overnight Essentials

Towel

Toothbrush

Toothpaste

Body Soap

Hair Shampoo

Facial Wash

Slippers / Flip flops

Change of Clothes

Sleeping Bag

Spare Plastic Bag (eg. used clothes)

Second Day (Outdoor)

Outdoor Light Exercise Wear

Socks

Track Shoes / Covered Shoes

3 cheers,
NPSD IICs.

Ikeda sensei had mentioned this poem by German poet, Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

He says, “Wealth lost is something lost, honor lost is something lost: Courage lost all is lost.”

We can see that courage is that important in our daily lives and practices. If we don't have courage to do something right, then everything is lost. We would hence not be able to achieve anything remarkable. In short, when we practice faith, the important thing is to manifest courage and boldly challenge all obstacles that comes into our lives, one after another. In this way, we can then say we are practicing correct faith and showing it through action. Jia you NPSD!

NPSD CAMPUS REACHout!

Hey Comrades!!

I'm sure everyone's heard about the recent (frequent) natural disasters around the world, particularly in Asia. Typhoons Ketsana and Parma slammed into Southeast Asia about two weeks ago, leaving destruction in their wake. Two powerful earthquakes rocked Indonesia's Sumatra island soon after.

Major floods hit India, Nepal, Bangladesh and much of East Asia, with thousands killed. Two-thirds of Bangladesh was inundated for months, leaving millions homeless. More than 3,000 died in China's catastrophic Yangtze River flood and millions were displaced.

Let's ask ourselves why are disasters like these happening more frequently now.

We know that human communities will always have to face natural hazards, whether floods, droughts, storms or earthquakes. But today's disasters owe as much to human activities as to the forces of nature. Indeed the term ‘natural’ is an increasingly misleading.

This is why we must raise awareness among our community and take action. There is little that can be done unless the flood waters recede. The people need a clean and dry place to stay and that will require evacuation. Most victims are not able to leave. Flood waters are dangerous because it is unclean and the waters become carriers of diseases. This is where medical teams come in. Unfortunately, disaster relief require specialized skills.

That does not mean we cannot do anything. The rampant occurrences of these disasters is beginning to disappear from public consciousness & interest. Because it is no longer exciting. But more people actually need crucial help to rebuild their lives.

Attached to this post is a link for all of us to indicate our availability for next week. Our reach-out project will be held from 2 to 6 Nov 2009, to raise funds for many of the above mentioned disasters. (Campus venue to be confirmed)

We have contacted Mercy Relief and will be working closely with them to provide monetary aid for those affected.

If anyone has suggestions how we can reignite the interest and awareness for the public to donate, pls voice them out!

PLS FILL IN THE FOLLOWING. THANKS!

http://spreadsheets.google.com/viewform?formkey=dHVpMDVOZUdCS2hKN1ZLS3dkcENha0E6MA

Ikeda Sensei has the following guidance to share regarding the Oneness of Man & Environment, how we all are inherently interconnected.

"We need to awaken to a common consciousness of all being inhabitants of Earth. This consciousness is not to be found in some distant place. It will not be found on a computer screen. It lies in our hearts, in our ability to share the pain of our fellow human beings. It is the spirit that says: "As long as you are suffering, whoever you are and whatever your suffering may be, I suffer also."

NPSD Reach Out: Phase 1/2

Thanks for everyone's participation so far!!

Hope you've received the email on August 1 2009. We are halfway through PHASE ONE of the reach out now, which is the thinking and organisation process. Our survey conclusions are:

Objectives: Unite and bond NPSD together. Raise awareness, how as youths we can contribute to society and actually, TAKE ACTION for it.
Campaign style: a movement or an exhibit.
Theme: "Humanitarian Competition".

-=-

What is Humanitarian Competition?

This is proposed by SGI founder, Tsunesaburo Makiguchi 100 years ago. He was an educator who believes that competition need not be a "winner-takes-all" style, but a "win-win" situation for all competitors.

"What is important is to set aside egotistical motives, striving to protect and improve not only one's own life, but also the lives of others. One should do things for the sake of others, because by benefiting others, we benefit ourselves."
- Tsunesaburo Makiguchi.


In the 2009 UN Peace Proposal, Sensei talks about how as individuals, companies or even the countries' government can compete healthily for some common goals stated below:

- The current Global Economic Crisis
- Poverty in the world (Proposed: create a World Food Bank)
- The abolition of nuclear weapons
- Global Warming (Proposed: Renewable Energy)

YOU may download the peace proposal from: www.sgi.org/peace2009sum.html

-=-

Here are some campaign ideas proposed by those who managed to attend the last meeting. We sincerely hope to hear more input from everyone too. You may insert new suggestions or comment on some of the ideas mentioned below.

WeiLun: Photo Competition & Exhibition
Jiawei: Petition for an issue
Jerry: Host foreign students in campus
Henry: Collection notes from NPstudents abt deeds they do to impact others' lives and their own
Jeff: Collection of used books for those who need
Criss: Skate-a-ton for a cause (To be shared further)
YingLin: Cultural Understanding through a racial FOOD FESTIVAL.
Zijing: Raise money to support third world children's education for a year.
Wen Hui:
1)Clean up the school grounds
2)clear our utensils after meals at canteen

RuiZhen:
1)Reforestation
2)Sculpture making - using recycled materials


-=-

To comment or suggest new ideas, just click on the 'Comment' link below.

To those who have suggested the above ideas, feel free to elaborate more on the ideas or create new ones.
Please describe briefly: (Include your name! :D)

- The Purpose of this idea.
- The Value or Impact you wish to leave to the NP family.
- How the idea can be carried out.

Every idea contribution is highly valued and cherished.
So, don't wait anymore!! Start thinking how we can create value in our campus NOW!!

NPSD: CAMPUS REACHout!

Some of the NPSDians are hoping to embark on a Campus ReachOut within NP. Please take the following survey to express your views!

Really hope to see everyone's responses! THANKS!

Click Here to take survey

*thanks, YY! changes have been made. it's on friday! 24/7/09

*sorry! you'll be required to fill in your name for Qns 5. For reference. Would like to contact everyone interested and for those not interested, we could update you through emails.


Meanwhile, please take good care of your health and all the best for all Formation Day activities!

See you all soon!