Hello Everyone,

Here is some Amazing Guidance about those Obstacles that come up and challenge us. I hope that it helps to put things into a bit of perspective when the only reality we see is the one that is in front of us. There is ALWAYS a bigger reason as to the way our Prayers are being answered.

DAILY ENCOURAGEMENT ----
"When do the three obstacles and four devils appear? The Daishonin says that they manifest when our 'practice progresses and understanding grows' (WND-1, 501).  They descend, in other words, when we are making steady progress on the path to attaining Buddhahood. He writes:

"'There is definitely something extraordinary in the ebb and flow of the tide, the rising and setting of the moon, and the way in which summer, autumn, winter, and spring give way to each other. Something uncommon also occurs when an ordinary person attains Buddhahood. At such a time, the three obstacles and four devils will invariably appear, and the wise will rejoice while the foolish will retreat.' (WND-1, 637)

When we realise that the appearance of the three obstacles and four devils signals that we are on the verge of achieving a profound inner transformation in our lives, we will be ready and eager to rise to the challenges they present, our hearts filled with courage and self-assurance. In contrast, if we allow ourselves to be intimidated and defeated by these obstacles and devilish functions, we will end up succumbing to despair and doubt and pull back from the path leading to Buddhahood. The Daishonin's statement, 'The wise will rejoice while the foolish will retreat' (WND-1, 637), represents an eternal maxim for our Buddhist practice."

SGI Newsletter No. 8247, LEARNING FROM THE WRITINGS OF NICHIREN DAISHONIN: THE TEACHINGS FOR VICTORY, [27] 'A Father Takes Faith,' Unity and Human Revolution Are the Keys to Victory in Our Efforts for Kosen-rufu, from the April 2011 issue of the Daibyakurenge, translated June 6th, 2011.