Rather than complaining about unfavourable situations or
bewailing the difficulties we might be facing,
let's challenge to develop the strength
to be able to calmly face all our problems
and confidently overcome every single obstacle!*
We all practice the Mystic Law
that enables us to "change poison into medicine"**.
Let's enjoy all the different facets of life!
Daisaku Ikeda
*"Practicing the Daishonin’s Buddhism means not being swayed this way and that; it means constructing a self that is solid and resolute like towering Mount Fuji. But if we neglect this task and focus our energies somewhere else, we can end up veering onto a path of seeking the Law externally before we’re even aware of it.
"For example, if we chant to the Gohonzon but always blame other people or our environment for our circumstances, we are avoiding the challenge of tackling our inner darkness or ignorance. By doing so, we are seeking enlightenment outside of us. It is by changing ourselves on a more profound level that we can begin to improve our situation. Prayer is the driving force for that change.
"...In addition, it is also important that we try to rid our lives of general doubt and disbelief as well as grumbling and complaining. The erroneous belief that Myoho-renge-kyo (the Mystic Law) exists outside of our life has at its core an inability to believe that all people, both ourselves and others, possess the Buddha nature. And this disbelief stems from fundamental darkness or ignorance.
"In terms of attitude in faith, this tendency to sceptically regard the Buddha nature as “a nice ideal but one that doesn’t really change reality” will manifest itself as prayer that is weak, vague, and lacking confidence. If our efforts in faith are half-hearted, we won’t be able to change our attitude or fundamentally transform our life.
"As the Daishonin indicates in this writing when he says, “You must summon up deep faith” (WND, 3), if we hope to attain Buddhahood in this lifetime, we must continue striving to deepen our faith and prayer. And as our faith deepens, it will manifest as confident and concrete prayer.
"Because our practice of faith is aimed at attaining Buddhahood in this lifetime, it is absolutely essential that we have a solidly focused mind or attitude when chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo. It is like trying to shoot an arrow: without a clear target, we won’t draw the bow with any real energy or determination. In the same way, our prayers can only be realized when we replace vague yearnings with concrete determinations and confident daimoku to definitely accomplish what we hope to achieve.
"Grumbling and complaining are the principal gateways leading to general doubt and disbelief. Even if we know that such behaviour is wrong, we may find ourselves doing it in spite of ourselves. Should grumbling and complaining become habitual, it will act as a constant brake on our growth and cause us to forget about advancing and improving ourselves. When that happens, we effectively close off our own potential, falling into the path of seeking the Law outside of us. While it might be a real challenge to stop grumbling and complaining, the Mystic Law gives us the wisdom to control these tendencies and use them as a springboard for positive growth and development."
SGI President Ikeda’s Study Lecture Series LECTURES ON “ON ATTAINING BUDDHAHOOD IN THIS LIFETIME” [4] Transforming Our Fundamental Attitude—Refusing to Live a Life That Is an “Endless, Painful Austerity”
** "Changing Poison into Medicine":
http://www.sokagakkai.info/html3/sg_today3/philosophy3/poison_medicine3.html
bewailing the difficulties we might be facing,
let's challenge to develop the strength
to be able to calmly face all our problems
and confidently overcome every single obstacle!*
We all practice the Mystic Law
that enables us to "change poison into medicine"**.
Let's enjoy all the different facets of life!
Daisaku Ikeda
*"Practicing the Daishonin’s Buddhism means not being swayed this way and that; it means constructing a self that is solid and resolute like towering Mount Fuji. But if we neglect this task and focus our energies somewhere else, we can end up veering onto a path of seeking the Law externally before we’re even aware of it.
"For example, if we chant to the Gohonzon but always blame other people or our environment for our circumstances, we are avoiding the challenge of tackling our inner darkness or ignorance. By doing so, we are seeking enlightenment outside of us. It is by changing ourselves on a more profound level that we can begin to improve our situation. Prayer is the driving force for that change.
"...In addition, it is also important that we try to rid our lives of general doubt and disbelief as well as grumbling and complaining. The erroneous belief that Myoho-renge-kyo (the Mystic Law) exists outside of our life has at its core an inability to believe that all people, both ourselves and others, possess the Buddha nature. And this disbelief stems from fundamental darkness or ignorance.
"In terms of attitude in faith, this tendency to sceptically regard the Buddha nature as “a nice ideal but one that doesn’t really change reality” will manifest itself as prayer that is weak, vague, and lacking confidence. If our efforts in faith are half-hearted, we won’t be able to change our attitude or fundamentally transform our life.
"As the Daishonin indicates in this writing when he says, “You must summon up deep faith” (WND, 3), if we hope to attain Buddhahood in this lifetime, we must continue striving to deepen our faith and prayer. And as our faith deepens, it will manifest as confident and concrete prayer.
"Because our practice of faith is aimed at attaining Buddhahood in this lifetime, it is absolutely essential that we have a solidly focused mind or attitude when chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo. It is like trying to shoot an arrow: without a clear target, we won’t draw the bow with any real energy or determination. In the same way, our prayers can only be realized when we replace vague yearnings with concrete determinations and confident daimoku to definitely accomplish what we hope to achieve.
"Grumbling and complaining are the principal gateways leading to general doubt and disbelief. Even if we know that such behaviour is wrong, we may find ourselves doing it in spite of ourselves. Should grumbling and complaining become habitual, it will act as a constant brake on our growth and cause us to forget about advancing and improving ourselves. When that happens, we effectively close off our own potential, falling into the path of seeking the Law outside of us. While it might be a real challenge to stop grumbling and complaining, the Mystic Law gives us the wisdom to control these tendencies and use them as a springboard for positive growth and development."
SGI President Ikeda’s Study Lecture Series LECTURES ON “ON ATTAINING BUDDHAHOOD IN THIS LIFETIME” [4] Transforming Our Fundamental Attitude—Refusing to Live a Life That Is an “Endless, Painful Austerity”
** "Changing Poison into Medicine":
http://www.sokagakkai.info/html3/sg_today3/philosophy3/poison_medicine3.html
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I'm gonna give Buddhism a run. Can someone please suggest a good book for a novice? 
Welcome to the "chanting growers thread " Jam master
