Are Humans the “Most Superior in All of Creation”?

Two life-shaping experiences
One day, after a certain occurrence at age 10, I was struck by the thought, “Why are there poor people in this world? There is definitely something wrong with this world.” Then, at age 14, I visited the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum (Atomic Bomb Memorial) during a school field trip. The entire time while I looked at the many exhibits, I could not stop my body from shuddering. It was not from fear or anger, but simply from the strong feeling, “Humans are so foolish. There is definitely something wrong with this kind of world.”

The memory of these two life-shaping experiences continued to reside deep in my heart. Then, at age 22, I learned of the booklet, “With Everyone, Raise an Ideal for the Country” [“Minna de Kuni no Riso o”] by Shigemasa Wada, who originally made this proposal. After reading this booklet, I had a firm conviction, “This is the certain path where people will become happy and every country and the world will be saved.” I had found the answer to the questions that I had from childhood. I was truly moved from the depths of my heart.

In addition, I felt that my life mission was to convey this idea to the people all over the world. The fruit of 40 years of contemplation and actual practice was the book, “A Country’s Ideal and the Constitution—‘The Road to a Nation for International Peace and the Environment’” (in Japanese) [“Kuni no Riso to Kenpo—‘Kokusai Kankyo Heiwa Kokka e no Michi’”] and the English translation, “Beyond National Egoism— The Road to a Nation for International Peace and the Environment”.

Through an Infinite Relay of Life
In the 14 billion year history of the universe, the first primitive single-celled organisms appeared on the earth 3.5 billion years ago, and the evolution of living organisms began from here. Since then, evolution has continued and the various plants and animals emerged. Three million years ago, apes, or the first humans, appeared and the history of human evolution began. Then, 40,000 years ago, humans in our present form were born, and we arrive at the present-day humans, ourselves, of today.

From the first living organisms that emerged 3.5 billion years ago to each of us of living today, “life” has been passed on like a baton in a relay from one generation to the next. One can say this passing of the baton has occurred virtually an infinite number of times. This means that if even one link in this “chain of life” had been broken, you and I would not exist in this world. From this fact, it can be said that the life of each person and all living beings are irreplaceable.

In addition, in this sense, each one of us, and all living beings on the earth are standing at the forefront of the history of living beings. It is often said, “Humans are the most superior in all of creation.” Does this mean that among animals, humans are the most outstanding existences? Certainly, humans can make full use of a developed brain that other animals do not have, and humans have developed a shining technological civilization and material civilization. As a result, humans have overpowered other animals and are enjoying prosperity on this earth.

Are humans crazy apes?
However, at least since recorded history up until now, we humans have continued to massacre fellow humans on a large scale over and over again. In addition, we humans are discriminating against and abusing fellow humans. Furthermore, now, we put poison in our food and drinking water, pollute the air we breathe, and are destroying the world in which we live. In this kind of world, individually and as a society, many people bear a sense of insecurity and are suffering in life. There is definitely something wrong with this kind of world. With things as they are, it can hardly be said, “Humans are the most superior in all of creation.” Then, are humans “crazy apes”?

We can definitely bring to reality peace
Are humans originally such foolish and powerless existences? I do not think so. We humans have committed many mistakes and caused ourselves and others to suffer. However, with our power, we certainly ought to be able to correct the mistakes we have made. We humans can definitely attain not only our own happiness and peace in our hearts, but also resolve the many problems of society, and bring to reality world peace and the happiness of all humankind.

Perhaps the reasons why these have not been brought to reality until now are lack of interest, ignorance, and most of all, giving up. I am certain that if we firmly believe, “we can definitely bring this to reality,” and make clear the root cause of the mistaken ways, we definitely will be able to find the path to solving the problems. Isn’t that the point when we become existences that are worthy of the expression, “Humans are the most superior in all of creation”?

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The Importance of Enlightenment

Transcript from a talk (Translated from Japanese)

Nothing is more important for us than “the importance of enlightenment.” This is because we ourselves are the ones who are living. What am I? What is this world in which I am living? Without truly knowing these, we are living only by our moods or thoughts.

Nothing is more foolish than not knowing truly about yourself, not knowing truly about life, and not living a true way of life, and it is a regrettable life. To grasp anew our true self and the true world, clearly and by experiencing (not with the head or intellect), is more important than all else. This is especially so in the present era in which our human society is rapidly headed toward a dead end.

Buddha became enlightened 2500 years ago. He keenly indicated that the source of all human suffering and chaos in society is ignorance, and that an absolute truth of existence is of being one and indivisible.

So, what is ignorance? Normally, we recognize, judge and think about things with our head (intellect). However, “thoughts” of our head are relative, separate things into “I” and “others,” and we mistakenly understand things as being separate existences.

Therefore, things we understand by our thoughts are only “false” things that we have interpreted in a way for our own convenience, and are not the “truth” as it is. Furthermore, the “self” we understand by “our relationship to others” through our thoughts is consequently merely the self that we have defined on our own, and is not the “true self” itself. By thoughts, we cannot grasp the true self and the absolute truth of existence of being one and indivisible.

In order to grasp the absolute truth of existence directly and not with the head, first, it is necessary to have a strong desire to attain this by experiencing, no matter what it takes. At the same time, it is vital to quiet down our thoughts of the head by proper meditation or “zazen” (sitting in silent meditation).

However, it is a fact that the wall of our thoughts is extremely thick and grasping the truth directly is very difficult. Speaking from experience, after running into a problem that cannot be solved with the head, struggling and struggling, and facing a complete dead end and desperate situation, suddenly, a consciousness beyond the head (thoughts) takes effect and you can grasp directly the absolute truth of existence of everything being one and indivisible.

The “Seminar of Life,” which I supervise, is based on this principle. So far, many participants have awakened to their true self and the true world in the short period of one week.

In any case, we must make this our top priority theme anew—
What am “I who exists” and not merely “I who lives daily life.”

(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.)
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Striving toward creating a nation in an exciting way

Transcript from a talk (Translated from Japanese)

Striving toward creating a nation in an exciting way—
Let us raise an ideal for Japan together

Modern-day Japan is facing a serious dead end in areas such as politics, the economy, education and social welfare. Further, globally, due to factors such as environmental destruction and wars, our human society is facing history’s worst crisis. In order to overcome this crisis from the root level, we need to create a completely different flow from the ones of the past. I feel that the key is in the present Constitution of Japan.

Including Japan, the main cause or culprit of this worst dead end of human society is conflicts of national egoism that says, “As long as it is in my country’s best interests.” These conflicts of national egoism cause wars, promote development of science and technology, promote competition among businesses, and create problems such as with the environment, poverty, and famine.

According to the Preamble of the present Constitution of Japan, Japan will make all out efforts to contribute to solving the many serious problems of the world by peaceful means. It proclaims strongly that this is how the country will secure its survival. This means Japan renounces national egoism by its own will unilaterally. In addition, Article 9 calls for renouncing all types of war including war for self-defense and abolishment of military.

I published the book, “Kuni no Riso to Kenpo” (“A Country’s Ideal and the Constitution”, original in Japanese and published in English as “Beyond National Egoism—The Road to an Nation for International Peace and the Environment” last year. In this book, I presented the following proposal:

In the midst of the dead end situation of the world, let us truly revive Japan. Further, in order to take initiative toward overcoming the critical situation of the world from the root level, let us more assertively bring to life the spirit of peace of the present Constitution of Japan, and let us raise a new ideal in Japan, ‘to aspire for a nation for international peace and the environment.’

In recent years, Japan has seen political turmoil and fallen into its worst ever recession. During this time, people have gotten the impression that the issue of revising the constitution has disappeared. However, considering that on May 18, 2010, the National Referendum law will come into force, it can be anticipated that before long, the movement to revise the constitution will become very active again. Now, especially since we are in this kind of period, we must think about this very seriously.




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

Shohei Nomura
Mamizu Shuppan Publishing

Contents

I. The Constitutional Debate That Will Determine Japan's Future

Chapter 1 Can We Protect the Peace Without Military Force?
Chapter 2 Arguments for and against Constitutional Revision

II. Know the Present State of the Global Environment and Human Society

Chapter 1 Know the Present State of the Environmental Problems
Chapter 2 Population, Food Supply, Water, Energy, and Nuclear Power Problems
Chapter 3 Considering Conflicts and Wars of the 21st Century

III. How Can We Overcome This Crisis?

Chapter 1 What Is the Fundamental Cause of the Crisis Situation?
Chapter 2 Considering the Future of This Nation
Chapter 3 Overcoming National Egoism

Proposal for the Japanese People
─Everyone, Let Us Raise an Ideal for the Nation
─Now, What Should I Do?
Proposal─For the People All Over the World

(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

Truth of Existence – Part 2

Transcript from a talk (Translated from Japanese)

Instinct is the accumulation of countless experiences of success
All wild animals live in harmony with nature, and move, circulate, and relate to each other following their instinct. This is because, by instinct, they live following the laws of nature. Instinct is the highest ability, which has been gained and built up genetically through the accumulation of better and better successful experiences in survival and flourishing of the individual and species. It has been developed through infinite trials and errors in the history of evolution over many hundreds of thousands, millions, and billions of years.

So, if wild animals live and act following their instinct, all will be harmonious and follow the laws of nature. With the exception of injuries, infection from bacteria or weakening of the body from lack of food, the functioning of the body will not become abnormal. In other words, except for injuries from accidents, wild animals basically do not become ill.

Humans live with the “head”
In contrast, humans have a “head (developed brain)”. Different from other animals, a special feature of humans is that we can think with our head. However, regarding the basic topic of living, the judgment ability of the head is very poor compared to instinct. The ability to make judgments with the head comes from the accumulation of experiences over a few million years at most.

In contrast, as described before, instinct is the accumulation and concentration of a billion years of experiences of success since living beings appeared on the earth. For example, let us consider foods that are absolutely necessary for an animal’s survival. Wild animals eat things they like and as much as they want, following their instincts. Things that are suited to the body taste good, and the animals like these foods. In contrast, foods that do not suit the body taste bad, and the animals do not like the smell of these food. These are the workings of the instinct. In addition, through the workings of the instinct, they naturally feel satisfied after eating the necessary amount, and do not eat more than that.

Wild animals do not become overweight
Wild animals do not eat foods that do not suit their bodies, and they do not overeat. Naturally, there are no overweight wild animals. If you think a hippopotamus is overweight, that is because you are comparing it to other types of animals such as deer. The body structure of the hippopotamus is suited for its survival, and it is not actually overweight for its species. The body structure of the hippopotamus is the standard for a hippopotamus. There is no hippopotamus that is abnormally overweight beyond the standard for its species.

Foods suited to humans
In contrast, in most cases, we humans think about and decide with our “head” the type of food, quantity, and number of times to eat based on our knowledge and experience. The result is that we overeat in most cases.

If we humans also followed our instincts, by nature, we would probably not eat very much meat and dairy products. For example, human teeth are not very suited to biting and tearing tough raw meat. It is supposed that for humans of the time before the development of techniques using fire to soften meat such as grilling or boiling, and over the many millions of years of our ancestors which were a type of ape, even if humans ate the meat of other animals, the main foods were things like nuts, fruits and leaves.

Difference between cats and humans
If we observe cats, which are originally pure and simple meat-eating animals, if a small animal scurries nearby, the cats instinctively get excited, follow the movements of the small animal with their eyes and wait for a chance to pounce on the animal.

In contrast, if we humans walk by a pasture and a kid goat comes near, in general, we might think, “how cute,” but we do not think things such as, “This looks delicious.” Still more, unless we are facing severe starvation, normally, the urge to pounce and capture does not naturally well up from inside.

These are only some examples. Of course, we humans can eat meat and consider it “delicious” by grilling or boiling it to make it soft, and adding seasonings such as salt, and vegetable and fruit juices that have good aroma and flavor to hide the bad taste of raw meat. Setting aside the question of whether meat is truly suited to the human body, it is a fact that these methods of preparing meat have widened the range of foods for humans, enriched our diet and food culture, enabled humans to survive more easily, and greatly broadened the area inhabitable to humans. However, perhaps the fact that we cannot consider meat to be “delicious” unless we season it or mix it with other things that have good aroma and flavor such as vegetables and fruits, means that it cannot be said that meat is originally a food that is very suitable for humans.

Is milk a good food?
How are dairy products? The components of milk differ for each species of animal. A human mother’s milk is suited to a human baby. A mother cow’s milk is suited to a baby cow.

In this sense, wouldn’t you say that there is a problem with giving cow’s milk to a human baby? Still more, mammals wean naturally after a certain period of time. They do not need the mother’s milk any longer.

When mammals mature, they get their own food and eat. However, many humans continue to drink milk even after becoming adults. Furthermore, this is not their mother’s milk, but the milk of a mother cow. Isn’t there something strange about this?

It may be a fact that cow’s milk has components that are also nutritious for humans, but nutrients that are necessary for a baby cow are concentrated in cow’s milk. Is cow’s milk truly good food for an adult human? Adult humans are stealing and drinking the milk meant for a baby cow. Even adult cows do not drink cow’s milk.
　
Food suited to the human body
So, what is the most suitable food for the human body? Basically, it is food that is raw, tasty, and has a good aroma by itself without being mixed with anything else, and without being cooked or boiled.

This may be quite far from the conventional ideas of most people today. However, if you look from the viewpoint of what is the natural way of the human body, you will see that this is definitely not such a strange idea. Our ancestors survived over many millions of years by choosing and eating foods that were tasty and had a good smell in the raw form, based on instinct, which is our highest ability given to us from nature.

As a consequence, the structure of the human body was adapted to these kinds of foods. Later, humans developed various methods of cooking and broadened the range of foods, but this history is only about a few tens of thousands of years old at most. It cannot be said that the human body has sufficiently adapted to these new foods.

Why do we overeat?
In many cases, we humans choose and eat food based on judgments and knowledge of the “head.” If we followed our instincts, we would eat things that suit the body, feel satisfied at the appropriate amount (relatively small amount), and stop eating.

However, since we eat based on judgments and knowledge of the “head,” we often do not eat things that are truly suited to the body (that our body likes). So, no matter how much we eat, we cannot feel truly satisfied. Then, in order to gain a feeling of satisfaction, we cannot stop from eating more and more. In the end, we overeat.

Abnormalities of the body are caused by unnatural lifestyle
In modern life, we do not walk much anymore. By walking, the human body adjusts itself and becomes balanced naturally, but now, we cannot do this natural adjustment well.

In addition, since we lack exercise, many people commute to a gym for exercise after work. Wild animals do not lack exercise even without commuting to a gym.

We can see these kinds of examples in various aspects of our every day lives. In short, since we humans make judgments with the “head,” we go away from the laws of nature, our lifestyles become unnatural, and as a result, our bodies become abnormal. This means that in principle, the abnormalities of our bodies will be cured if we correct and conform our lifestyles to a natural lifestyle, and leave things to the life power of nature (instinct).

Human society is a society that is one body
Our world, that is, human society, is a world that is one body in which originally everything is connected and circulates. This society is formed from relationships in which all people, including adults, children, elderly, infants, men, women, husbands, wives, sons, daughters, grandfathers, grandmothers, uncles, aunts, nephews and nieces, are connected to each other and circulate.

These people are in various types of relationships such as family, friends, and acquaintances. Further, through organic gathering and joining, these people form the many types of systems and organizations such as shops, factories, offices, companies, public offices, courts, and schools.

Then, these collectively become a nation, and further, the world is formed from all of these factors.

The basic unit of the international society is the nation. Similar to all the cells, tissues and organs of a human body, it can be said that all people and other components, are irreplaceable and precious existences that form this society, which is one body.

Our society is not in harmony
Nevertheless, can we say that this society, which is one body, is completely sound and in harmony? Unfortunately, this is not the case. Even if each existence in this society is irreplaceable and precious, and inseparably connected to each other, their workings are not sound workings, and this world has not become one that is happy, in harmony and at peace. Why is this so? It is because abnormalities have been created in society through ideas and judgments that are not in line with the truth.

Similar to the situation of the human body, abnormalities are created in society through activities of individuals and each type of system and organization, when we follow mistaken beliefs, ideas and judgments of our “head” that are not in line with the truth (laws of nature). 　

This is the cause of suffering and agony of the mind and body of individuals. Further, it becomes the cause of hatred and fighting among people, and also becomes the cause of conflicts and wars, poverty, famine and environmental destruction.

In short, our society is also one body. However, it is not in harmony. This means that abnormalities have arisen in our society because of ways of thought and judgments that do not follow in line with the truth that “all existences are not separate, but one indivisible body,” which is the truth of existence.

The workings of the body and the workings of society
The body is one whole, so if there is an illness or injury somewhere in the body, it leads to disharmony of the whole body. In addition, the effects of the illness or injury and reaction of the body affect all reaches of all cells. Also, an illness or injury to one cell connects to illness of the entire body and mind which is one whole.

Similar to the human body, human society is also one body. The many problems of society are like the illnesses of the human body. In other words, just as suffering in one part of the body becomes suffering of the entire body and mind, if there is even one person in the world who is suffering from poverty, famine or war, is in need or is suffering, to feel it as my own suffering and unhappiness is a normal and sound sense that is in humans by nature, and this is the correct way of seeing things.

I feel it is human nature to consider this as suffering and unhappiness of oneself that is one whole, and work to remove the suffering or unhappiness, and restore soundness to the body even one moment sooner.

In this way, if each person becomes aware of this truth of existence, conflicts would not arise, and egoism such as “as long as it is in my interests” or “as long as it is in our interests” would not arise.

Sense of oneness and sense of separateness
Let us consider again the sense of oneness and sense of separateness from the perspective of the individual and the whole, because each of us humans certainly has an awareness of the “self” or awareness of the “individual.” In addition, it is a fact that each person, or each existence, appears to be separate. So, how should we think about this?

We can think of it as the difference between our picture of things based on our sensing and seeing with our five senses, versus the true form of this world. Let me explain this difference with an example.

Sunlight is colorless and is one. However, if colorless sunlight passes through a prism, it separates into seven colors like a rainbow. In fact, it is divided into many more than seven colors.

Just like in this example, we can think that all existences are originally one, but if passed through our five senses, it looks like countless numbers of “individuals.”

All humans are brothers and sisters
I would like to explain about the relationship between “the individual and the whole” using another example.

In 1987, according to research by Dr. Cann and colleagues, comparison of the genes of newborns from locations around the world such as Asia, Europe, Australia and New Guinea, showed that all humans living on the earth have in common the same ancestor, a female who lived in Africa 200,000 years ago.

In other words, all humans are descendants of this woman, and we humans are all brothers and sisters.

Setting aside the question of whether the common ancestor of all humankind has truly been determined, I believe that there is no objection to the idea that all humans have a specific common ancestor and that all humans are descendants of that specific ancestor.

This can be expressed by saying, “We branched off from a common ancestor.” Male and female descendants that “branched off” were united, and descendants of a common ancestor were born. This was repeated nearly an infinitely large number of times, and all of the descendents are related like the mesh points of a three-dimensional net.

It might appear that people branched off and became separate. But, actually, through this process, new bonds can be formed. So, in fact, we have not become separated and lost all relations to each other. We might appear to be separate, but this is also a form of one indivisible body.

All existences are one body
The relationship between “the individual and the whole” becomes clearer if we think about our human body.

Each human life starts from one fertilized egg. This fertilized egg cannot do many detailed biological activities as it is. One fertilized egg divided and became two cells, divided again to become four cells, and after dividing nearly an infinite number of times, formed over 60 trillion cells. From these cells, tissues and organs that have various functions were created. All together, these form one living organism, that is, one human.

So, is it the case that each cell, tissue, and organ is separate? They are unrelated? They are simply “connected”? Can the relationships with each other be explained completely with the expression, “They are very closely related?”

The individual and the whole
All of the above are mistaken. Each relationship is such that we cannot survive without the other, we help each other, and fill in for each other’s weaknesses. These aspects circulate among each other, and by each fulfilling its special qualities and roles, the one life (one living body) as a whole can live.

In summary, each individual is given life by all other individuals. Also, as an individual, the individual lives one large life that is the whole, and the overall one large life lives as an individual.

It is important to become aware of the truth of existence
This relationship between “the individual and the whole” is not limited to the human body, but is the proper form of the world of nature. In addition, it is the way human society ought to be by nature.

Indeed, we have an awareness of our “self,” and an awareness of the “individual.” However, it definitely does not mean that we all exist separately from each other.
Each of us humans, by nature, is an existence that is absolutely necessary for each other. The true form of human society is living in harmony with nature, helping each other, making up for each other’s weaknesses, and cooperating with each other.

Each person has an awareness of the “self,” and the reason we have a sense of the “individual” is that by having this sense, we can better enable others to live, and help the overall life advance. Through the inner demands of “life” itself that works far and wide throughout the macrocosm, and as a result of evolution, humans gained this kind of ability.

You can think of this as the same as the inner demand of “life” itself that caused one-celled organisms to evolve to many-celled organisms, and then to the various types of plants and animals that have complex tissues and organs.

In any case, all of the problems of human society arise from egoism, which is based on the sense of separateness. As human society has come to such a dead-end situation in the present era, now of all times, we must awaken to the truth of existence that “all existences are one (and not separate existences).”

(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

Truth of Existence – Part 1

Transcript from a talk (Translated from Japanese)

Is the sense of separateness a truth of existence?
On an individual level, group level and national level, we humans (humankind) are suffering from various problems. We can say that ultimately, the root cause of all of these problems is egoism of humans, and this is different from other animals. This means that if egoism were the true nature of humans, it would basically be impossible to resolve our many problems. So, is egoism the true nature of humans? This is, in fact, a very important topic. Egoism is the way of thinking and way of life, “caring only about myself,” (or “as long as it is in my interests,”) and this comes from the “sense of separateness” in which “everything in this world exists separately from each other.”

“Truth of existence” – Humans
So, is the sense of separateness a “truth of existence?” First, let us think about the existence of humans as the closest thing we can relate to. There are over 60 trillion cells in the human body. If we examine one cell, it is made up of many components including genes, cell fluid, cell membrane, etc. These cells form the tissues of our body such as membranes, blood, other bodily fluids, and muscles. These tissues form our organs such as the stomach, colon, heart, liver, kidneys, eyes, nose, mouth, blood vessels and bones, etc. Further, these organs form our body parts such as head, neck, chest, abdomen, hands, feet and so on, and these parts form one individual human body.

The existence of each individual human is not just a physical body. We are formed from various components such as our senses, intelligence, knowledge, ideas, memory, emotions, heart and mind. In other words, an individual human existence is formed from many components at different levels such as cells and tissues, organs, body parts, as well as intelligence, memory, emotion, and heart/mind. These components are continuously breaking apart, coming together, circulating, being active, or stopping. In other words, these components do not exist separately from each other, but are at a level that is clearly beyond simply having a close relationship or connection. Their relationship cannot be broken apart even if you try. They are inseparably related, complement each other, help each other, and circulate to sustain each individual human life.

In this way, each human existence is a microcosm. “All cells, tissues, organs, as well as intelligence, memory, emotions, and heart/mind cannot survive without each other.” They exist, circulate, and function harmoniously in a “relationship of giving each other life, and being given life by each other.” To say it another way, it is a relationship of “All for one, one for all.” In other words, "All (everyone) for the sake of one (one person), one (one person) for the sake of all (everyone)." This means, each existence is not separate from others, or has a shallow relationship of being slightly related, but we have a very close relationship with each other. We can even go as far as saying, "I am you, you are me," "everything is me, I am everything." Maybe it is suitable to express this situation as, "a relationship where we are one body, and cannot be separated apart," "one indivisible body," or simply "one body."

Macrocosm
Just as human existence (life) is one body and an indivisible microcosm, the macrocosm itself is one indivisible body. The planets revolve around the sun following laws in an orderly way. Moons and satellites revolve around planets in an orderly way. It is said that in the Milky Way, there are about 200 billion solar systems like ours. With the best telescopes of today, we have found approximately a billion galaxies that are about the same scale as the Milky Way. Our universe is a macrocosm with an infinite, uncountable number of stars, planets, galaxies, and matter among the stars and planets. These all move in harmony following laws and circulating in an orderly way. In this way, the macrocosm obeys the laws and moves in an orderly way. It is a world that is one and indivisible.

Microscopic world
The microscopic world is also called a small universe or microcosm. For each type of atom, the size of a nucleus is different. In the various atoms, a fixed number of electrons revolve around the nuclei following the laws and without becoming disorderly. These together with the nucleus express the workings of one atom. In addition, each atomic nucleus is formed from various micro-particles. The whole is in harmony. It is the same for molecules. Atoms and molecules are one body.

Nature
Nature is the same. Nature is formed from various components such as the sky, clouds, rain, sun, moon, snow, rivers, oceans, mountains, soil, desert, grasslands, minerals, plants, animals, microorganisms and so on. All of these components are related to each other, circulate, and are one overall. Nature is also a world of coexistence as one body in harmony.

By the way, there are different opinions about the concept of “in harmony.” For example, lions eating deer is a grim fact of the law of the jungle. If we look at natural disasters such as earthquakes and floods, we say that nature cannot be considered to be in harmony. However, that is only the way we humans look at things with our head according to our own convenience and self-serving ways. We look at things on the surface level and only at the parts from a relative point of view. The true form of nature is also a world of coexistence in harmony.

Plants and animals
Let us think about nature a bit more in detail. For example, plants create the components of their body by photosynthesis. In photosynthesis, plants use the sun’s energy to make the components of their body from carbon dioxide absorbed from the air and water absorbed from the roots. At the same time, plants product oxygen and release it to the air. Grass-eating animals such as deer eat these plants. Meat-eating animals such as lions eat these deer.

Through respiration, animals absorb the oxygen produced by plants, and at the same time, animals produce carbon dioxide (CO2) and release it into the air. Plants use this carbon dioxide for photosynthesis. The oxygen absorbed by animals is used to break down and digest the food they eat and to provide energy for their activities. Waste materials from the animals and the dead bodies of animals are broken down as food for microorganisms, and in the end, are scattered in the soil and air.

The components that are scattered into the soil become nutrients for the plants. When the plants themselves wither and die, they are broken down by microorganisms and return to the soil once again to become nutrients for the next plants. At the same time, some components are also scattered into the air. The various components that are scattered into the air, in fact, circulate around the world through circulation of the atmosphere, are absorbed by the soil, plants, and animals again, and enter a different circulation pathway.

Water
In a similar way, water not only circulates among the rivers, ponds, lakes, oceans, clouds, rain and snow, but becomes components of the bodies of plants and animals. In addition, water is excreted out of the bodies, and for example, goes into rivers in the end. This circulation follows unimaginably complex pathways.

In other words, nature and the human body are similar, and there are a countless number of levels of components that compose them. All of these are “existences that are necessary and vital, ” that complement each other, support each other, circulate, and are in harmony. Nature, which is one huge life, is sustained and works by all of these components. In this way, nature is indeed a world that is one indivisible body.

Similar forms of one indivisible body
If we observe in this way, aren’t the things in this world created similarly to each other? Probably, “similar form” is an unfamiliar expression. To put it simply, “similar form” means “various phenomena follow common patterns.”

As I explained for the human body, for all things in this world, the components at each respective level follow the laws of nature. The laws of the universe, are related to each other, affect each other, complement and cooperate with each other, form one harmonious universe overall, and form a component of one level above. In other words, it can be said that the components at a particular level are unified together to form one body, and live “one life” [not each being separate lives] as one indivisible body in the level above. Then, the components of the level above gather together, and in a similar way, form the components of the next higher level.

If we look straightforwardly at the cells, tissues, organs, and the entire body that are the components (world) of the life of animals, plants, and microorganisms, and further, if we look at nature and the universe, perhaps we can clearly see and grasp the similar forms. Simply put, originally, everything is not separate, but is one and indivisible. In addition, all existences beside humans or human society are in harmony, following laws as they move, circulate, and relate to each other.

(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.)
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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)
　
(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 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…)

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