Diplomacy Journal Lee Sung Jun | "Endless self-strengthening" is the power to constantly illuminate oneself. This saying resonates particularly painfully with us today.

We feel tired too often, give up too easily, and live our lives confused about when to rest and when to stop.
Modern society constantly demands speed. We are pressured to achieve immediate results, see visible results, and quantify our efforts. Consequently, many people push themselves to become stronger.

However, self-strengthening and non-stop in the Buddha's teachings is not about such compulsion. It is not about the power to outdo others, but about the steadfastness that builds us beyond our yesterdays and into our todays.

Self-strengthening and continuous work do not negate rest. Rather, it embraces proper rest. This doesn't mean never resting, but rather a vow not to let your mind remain broken. When your body is tired, rest, but never lose sight of your direction. This is the self-reliance and self-discipline of a practitioner.

We often blame ourselves when faced with failure. However, Buddhism teaches us that failure is not the end of karma, but a process. What matters is not the result, but the attitude of the mind that rises again. Taking another breath, taking another step. That small repetition changes life.

Self-reliance and self-discipline are not the language of competition but the language of practice. It is the strength not to compare yourself with others, not to be swayed by worldly standards, and not to miss a single good deed you can do today. A gentle word, an honest action, a clear thought. These small practices come from self-reliance and self-discipline.

The Buddha valued a daily right mind over a single awakening. You don't have to be perfect today. Just don't give up. If you fall, get back up; if you falter, regain your balance. That in itself is practice, the path of self-reliance and self-discipline. Let's not strive to be strong.

Instead, let's cultivate an unwavering heart. That heart will ultimately lead us to a brighter place.
"자강불식自强不息" (self-strengthening without suspension) means not abandoning yourself even when you fall, and not losing your direction even when you're exhausted.

A practice that doesn't retreat even when you rest and don’t stop even when you slow down.
The repetition of that day is the power that changes your life.