Supported by the Strength of Others
Rev. Nichiko Niwano
President of Rissho Kosei-kai

The Person Who Carries Out a Thankless Job

The person who carries out a thankless job is someone who, unknown to others, strives and works hard behind the scenes. If the foundations of a house are not well built, the house will be unstable. Similarly, the existence of such people is invaluable, for without them nothing important can be accomplished. In our daily lives, also, we are able to achieve things through the assistance of the powerful support received from people employed in many different fields in society.

In chapter 10 of the Lotus Sutra, "Springing Up Out of the Earth," we learn about bodhisattvas who do just that. They are people who experience the reality of life while at the same time attaining the highest level of enlightenment. These bodhisattvas are described in the scripture as follows: "These good sons (bodhisattvas) have not found pleasure in talking among the crowd," and indeed they do not choose to do such things as preach the teaching of the Buddha to people; rather, they are always in some quiet place and diligent in spirit as they seek the Truth. We can catch a glimpse of a lifestyle similar to that of the bodhisattvas who spring up out of the earth in a phrase from Kenji Miyazawa's well-known poem, Amenimomakezu (Unyielding in the Rain):

Everyone called him an idiot,
No one sings his praises
Or takes him to heart

In other words, we should not expect to be appreciated by others: for example, to be regarded as a good person and praised. We should follow a way of life in which we honestly and steadily diligent in spirit, with a mind of tenderness and forbearance, wishing for the happiness of all people, not caring whether or not they pay attention to us.

A Single Instance Demonstrates the Ordinary

It is often said that a single instance can be an example of what happens all the time. Just as from one example we can guess about others. So one person's trivial act can be an indication of their truly valuable nature. Small acts of generosity and thoughtfulness -such as stopping to pick up a piece of trash in the street or to propping up a bicycle that has fallen over -are important parts of being human. This is because our lives are surrounded by the Buddha's great compassion, which we cannot see with our eyes, and because our lives are supported by the strength of many other people, and because we have received the gift of life. When we become aware of this, the self-centeredness in our minds become insignificant, and we find that doing our utmost to make other people happy brings happiness to ourselves as well.

Founder Niwano, upon the establishment of the WCRP (World Conference of Religions for Peace), said to many of the world's religious leaders, "My fervent hope is that you will all allow me to do all that I can to serve as your messenger," in order that he could be a pilgrim for peace.

Let us reflect deeply on Founder Niwano's wish for everyone to be happy, and advance spiritually with cheerfulness, neither rushing nor lagging behind, to engage in bodhisattva practice with pleasure -and with feelings of gratitude.

Kosei 03/2004

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