Vol. 24# 7
Rev. Kametaro Nakayama - The Way to Happiness - continued from June
Happiness and Unhappiness
I have learned many things through my mother's faith and the hardships she endured. As I have just shared with you, I have had less fortunate circumstances than most, been disabled and poor, lived a life in despair, but I do not consider this to be unfortunate in the slightest. There were times in the past when I thought I was unfortunate, but now not only do I no longer feel unfortunate, but I also feel extremely happy. I have even come to think that there is no one in the world who is as happy as I am.
Before I tell you why I am happy, I'd like you to hear my thoughts on what it means to be happy or unhappy.
In this world, when people experience some trouble, worry, or slight inconvenience, they feel sad and say, "I'm unhappy, I'm unlucky." Some people complain, "What unfortunate fate has caused me to have to go through all this trouble?"
If you try to put yourself in their shoes, you can see that they must be suffering, but it is hard to truly sympathize with them. However, most people, by thinking of themselves as having had bad luck or misfortune, only make themselves feel more depressed and sink into a state of misfortune that seems impossible to reverse.
On the contrary, in this world of faith, there are people who consider unbearable suffering and sorrow to be their happiness. They feel they cannot even die without Kami’s blessings and peacefully accept their life.
The world is not always the way we want it to be. Not only the world, but even our own bodies and minds sometimes do not go the way we want them to. However, in the world of faith, I believe it is possible to be able to make these things as one wishes.
People often say that everything is based on fate, and there are people who overreact about whether it's good or bad luck. When they see other people getting promoted or making a fortune, some people say, "That person is lucky," or "No matter what I do, nothing goes well for me. It's bad luck. It's fate."
Some people read the kanji character fate as destiny. There is a view that everything in the world is a promise from a previous life and is decided before we are born. This seems to be a way to give up and be free from complaints and curses, but it also seems to involve resentment for not being given the joy of creating a life or hope for the future.
This life of giving up may bring comfort, but it is passive and lacks the proactiveness to lead a lively life and overcome difficulties. I think the happiness of giving up can turn into a kind of unhappiness.
I believe that fate is not something that is decided from the beginning, but something that is created and produced from within each other's hearts. The kanji character for fate comes from the word luck, and is pronounced "hakobu" (carry), so I believe that fate is not something that is decided, but something that is carried by the heart.
To achieve great happiness, we must have an honest and true faith. We need strong mental strength, and courageous, sincere effort.
Proper effort is working with a sense of satisfaction.
"I work so hard, but..."
"I put in so much effort, but..."
If you complain or grumble like this, the effort itself, even the act of working, will become painful. I don't think this will bring you true happiness.
I think the feeling of satisfaction that comes from truly enjoying one's efforts is difficult to attain unless one prays to Kami. If one works hard and enjoys his efforts with a heart of gratitude and sincerity, I believe that one can certainly cultivate a happy destiny.
We often hear the word "chance" but if an opportunity is dangling in front of you, it will not catch your eye if you do not put in the effort. In any case, you will probably not have any idea on how to use the opportunity.
Asking Kami for help or relying on Kami for blessings does not mean expecting a blessing to just fall into your lap.
The more we ask and pray, the more important it is to strive sincerely to be able to live a faithful life that is in line with Kami’s will.
I believe that the way to eliminate unhappiness, or what is known as the method of cultivating one's destiny, is, first, to make an honest effort; second, to have a strong will; third, to have unwavering faith; and fourth, to live a bright life with a firm spiritual belief.
If one can lead a proper life of faith, unhappiness will disappear. However, there are cases where it does not disappear.
I have no hands. I am missing one leg. If missing an arm or a leg is considered a misfortune, then I will never be able to eliminate unhappiness in my lifetime. But I still have a right leg. I still have a little happiness left.
No matter how unfortunate a person is, there is always a little bit of happiness left somewhere. A blind person can still hear. There may be someone who cannot see, hear, nor move their arms or legs, but even that person still finds sweets delicious when they eat them and feels good when they take a bath. If we think about it in this way, even the most unfortunate person has some happiness in them.
Those who lament their own misfortunes only see the unfortunate things and do not notice the things they can be grateful for. I think it is best to find the happiness that remains, spread it out like a cloth, wrap your unhappiness in it, and prevent it from escaping.
Just as lighting a single match in a dark place can make it bright, when the light of happiness shines directly from above, the shadows of unhappiness will disappear.
There is a teaching that "without faith, the world is in darkness," but if we practice faith, the world of darkness can become a world of light, misfortune can become happiness, and hardship can become blessings.
To be continued in next issue
Exercises for the Mind/Heart/Spirit
003 Turn your trash can into a gratitude box
"Today is garbage day. Why is there so much trash piled up!" If you think about it, nothing is trash to begin with. When does it become trash? It is probably after it has been used up and its role is fulfilled. In that case, let us express our appreciation for its great use before we part with it.
Konko Church of Gardena and Los Angeles Announcements
Morning Service and Gardena Church Shinto-kai meeting
On Sunday, July 7, we will be holding a morning prayer at 9 a.m. After praying, let’s clean the inside and outside of the church. The Shinto-Kai meeting will follow the cleanup. If you are interested, please join us.
July Monthly Service
On Sunday, July 14, from 10:00 a.m., we will be holding the Monthly Service at the Gardena Church Mediation Hall. After the service and lunch, a study session on the From Farmer to Founder- biography of Konko Daijin will be held from 12:00-1:00 p.m. All participants are asked to bring their book.
Gardena Church Work Committee Study Group
The GCWC will meet on Sunday, July 21 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. to work on Farmer to Founder discussion questions. Please contact Rev. Uzunoe if you are interested in joining this group.
KCNA Conference
The KCNA conference will be held at the University of Santa Barbara, CA from July 26 (Fri) - July 28 (Sun).
Konko Youth Camp | July 23 ~ 26 |
Young Adult Seminar | July 24 ~ 26 |
Family Camp | July 24 ~ 26 |
Spirituality Bridge | July 25 ~ 26 |
Conference | July 26 ~ 28 |
Please contact kcnaoffice@konkofaith.org or call Rev. Toshio Ota (Lancaster) at 714-390-5948 for further information.
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