人と花、海と星 -記録だけになった昨今-

　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.