2023年08月07日
Monday August 7th, 2023, (Fifth Reiwa).
Last month, I watched a show on NHK (Japan's Broadcasting Corporation) called "Philosophical Street Interviews (Japanese)." They asked 92 people, "What is the purpose of your life?" Here's what they said: 26% for family, 20% for enjoying life, 17% didn't know, and 37% for different reasons.
Right now, my answer is: "I want to keep living because my life right now is interesting. I try to stay alive for as long as I can because I don't want to die." However, when I was younger, I tried to live for my mother because I knew she would be sad if I passed away. Later on, I aimed to make my wife happy (though I'm not sure if she really was), because I included her in my life through marriage. After my children were born, my focus shifted to raising them until they could stand on their own. Now that I've fulfilled all these responsibilities, including my parents' funerals, as I mentioned earlier, my life itself is captivating. Even if I lived for another thousand or even ten thousand years, it probably wouldn't feel like enough. And of course, even if I lived for over 100 million years, it still might not be enough. That's how fascinating life is for me at this moment. That's why I don't want to die. So, my goal is to simply avoid dying and keep on living. That's the sole reason I want to stay alive.
When I compare my responses to the results of the earlier survey, I find that, like 26% of the respondents, I have lived most of my life for my family (Of course, I have no regrets. Conversely, I am proud of myself). Additionally, during the last half of my years, I have been living to enjoy life (20%). A notable portion of this delight presently comes from observing the growth of my three younger grandchildren (who are not yet in school). Furthermore, my four elder grandchildren have attained self-sufficiency, as I oversee them. From the vantage point of aging, I have come to understand the truth that aging is never so wrong.
I think that the four ideas in Nichiren’s teachings are important in my life: "Voluntarily assuming the appropriate karma," "Lessening one’s karmic retribution," "Substituting faith for wisdom," and "Myo-no-shoran."
Additionally, in Nichiren's writings known as the Gosho, I like "Happiness in This World." It says: "Endure hardships and embrace pleasures. Accept both suffering and joy as part of life, and keep reciting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo, no matter what. Could this be anything other than the endless happiness of the Law? Strengthen your faith even more.” The "Happiness in This World" is the Gosho for Zadankai held in August, 2023.
Right now, my answer is: "I want to keep living because my life right now is interesting. I try to stay alive for as long as I can because I don't want to die." However, when I was younger, I tried to live for my mother because I knew she would be sad if I passed away. Later on, I aimed to make my wife happy (though I'm not sure if she really was), because I included her in my life through marriage. After my children were born, my focus shifted to raising them until they could stand on their own. Now that I've fulfilled all these responsibilities, including my parents' funerals, as I mentioned earlier, my life itself is captivating. Even if I lived for another thousand or even ten thousand years, it probably wouldn't feel like enough. And of course, even if I lived for over 100 million years, it still might not be enough. That's how fascinating life is for me at this moment. That's why I don't want to die. So, my goal is to simply avoid dying and keep on living. That's the sole reason I want to stay alive.When I compare my responses to the results of the earlier survey, I find that, like 26% of the respondents, I have lived most of my life for my family (Of course, I have no regrets. Conversely, I am proud of myself). Additionally, during the last half of my years, I have been living to enjoy life (20%). A notable portion of this delight presently comes from observing the growth of my three younger grandchildren (who are not yet in school). Furthermore, my four elder grandchildren have attained self-sufficiency, as I oversee them. From the vantage point of aging, I have come to understand the truth that aging is never so wrong.
I think that the four ideas in Nichiren’s teachings are important in my life: "Voluntarily assuming the appropriate karma," "Lessening one’s karmic retribution," "Substituting faith for wisdom," and "Myo-no-shoran."
Additionally, in Nichiren's writings known as the Gosho, I like "Happiness in This World." It says: "Endure hardships and embrace pleasures. Accept both suffering and joy as part of life, and keep reciting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo, no matter what. Could this be anything other than the endless happiness of the Law? Strengthen your faith even more.” The "Happiness in This World" is the Gosho for Zadankai held in August, 2023.
2023年07月10日
Monday July 10th, 2023, (Fifth Reiwa).
I have been retired for 7 years now and have never really felt like I had more free time, because I had a lot of things I had to do for my family, not for myself. However, in the past 15 years, I have accomplished everything that I needed to do and was responsible for. Three months have passed since I was discharged from the hospital in April, and with the help of my daughters, I have become accustomed to living "alone" (which is a first experience in my life, of course).
The other day, I spent four hours listening to music and reading. I think I might enjoy this kind of leisure time. I also thought that I might be happy to have this kind of time once a week.
Actually, I have another favorite time of the day. It's a habit I started right after I retired. It is my 30-minute morning routine, which has recently been extended to about 45 minutes. This routine takes place after breakfast. However, I use mouthwash immediately after waking up. It is my time for the usual self-care routine, starting with oral care using an interdental brush and toothbrush, and ending with shaving.
Oh, yes. I attended the MIN-ON concert called "Swedish Harmony (The Vokalharmonin vocal ensemble and The Uppsala Chamber Soloists)" by myself this month (Really, it has been a while since I last attended a concert, hasn't it?).
Due to the loss of my wife of many years, I am alone now. I live a leisurely and liberated life, but I am by no means unhappy (in fact, that might be happiness).
Now, "They trample on the weak, while they look ecstatic, and lie and say that this is the reason of the world. I would not wish for a world in which those shameless people can walk around with their heads held high, even if it kills me. I will defy them. If they still try to trample on the weak, I will cut off their feet." This sentence is a passage from "Yoshinochou-Zantou-Den 27" by Amano Sumiki (p. 287, April issue of a journal USIO).
The state of life of the "shameless people" referred to here must be exactly the four evil paths possessed in the human world (in the mutual possession of the Ten Worlds). And the "world in which they walk brazenly" must be the Latter Day of the Law itself. In such a world, I would not even wish it. The way to "get out of the way" of such a world would be to manifest the life states of the Four Saints, especially the Bodhisattvas, in this world (first of all, by myself, of course).
But since their state of life is the four evil paths, it is obvious that they will "still try to trample on us. What should we do? Even if we "cut off their feet" as we all know, this problem will not be fundamentally solved (due to the sheer number of opponents).
But it is important to "resist" (through acts of disobedience), and furthermore, it should be non-violent, as Gandhi said. However, I may not be able to do so (because even if I could temporarily manifest the Bodhisattva world, I would surely fall into the realm of asuras that exist within the human world, once I touch certain edges).
The other day, I spent four hours listening to music and reading. I think I might enjoy this kind of leisure time. I also thought that I might be happy to have this kind of time once a week.
Actually, I have another favorite time of the day. It's a habit I started right after I retired. It is my 30-minute morning routine, which has recently been extended to about 45 minutes. This routine takes place after breakfast. However, I use mouthwash immediately after waking up. It is my time for the usual self-care routine, starting with oral care using an interdental brush and toothbrush, and ending with shaving.
Oh, yes. I attended the MIN-ON concert called "Swedish Harmony (The Vokalharmonin vocal ensemble and The Uppsala Chamber Soloists)" by myself this month (Really, it has been a while since I last attended a concert, hasn't it?).
Due to the loss of my wife of many years, I am alone now. I live a leisurely and liberated life, but I am by no means unhappy (in fact, that might be happiness).
Now, "They trample on the weak, while they look ecstatic, and lie and say that this is the reason of the world. I would not wish for a world in which those shameless people can walk around with their heads held high, even if it kills me. I will defy them. If they still try to trample on the weak, I will cut off their feet." This sentence is a passage from "Yoshinochou-Zantou-Den 27" by Amano Sumiki (p. 287, April issue of a journal USIO).
The state of life of the "shameless people" referred to here must be exactly the four evil paths possessed in the human world (in the mutual possession of the Ten Worlds). And the "world in which they walk brazenly" must be the Latter Day of the Law itself. In such a world, I would not even wish it. The way to "get out of the way" of such a world would be to manifest the life states of the Four Saints, especially the Bodhisattvas, in this world (first of all, by myself, of course).
But since their state of life is the four evil paths, it is obvious that they will "still try to trample on us. What should we do? Even if we "cut off their feet" as we all know, this problem will not be fundamentally solved (due to the sheer number of opponents).
But it is important to "resist" (through acts of disobedience), and furthermore, it should be non-violent, as Gandhi said. However, I may not be able to do so (because even if I could temporarily manifest the Bodhisattva world, I would surely fall into the realm of asuras that exist within the human world, once I touch certain edges).
2023年06月15日
Thursday, June 15th, 2023, (Fifth Reiwa).
Last July, I wrote a short article titled "What Man Needs: Science (Interest), Religion (Goodness), and Art (Beauty)," and I briefly explained the following points: Science must be for the benefit of humanity. Therefore, "nuclear weaponization" cannot be the subject of research. Religion should be the standard of right and wrong. Therefore, there can be no religion that affirms warfare (murderousness). Art should provide people with a glimpse into the depths of the world (universe) in which they live and the state of their own lives. Despite all the suffering in their lifetime, it should give them motivation to live (Japanese).
Civilization grows through confronting and responding to the challenges of trials. Life is no different. We face challenges that frequently assail us, and we must rise to the occasion, confront them, and overcome them. By achieving victory, we shape our lives. Through this process, individuals become stronger, and that resilient strength becomes an essential force and an effective weapon for facing the next trial.
My driving force to win that constant battle is always chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo to the Gohonzon every day and every time, as I mentioned last month.
Civilization grows through confronting and responding to the challenges of trials. Life is no different. We face challenges that frequently assail us, and we must rise to the occasion, confront them, and overcome them. By achieving victory, we shape our lives. Through this process, individuals become stronger, and that resilient strength becomes an essential force and an effective weapon for facing the next trial.
My driving force to win that constant battle is always chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo to the Gohonzon every day and every time, as I mentioned last month.
