Book Recommendations: Discussions on Youth

As we focus this month on the theme of friendships, here are some short excerpts to inspire and encourage from Buddhist philosopher, Daisaku Ikeda.

What is true friendship?

“It is not simply a matter of being favorably disposed toward someone because he or she spends a lot of time with you, or lends you money, or is nice to you, or because you get along well and have a lot in common. True friendship implies a relationship where you empathize with your friends when they’re suffering and encourage them not to lose heart, and where they, in turn, empathize with you when you’re in the same boat and try to cheer you up. A friendship with those qualities flows as beautifully as a pure, fresh stream.”

— Daisaku Ikeda

On making friends

“There’s no need to worry or be overly anxious if you cannot immediately form the ideal friendships you wish for. Life is long, and you’ll have many opportunities to make friends. Just be patient, and don’t give up. When you are young, you go through many changes, and so do your peers. The most important thing is to forge a strong self. Find your dream—the one that’s right for you—and work to make it come true.

Sometimes friendship just happens. Sometimes you have to seek it out. Sometimes it develops from sharing similar likes and dislikes. However, it starts, friendship is friendship.”

— Daisaku Ikeda

Image from: Zen Chung - Pexels

Friendship and peace

“While all people becoming friends is the ideal, we know that this, unfortunately, is not the case in the world today. That’s why it’s so important to forge friendships with as many people as we can. We must face the challenges of reality and make what changes we can, small as they may be. The accumulation of such efforts will gradually lead to lasting world peace.”

— Daisaku Ikeda