Awakening to a way of living life (Section III)

Transcript from a talk (Translated from Japanese)

What the development of the brain produced
As I have mentioned before several times, human society is facing a dead-end in many ways. So, as we think about what are the root and the deeper root cause, I think that perhaps the feature that most highlights the difference between humans and other animals is the development of the brain. The developed brain works to create the sense of separateness, scientific and rational thinking, and egoism.

There are millions of stars and galaxies in the universe. These move following a regular pattern like a clock, revolving around each other in perfect and beautiful harmony. In addition, in the world of nature, there are millions of minerals, microorganisms, plants, animals, sun, moon, water, air, rivers, oceans, sky, clouds, and rain. These circulate and help each other, and are also in perfect harmony.
　
Animals, which live only by instinct, live in harmony in nature and as one with the surrounding environment. When a lion eats a deer or other grass-eating animal, it might appear like the law of the jungle where the weak are victims of the strong. However, let us say that this is a surface-level way of looking at the situation. When a lion’s stomach is full, it does not even look at deer. It does not eat more than necessary. Also, it is said that if lions did not eat any deer or grass-eating animals at all, the number of these grass-eating animals would increase too much, and it would lead to their ruin. So, meat-eating animals such as lions are absolutely necessary for grass-eating animals such as deer to survive and thrive. In addition, lions never kill each other in masses. If this happened, all lions would become extinct. In this way, animals that live by instinct alone live in nature in harmony and as one with the surrounding environment, plants and animals.

In comparison, how are we humans with our developed brain? We look only at short-term convenience and desires, put poison into our food and drinking water, pollute the air that we breathe, and pollute and destroy the natural environment that we absolutely need to survive. In addition, we humans continue to kill each other in masses. If we look at the situation in this way, as long as our overall way of living does not change from the root, isn’t it clear that we humans will become extinct at some point?

This is not just my imagination. Of the world’s intellectuals, fairly many say that humankind will probably perish in the near future. They say that we are clearly headed in the direction of destruction. Although these people say, “we must do something,” no one has mentioned specific ways for “how we can save ourselves from destruction.”
　
Living beings have evolved from a single cell to humans over billions of years. For certain, the development of the brain in humans has greatly helped in the competition for survival. However, now, with our developed brain, we humans are facing what can be called a crisis situation that will decide our future. I feel it is already impossible to overcome this crisis situation no matter how much we try different ideas, if the ideas are from within the same dimension or the same direction of the past ways of thinking. To survive this worst crisis in human history, we need a new way of thinking that changes at the root-level, the past direction of advancement (?) of our human society. In other words, new ideas are necessary from a higher dimension than the ideas of the past.

Is there a next step in evolution for humans?
In one sense, even if we accept the advancements of human society, we can say that human society has a deadly illness and is just one step away from the last stage before death.

So, is a next step of evolution for humans actually possible? Or, is this the end point of human evolution and history? We are witnessing this type of stage. In the history of the universe, history of the earth, evolution of living beings, and human history, we are witnessing this kind of particularly historical era or moment.

Certainly, humankind is deeply in trouble, but personally, I feel that instead of the end point of human evolution and history, I think this era is one step before we move to the next stage. Based on several facts, I think this is the case.

By reading books that have recorded the experiences of people (sages) who gained awareness in the past, it seems that most of them followed almost the same process before they gained awareness. They discovered the true world when they reached a dead end after thoroughly struggling in their earnest search for the true way of living or a way to overcome the agony of the heart and mind.

This is only one example, but there are many similar actual examples. There are many cases in which when a person faced a dead-end situation personally or socially, he or she thoroughly reflected on the things that led to the dead end, completely broke free from these things and made a great breakthrough.

Many illnesses arise and worsen from an incorrect way of living or attitude of the heart. However, as long as it is not too late, even if a person suffers quite a lot from the illness, if because of the suffering, he or she starts to reflect on the true way of living or attitude of the heart, the person should be able to realize his or her incorrect ways from the root level. If the person does this and corrects his or her mistaken ways, for certain, the illness should be cured and health restored.

In this way, by becoming ill, a person can realize the correct attitude of the heart and way of living. To put it simply, maybe we can say that except for people who are very humble and have a receptive attitude, most people will not think seriously and sincerely about even the most important matters as long as they are not truly desperate.

(Of course, that would mean the people think there is still much more time, but it will already be too late when they realize it. In addition, if a person becomes ill and the illness worsens because of a mistake in attitude of the heart or way of life, and the person does not reflect on his or her ways, does not correct them, and thinks the illness is something that can be cured by another person such as a doctor or medicine, even if the illness is cured temporarily, it is likely that the illness will appear again or appear in the form of an even worse illness. If the root cause is not removed, we cannot say the illness has been cured from the root-level.)

The meaning of the crisis situation of human society
Similar to the examples I described before, I feel that maybe except for people who are very humble and have a receptive attitude, we are made in a way that we do not readily try to think seriously and sincerely, and face the facts directly as long as human society does not reach a crisis situation. To say it another way, by being in a crisis situation, facing this fact directly, and trying to survive, I think we (humankind) can become aware of the true way of living and bring out our real underlying power. In other words, when we stand at the edge, where we will die for sure if things remain as they are, I believe we will be able to become serious. When we become serious, we will be able to see clearly our past mistakes and at the same time, ideas will spring forth from a different dimension to overcome our mistakes.

（It is a fact that there are people who have given up or are not interested and say things such as, “I cannot do it” or “It is not for me to do.” Maybe there is nothing that can be done about these people. However, what if these people could say, “Even I can do it.” I would like to suggest, “It is exactly because we are living in these times, that even I can do something, and you also can do something.”

The universe continues to evolve
Instead of saying this a test that the universe has given to humankind, maybe we can say that humankind has been given the best opportunity to realize what is true. I think that maybe the scheme of the universe itself is this way. It is said that the universe began with the big bang. First, matter appeared, and then life appeared. Finally, humans came into being. There are probably different theories, but if we look at evolution overall, there was a period when living beings made big jumps in evolution. When did these jumps in evolution occur? Before every jump in evolution, the situation was that things absolutely could no longer continue as is. The living beings directly faced becoming extinct or certain death. In these kinds of times, for some reason, a big jump in evolution occurred to overcome the crisis. Then, life progressed to the next step in evolution.

In this universe, or we can say the earth, at first, only “matter” existed. Then, living organisms appeared and separated into plants and animals. Since we are considering the evolution of humans, let us think about animals. In the evolution of animals, apes appeared. It is said that humans evolved from a form of ape. However, I think that animals up to the ape, and humans are definitely on different dimensions. What does this mean? Let us look at an example. Animals are made from matter (a physical body). While animals are made from matter, at the same time, they have a factor, “life,” which is from a different dimension than matter. In a similar way, we can say that while we humans are made from matter and are animals, at the same time, we have a factor “heart” or “mind” from a different dimension.

Humans have a factor, “heart” or “mind,” that is from a different dimension than animals. This does not simply mean intelligent life. Of course, there is no mistake that humans came into being through the evolution of animals, but I do not think of humans as simply one type of animal.

Of course, following common wisdom, humans can be considered as animals belonging to the ape “family.” But, I want to say that even if that is the case, we humans are very unique because we have a “heart (mind).”

What is the universe evolving toward?
I think the universe is evolving in a definite direction. Why do I think this is the case? It is because there is no universe outside of the universe. So, there is no force that can be added from outside of the universe. Therefore, with the force of the first big bang, or the force that triggered the big bang, the universe has been going in a definite direction. This is not simply a physical force or direction, but the “content” of the universe is also continuing to advance (evolve) in a definite direction.

In the end, in what direction is evolution headed? Evolution has progressed from matter to living beings (animals) to humans. (It is probably not wrong to call it “evolution of living beings” in the overall picture.) I think the direction of the evolution of living beings is not simply that living beings survive and their numbers increase. If the aim of evolution was only to make survival more certain and increase in numbers, insects have been much more successful than humans. Furthermore, bacteria have been more successful than insects.

So, one-celled organisms were in a much more stable condition. Then, why was it necessary for them to become many-celled organisms, and for even more complex organisms to come into existence? Instead of ensuring survival or numbers as Darwin said, my guess is that in the end, the evolution of living beings is going in the direction of creating “beings that have awareness.”

I will describe my theory next, so I hope you will keep that in mind as you listen. The world of animals is a world in perfect harmony. Since their cerebrum is not as developed, they live by instinct only. This instinct obeys the laws of nature (or laws of the universe). So, they live in harmony with nature and the surrounding animals and plants. However, animals do not have the ability to be aware of this. They just live in harmony.

To say it as if representing the universe, probably the universe wants to create “beings that are aware” of “what am I” and “the universe is this kind of universe (one that works in this way).”

Already, at least since thousands of years ago, many people who have lived before us, including Buddha and sages, have found the “true world” and the “true self.” If we think about this, we cannot think humans are just one type of animal. The universe is continuing to evolve in a definite direction. After going through a very long process of evolution, at long last, humans appeared, and we humans have a “heart (mind).” Even though they are still few in number, some “humans with awareness” have appeared. If we assume this, at the end of this direction of evolution, many more “humans with awareness” will be born. In addition, after that, I think, “all humankind will have awareness.”

Of course, if you say that no one knows the will of the universe, the discussion will end there. However, from my personal experience, I think the will of the universe can be sensed deep inside each of us if we make our mind clear and still, and not by trying to convince ourselves with our head.

Some may say that it is difficult to do this. However, while saying it is difficult, most people have more than once asked themselves the questions, “For what purpose was I born?” “What am I?” “What is this world?” If we think for a moment that we, who have these questions, were born as a result of the evolution of the universe, instead of considering this self as simply a whim or passing thought, isn’t it possible that the will of the universe is to produce “beings with awareness?”

“Why” and “For what purpose”
So, why do we humans, who have been called “the lords of creation” and are at the highest step in evolution, cause suffering to ourselves, cause suffering to others, are pushed around by our desires, and fight in ugly fights? And, why have we come to such a dead-end situation now? Humans have created wonderful cultures. In our history and in our daily lives, there have been many scenes of expressing our wonderful humanity and love. On the other hand, for certain, we are following a path toward suffering and destruction. As I mentioned before, I believe it is because of the development of our brain.

“Why” does this happen?” I am using the word “why” in the following way. For example, when a person gets a fever, he or she thinks, “Oh no, I got a fever.” Usually, we think a fever is bad, and we take medicine or get treatment from a doctor. There are probably some people who do not do anything, but most of us have come to think that fevers and colds are bad.

Until a certain point, I also thought in this way. However, one day, I wondered, “For what purpose do humans catch colds? For what purpose are fevers necessary?” Instead of “why,” when I changed the question to “for what purpose,” I got a completely different answer than before. “A cold is one type of natural healing force. The purpose of a fever is to adjust the body and fix parts where something is not working properly.”

Later, I read the book, “Colds and Their Benefits,“ by Haruchika Noguchi, the founder of Noguchi Seitai, and I was able to confirm that my way of thinking was correct. When the body functions poorly from built-up fatigue or distortions in the body, the body catches a cold as a natural healing ability to try to correct the fatigue or distortions. If you think a fever is bad and force the temperature to go down after the body had made the effort to raise it, this will block the natural healing ability of the body. So, a cold is not bad. We catch a cold because it is necessary.

Following the same way of thinking, “why” do humans cause suffering to others? If we think “why,” we find answers such as that it is because of the development of our brain, or because of conflicts in national egoism. However, “for what purpose” do we cause suffering to others and head toward our ruin? If we think about it by specifying, “for what purpose,” I believe we will be able to see things that we could not see before.

The meaning of suffering and the dead-end situation
As I described before, many sages including Buddha became aware of “the truth of our existence” miraculously when they were desperate, facing a crisis situation in which there was nothing more that they could do. If we review the history of the evolution of living beings, it appears that a great jump in evolution is triggered when facing an absolute crisis. In order to survive an absolute crisis situation, a completely new form or ability from a different dimension was probably necessary.

It is said that the same kind of crisis situation was the trigger when the first humans came into existence. It is said that the ancestors of humans were monkeys like the chimpanzees. From a sudden change in climate, the forests that had been the monkeys’ home gradually disappeared. So, these monkeys, which had lived for millions of years in the safe forests, had to leave the safety of life in the trees and move to the grasslands. This was the start of actual walking on two feet. It is said that along with this, the brain developed rapidly. Naturally, for the rapid development of the brain and walking on two feet, it was necessary to make dramatic jumps in form and functions.

There are different opinions about whether to consider that these happened by chance or were necessary in the scheme of the evolution of living beings. I think these may have been built into the scheme of evolution. There are many pieces of evidence. Looking at the perfect harmony of the universe and nature, I don’t think the forces or laws that created these exist by accident or by chance. If these did exist by chance, I think these forces or laws would also have been built into the scheme of the evolution of living beings.

The power to survive the critical situation of the present era
If we think in this way, we will come to think there is also a significant meaning in the critical situation of human society today. This is repeating what I said before, but the root causes of the crisis in human society are “viewing yourself and others as being separate” (view of separateness), the scientific method of thinking based on this view of separateness, and the egoism that comes from these. To put it simply, it can be said that we are not looking correctly at the “truth of our existence.”

For what purpose are humans suffering? It might cause misunderstanding to say this, but in a sense, I think humans are suffering because there is a need. To say it another way, I feel that perhaps unless we humans suffer thoroughly we will not realize what is true. Although I say this, it certainly does not mean that I support suffering. Instead, I think that in our attempt to seriously and sincerely try to overcome suffering, we search for the root cause of that suffering. By resolving the root cause, we become aware of the “truth of our existence” that everything is one and cannot be separated, overcome our suffering, and come to live life in the true way.

It is exactly the same for the overall human society. By facing this worst crisis of human society, many people all around the world have emerged who say we must become serious about surviving. If we are serious, naturally, a temporary solution or partial solution will not be good enough. If we seriously try to survive, naturally, we will come to see that we must aim for a root-level solution. Then, we will probably reach the conclusion that there is no other way to survive except by finding the root cause of this crisis and removing it.

By going through this kind of process, finding the root cause, which is “egoism based on seeing everything as separate,” making new policies to eliminate these causes, and putting them into effect, I think we will be able to overcome this crisis situation from the root level. In this way, the overall level of awareness of humans about “the truth of our existence” will rise.

(Probably, the possibility of humans becoming extinct from environmental destruction or war will be eliminated at least. However, it will take a long time for all humans to have awareness. Even if wars or major fighting do not occur, small-scale fighting and personal disputes will probably continue.)

Humankind is evolving
If the direction of the overall human society becomes settled in the direction with “the truth of our existence” at the foundation, at this point, we will use our brain in the correct way based on “the truth of our existence,” and new technologies will be created. In addition, rapidly, the social system will change to follow in line with “the truth of our existence.” If this happens, humankind will awaken from the delusion of the past millions of years of “seeing everything as separate,” and we can anticipate that the level of awareness of humankind overall will rapidly rise.

I think that by going through this process, a new human society will be born, which heads in the new direction of “the truth of our existence” where all beings are one and inseparable. From the viewpoint of evolution, probably, humans who have become aware, in other words, “new humans,” will be born one after another.

With this direction of evolution, we humans will realize our true form. In order to live in harmony with everything, now of all times, we need to severely reflect on ourselves and ask ourselves, “For what purpose are we suffering this much?” Some may think maybe it would have been better if the universe did not create humans with our developed brain that easily makes mistakes, and instead stopped with animals that live only by instinct and in harmony with everything as the final stage of evolution. However, as I said before, the universe wanted to create “existences that are aware” and that live in harmony with all things in nature. I think that we humans with a developed brain that easily makes mistakes were created for this very purpose.

Looking at the light in the future of our human society
There is a saying, “Change toward the positive after reaching the negative extreme.“ This probably means that in fact, at the stage before reaching the negative extreme, things have already begun to change toward the positive. If we look closely at our present world that is facing a dead end, around the world, not only religious people or famous intellectuals, but more and more people such as ordinary citizens, company employees, and housewives feel we must change to a new way of living.

If my suggested explanation about evolution is correct, by facing this worst crisis in the history of human society, following the scheme of the evolution of the universe, by necessity, more and more people from around the world will begin to realize “the truth of our existence” as being one and not separable. In addition, naturally, more and more new ideas will arise based on this. (In this sense, most important is to have as many people as possible know that we are facing the present dead-end situation.)

The concept of “raising an ideal in Japan of a non-egoistic nation” is one of these new ideas. Personally, I think that at our present stage, this way of thinking is the most effective way to overcome the crisis of our human society from the root level. The Constitution of Japan in its present form is a non-egoistic constitution that came from thinking in a completely different dimension than in the past. My way of thinking is exactly the same as the foundation of the idea for the present Constitution of Japan. My proposal of “raising an ideal of a non-egoistic nation of Japan” is interpreting the spirit of the present Constitution of Japan in an active form, and suggesting that we actively bring the Constitution to life.

However, as I mentioned in the example of an illness, if each of us does not know the facts well, or even if we know the facts and think that everything will be all right, it has nothing to do with me, or I cannot do anything, this cannot be helped. If we fall into a state of ignorance, groundless optimism, are not interested, or are pessimistic, in time, it will become too late. If this becomes the case, humans, the great masterpiece that the universe created, will only have become “crazy monkeys” with an abnormally developed brain.

At the same time, I see a bright light in the future of humankind that is definitely not based on ignorant optimism. This is because I have firm faith that we humans are beings who are worthy of being trusted in the end. (End)
　
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Awakening to a way of living life (Section II, Part 2)

Transcript from a talk (Translated from Japanese)

National egoism that blocks solution of the many problems
Until the present, in most countries of the world, national egoism has controlled and led the way and future of the country overall.

For example, world conferences on environmental problems are held often. However, each country mainly focuses on how much of an advantage it can get for itself, and this is based on national egoism. So, because of conflicts among the nations and bargaining tactics, truly desirable results have not been achieved.

Europe is working relatively actively on environmental issues. The problem is with the economic giants, the U.S. and Japan. Both countries have a negative attitude, and they still have not changed their stance of giving economic interests as high priority as possible. Further, China and India claim that because they are still developing countries, they would like the developed countries to act properly first. They are also taking a backward-looking stance.

In the end, it is conflicts and bargaining tactics among the nations. Where does this come from? It comes from having a fundamental policy of national egoism, or caring only about your own country’s interests.

On the surface, the countries say that international cooperation is important. In some ways, perhaps they think it is the way things should be. However, in their true intentions, or as their standard of behavior and actual behavior, the policy of the major countries of the world is national egoism. This is the point that is most strongly emphasized in my book, “Beyond National Egoism.”

National egoism increases individual egoism
Through national egoism, the egoism of individual people and businesses increases. For this reason, people’s desires for material things increase, and competition among businesses becomes intense. Along with that, the science and technology civilization rapidly develops. As a result, wars grow in size and this further advances science and technology. The overall result is that the present human society is facing dead ends in many ways.

The main points of “Beyond National Egoism”
Probably some of you have already read the book, but I would like to go over the main points of “Beyond National Egoism” again.

From group egoism to national egoism
Since the early stages of the appearance of humans on earth, we humans have formed groups for security and self-defense, and have lived within these groups as the basic unit for actions. In addition, from some point in history, we have worked hard for the prosperity of the group to which we belong, and risked our lives to fight for the group’s survival when our group faced a life or death crisis.

At first, it was probably for safety and self-defense, but we began to conquer and dominate other groups in order to get more reliable security and self-defense. As a result, the groups increased in scale from small groups to large groups, small tribes to large tribes, and small nations to nations. The nation is the unit for actions in our present international society.
　
Prosperity and survival of one’s own country
Over the long history, the basic principle of groups consistently has been group egoism in which people care about their own group above all. In other words, the focus has been on the “prosperity and survival” of the group to which you belong. As a result, even in the international society now, the fundamental principle of the various countries is to first care only about your own country, or the “prosperity and survival of one’s own country.” In the long history of humankind, this basic principle of “prosperity and survival of one’s own country” has been consistent and has not changed. Further, most people have assumed that this principle is true and obvious with no room for doubts.

Root cause of the critical dead-end situation
However, by looking thoroughly into the root cause of the present critical dead-end situation, we can say the cause is this “prosperity and survival of one’s own country” that has been considered as a widely accepted way of being. In other words, we can say the root cause is the conflicts among nations based on national egoism. Looking at history, due to conflicts among nations based on national egoism, wars have grown larger and larger, and along with this, scientific technology has evolved and stronger military weapons have been developed. At the same time, production and economic activities have been stimulated and increasingly grown in scale.

Of course, while these activities were not so large in scale, various problems arose, but there was still some leeway in the severity and size of the problems. However, now, advances in scientific technology, development of military weapons, and production and economic activities have grown to global scale. The severity and large scale of the resulting problems have already gone beyond the limits that the earth and humankind can bear. At the very least, we can say, they are about to go beyond the limits.

To resolve this dead-end situation from the root
This critical dead-end situation of human society absolutely cannot be resolved with surface level means and methods. To resolve this dead-end situation from the root, there is no other way except to change the direction in which human society is advancing (maybe this word is not suitable). National egoism has carried forth and led human society until the present. Since human society has carried forth with national egoism as the driving force until now, to resolve this critical dead-end situation of human society, there is no other way than for all countries to renounce national egoism, which is the driving force.

How can we eliminate the conflicts of national egoism?
However, even if we say that all countries should renounce national egoism, it would be impossible for everyone to discuss the matter and renounce national egoism all at once. Such discussions would simply end in bargaining tactics due to suspicions arising from each country’s egoism. This is clear from looking at the state of the United Nations meetings, world environmental conferences, or disarmament meetings that have been held in the past.

For all countries to renounce national egoism and the creation of a new world, it must start with one nation taking the lead and renouncing national egoism first of its own will.

By seeing that country’s new image, in other countries, there will be an increase in people who become aware of their own country’s true way of being. In this way, in each country, the momentum toward renouncing national egoism will increase. In time, following the first country, perhaps other countries will renounce national egoism of their own will.

Meanwhile, the momentum to renounce national egoism will increase rapidly in all countries of the world, and finally, all countries will try to renounce national egoism all at once.

Which country should be the first to renounce national egoism?
The issue is which country should be the first to renounce national egoism? Furthermore, specifically, what does it mean to renounce national egoism?

I think that Japan should be the one to show leadership and renounce national egoism first. The reason is that to begin with, renouncing national egoism is not something to demand from other countries. Demanding other countries to renounce national egoism is egoism itself. Therefore, I feel that since Japan is the country from which this idea arose, it makes sense and follows the right path for Japan to show leadership and renounce national egoism.

The Peace Constitution is a “Non-Egoistic” Constitution
In addition, Japan is blessed with several conditions that make it suited to be a pioneer ahead of other countries of the world to renounce national egoism. The most significant condition is that the world’s only “constitution that renounces national egoism” is in Japan. As you know, with Article 9, the present Constitution of Japan is called the Peace Constitution. Let us read Article 9.

The Constitution of Japan – Article 9
1) Aspiring sincerely to an international peace based on justice and order, the Japanese people forever renounce war as a sovereign right of the nation and the threat or use of force as means of settling international disputes.
2) In order to accomplish the aim of the preceding paragraph, land, sea, and air forces, as well as other war potential, will never be maintained. The right of belligerency of the state will not be recognized.

The Self-Defense Force is a clear violation of the Constitution
In this way, Article 9 declares that the Japanese people will “renounce war and not have war potential.” Incidentally, the Self-Defense Force is a clear violation of the constitution. However, the administration at the time established the Self-Defense Force on the grounds that since the right to self-defense is a legitimate right recognized by international law, war for self-defense and having war potential for self-defense is recognized.

Of course, the Self-Defense Force exists in Japan. However, the right to self-defense and war arising from military force for self-defense are not equivalent. There are methods of self-defense that do not rely on military force or war. For example, there are methods of self-defense such as proactive foreign policies.

As for self-defense, Article 9 says, “the right to self-defense is a legitimate right, but Japan makes a point of renouncing war for self-defense using military force.” If wars and maintaining war potential for self-defense were meant to be recognized, naturally, a phrase such as, “self-defense is an exception, and we will fight with military force,” would have been added to Article 9. In summary, Article 9 says, “Japan absolutely will not go to war, including wars for self-defense. Therefore, we will have absolutely no military power.”
　
Renouncing national egoism is stated in the Preamble of the Constitution
This Article 9 is truly a marvelous, revolutionary declaration in the history of humankind. However, with only Article 9, it is only saying, “Since we do not want to go to war, we absolutely will not go to war. This is why we will not have military power.” With this statement only, it cannot be called a complete declaration of renouncing national egoism.

The Preamble states that the country will renounce national egoism. The Preamble of the Constitution is not merely a decoration or series of flowery expressions. It describes the fundamental stance of the Constitution, so it is very important. So, let us read the Preamble:

The Constitution of Japan – Preamble
We, the Japanese people, acting through our duly elected representatives in the National Diet, determined that we shall secure for ourselves and our posterity the fruits of peaceful cooperation with all nations and the blessings of liberty throughout this land, and resolved that never again shall we be visited with the horrors of war through the action of government, do proclaim that sovereign power resides with the people and do firmly establish this Constitution. Government is a sacred trust of the people, the authority for which is derived from the people, the powers of which are exercised by the representatives of the people, and the benefits of which are enjoyed by the people. This is a universal principle of mankind upon which this Constitution is founded. We reject and revoke all constitutions, laws, ordinances, and rescripts in conflict herewith.

We, the Japanese people, desire peace for all time and are deeply conscious of the high ideals controlling human relationship, and we have determined to preserve our security and existence, trusting in the justice and faith of the peace-loving peoples of the world. We desire to occupy an honored place in an international society striving for the preservation of peace, and the banishment of tyranny and slavery, oppression and intolerance for all time from the earth. We recognize that all peoples of the world have the right to live in peace, free from fear and want.

We believe that no nation is responsible to itself alone, but that laws of political morality are universal; and that obedience to such laws is incumbent upon all nations who would sustain their own sovereignty and justify their sovereign relationship with other nations.

We, the Japanese people, pledge our national honor to accomplish these high ideals and purposes with all our resources. 


The meaning of the Preamble
Some say that this Preamble is vague, but definitely, it is not so. If you read it straightforwardly with an open mind, the meaning is quite clear. The first part is a declaration of “rule by the people.” This is a very important point. It fundamentally does not allow the “state rule” that existed until the end of the war. “Sovereign power resides with the people,” means that the state cannot order or impose things on the citizens, and the citizens have the right to lead the state. At the same time, an important aim is that the citizens never again will be forcibly dragged into a war by the state.

If we sort through and explain the next part, it will become as follows:

We, the Japanese people, desire peace for all time, that is, not temporary peace, but a true peace. For this, we trust in the justice and sincerity of the peace-loving peoples of the world. And by this trust, not by military force, we have determined to preserve our security and existence. We desire to occupy an honored place in an international society striving for the realization of permanent world peace and the happiness of all humankind. For this, we will contribute to the fundamental solution of the world’s many serious problems through peaceful means. By right, no nation is responsible to itself alone and can ignore other nations. We, the Japanese people, pledge our national honor to accomplish these high ideals and purposes with all our resources.

Summarizing the Preamble and Article 9

Summarizing the Preamble and Article 9, they will become as follows:
We desire permanent world peace and the happiness of all humankind. To achieve this, we renounce national egoism that considers only the interests of one’s own country, and by exerting every possible effort of our nation to solve the problems such as hunger and poverty of people all over the world and for their prosperity, we will become a necessary and vital entity for the countries of the world. We will plan for the peace and existence of our country in this way. Through peaceful means, by contributing as a country to world peace and prosperity, we will protect our country. Therefore, we will hold absolutely no military power and absolutely will not go to war, including for self-defense.

This constitution is the only revolutionary declaration of renouncing national egoism, is overflowing with uplifting energy, and is the first of its kind in human history. This is a very important point. The peace declaration of the present Constitution of Japan does not just say in Article 9, “We renounce war and will not have military force.” Going a step further, the Preamble declares that we will not be responsible to our country alone, but for the realization of world peace and the happiness of all humankind, we will exert every possible effort to contribute internationally through peaceful means. At the same time, in this way, we will preserve the security of the country.

However, in general, I think many people do not sufficiently understand the meaning of the Preamble. If this is the case, I would appreciate it you would read and re-read the Preamble and Article 9, and deepen your understanding.

The significance of having a non-egoistic constitution
The constitution is the fundamental law and fundamental policy of a nation. The fact that Japan has this non-egoistic Peace Constitution means that of the countries of the world, Japan actually is privileged with the best circumstances to renounce national egoism.

However, since the enactment of the Constitution, Japan and its citizens have not made any concrete efforts following in the spirit of this non-egoistic constitution. The Preamble has become simply a decoration. Also, the true meaning of Article 9 has been ignored, because at present, Japan has world-class armed forces. However, Article 9 can be credited as having been a brake against exercise of the right to collective self-defense until now. Nevertheless, at present, that is also gradually being worn down.

The Peace Constitution must be actively brought to life
Protecting the Peace Constitution is very important, of course. However, that alone is not enough. It is passive to try only to protect, and over time, all will be chipped away. I feel that the Peace Constitution must be actively brought to life. Then, for the first time, it will become a true Peace Constitution.

So, what does it mean to actively bring to life the Peace Constitution? That means, based on the spirit of the Preamble and Article 9, the country and citizens together must put forth every possible effort to carry out policies and other measures in concrete ways.

As a concrete policy, put into effect with all our effort
Today, we are facing crises from many serious problems such as global-scale environmental destruction, poverty and famine in developing countries, and wars and conflicts. I believe that one of the areas in which Japan should contribute to the world the most is to help solve the global environmental problems. Another area in which Japan can contribute is international social welfare such as by measures against poverty in developing countries. As for wars and conflicts, Japan must never directly become involved with military force. Japan absolutely must avoid becoming drawn into another country’s wars or conflicts. Further, Japan must make efforts in cooperation with the United Nations and individual countries to stop wars and conflicts early.

In addition, Japan needs to put most effort into planning to resolve the confrontational relations among nations, which is the root cause of conflicts and wars. If Japan renounces its national egoism and chooses the path of contributing to the world with the nation’s strength, it will probably serve as a great force to improve the relations among nations.

Create a completely different flow
This will be repeating a bit, but with the many serious problems, human society is truly at a dead end. From within the flow and direction of advancement of human society of the past, I believe it is impossible to resolve from the root level, this worst crisis in human history. Within this flow, even with various new ideas, maybe we could expect a partial solution, but a root-level solution is impossible.

To attempt a root-level solution, instead of working from within the direction of the past, a completely different direction or creation of a new flow through concrete action is absolutely necessary. This means to begin with Japan renouncing national egoism.

Aspiring to become “a nation for international peace and the environment”
Specifically, this means for Japan to first actively bring to life the true meaning of the Preamble and Article 9 of the Peace Constitution, and exert the nation’s strength to contribute to the relief of global environmental problems and international social welfare problems such as by measures against poverty in developing countries. In simple terms, Japan should aspire for what I have called, “a nation for international peace and the environment.”

This is a shift from “an egoistic nation” that considers only its own interests and has a fundamental policy of “endlessly seeking prosperity and survival” to a “non-egoistic nation” that “considers the suffering of others as my suffering” and devotes every possible effort toward relieving the suffering.
　
Declare an ideal for the country of “a non-egoistic nation”
Just having a Peace Constitution is not enough. It is important to become a country that puts it into action. In this sense, I think Japan should declare anew an ideal for the country of “a non-egoistic nation.” Specifically, it means, let us declare an ideal for the country to “aim to become a nation for international peace and the environment.”

In Japan, as the number of people who agree with this idea increases, and as momentum builds toward aiming to become a nation that declares this bright ideal, peace-loving people from around the world surely will look with special attention at Japan’s new movement that is rooted in our true heart as humans. Further, people will understand that this is the path on which “I” (“we”) and “others” can prosper together.
　
In addition, in each country, momentum toward renouncing national egoism will build, and consequently, the tightly-bound structure of tension or structure of fear in international society based on conflicts of national egoism until now undoubtedly will be eased rapidly.

As for the serious problems of the world, in this process, it is anticipated that individual countries will step beyond their national egoism, and movements to work toward a root-level solution under a structure of true cooperation will become very active. In this way, humankind will at last overcome this worst crisis in history, and build a new international society and civilization based on love and living together in harmony.

Do we feel meaningfulness in life and have and a feeling of fulfillment?
By declaring an ideal to become a non-egoistic nation, it will bring great changes within the country in addition to overseas. Since the past, in fields such as those related to social welfare, medicine, and education, a person’s efforts in work or studies have been connected to the joy of the people who received the benefits of those efforts. Then, that in turn has become joy and a feeling of meaningfulness for the people who made the effort.

However, in other general work and studies, perhaps people feel that no matter how earnestly they make efforts for the advancement of the world, it is not clear who receives the benefits of their efforts, and most people have a sense that their efforts are absorbed somewhere into the world.

Even if people have a slight sense of fulfillment that their daily work, studies or livelihood benefits themselves or their family, perhaps the reality is that with the exception of a very few people, most do not realize and have a sense of fulfillment that their work, studies or livelihood is certainly connected to making the world better overall. Further, most people probably do not have the accompanying feeling of true joy and meaningfulness in life.
　
Individual Effort—National Ideal—Hopes of Humanity
Frankly speaking, it is because “an ideal with which we can feel satisfied and accept” has not been declared. This kind of ideal is needed in Japan. This ideal must be one in which our efforts in our daily life connect directly to solving the many problems within the country, as well as connect to the hopes of humanity to prevent the crisis faced by all of humanity. In other words, having the three points, “individual effort—national ideal—hopes of humanity,” connect together without contradiction is a required condition.

To build a country in which our daily work, studies, or livelihood connect directly to the happiness of all citizens and the hopes of humanity for permanent world peace and the happiness of all humankind, there is no doubt that declaring an ideal in Japan to “aspire for a nation for international peace and the environment” will bring about a complete change in our consciousness.

Based on this bright national ideal, we will lead our daily lives feeling so much joy and feeling meaningfulness in life. Perhaps, at that point, for the first time, we will be able to feel true joy and pride in having been born in Japan.

The above covers the main points of my book, “Beyond National Egoism.”

For what purpose were we born?
Is this just my own idealistic theory or pipe dream? There are probably some people who say it is so. However, please quietly and deeply think about, “For what purpose were humans born?” I firmly believe that by thinking about this question deeply, many people in the world will understand this idea and feel it is definitely not an idealistic theory or a pipe dream.

I say that because this idea is rooted deeply in our true heart that wishes for everyone to become happy together and is naturally within us (in other words, it is the instinct of the spirit of unselfishness and living together in harmony). It is also because this idea is one that concretely applies this natural instinct to solving the problems of our society. In any case, first, if you agree with this idea, everything starts from there. (to be continued…)

(If you have any comments regarding this blog, please send email to the address below. Comments will not be released to the general public without consent.)
nomura@kuninoriso.jp

Awakening to a way of living life (Section II, Part 1)

Transcript from a talk (Translated from Japanese)

Direction of the Evolution of Humankind
Up to this point, I have talked about my way of living and experiences. Next, let’s consider together the history of humankind, which is the background of the book, “Beyond National Egoism.”

Already, billions of years have passed since the beginning of life on the earth. It appears that, first, viruses or single-celled organisms appeared and evolved into many-celled organisms. It is said that through the process of evolution, mammals came into being, and ultimately, several hundred thousand years ago, the first humans appeared. And now, we have come to the present.

What has humankind been hoping for in life?
What has humankind truly been hoping for over the many years, and in what kind of direction has human society evolved? Speaking from the conclusion, perhaps humans have spent their history seeking things such as safety, convenience, comfort, and high efficiency. Along with that, we have sought material wealth. This is also connected to securing our safety or survival.

I believe the main driving force was the development of the brain (cerebrum). The development of the brain is a critical difference between humans and apes (which are the so-called ancestors of humans) or other animals.

A firm belief in science and technology
In particular, our efforts in seeking convenience, comfort, and high efficiency since recorded history, that is, from about 10,000 to 8,000 years ago until today, gradually have been rewarded. In other words, something like a firm belief in scientific reasoning has spread throughout humankind, although there are still areas around the world that have not developed that far yet.

Especially since the Industrial Revolution in the second half of the 18th century, science and technology have been given priority and developed rapidly as people, nations and businesses sought convenience, comfort and high efficiency. In this sense, a major characteristic of human society until now has been this firm belief in scientific reasoning and the rapid development of science and technology. Probably, everyone would agree that this is a major characteristic of humans when considering the difference between humans and animals.

The possibility of humans becoming extinct in an instant
I feel that nuclear weapons are a symbol of convenience, comfort, security, and high efficiency. Recently, “not smoking” has become fashionable, especially in the U.S. A short time ago, there was a cartoon showing that while smoking a cigarette, a person could kill tens of millions of people within 10 to 30 minutes, simply with the press of a button. A person could sit in safe place while smoking a cigarette, and kill millions of people with one finger. This is the ultimate and most efficient in the search for convenience and comfort, and furthermore, the person could remain in a safe place. Humankind developed this type of weapon.

During the most intense period of the U.S. – Soviet Cold War, there were enough nuclear bombs to kill all humans on the earth many tens of times over. Further, both the U.S. and Soviet Union had many thousands of missiles to deliver these warheads into the enemy country within 30 minutes. This is sheer madness. It is a fact that symbolizes the science and technology civilization. This means it is possible that humans could become extinct in an instant.

Constant and serious possibility that all humankind will fall to ruin
There is a constant and serious possibility that all humankind is at a dead end and will fall to ruin. Problems that you know about such as global-scale environmental destruction, population explosion, food supply shortage, energy crisis and nuclear power, show us this possibility.

There is a trial calculation of the degree of damage and losses that would result if a major accident were to occur when the Rokkasho nuclear spent-fuel reprocessing plant is in full operation. I was shocked when I saw the report. It is said that probably every living being on half of the earth would die. The Rokkasho plant is not the only plant that we need to consider. At the nuclear facility in France, only quick action prevented an accident that could have blown away all of Europe.

It is not emphasized, but the accidents at Chernobyl and Three-Mile Island started from something small. Then, one accident led to another and became a catastrophe. In other words, no matter how much effort we put into preventing an accident, a catastrophe can occur and has actually occurred from an unexpected cause. Further, once an accident occurs, it causes major sacrifice and damage. This means that the science and technology civilization that has sought convenience, comfort and high efficiency has ultimately created these things.

In addition, there is the issue of education. Not only in Japan, but in the world overall, the educational environment is being destroyed. As a result, youth are suffering major emotional damage. They do not have humanistic strength. With regard to the youth, it is pitiful to say, but it has become clear through various studies that there are more and more children and youth whose hearts are not straight.

If we remain in this direction
Not only societal issues such as nuclear weapons or environmental problems, but the human heart has also become worn away. As long as we do not change the path and direction of human society, we will truly come to a dead end. I believe we have come to the brink of a critical dead end now.

So now, is there is a way to go beyond this dead end? I feel this is most important now. As long as we do not change the way of thinking of our civilization that heavily emphasizes science and technology, this dead end and direction toward our ruin will not change. Without changing this way of thinking, basically, nothing will change. It won’t make a difference if we wonder whether we should do this or that. This means that humankind has basically gone in the wrong direction. The result has appeared as the many dead ends we are facing.

Gain a sense of what is true
However, since 2,500 to 2,000 years ago, after much suffering over questioning the meaning of their lives, many sages and saints including Buddha and Christ already had clearly realized the answer to the question, “What am I?” After gaining this sense of what is true, they saw past the dead ends of human society and humankind, and walked their own path beyond these dead ends. At the same time, they explained their discoveries to the people.

People who have gained a clear sense or awareness of “What am I? What is this world?” through their experiences, have said in common that human society definitely is not a collection of separate people. The entire universe, which includes not only humans, but all living beings and non-living beings, is one and cannot be separated. They have said that using the five senses of humans, things may appear to be separate, but the true form or the real nature is one and cannot be separated.

Sunlight and a prism
Based on common sense, it may be difficult to understand that everything is originally one, but looks separated. This is because we are looking from the viewpoint of our five senses. People who have gained awareness see from a point of view that is beyond the five senses. Let’s think about this relationship by using an example. Sunlight is colorless, but if you place a prism in the sunlight, it will appear to be separated into seven colors. In between each of the seven colors, there will be many other colors, and the sunlight will be separated into an infinite number of colors.

If we look at the way things are through the prism of our five senses, things will appear to be separate. However, the true form or real nature is like the colorless sunlight, and everything is one. Perhaps, this is a way to show the relationship.

A characteristic of humans is development of the brain
The development of the brain is the characteristic of humans that is the biggest difference from apes. The human brain can even be considered as abnormally developed. Through the five senses, the brain recognizes and evaluates. Since our brain is developed, we humans have difficulty grasping our original true nature.

In the history of humankind, at least until 100 years ago, there were no large-scale wars in which tens of millions of people could die or the human race could be destroyed. As a result, since there was still some level of comfort overall, many people did not listen to the words of the many great sages, saints, and people who had gained awareness of what is true.

Religions until now
Of course, some people were not like that. It is precious that up to the present, these people have continued their efforts to tell us the essence of religions such as Buddhism and Christianity. However, considering the overall society, I think that people have not listened seriously to the voices of those who taught the essence. I feel that at best, people’s understanding of religion is at the level of worldly benefits, such as praying to the gods or Buddha for the health, safety and prosperity of themselves and their family. By no means do I think that all of this is bad, but I feel that, overall, even followers of Buddhism, Christianity and other religions are like this.

Return to the true nature of religion
To overcome this dead end faced by humankind, I feel there is no other way except to listen again to the voices of the people who lived before us and gained awareness. We need to listen to the voices of truth, and open our eyes to the true nature of existence. I think that we are living in this kind of era. It is very important to recognize this.

One more point is that the dead end faced by human society is a problem of our entire society, and at the same time, involves each person’s way of living. Therefore, I think it is very important to make clear your true way of living, or in other words, become aware of your true self.

A shift in our view of humans and the world
Wisdom is necessary, not knowledge. Knowledge comes from learning about something and analyzing it in detail with the brain. In contrast, wisdom comes from understanding something overall and seeing its true form from the big picture view. Based on this wisdom, most important now are a shift in our view of humans and a shift in our view of the world. This means to become aware of the truth, the true way of being.

In other words, it is necessary to shift from the past scientific view of humankind, which is based on a view that everything is separate, to a religious view of humans in which everything is one, and you and others are one and cannot be separated.

Egoism that arises from the sense of separateness
In the scientific view of humans, which is based on the sense of separateness, other people are considered to have interests that are different from your own interests. Then, egoism naturally arises. It means caring only about your own interests, or the interests of your family, company or country.

Much unhappiness and inconveniences arise from here. Personal problems such as loneliness, superiority complex, inferiority complex, and a way of life obsessed with material things, money, status, fame, or power arise. Also, disagreements between individuals, hatred, grudges, taking from each other, and fierce competition among businesses arise. Then, various problems result such as environmental problems, population explosion, the North-South hemisphere problem, exploitation, discrimination, and unequal ownership patterns.

Among nations, it becomes a conflict of national egoism. Further, when bargaining tactics break down, war results. Once war begins, people risk their lives to fight in the name of survival of the country to which they belong. Since at least several decades ago, many people thought that war could not be avoided and that humans were this way originally.

The egoism of a nation is the main villain
National egoism is adding to and increasing various types of egoism the most. The nation is the base unit in international society. A basic national principle founded on egoism has an endless hunger for the prosperity of the nation and the survival of the nation in a life or death crisis. In most national governments today, these two features have formed the nation’s basic policy. Such a policy has been promoted not only when dealing with foreign countries, but also in policies within the country such as for education, industry and other sectors. This is the actual situation.

Since the nation is headed in the direction of egoism, the nation’s foreign policies, the educational system, and the people, businesses and industries, naturally, are strongly influenced by the nation’s basic policy, that is, egoism.

Let us consider an example to make the situation clear. All passenger seats in a shinkansen bullet train from Kyoto destined for Tokyo, whether in the first car or second car, are headed for Tokyo. In this train, no matter how much you hope to go to Osaka or hope to return to Kyoto, the train with your hopes on board is headed for Tokyo. To say it another way, if you want to go to Osaka or return to Kyoto, you must get off the train at an intermediate station and board a train headed for Osaka or Kyoto. This means you should simply change trains. (to be continued…)

(If you have any comments regarding this blog, please send email to the address below.
Comments will not be released to the general public without consent.)
nomura@kuninoriso.jp

Awakening to a Way of Living Life (Section I, Part 2)

Transcript from a talk (Translated from Japanese)

A world in which we are given life
As I mentioned before, I wanted to live the true way, and for that, I thought I must know what is the true way of living. So, I struggled and struggled seeking what you might call “enlightenment.” I felt that if I climbed this cliff and reached the top, I could reach enlightenment for sure. So, I struggled and climbed. However, finally, I was exhausted. My hands slipped away from the cliff and I fell. Below was a rugged, dry riverbed, and I thought I would die there. But, I actually felt that I was supported by something light and gentle, and I was alive.

In this respect, in childhood also, I was a student that fell behind the others. However, am I literally “a failure”? I cannot believe that everything is within one’s power. It was not that “I was living,” but rather it might be closer to my actual experience to say, “I was given life.” By intuition, I felt that this world worked in this way by nature.

Simply live honest to your genuine feelings
From that time, I have felt that I should simply live by following my genuine feelings. Also, I thought that in my daily life, I could work on deepening my understanding of the meaning of life. Among my friends of that time, three or four also were seeking the path and entered the priesthood or became Buddhist monks. Instead of becoming a priest or a monk, I chose to live a normal life.

In normal life, I continually check my mind and heart. I observe to what extent I am remaining true to my heart. If I am not being true to my heart, I reflect on why this is so. I polish myself by checking what I am feeling in my inner heart, and correcting my way of thinking and actions. I thought that perhaps a normal way of life might be better for this. Living in this way, there is the possibility of spoiling myself, so in a sense, this way of life might be more difficult than becoming a priest or a monk. However, I thought that originally, humans had lived a normal life and polished themselves in their daily life, and that this was the proper way. As for my desire to live life in the true way, I had confidence in this feeling and also felt that there was no other option. So, I chose this path.

The Road to Education
In concrete terms, I ended my research path. I wanted to convey to young people the true way of living and the meaning of living that I had become aware of. I thought that perhaps education would be the best way to do this, and decided to become a middle school teacher. At that time, I had reached the final stages of the doctoral course at the University of Tokyo, so in this sense, people asked me why I would go out of my way to choose this path. Some even said it would be a waste. However, I thought it would be the best way of living for me. So, I became a teacher at a public middle school in the countryside of Kanagawa Prefecture.

Am I qualified to be a teacher?
When I decided to become a teacher, first, I asked myself if I had the qualifications to become a teacher. At that time, I did not have a teaching license, so I hurriedly obtained a license. However, the real question was whether or not I was truly qualified to teach.

What does this mean? In the future, I would probably marry and have my own children. Although it would be in a different form, would I be able to love other people‘s children to the same depth as I love my own children? Do I have that kind of confidence in myself? Would I be able to have that much love for my future students? The answer was a clear “yes.”

There is no child who is “no-good.”
There was one more point I needed to check. I asked myself whether I thought there is any child who is “no-good.” I knew the answer from my own experience. In childhood, I was raised as a “no-good” child. But, I was able to overcome this upbringing when my fifth-grade teacher told me, “You can do it. You are able.” Also, I have observed many children, and there is truly no child who is “no-good.”

Some children get 100 points on a school exam, while others get 10 points. The 10 points is actually not the test score of the child, but rather, the test score for the teacher’s way of teaching. In other words, since the way of teaching is poor, the child can only get 10 points. Instead of saying that the child does not have eagerness, it is the responsibility of the teacher who did not teach in a way that the child would take interest and be eager to learn.

In this way, by looking deeply at what is true, you can see that it is not the fault of the child who has poor grades. I think it is a matter of to what extent the teacher will be creative. So, I became a teacher after making sure that I truly feel there is no child who is “no-good.”

Without blaming the other person, find creative ways of conveying
When I became a teacher and actually gave an exam, some children got 100 points while others got 10 points. At that time, I did not think it was because there was a problem with the children. I did not think that the children were not smart, or that they did not study. I thought the problem was in my way of teaching. I tried to be creative continually in my teaching methods so that any student could understand. As a result, I think my teaching skills improved considerably. I have maintained this attitude ever since then. Whenever I try to convey something to another person and the matter is not conveyed well, I do not blame the other person. I feel it depends on the creativity in my way of conveying.

Through continued creativity in my teaching methods, the students’ grades improved and everyone became lively. Further, in spare moments of classes, as much as possible, I tried to find opportunities to talk with the students about the way of living as a human being. I was also active as an advisor in the students’ club activities. In this way, I developed a relationship of mutual trust with the students and was able to spread my wings and enjoy my teaching life.

Seeking a further breakthrough
After about three years, I felt I had reached the limits of what I could accomplish at a public school. I wanted to make a further breakthrough, so I decided to live “free.” After four years of teaching, I quit my job at the middle school. I opened a private school with the purpose of conveying a way of living as a human being, and teaching how to study, more than the topic of study itself. At first, the students were elementary, middle school, and high school students. But, gradually, they changed to university students and now, people in society.

Not only brightening one corner
There is a saying, “Brighten the world at your corner (‘Ichigu o terasu’).” However, I gradually began to feel that this was not enough. I can do my utmost with sincerity, build good human relations, and develop and grow reasonably. But, looking at the world overall, the level has rapidly gone down, or rather, our level as human beings and the level of our way of living has gone down. I sense this kind of trend every year. I feel that each year, we are going down one step. By doing my utmost with sincerity in Maebashi City or Mt. Akagi, I may be able to brighten one corner, but that alone is not enough.

The truth cannot be conveyed even if it is taught
In this way, from 15 years ago, I shifted my focus toward how to change the overall flow of the world so that everyone in the world could become happy and world peace would become a reality. Another point I realized was that “you cannot teach the truth about the way of living life.” Even if you try to teach the truth, it will not be conveyed. The only way is to realize through one’s own experience.

Therefore, in the past 10 years, I have held two types of retreat-style seminars. The “Seminar of Life” has the objective of realizing and grasping through one’s own experience, the true way of living. In the “Seminar of Peace,” we consider thoroughly what we can do to bring about true world peace. The “Seminar of Life” and the “Seminar of Peace” have been held in Europe as well as in Japan. We can try more new creative ideas, but so far, the seminars have had considerably good results. In general, this has been my way of living.

(If you have any comments regarding this blog, please send email to the address below.
Comments will not be released to the general public without consent.)
nomura@kuninoriso.jp

Awakening to a Way of Living Life (Section I, Part 1)

Transcript from a talk (Translated from Japanese)

“Beyond National Egoism” and my way of living life
I prepared this talk assuming that you have read my book, “Beyond National Egoism—The Road to a Nation for International Peace and the Environment.” If the majority of you have not read the book, however, I can adjust my talk accordingly. Either way is fine, but personally, I would like to talk about something that was not written in the book, that is, the background of how this book was created. This is closely related to my life, and how I have lived life. I am excited to be able to give a talk on this topic.

The reason why I say this is because the book is basically about our society. The book is structured in a way that explains the present situation of our society and offers my proposal to address the situation. However, for me personally, this book arose from my way of living. In other words, what does it mean to live? What is a true way of living? By exploring these questions deeply, a concept of peace emerged. Perhaps, this topic is the most suitable for this gathering. Not only that, I think it is an important topic. I would very much appreciate your attention, and your criticism and guidance. So, I would like to begin my talk.

Probably, most of you at this gathering have each sought a true way of living. I am involved in agriculture and education, and I feel that discussion of the way of living would be the topic that is most fundamental and of common interest for everyone here. Furthermore, I believe it is an important topic in which we should have shared understanding as we consider the contents of this book.
　
I will omit the details of my upbringing due to time restrictions. Until age 20, I lived a rather ordinary life. My father was a soldier in the marines. After the war ended, he farmed in the countryside of Kumamoto, and he had very little income. Our situation worsened and worsened, and from today’s standards, I was raised as one among the poorest people.

Reflecting back on my childhood, I can’t recall having had even one store-bought toy. I was raised in this kind of household, and I was shy and withdrawn. Apparently, my thinking was extremely slow, and until fourth grade, my grades were always a low 1 or 2 out of 5.
　
You can do it if you try!
In time, the first turning point in my way of living came. One day, my fifth grade teacher said to me, “Nomura-san, please come here,” and called me over to a corner of the room. I was told, “You are able!” Until then, I was truly a classic example of a failure in school. Sometimes, I did not go to school due to school-phobia, so it is normal to think that the teacher’s remark was unbelievable. However, as I think back on how I felt at that moment, even now, I feel tears well up. This was my reaction at that time too.

When I was told, “You are able,” I thought, “Oh, is that so? I am able.” Without this simple-mindedness or innocence, my life would have been completely different, and in one sense, it would have been miserable. From there, I said to myself, “Well, I’ll give it a try,” and I began to study. However, I could not understand the lessons at school. In this sense, there were some things that were in vain. So, before class, I would study the topic on my own. I looked up each new word of the Japanese language textbook and learned on my own. Before class, I had already learned the lesson. Somehow, I devised this way of studying. I was told, “You can do it,” at the end of the first term of the fifth grade. I was at the bottom or second from the bottom of a class of 50 in the first term. However, my method of studying was extremely good, so by the end of the second term of fifth grade, in December, I was fifth from the top in my class. The change was that drastic.

“I can do it if I try”—This is the way I have lived life since then. However, since my family was poor, my body was weak and I tended to become ill easily. I considered various options for my future. Ultimately, I concluded that studying was my only option. So, I went to a local college-preparatory high school and then entered a university. I valued studies and thought that I would make my way in the world through studies. I was extremely poor and wanted desperately to stabilize my livelihood through my own abilities. I wanted to make my life as stable as possible. I thought that if I could earn good grades and join a first-rate large enterprise or large company, my life would be relatively stable and I could exert my abilities. I did not have anything else in mind.

Not a ready-made way of living
When I was 20 years old, I had a sudden realization. At that time, I was reading the novel, “The Red and the Black” by Stendhal. There was something extremely intense in the main character’s way of living. I was not envious of the main character’s way of living. The novel is about a poor youth who lives life with ambition but without morals. After reading this novel, I thought, “I have not been living life.” It was as if I was about to choose my life and career from among the various items in a department store display window. In other words, I was considering which would be the best from among the ready-made items displayed. I was shocked upon realizing that it was definitely not a way of living that arose from within and from the depths of my heart.
At that time, I realized that one’s life is only a one-time occurrence in the 15 billion year history of the universe. What I call my “self” lives only 50 to 100 years in the vast universe, and in the eternal flow of time in the universe. At that moment, I was able to clearly and directly face the fact that this is a one-time-only life. Then, I felt I must live this life in the utmost and best way.

What is the utmost and best way to live?
From that time, it became a matter of what is the utmost and what is the best? I read various books, but ultimately could not find an answer. I contemplated various things, but I did not find an answer. Then, I was in my fourth and last year at the university, and it was time to start looking for a job. If I continued at this rate, I could enter a first-rate company. However, I was not satisfied. I felt anxious. I wanted some more time, so I went to graduate school. That was the only reason. I entered graduate school under the pretext of doing biological research to unlock the mysteries of life. Anyhow, I wanted more time to think, so I went to graduate school in Tokyo.

Just about that time, I had a fateful meeting with Shigemasa Wada-sensei of Odawara. Wada-sensei was the originator of the concept proposed in the book, “Beyond National Egoism.” I read Wada-sensei’s original draft for the proposal and listened to his talks. I thought, “Here is a person who is proposing this kind of magnificent concept that stirs the soul from the depths of one’s heart.” I felt I wanted to make it my lifework to spread this proposal to the world. This was when I was 22 years old.

At the same time, we were not married yet, but my wife-to-be, Mutsuko, read Wada-sensei’s book and was so deeply moved that she could hardly sleep at night. I learned this later.
During this period, my way of thinking regarding the aim of this proposal and the original true way of being of our society became clear. Still, I had made no progress in finding how I should live, what is the utmost way to live, what is the proper way of living, and what is the true way of living. So, I listened to Wada-sensei’s talks and read various books.

In this process, what I wanted to do and how to do it gradually became clear. I referred to books too. As I read books, I felt resonance with certain things, so it gradually became clear that these were the things I desired.

I will talk about this path and what it means to walk this path later. I hesitate to say it myself, but I had earned top grades at a leading university in the life I had established until that time—the way of life I thought was the only one for me. So, the people around me thought that if I just continued at that rate, I would remain at the university and become an assistant professor, associate professor and then a full professor. However, considering the example of the display window I mentioned earlier, that way of living would be like choosing a ready-made item. It was a way of living considered as top-class from among the many ready-made items. In contrast, my heart truly desired a way of life which absolutely was not bound by that. I simply yearned to seek the path and remain free. I wanted to live in a way that my heart would genuinely and completely accept. I just wanted to live in this way. I had felt that living in this way would be the best. That meant to live with absolutely no dependence on any kind of supports to hold onto, secure position, status, wealth, home, or anything.

Black and white conflict and agony
In this way, it gradually became clear that, in any event, I wanted all of the people all over the world to become happy, and for the world to be truly vibrant in peace. At the same time, it became clear that what I truly desired was to live with absolutely no ties to status, wealth or any such things.

However, I had two ways of thought inside of me. The white part and the black part within conflicted tremendously. I think I truly wanted to live in my own way. But, there were no people around me who lived in this way. There were no such people in my generation or among the slightly older generation. It was also extremely frightening to abandon the things I had, such as the societal reputation, status, and stability. It was frightening beyond imagination. I wanted to live in the white. That is what I thought intellectually and also emotionally, but with a greater force, the fear (black) bore down on me. So, from age 23, I agonized and agonized, and contemplated and contemplated. I also read summaries of Buddha’s teachings and read the Bible.

My life depended on this matter. To live one’s life to the utmost—I wanted to live in this way. Since the conflicts were from this level, it had become virtually a life or death matter. I came to the point of wondering whether there was any value or meaning to my living. In this way, through struggling and struggling, although I didn’t become neurotic, finally, my body reached its limit and gave in. No matter how much I contemplated, I could not find a solution. No matter how many different kinds of books I read, there was no solution. I could understand the books intellectually, but it was scary. If one does this kind of thing, the body reaches its limit. I also feared that I might head toward death if I continued in this way.

In time, emotionally, I reached my limit too. Along with the exhaustion of my body and mind, probably since I was frequently using a microscope in the laboratory for my research on microorganisms, my eyes became red and extremely painful. Wondering what was happening, I read medical books at the bookstore and researched the cause.

I found that it appeared to be glaucoma, but I did not go to the doctor for a while. I was afraid to know the truth. However, at the end of December, at age 25, just before my 26th birthday on January 7, I went to the University of Tokyo Hospital, underwent tests and was diagnosed. It took about half a day, and I was very nervous. If it were truly glaucoma, everything that I had done up to that point, all the effort I had put in since childhood, would be wasted. I was so afraid that I would have to live without my eyesight. So, I was nervous during the tests, and waited anxiously until the test results were ready.

At the end of hopelessness
The doctor came and called me over. He told me, “I will give you the test results. It is glaucoma. You will probably lose your eyesight in six months.” My suspicion that it was something bad was more than 100% on-target. But, in fact, at that moment, the biggest miracle in my life up to that point occurred. That is, when the doctor said, “You will lose your eyesight in six months,” and he went on to further explanations, completely unexpectedly, my heart was very relaxed. I just felt, “Oh, that is what will happen.” I did not feel any anxiety at all. It was not a feeling of depression or hopelessness.

After listening to explanations for about 10 minutes, I left the room. The real miracle occurred when I opened the hospital door and looked up at the sky. I thought, “The world I had been looking at was completely wrong.” Until that point, I had thought that my life with eyesight and my life without eyesight would be completely different. But, even if I could not see, the meaning of my life would not be different at all. Whether I could see or not, the value and meaning of my life would not change. I understood that originally, life was this way. It was like a revelation or sign from heaven, and all of my life’s worries until then were resolved during the next week. How did I resolve my worries? I had many serious questions about life until then. However, rather than the answers to my problems emerging one by one during that week, the questions themselves disappeared.

In this way, my mind felt very clear and refreshed, and in that one week, gradually, the world looked brighter. Originally, there is nothing. For example, there is no such thing as “a person’s possession.” There is no superior and inferior. There is no discrimination, whether one has eyesight or not, or good grades or poor grades. Further, everything in this world is free (not bound). Then, the cloudy thoughts inside my head, that fogginess, changed to a clear state, and my heart and mind became very clear. I felt, “I should follow the way of this feeling.” It was a clarity that I had not experienced before. Rather than my own heart, I understood clearly that the human heart is originally like this by nature.

Live life by following one’s true heart and letting go
It was not that I understood only at that time, but from that point on, I felt, “I can just live in this way.” To put it simply, as long as one lives “with sincerity, a true heart,” even if one were to die by the roadside without anything, that would not matter. This is the best way of living. It is living without any possessions. If I may say, it is a way of living in which one puts forth all of oneself for the sake of others and the world; this is within one’s heart by nature, and this alone is enough. How I end up in society does not matter. It is not a heroic resolve, but is extremely free and light. In this way, from that time onward, I have never worked for the sake of money. I will not live in that way. It is not living for the sake of gaining something. It is also not living for the sake of possessing or having something. Let go and put forth everything. If I could live in this way, that would be good. I have lived life in this way until now. Since I had been poor until then, I did not have a house or money. It may be rude to say this, but I have no religion or temple to rely upon. But, if there is one thing I can rely upon, it is the ‘tenshin’ (pure, cloudless heart, like from before birth) at the depths of my heart, that is connected to ‘ten’ (the heavens or nature). I don’t wish to sound conceited, but I realized there is something inside oneself that cannot be considered as one’s own.

From this standpoint, automatically, all of my selfish desires floated away and were no longer a problem. Before the doctor told me, ”you will lose your eyesight,” my selfish thoughts and my true hopes were in conflict with equal strength. However, my selfish desires were chiefly emotions or thoughts in my head. After I was told about my eyesight, I realized what was deeper and originally inside. It was that kind of difference.

When I felt I wanted to live, it meant living with the true heart that is originally inside oneself by nature. Since that point, I have lived life in this way. Fortunately, I have been able to maintain a proper livelihood. On the way, food and clothing have been provided. I sought the path. Religiously speaking, I am an amateur, but certainly, I have pursued the path in my own way and walked along that path. In doing this, food and clothing are provided naturally. From experience, I think the world is made in this way. Therefore, as Christ said in his Sermon on the Mount, "Therefore I say to you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink; nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air, for they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feeds them.“ I understood there is nothing to worry about, and I felt extremely at ease. As I come to think of it, I became very active from that time.

Since I finally understood that I could just live in this way, I have lived a life in which each day is so full of joy. Before I realized it, half a year later, my eyes had improved. Of course, my eyes sometimes tire easily, but I can still see well. In my youth, I went through this kind of experience. Of course, this was not enlightenment or anything so magnificent. Assuming it was a sort of “enlightenment,” it would only be the first step. I feel I began to proceed in a pretty good direction from that time. Forty years ago, I felt as though I could see a rough sketch of the world, myself, and humans. Over the past 40 years, I feel that through actual daily life, my life has gradually become precise or finely-tuned.

The true way of living and society’s true way of being
This was the series of events that occurred from the year-end to the new-year period around my 26th birthday. It became clear that I should follow this path. Since then, although I have not graduated from overcoming all of my own problems, I have devoted my life to the next challenge of tying together the true way of living and Wada-sensei’s proposal of “establishing an ideal for the country, and thereby bringing peace to the world.” These two are very closely connected. Over the past twenty years, it has become very clear that true peace cannot be created without “self-awareness”—that is, awareness of who am I, and what is this world? (to be continued…)

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nomura@kuninoriso.jp
August 31, 2008

Recently Published Books

2007 Spring:
国の理想と憲法 —「国際環境平和国家への道」
“Kuninoriso to Kenpo—Kokusai kankyo heiwa kokka e no michi”
(Original version of “Beyond National Egoism” in Japanese.)

2008 Spring:
“Beyond National Egoism—The Road to a Nation for International Peace and the Environment”

For details about the books, please see the following websites.

Japanese homepage — http://kuninoriso.jp/
English homepage — http://kuninoriso.jp/english/index.html