This is the second book published by The Sun Lotus Recovery Programme and it is designed to deepen understanding of, and belief in, The Dharma of The Nichiren Shoshu Tradition, also known as The Fuji School of Buddhism. Humanity is facing an existential crisis as we progress further into this Anthropocene Age and this book is a manifesto of the spiritual change and growth necessary to be able to gain the wisdom, arising from this Dharma and its practice, to overcome this apocalyptic destiny. The Ultimate Truth of Universal Life, or The Mystic Law of Myoho Renge Kyo and its practice needs to be established firmly in the consciousness of as many human beings as possible if we want to live in harmony with ourselves, our planet, and our universe. This book explains this Dharma and also explores the famous treatise or manifesto of The Buddha of This Age, Nichiren Daishonin, (The Great Sage Sun Lotus) called in Japanese 'Rissho Ankoku Ron' translated as: 'On Securing The Peace of The Planet through the propagation of The Ultimate Truth' This eternal treatise's relevance to this Anthropocene Age becomes more and more crystal clear and apparent in this modern era of ever quickening technological advances and environmental destruction and devastation, because there is no Planet B. Are we to be mere bystanders, voyeurs of our imminent self destruction or protagonists of the much needed spiritual revolution of the age, a revolution of being. Be the change you want to see, the transformation and transition of your life through the practice of Nichiren Shoshu Buddhism into its eternally awakened and enlightened state, is the catalyst for the transformation of your family, your community and will eventually encompass the entire Planet. This is the unlimited power and potential that can be unlocked in each individuals life, the Buddha Nature or Myoho Renge Kyo that is inherent in all life, and phenomena in the universe. We are transitioning from an age of materialism into the age of the mind, into the age of life. Humanity must undergo this transformation by changing the three poisons of greed, anger and ignorance inherent in our lives into the good medicine of awakened enlightenment to our true selves and our place in this universe. We must complete this spiritual revolution which began in Japan 800 years ago and is now gaining momentum around the globe in this modern age of globalization and inter connectedness. This is the revolution to transition from an age of materialism, to an age of universal enlightenment, which is called in Buddhist terminology 'Kosen Rufu' or World Peace. Indeed this is the most important undertaking of our time which must be achieved if we wish to survive as a species here on Planet Earth. Join us and together we can participate in our (r)evolution as we move inevitably towards this point of spiritual singularity. It is the human beings that are alive now, today, you and I, who will be the spark that ignites this great leap forward in the evolution of human consciousness on Planet Earth, on the journey towards this vital critical mass event that holds the key to the survival of the species and a new dawn for humankind. Nam Myoho Renge Kyo, Nam Myoho Renge Kyo, Nam Myoho Renge Kyo.

Changing Poison into Medicine is a collection of poetry, prose and monologues about self-healing and love. It is about the experiences of self-worth, self-discovery, uncertainty, acceptance, solitude, love, wisdom and ignorance. Ultimately, we all want to be happy. Every action in our life is motivated by that strong desire, but still, during difficult events of our lives, we tend to behave in habitual patterns and avoid what is uncomforting to us even when we know that the comfort which we are gaining out of it will be temporary. We respond to these times in ways that surrender our own happiness, causing irreparable damage to self. The book rides you through the most painful times of your life and shows how during those crucial times of adversity you could change the poisons within you into medicine and healings for others and lead your life with utmost dignity and meaning without causing damage to self.

Gleaned from more than fifty years of SGI President Ikeda's works, The Wisdom for Creating Happiness and Peace provides a window into the SGI president's thought and philosophy. His works are a boundless source of inspiration. They embody a universal message of hope and courage for a world increasingly beset with sorrow and suffering.

In Reaching Beyond, Buddhist thinker and activist Daisaku Ikeda explores the origins, development,and international influence of jazz with legendary artists Herbie Hancockand Wayne Shorter.Reflecting on their lives and careers, Mr. Hancock and Mr. Shorter sharethe lessons they have learned from their musical mentors, including MilesDavis and Art Blakey, and how the Buddhist philosophy they’ve learnedfrom President Ikeda over the past forty years deeply resonates with theemancipatory spirit of jazz.These wide-ranging conversations include such thought-provoking topics as:• Music’s mission for peace in a time of discord• The importance of the artist’s spiritual growth• The Buddhist concept of changing poison into medicine• Ways to make the “ideal America” a reality for everyoneReaching Beyond offers positive new ideasfor musicians and nonmusicians alike.

Legions of self-help authors rightly urge personal development as the key to happiness, but they typically fail to focus on its most important objective: hardiness. Though that which doesn't kill us can make us stronger, as Nietzsche tells us, few authors today offer any insight into just how to springboard from adversity to strength. It doesn't just happen automatically, and it takes practice. New scientific research suggests that resilience isn't something with which only a fortunate few of us have been born, but rather something we can all take specific action to develop. To build strength out of adversity, we need a catalyst. What we need, according to Dr. Alex Lickerman, is wisdom—wisdom that adversity has the potential to teach us. Lickerman's underlying premise is that our ability to control what happens to us in life may be limited, but we have the ability to establish a life-state to surmount the suffering life brings us. The Undefeated Mind distills the wisdom we need to create true resilience into nine core principles, including: --A new definition of victory and its relevance to happiness --The concept of the changing of poison into medicine --A way to view prayer as a vow we make to ourselves. --A method of setting expectations that enhances our ability to endure disappointment and minimizes the likelihood of quitting --An approach to taking personal responsibility and moral action that enhances resilience --A process to managing pain—both physical and emotional—that enables us to push through obstacles that might otherwise prevent us from attaining out goals --A method of leveraging our relationships with others that helps us manifest our strongest selves Through stories of patients who have used these principles to overcome suffering caused by unemployment, unwanted weight gain, addiction, rejection, chronic pain, retirement, illness, loss, and even death, Dr. Lickerman shows how we too can make these principles function within our own lives, enabling us to develop for ourselves the resilience we need to achieve indestructible happiness. At its core, The Undefeated Mind urges us to stop hoping for easy lives and focus instead on cultivating the inner strength we need to enjoy the difficult lives we all have.

Students, parents, and educators at all levels are increasingly frustrated, demoralized, burned out, and discontented with education and schooling today. At no previous time has it been more necessary to revitalize hope in the promise of education or to reestablish joy in teaching and learning than the current moment. In this timely and inspirational volume, authors from diverse disciplines consider and affirm the many places across curriculum and context where hope and joy are or can be strong and vibrant. Drawing on the life-affirming ideals of renowned education philosopher and school founder Daisaku Ikeda, Hope and Joy in Education will reenergize educational research, theory, and practice. Featuring contributions from such luminaries as Theodorea Berry, Cynthia Dillard, Walter Gershon, Francyne Huckaby, Johnny Lupinacci, and Anita Patterson, this book reminds readers that the classroom is still a magical space, brimming with the brilliant and creative energy of young people. “This is a necessary text at a necessary time if we are to revitalize hope in the promise of education.” —From the Foreword by Cynthia B. Dillard, University of Georgia “A beacon of light toward desirable collective futurities in a world of increasing complexity, uncertainty, and vulnerability.” —Ming Fang He, Georgia Southern University “These essays are just what we need in these turbulent, uncertain times: a thoughtful focus on hope and joy as the path to educating for a more just, equitable, relational, and peaceful state of being.” —Denise Taliaferro Baszile, Miami University “This insightful book urges educators to center hope and joy in our work—not by turning away from the despair of the moment, but by fostering dialogue, seeking connection, and always remembering that the true aim of education for teachers and students alike is to become more fully human.” —Gregory Michie, Chicago public school teacher