On the NewYears Gosho, a poem is read and credited to President Ikeda. It is the Optimist Creed almost word for word. The Optimist Creed was written by Christian Larsen in 1912. I am hoping that this is a misunderstanding. Can you tell me where this poem is cited by President Ikeda?
Comment by Teresa York — September 28, 2009 @ 3:27 am
Dear Teresa
Thank you so much for this reference.
We did this podcast nearly 4 years ago. Since that time I have since found so many variations of this poem and have realised that the version I had picked up had been altered to fit Buddhist terms and incorrectly accredited to President Ikeda.
This has been nagging the back of my mind for so long and I am so pleased that you have been able to correctly source this wonderful poem to Christian Larsen.
If I might trouble you to send me the original poem we could make a correction on the next podcast? Thank you so much.
Please know that I would never criticize. As a new member of SGI-USA, your podcast is invaluable to me. The citing of this as written by President Ikeda put a doubt in my mind about the path I had recently chosen that I was having trouble working out. I felt that I needed to know for sure one way or another. It is probably a symptom of my journey being so new that I allowed something so small to create doubts. I will copy and paste the optimist creed here. Thank you so much for taking the time to responding to me. You have no idea how much it means to me!
Comment by Teresa York — September 28, 2009 @ 2:14 pm
The Optimist Creed
The following version, without the title “The Optimist Creed,” is quoted from Science of Mind 71 (June 1998): 50.
Promise Yourself
To be so strong that nothing can disturb your peace of mind.
To talk health, happiness, and prosperity to every person you meet.
To make all your friends feel that there is something worthwhile in them.
To look at the sunny side of everything and make your optimism come true.
To think only of the best, to work only for the best and to expect only the best.
To be just as enthusiastic about the success of others as you are about your own.
To forget the mistakes of the past and press on to the greater achievements of the future.
To wear a cheerful expression at all times and give a smile to every living creature you meet.
To give so much time to improving yourself that you have no time to criticize others.
To be too large for worry, too noble for anger, too strong for fear, and too happy to permit the presence of trouble.
To think well of yourself and to proclaim this fact to the world, not in loud word, but in great deeds.
To live in the faith that the whole world is on your side, so long as you are true to the best that is in you.
A somewhat different and shortened version of this was adopted by Optimist International, which publishes it on the Web, with the following statement:
Many have found inspiration in The Optimist Creed. In hospitals, the creed has been used to help patients recover from illness. In locker rooms, coaches have used it to motivate their players.
Optimist International adopted this creed in 1922. It was originally published in 1912 in a book titled: “Your Forces and How to Use Them.” The author was Christian D. Larson, a prolific writer and lecturer who believed that people have tremendous latent powers, which could be harnessed for success with the proper attitude.
Comment by Teresa York — September 28, 2009 @ 2:16 pm
Thank you so much Teresa! How great to have the original uncovered! I will make sure we make this correction on the next podcast! Thank you thank you thank you!
Have a truly wonderful week!
Jason
In response to Michelle’s post, I would like to add that I’m not a newbie but still I find the podcasts extremely powerful, and so well explained. I have learnt so much in the time I have been listening to them. The Gosho’s and other aspects are so well explained.
Hi Jason,
As new member of SGl UK I want to tell you that your podcast it’s so important for every one in complement of Chanting.
Victory to Nam-Myoho-Renge-Kyo
Thank you so,
Jean-marie Guéguen
Comment by Jean-marie Guéguen — August 24, 2014 @ 3:50 pm
On the NewYears Gosho, a poem is read and credited to President Ikeda. It is the Optimist Creed almost word for word. The Optimist Creed was written by Christian Larsen in 1912. I am hoping that this is a misunderstanding. Can you tell me where this poem is cited by President Ikeda?
Comment by Teresa York — September 28, 2009 @ 3:27 am
Dear Teresa
Thank you so much for this reference.
We did this podcast nearly 4 years ago. Since that time I have since found so many variations of this poem and have realised that the version I had picked up had been altered to fit Buddhist terms and incorrectly accredited to President Ikeda.
This has been nagging the back of my mind for so long and I am so pleased that you have been able to correctly source this wonderful poem to Christian Larsen.
If I might trouble you to send me the original poem we could make a correction on the next podcast? Thank you so much.
Comment by jason — September 28, 2009 @ 8:08 am
Please know that I would never criticize. As a new member of SGI-USA, your podcast is invaluable to me. The citing of this as written by President Ikeda put a doubt in my mind about the path I had recently chosen that I was having trouble working out. I felt that I needed to know for sure one way or another. It is probably a symptom of my journey being so new that I allowed something so small to create doubts. I will copy and paste the optimist creed here. Thank you so much for taking the time to responding to me. You have no idea how much it means to me!
Comment by Teresa York — September 28, 2009 @ 2:14 pm
The Optimist Creed
The following version, without the title “The Optimist Creed,” is quoted from Science of Mind 71 (June 1998): 50.
Promise Yourself
To be so strong that nothing can disturb your peace of mind.
To talk health, happiness, and prosperity to every person you meet.
To make all your friends feel that there is something worthwhile in them.
To look at the sunny side of everything and make your optimism come true.
To think only of the best, to work only for the best and to expect only the best.
To be just as enthusiastic about the success of others as you are about your own.
To forget the mistakes of the past and press on to the greater achievements of the future.
To wear a cheerful expression at all times and give a smile to every living creature you meet.
To give so much time to improving yourself that you have no time to criticize others.
To be too large for worry, too noble for anger, too strong for fear, and too happy to permit the presence of trouble.
To think well of yourself and to proclaim this fact to the world, not in loud word, but in great deeds.
To live in the faith that the whole world is on your side, so long as you are true to the best that is in you.
A somewhat different and shortened version of this was adopted by Optimist International, which publishes it on the Web, with the following statement:
Many have found inspiration in The Optimist Creed. In hospitals, the creed has been used to help patients recover from illness. In locker rooms, coaches have used it to motivate their players.
Optimist International adopted this creed in 1922. It was originally published in 1912 in a book titled: “Your Forces and How to Use Them.” The author was Christian D. Larson, a prolific writer and lecturer who believed that people have tremendous latent powers, which could be harnessed for success with the proper attitude.
Comment by Teresa York — September 28, 2009 @ 2:16 pm
Thank you so much Teresa! How great to have the original uncovered! I will make sure we make this correction on the next podcast! Thank you thank you thank you!
Have a truly wonderful week!
Jason
Comment by Jason — September 28, 2009 @ 2:33 pm
Hi Jason
I just wanted to say that as a newbie to Nichiren buddhism I’m finding your podcasts incredibly helpful and insightful.
Thank you
Comment by Michelle — May 29, 2014 @ 2:11 am
Hi Jason
In response to Michelle’s post, I would like to add that I’m not a newbie but still I find the podcasts extremely powerful, and so well explained. I have learnt so much in the time I have been listening to them. The Gosho’s and other aspects are so well explained.
Thanks Jason. Long may these podcasts continue.
Comment by Lulu — June 3, 2014 @ 10:49 am
Hi Jason,
As new member of SGl UK I want to tell you that your podcast it’s so important for every one in complement of Chanting.
Victory to Nam-Myoho-Renge-Kyo
Thank you so,
Jean-marie Guéguen
Comment by Jean-marie Guéguen — August 24, 2014 @ 3:50 pm